Florida is literally dotted with RV parks (if you own such a vehicle, it's the least expensive way to spend your winters here). But for the best tent camping, look to Florida's national preserves and 110 state parks and recreation areas. Options range from luxury sites with hot-water showers and cable TV hookups, to primitive island and beach camping with no facilities whatsoever.
Regular and primitive camping in St. George Island State Park, near Apalachicola, is a bird-watcher's dream -- plus you'll be on one of the nation's most magnificent beaches. Equally great are the sands at St. Andrews State Park, in Panama City Beach (with sites right beside the bay). Other top spots are Fort DeSoto Park, in St. Pete Beach (more gorgeous bayside sites); the remarkably preserved Cayo Costa Island State Park, between Boca Grande and Captiva Island in Southwest Florida; Canaveral National Seashore, near the Kennedy Space Center; Anastasia State Park, in St. Augustine; Fort Clinch State Park, on Amelia Island; and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, on Key Biscayne in Miami. Down in the Keys, the oceanside sites in Long Key State Park are about as nice as they get.
In each of these popular campgrounds, reservations are essential, especially during the high season. Each of Florida's state parks take bookings up to 11 months in advance.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, Mail Station 535, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000 (tel. 850/245-2118; www.dep.state.fl.us), publishes an annual guide of tent and RV sites in Florida's state parks and recreation areas.
Pet owners, note: Pets are permitted at some -- but not all -- state park beaches, campgrounds, and food service areas. Before bringing your animal, check with the department or the individual park to see if your pet will be allowed. And bring your pet's rabies certificate, which is required.
For private campgrounds, the Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, 1340 Vickers Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32303 (tel. 850/562-7151; fax 850/562-7179; www.floridacamping.com), issues an annual Camp Florida directory with locator maps and details about its member establishments in the state.
