Are you looking for the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds? We’ve put together a complete list of the ones we like the most and can wholeheartedly recommend!
Florida beaches make up some of the most unique and gorgeous beaches in the U.S. And friendly, accessible, and beautiful beach campgrounds for RVers abound.
We seek them out and return year after year.
We want to help you enjoy them, too, especially the best Florida beach RV campgrounds out there. So, we put together this very comprehensive article.
With the breezy Florida vibes, the incredible beaches, views, and perhaps a margarita in your hand, Florida is very much a place to “get away from it all” all year round.
Things to Consider
One thing to note is that when going on an RV camping trip through Florida, many campgrounds are in state parks, which require a separate fee to enter. Rather than paying a separate fee for each, you may want to consider getting the following:
- Individual Annual Entrance Pass (for about $60)
- Family Annual Entrance Pass (for $120, includes up to 8 people in a group).
They can be purchased at any Florida state park or ranger station. For more info, visit the Florida State Park website.
The summertime in Florida is hot and very humid. Summer is also the rainy season. Still beautiful but unless you plan to run your RV AC 24×7, it can get a bit uncomfortable. The exception is the panhandle and Northwest Florida. There, while still hot, the cooling breezes from the gulf make the beaches much more comfortable than either coast or the Keys in South Florida.
The best time to go in our books is October through the end of April.
And you can use our nifty interactive MAP to get instant information on all the campgrounds we mention in this post! Give it a try – just click on any of the location points and then click Details. You’ll see the address, the phone number, the website link, the Ratings, and more!
Ready? Here is our list of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds:
This is at the top of our list because it is probably our favorite beachfront RV park in Florida. Officially, it’s known as the Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. It has two loops. On the west side of US-1 is a riverside campground on the Intercoastal Waterway.
But our favorite is the loop on the east side of US-1, right on the ocean.
Gamble Rogers is on an area of the North Atlantic Coast known as the Historic Coast, and it has absolutely spectacular beachfront sites just a few steps from the beach. The photo above is of our site, taken a while ago.
Campsite prices vary from $16-$42. (Always check prices before you go, as these can change.)
Here is a video we did of the region with lots of video of Gamble Rogers:
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Grayton Beach is in the Panhandle west of Panama City and east of Destin.
Its beach has gorgeous clear water and fine white sand. Book in advance for this one! Well-maintained sites with concrete pads and zen-like raked gravel among diverse plants and trees. All sites have electric-water hookups, picnic tables, and grills.
The sites are not on the water, but the beach is a nice stroll or a short bike ride from your campsite. There is potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station. Nightly rates are $30, with a $5 fee to get into the park.
Always check those prices before you go, as they may change.
Located right in the midst of Destin in the Panhandle and just a few miles west of Grayton Beach is Henderson Beach State Park. A magnificent 30-foot white sand dune separates the camping from the beach, but walkways make it easy to get to the water from the 60 campsites.
This typically books up a year in advance. That’s what happens when you are one of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds!
Another huge plus of this beach is it is close to excellent dining and shopping in Destin but is protected on all sides from businesses.
This is located near Pensacola in the panhandle, right near the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
The general consensus is that Loop A has more spacious sites if that’s what you’re looking for. Otherwise, this is a great campground, with nice trails for hiking and abundant wildlife, and the beach is easily accessible.
136 of the 200 sites have electric hookups, with picnic tables and grills. There’s potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station.
Nightly rates run at $40 depending. Senior and Access pass holders are eligible for a 50% discount on nightly fees. Again, double-check those prices before you go.
The beach is a short walk from your campsite. That’s why it is one of the Best Florida Beach RV Campgrounds.
Mike and Jennifer’s Summer T-Shirts for your next adventure
We are huge fans of Camp Gulf. It’s a commercial park in the town of Miramar, a very desirable location along the Panhandle’s Emerald Coast.
If you want to splurge on beach RV camping, this is the place to be!
What you’ll get at Camp Gulf, as one of the best Florida beach RV campgrounds, is crystal-clear ocean waters lapping up against white sugar sand. It is the full experience of living on one of the best beaches in Florida.
For this special access, be prepared to pay about $200 per night. For many, it’s worth it! It includes private restrooms and showers, a community room, two swimming pools, and a full-service camp store.
Note: they don’t allow pets.
CLICK HERE to read our article about beach camping at Camp Gulf
This is a smaller but very cute campground with about 40 sites and beach access.
That means it is very hard to get in. But persistence pays off.
Located on the upscale and very beautiful Siesta Key, this is run by Sarasota County. A free trolley takes you into town if you can tear yourself away from the beach. Gorgeous sunsets here!
There are palm trees and shrubbery between the sites, providing some privacy and shade, and the grounds are well-kept. There is a restaurant across the way.
All sites have full hookups. Amenities include WiFi, flush toilets and showers, laundry, a playground and picnic area with grills. Nightly rates are $50-$60 or more.
This is a highly-rated campground close to St. Petersburg, with some waterfront sites, and all sites have electric-water hookups. Snowbirds consistently rate this as one of the best Florida beach RV campgrounds.
Kayak on the water, or rent a bike from the camp store. You will find picnic tables, grills, potable water, flush toilets and showers, laundry, and a playground. Nightly rates are $40-$50.
It is run by Pinellas County and is huge – consisting of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected keys. These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods, and scores of native plants. Each of these species plays a vital role in preserving and protecting the natural environment.
The campground is right near the beach, and there are many places to fish. Over 328 species of birds can be found here.
Right of US-1, the route from Miami to Key West, Key Largo is considered the gateway to the Keys.
Since this one is located along the marina, there is ample opportunity for boating and even kayaking among the mangroves. Their 171 sites all have full hookups, and there are picnic tables, potable water, flush toilets and showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a pool and a dump station.
Nightly rates run at least $100-$130, depending on how close you are to the water.
John Pennekamp is the country’s first undersea park, encompassing 70 nautical square miles. While many visitors view the park’s colorful coral reefs and teeming marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour, one can get an even closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.
Canoeing and kayaking through the park’s waters are popular activities; fishing is permitted in designated areas.
There are two beaches accessible to the 42-site campground.
This park is easy driving distance to Biscayne National Park and the Everglades. There are great kayaking opportunities, and snorkeling is available when the weather is nice.
With 42 sites, all have electric-water hookups. Amenities include picnic tables, potable water, flush toilets and showers, a playground, laundry and a dump station.
Nightly rates run around $36, with an $8 fee to enter the park.
Near Marathon, FL, the motto for this place is Unhurried, Untouched, and Unrivaled. That’s why it is one of the best RV campgrounds in Florida.
It sits halfway between Key Largo and Key West and is 1,000-acres in size. It is the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key.
This is a smaller campground, with 25 sites situated in a loop. But if you can get in, you are in paradise.
Pets are welcome at the campground but not on the beach. This park is a favorite for kayakers and paddleboarders.
All sites have electric-water hookups, and each has a picnic table and grill. There is potable water, flush toilets and showers, a playground for the kids, and a dump station.
While this park is a bit on the pricey side, the views you will get are well worth it at this well-kept and clean RV park. Look at the photo above. See why it’s one of Florida’s best RV beach camping spots?
It is really an RV resort and has been recently renovated. It’s on the Gulf side of Highway 1. There are spots on the water and even one coveted campsite where you are on your own little peninsula!
All sites have full hookups with picnic tables. There’s potable water, laundry, a pool, WiFi and cable TV.
Nightly rates run at least $90 – $230, depending on the time of year and proximity to the water.
This is just a few miles north of Key West on US-1, the Overseas Highway,
If you get a spot along the water, you can rent a kayak and set off for a relaxing afternoon of rowing right from your campsite. The staff is welcoming and the campground is clean. You can also snorkel and swim.
It’s known for its iconic Florida scenery — palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters, and magnificent sunsets. Visitors to the park enjoy balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. We warn you, if you stay, you will return.
Hookups are electric-water, with a picnic table and grills. Amenities include potable water, flush toilets and showers, and a dump station.
Nightly rates are at least $36, with $8 to get into the park. Always check those prices before you go.
Boyd’s easily makes our list because it’s one of Florida’s best beachfront RV parks. It’s been around for decades, and there is an awesome ambiance there, as well as the proximity of the water. Some sites back right up on it.
Here’s a video we did of our visit to Key West and our stay at Boyds that will give you a great idea of what it’s like:
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Spend a few nights here, and you will get ALL your kinks out. The grounds are well-kept, and the staff is friendly!
Most of their sites have full hookups, with picnic tables and grills. Other amenities include potable water, flush toilets and showers, firewood, laundry, a pool, WiFi, cable TV and a dump station.
Nightly rates are going to be at least $115-$225 or more, depending on hookups and location to the water.
Jetty Park Campground is located in Port Canaveral Florida, where giant cruise ships arrive and depart throughout the day. In addition, submarines can also be spotted docking there.
And from the park itself, rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral Air Force Station can easily be seen.
The Jetty Park Campground has multiple site options ranging from $30 to $60, depending on hookups, slabs, and time of year.
There is a free dump station. Check those prices, as things may have changed.
Here’s a video we did that shows Jetty Park and the things we did in the area.
CLICK HERE to read our account of camping at Jetty Park
With no reservations at the end of February, we were able to snag a Jetty Park Campground spot with water and electricity, a grill, and a very weathered wooden picnic table. There was plenty of room, and it was relatively flat. The beach (no dogs allowed) is gorgeous.
This is a small campground in the Gulf of Mexico in the area of the Florida Gulf coast known as “The Forgotten Coast.” This is Old Florida. No highrises. No traffic.
HoHum is located just a few miles east of the tiny fishing town of Carrabelle and smack dab on the Gulf of Mexico. We camp here every time we can.
It has awesome views of sunsets over the Gulf and thus qualifies as one of the Best Florida RV Beach Campgrounds.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote about Ho Hum
It’s a delightful little park. Nothing fancy. But clean, neat, and far from the overdevelopment that characterizes the Sunshine State’s coastline.
To the east, there were a couple of well-spaced beach houses. To the west, nothing but wild beach, bordered by scrub pine.
The park boasts a lighted 250-foot long fishing pier and a narrow little beach. Pets, on a leash, are welcome in the park, on the beach and even on the pier. Kids, not so much. It’s billed as an “adult-only” park.
Prices start at $40 or $50 a night depending on proximity to water and time of year. Please double-check those prices.
That’s our list. But there is so much more! Our Facebook members chimed in on this one with loads of suggestions — see it here.
CLICK HERE for another one of our articles on other great RV campgrounds in Florida
See a recent Youtube short — right here.
Mike and Jennifer’s Favorite Places in Florida – all 3 ebooks!
We RVers may wander far and wide but it’s true for most of us that we end up with some favorite “Go-To” places – places that draw us back again and again.
Florida is one of those places for us. And we know it is for many RVers looking to get away and explore during the winter.
That’s why we’ve created three guides, covering Florida’s Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Keys.
Each of these guides is a seven-day guided exploration of one of the coasts. And each stop is a curated view of the best things that we’ve enjoyed on this trip and want you to experience.
Altogether these guides are over 300 pages of content!
FAQ’s about Florida Gulf Coast beaches of interest to RVers
What is the weather like along Florida’s Gulf Coast?
The weather along Florida’s Gulf Coast can vary depending on the time of year and the specific location. In general, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters.
The Panhandle region can be quite cool in January. It is seldom below freezing, but daytime highs are typically in the 50s. It warms up about 10 degrees each month.
You can also generally add about 10 degrees for every 150 miles you travel south down the Florida peninsula.
By the time you hit Naples, daytime highs in January are in the comfortable 70s.
Did Hurricane Ian destroy many beach campgrounds on the Gulf Coast?
While it severely damaged almost two dozen RV parks and campgrounds, about 8-10 campgrounds in the Naples-Ft. Myers area were completely destroyed. Most of the damaged campgrounds have been repaired and reopened.
Check with the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds if you have questions or concerns.
Are there any websites that can help me get a reservation for a Florida beach campground?
One of the best resources we can recommend is called Campnab. This service monitors parks for cancelations and sends you an alert when an opening matches your criteria. That said, it isn’t magic. The app doesn’t create availabilities.
The service works – but it is not free.
Campnab offers two ways to use the service. The first is individual pay-per-use scans. These watch for vacancies at a specific park for a specific date. These work well if you know exactly when and where you intend to camp. Pay-per-use scans cost $10 – $20, depending on how frequently you want them to check availability.
The second way to use the service is through a membership. These typically run monthly and are tailored to those who camp more frequently or are looking to maximize their chance of finding a site. Membership allows you to scan multiple parks and/or dates simultaneously. With memberships, you pay a monthly recurring fee ($10, $20, $30, or $50), depending on your needs.
Are there places in Florida where you can literally camp on the beach for free?
Not many. And they are very pricey. If you want to sleep directly on the sand in an RV, you’ll have to stay at a developed commercial campground like Camp Gulf on the Emerald Coast or an RV resort like Big Pine Key Resort in the keys. Some state parks like the Gamble Rogers State Memorial Recreation Area in the Atlantic Coast or Bahia Honda State Park in the keys or Fort Desto State Park near St. Petersburg have beachside sites, too.
But are there free, unrestricted RV beach camping spots in Florida?
Sorry, none that I know of that would work for RVs.
There is unrestricted camping on wild beaches on a couple of islands, but you need a boat to get there, and it is for tent camping only. If you want to sleep directly on the sand, there is Anclote Key offshore Tarpon Springs, and Shell Key in Pinellas County. Another favorite is Keewaydin Island between Naples and Marco Island but that area remains pretty devasted from Hurricane Ian.
Looking for other destinations? Check these articles:
Looking for exciting RV trip ideas and travel suggestions?
We’ve written a library of RV Travel books that lay out guided RV explorations of scenic areas of the US that we’’ve explored and think would make an excellent RV trip for you.
In each location, we provide a suggested route and itinerary (7 stops in each guide, one for each day of a week trip!) as well as links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, local tips, and interesting things to do at each location.
You can hit everything in seven days, do a whirlwind weekend tour, or you can take your time and explore the area over a 2+ week period.
Planning an RV trip can be very time-consuming so that’s why we’ve done the research for you! Just take our guides and use them. We’re sure you’ll have an RV trip for the ages! Instant download. CLICK HERE for information on our RV Travel Guides
