12 Beachfront Campgrounds In Florida Worth Visiting In 2026
Florida’s coastline is not just long. It is legendary.
Stretching over 1,350 miles, it offers some of the most breathtaking beachfront camping experiences in the United States, where the ocean becomes your alarm clock and sunsets feel like private shows.
Imagine falling asleep to rolling waves, waking up to golden light over the water, and stepping straight from your tent onto warm Florida sand. Whether you are an experienced camper or simply craving a peaceful escape from everyday noise, camping along Florida’s beaches turns a simple getaway into a full sensory experience.
From the Panhandle’s sugar-white shores to the Gulf Coast’s glowing emerald waters, these campgrounds blend natural beauty, comfort, and adventure in a way few destinations can match. Expect salty breezes, star-filled skies, and mornings that feel slower, softer, and more meaningful.
If 2026 is your year to unplug, explore, and breathe deeper, these Florida beachfront campgrounds are calling. And once you go, ordinary camping might never feel the same again.
1. Anastasia State Park Campground
Set along St. Augustine’s ancient shores, Anastasia State Park Campground at 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, delivers a camping experience that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with hotels. This 1,600-acre coastal paradise has been welcoming outdoor enthusiasts since 1949, and boy, does it know how to throw a beachside party.
The campground features 139 sites that range from full hookups to primitive camping, so whether you’re rolling up in a luxury RV or pitching a tent like a wilderness warrior, you’ve got options.
What sets this spot apart is the incredible four miles of pristine beach that stretches before you like nature’s own red carpet. The unique coquina rock formations create tide pools teeming with marine life, making it an absolute wonderland for kids and adults who never quite grew up.
Bring your surfboard because the waves here are legendary among Florida’s surf community, and the fishing opportunities will have you reeling in dinner before sunset.
History buffs will geek out knowing they’re camping near America’s oldest city, with downtown St. Augustine just a quick drive away. The park’s maritime hammock and coastal dunes provide excellent hiking trails where you might spot gopher tortoises, painted buntings, or even a roseate spoonbill showing off its flamingo-pink plumage.
Kayakers can explore the tidal salt marshes of the Matanzas River, paddling through waterways that Spanish explorers once navigated centuries ago.
2. Fort De Soto Park Campground
Perched on five interconnected islands at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, Fort De Soto Park Campground is basically what happens when paradise decides to become a campground. This award-winning destination has snagged the title of America’s best beach multiple times, and after one visit, you’ll understand why the judges probably had the easiest job ever.
The campground offers 236 sites with water and electric hookups, plus modern bathhouses that’ll make you feel less like a rugged outdoorsperson and more like a glamper extraordinaire.
The real showstopper here is the seven miles of waterfront that wraps around the islands like nature’s own embrace. North Beach regularly tops national beach rankings with its soft white sand and calm, turquoise waters that look Photoshopped but are gloriously real.
History whispers through the preserved Fort De Soto, a Spanish-American War fortification where you can explore gun batteries and imagine life as a soldier from 1898—though they definitely didn’t have your sweet camping setup.
Birdwatchers go absolutely bonkers here during migration season when over 328 species pass through this critical stopover point along the Atlantic Flyway. The two fishing piers are legendary among anglers who’ve hauled in everything from snook to tarpon, while kayakers can paddle through mangrove tunnels that feel like secret passageways to another world.
Cyclists will appreciate the park’s network of paved trails that wind through coastal habitats where bottlenose dolphins occasionally pop up to say hello.
3. Grayton Beach State Park Campground
Tucked away at 357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Grayton Beach State Park Campground guards one of Florida’s most unspoiled coastal treasures like a well-kept secret that’s too good not to share. Established in 1968, this 2,220-acre wonderland protects a rare coastal dune lake ecosystem found in only a few places worldwide, making it rarer than a politician keeping campaign promises.
The campground features 59 sites accommodating everything from tents to large RVs, all nestled among scrub oaks and magnolias that provide welcome shade during those scorching summer afternoons.
The beach itself is an absolute stunner, consistently ranking among America’s most beautiful with sugar-white quartz sand so soft it squeaks beneath your feet like nature’s own soundtrack. Western Lake, the coastal dune lake adjacent to the campground, creates a brackish ecosystem where freshwater meets saltwater, supporting an incredibly diverse array of wildlife.
Paddling across this serene lake feels like gliding through a painting, with rare plants dotting the shoreline and ospreys diving for fish overhead.
The nearby town of Grayton Beach exudes old Florida charm with its funky art galleries, seafood shacks, and laid-back vibe that makes you want to extend your stay indefinitely. Hikers can explore four miles of trails winding through scrub forest, salt marshes, and along the lake, where you might encounter white-tailed deer or the endangered Choctawhatchee beach mouse.
Sunsets here are the kind that make you put down your phone and just breathe, painting the sky in colors that would make even the most jaded artist weep with joy.
4. Honeymoon Island State Park Campground
Romance meets rugged outdoors at Honeymoon Island State Park Campground, located at 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698, where the name alone makes you want to pack your bags and head west. This barrier island got its swoon-worthy moniker in the 1940s when it served as a honeymoon resort destination, and while the thatched-roof bungalows are long gone, the romantic sunsets remain absolutely spectacular.
The campground may be smaller and more primitive than some others on this list, but what it lacks in hookups, it makes up for in pure, unadulterated natural beauty.
Four miles of pristine beaches beckon beachcombers who collect shells by the bucketful, while the island’s interior forests provide shaded hiking trails through virgin slash pine stands that somehow survived Florida’s development frenzy.Keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins playing in the surf and manatees cruising through the shallows during cooler months.
The northern end of the island features a dog beach where your four-legged camping companions can frolic in the waves and make friends with other vacation pups living their best lives. Ferry service to nearby Caladesi Island State Park, consistently rated one of America’s top beaches, turns your camping trip into an island-hopping adventure worthy of a travel documentary.
Anglers cast lines from the beach or wade into the shallow flats targeting redfish, sea trout, and snook, while kayakers explore mangrove-lined channels teeming with marine life.
5. Little Talbot Island State Park Campground
Wild, windswept, and wonderfully untamed, Little Talbot Island State Park Campground at 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, represents Florida’s coastline as it existed long before high-rises and beach bars took over. This 2,500-acre barrier island sanctuary maintains its primitive character with 40 campsites tucked into maritime forest, where Spanish moss drapes from ancient oaks like nature’s own curtains.
The campground offers electric and water hookups, but the real luxury here is the complete escape from civilization’s constant buzz.
Five miles of undeveloped beach showcase a dramatic landscape of driftwood sculptures carved by wind and waves, creating an otherworldly scene that photographers absolutely adore. These weathered tree skeletons, bleached white by sun and salt, stand like sentinels along the shoreline, telling silent stories of storms past and nature’s relentless creativity.
The beach slopes gently into the Atlantic, making it perfect for swimming, surfing, and building sandcastles that would make architects jealous.
Salt marshes and tidal creeks on the island’s western side create prime fishing and kayaking territory where redfish, flounder, and sea trout lurk beneath the surface. The Saturiwa Trail offers four miles of hiking through diverse ecosystems, from coastal dunes to maritime hammocks, where you might encounter river otters, bobcats, or the occasional gopher tortoise lumbering across the path.
Birdwatchers keep their binoculars handy for sightings of painted buntings, roseate spoonbills, and wood storks that frequent the island’s varied habitats, making every morning walk a potential National Geographic moment.
6. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground
Exclusivity meets accessibility at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground, situated at 7525 W Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, where emerald waters and towering dunes create scenery so stunning it almost seems unfair to other beaches. This 1,640-acre preserve protects some of the highest coastal dunes in Florida, with sand mountains rising over 25 feet like miniature Saharas overlooking the Gulf.
The campground features 156 sites with full hookups, plus modern amenities that include a camp store, laundry facilities, and clean bathhouses that’ll make you forget you’re roughing it.
Three pristine coastal dune lakes dot the preserve, creating rare ecosystems found in only a handful of locations worldwide—Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, and right here in Northwest Florida’s panhandle. Campbell Lake and Morris Lake offer exceptional freshwater fishing and kayaking opportunities where you can paddle in crystal-clear water while watching marine life dart beneath your boat.
The tram service transports campers to the beach, making it easy to haul coolers, chairs, and all the beach gear your heart desires without breaking a sweat.
The beach itself stretches wide and white, with sand so fine it feels like powdered sugar between your toes and water that shifts from jade to sapphire depending on the light. Over 2.5 miles of hiking trails wind through the preserve, passing through scrub forest and pine flatwoods where endangered species like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse make their homes.
Sunset viewing from the dunes transforms into a nightly ritual, with the sun melting into the Gulf in a blaze of oranges and pinks that’ll have you questioning whether you accidentally wandered into a postcard.
7. Cayo Costa State Park Campground
Adventure seekers and solitude lovers unite at Cayo Costa State Park Campground, accessible only by boat at Cayo Costa State Park, Boca Grande, FL 33921, where the journey to reach this barrier island paradise becomes part of the unforgettable experience. This 2,426-acre island remains blissfully undeveloped, preserving nine miles of pristine Gulf beaches that look exactly as they did when Spanish explorers first spotted them centuries ago.
The campground offers 30 primitive tent sites and 12 rustic cabins, with no electricity, limited water, and absolutely zero cell service—basically a digital detox disguised as a camping trip.
Getting here requires planning and either your own boat or a ferry ride from nearby Pine Island or Boca Grande, but the effort pays dividends in pure, unfiltered natural beauty. The beach stretches endlessly in both directions, often completely empty except for shorebirds and the occasional dolphin pod cruising offshore.
Shell collectors hit the jackpot here, finding everything from lightning whelks to sand dollars scattered across the sand like nature’s own treasure hunt.
The island’s interior features maritime forests and mangrove swamps teeming with wildlife, including manatees that frequent the calm waters during winter months. Kayaking through the mangrove tunnels feels like exploring secret waterways where time stands still and nature calls all the shots.
Fishing from the beach or bay side yields snook, redfish, sea trout, and tarpon, while birdwatchers spot everything from roseate spoonbills to bald eagles. Bring everything you need because there’s no camp store, no restaurants, and no modern distractions—just you, the beach, and memories in the making.
8. Myakka River State Park
While primarily known for its river and wetland ecosystems, Myakka River State Park at 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, offers a unique camping experience with beach access that combines freshwater lake swimming with classic Florida wilderness. This massive 58-square-mile park, one of Florida’s oldest and largest, was established in 1941 and protects diverse habitats ranging from wetlands to prairies to hammocks.
The campground features 48 sites with electric and water hookups, plus primitive camping options for those who prefer maximum solitude with their nature fix.
Upper Myakka Lake provides a sandy beach area where families splash and swim in freshwater that’s refreshingly clear and gator-free—well, mostly gator-free, because this is Florida after all, and a little wildlife excitement keeps things interesting. The lake’s beach area offers a different vibe from saltwater coastlines, with cypress trees lining the shores and freshwater fish jumping at dawn and dusk.
Canoe and kayak rentals let you explore 12 miles of the Myakka River, paddling past sunbathing alligators and wading birds that seem utterly unbothered by your presence.
The park’s canopy walkway and observation tower provide bird’s-eye views of the surrounding wilderness, rising 74 feet above ground for panoramic vistas that’ll make your Instagram followers insanely jealous. Over 39 miles of hiking and biking trails wind through diverse ecosystems where you might encounter wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, bobcats, or even the elusive Florida panther if luck’s on your side.
Airboat tours offer thrilling rides across the wetlands, while the park’s dark skies make stargazing absolutely spectacular once the sun sets and the Milky Way emerges in all its cosmic glory.
9. Sebastian Inlet State Park Campground
Surf’s up at Sebastian Inlet State Park Campground, positioned at 9700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, where consistent waves and excellent fishing create a recreational paradise that keeps visitors coming back year after year. This 578-acre park straddles the inlet connecting the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean, creating dynamic conditions that attract surfers, anglers, and beach lovers in equal measure.
The campground offers 51 sites with electric and water hookups, all within walking distance of both the ocean and the lagoon, giving you twice the waterfront options.
The inlet’s jetties are legendary among Florida surfers, producing some of the state’s most reliable waves and hosting professional competitions that draw athletes from around the world. Even if you’ve never touched a surfboard, watching skilled surfers carve up waves from the jetty walkway provides endless entertainment.
Anglers cast lines from the jetties, the fishing pier, or right from the beach, targeting everything from pompano to tarpon depending on the season and their level of optimism.
Three miles of pristine Atlantic coastline offer swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing opportunities where you’ll find shells, sea glass, and occasionally sea turtle nests marked and protected by park staff. The McLarty Treasure Museum tells the fascinating story of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet that wrecked nearby during a hurricane, scattering gold and silver coins that still occasionally wash ashore.
Kayakers and paddleboarders explore the calm lagoon waters, while the Sebastian Fishing Museum showcases the area’s rich maritime heritage through exhibits and artifacts that bring local history to life in engaging ways.
10. St. George Island State Park Campground
Barrier island bliss awaits at St. George Island State Park Campground, located at 1900 E Gulf Beach Dr, St George Island, FL 32328, where nine miles of undeveloped beach create a coastal paradise that feels worlds away from everyday stress. This 2,023-acre park occupies the eastern end of a 28-mile barrier island, protecting pristine beaches, dunes, and coastal forests that support incredible biodiversity.
The campground features 60 sites accommodating RVs and tents, with modern amenities including bathhouses, a dump station, and convenient beach access that makes hauling your gear a breeze.
The beach here ranks among Florida’s finest, with soft white sand, gentle waves, and shallow waters perfect for families with young children who want to splash without worry. Shelling opportunities are exceptional, especially after storms when the Gulf deposits treasures like sand dollars, fighting conchs, and colorful scallop shells along the tide line.
Bay-side beaches on the island’s northern shore offer calmer waters for kayaking and paddleboarding through seagrass beds where juvenile fish dart about.
The Gap Point Trail system provides 2.5 miles of boardwalks and sandy paths winding through coastal scrub and pine flatwoods where gopher tortoises, ghost crabs, and countless bird species make their homes. Fishing from the beach or bay consistently produces catches of whiting, pompano, redfish, and sea trout, while lucky anglers sometimes hook into tarpon during their seasonal migrations.
Sunrises over the bay and sunsets over the Gulf mean you can catch spectacular light shows twice daily without ever leaving the campground, making photographers and romantics equally happy with nature’s free entertainment.
11. Fort Clinch State Park Campground
History and natural beauty collide spectacularly at Fort Clinch State Park Campground, situated at 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, where a remarkably preserved Civil War-era fort shares space with pristine beaches and maritime forests. This 1,400-acre park at Florida’s northeastern tip has welcomed visitors since 1935, making it one of the state’s oldest parks and a testament to the value of preserving both cultural and natural resources.
The campground offers 62 sites with electric and water hookups, plus amenities that include modern bathhouses, a camp store, and convenient beach access via a short walk through coastal hammocks.
The star attraction is Fort Clinch itself, a brick fortification completed in 1867 that never saw battle but remains in such excellent condition you’d think it was built last decade. Living history programs feature costumed interpreters portraying Union soldiers from 1864, demonstrating military drills and daily life in ways that make history textbooks seem criminally boring by comparison.
The fort’s ramparts offer stunning views of Cumberland Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, perfect for spotting ships entering the busy Jacksonville port.
Six miles of pristine beaches stretch along the Atlantic and Cumberland Sound, offering swimming, surfing, and fishing opportunities that cater to every skill level and interest. The Willow Pond Nature Trail loops through maritime hammock where you might encounter white-tailed deer, armadillos, or the occasional bobcat slinking through the undergrowth.
Fishing from the pier or beach yields whiting, flounder, redfish, and seasonal runs of bluefish that get anglers seriously excited, while cyclists enjoy miles of paved roads winding through the park’s diverse habitats.
12. Blackwater River State Park Campground
Crystal-clear river waters meet pristine beaches at Blackwater River State Park Campground, located at 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Holt, FL 32564, where the sand-bottomed Blackwater River creates swimming holes so clear you can count fish from the shore. While technically a river park, the sandy beaches along the Blackwater River and nearby access to Gulf beaches make this a unique camping destination that combines freshwater and saltwater experiences.
The campground features 30 sites with electric and water hookups, nestled among longleaf pines and oaks that provide welcome shade during warm summer months.
The Blackwater River earned its name from the tannin-stained water that flows from the surrounding Blackwater River State Forest, but don’t let the name fool you—the water is remarkably clean and transparent, creating an unusual tea-colored clarity that’s perfect for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. Sandy beaches along the river’s edge provide perfect spots for picnicking, sunbathing, and building sandcastles that would impress any beach architect.
The river’s gentle current makes it ideal for leisurely float trips where you can drift for hours without breaking a sweat.
Nearby Gulf beaches are just a short drive away, giving campers easy access to saltwater fishing, surfing, and coastal exploration when they need a break from river life. The park’s nature trails wind through longleaf pine forests where red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, and white-tailed deer roam freely, making every hike an opportunity for wildlife encounters.
Chain O’ Lakes Trail connects to additional swimming areas and fishing spots where bass, bream, and catfish provide action for anglers of all ages and skill levels, ensuring nobody leaves empty-handed or bored.