Updated for 2024
National Forests and BLM lands offer the ultimate free camping experiences in the USA. Unfortunately, BLM camping is not an option in Florida but the State has three wonderful National Forests to explore.
Let me introduce them:
In this article, I cover National Forest camping in Florida. Please note – National Forest camping is NOT always FREE.
Organization of Public Camping in Florida
As described in the first article of this series and the org chart above (green block), there are three National Forests in Florida with drive-up camping facilities.
Dispersed drive-up camping is allowed (with restrictions) but developed campgrounds are very popular for many reasons as I will describe:
Camping Guide for each National Forest
If you plan to spend the winter in Florida, be aware of the hunting seasons and the restrictions when camping in FREE areas. Also, be tolerant of hunters and their rights regardless of your beliefs. Your family may hear gunshots and see dead animals. Be safe and wear orange clothing while hiking in hunting areas.
When dispersed camping, be aware of these general guidelines:
- Dispersed camping is not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas or less than 100 feet from streams and other water sources.
- Pick a previously used site. Plants, soil, and wildlife are impacted by new campsites.
- Make your campsite less visible, so other visitors can experience a “wild” setting.
- Avoid camping in the middle of a clearing or meadow.
- Be aware of forest boundaries. Get permission before camping on private property.
- Generally, you are limited to a 14-day stay per month.
- Camping is allowed only in designated campsites during general gun season.
With so many camping options available in each National Forest, I have separate guides for each Forest. Please check in often!
Below is a summary.
NOTE – I do not keep track of open versus closed camping areas and hunting dates! These change all the time and it is your responsibility to check the official websites using the links in this article.
Apalachicola National Forest – Information and Booking
There are two full-service campgrounds (reservations only), four first-come, first-serve ($10 per night) campgrounds with some amenities, and many FREE campsites in Apalachicola NF.
I show these in my interactive map at the end of the post. Just click on the Gray Camp Symbols to see whether the site is FREE or not!
Dispersed camping (please consider the rules) is allowed in Apalachicola NF except during General Gun Hunting Season. Be aware that Florida is a swampland and many of the forest roads are rough, muddy, and wet. Finding a dry pullout to disperse camp is challenging! After a rainstorm, you may be stuck for a while. Many folks don’t even bother with finding dispersed sites; they camp in one of the many FREE sites.
General Gun Season is usually over Thanksgiving weekend and from the 2nd Saturday in December to January 31. During these dates, you MUST camp in a hunting camp or other established campground.
In this image, you can see the locations of established campsites:
For the latest hunting information please read – Apalachicola WMA Brochure
Here are the two best sources of information:
- Recreation.gov – excellent website with detailed information about campgrounds in Apalachicola National Forest including maps and photos. Official booking site for National Forest campgrounds Camel Lake and Wright Lake.
- Apalachicola National Forest – official website with detailed background information about the Forest and camping opportunities.
Ocala National Forest – Information and Booking
There are many fee-based campsites and one FREE campsite in Ocala NF.
I show these in my interactive map at the end of the post. Just click on the Gray Camp Symbols to see whether the site is FREE or not!
Dispersed camping (please consider the rules) is allowed in Ocala NF except during General Gun Hunting Season. Be aware that Florida is a swampland and many of the forest roads are rough, muddy, and wet. Finding a dry pullout to disperse camp is challenging! After a rainstorm, you may be stuck for a while. Many folks don’t even bother with finding dispersed sites; they camp in one of the many FREE sites.
General Gun Season is usually from the 2nd Saturday in November to the first Sunday in January (Pipeline, Lake Delancy, and Hopkins Prairie units), and the 2nd and 4th weeks in November (Church Lake Unit). During these dates, you MUST camp in a hunting camp or other established campground.
In this image, you can see the locations of established campsites:
For the latest hunting information please read – Ocala WMA Brochure
Here are the two best sources of information:
- Recreation.gov – excellent website with detailed information about campgrounds in Ocala National Forest including maps and photos. Official booking site for National Forest campgrounds.
- Ocala National Forest – official website with detailed background information about the Forest and camping opportunities.
Osceola National Forest – Information and Booking
There are two first-come, first-serve (fee-based) campgrounds with some amenities and many FREE campsites in Osceola NF.
I show these in my interactive map at the end of the post. Just click on the Gray Camp Symbols to see whether the site is FREE or not!
Dispersed camping (please consider the rules) is allowed in Osceola NF except during General Gun Hunting Season. Be aware that Florida is a swampland and many of the forest roads are rough, muddy, and wet. Finding a dry pullout to disperse camp is challenging! After a rainstorm, you may be stuck for a while. Many folks don’t even bother with finding dispersed sites; they camp in one of the many FREE sites.
General Gun Season is usually from the 2nd Saturday in November to the first Sunday in January. During these dates, you MUST camp in a hunting camp or other established campground.
In this image, you can see the locations of established campsites:
For the latest hunting information please read – Osceola WMA Brochure
Here are the two best sources of information:
- Recreation.gov – excellent website with detailed information about campgrounds in Osceola National Forest including maps and photos. Official booking site for National Forest campgrounds.
- Osceola National Forest – official website with detailed background information about the Forest and camping opportunities.
Recreation.gov
If you are unfamiliar with Recreation.gov, do spend some time exploring the site. It is the official portal for reservations, venue details, and descriptions of 12 Federal Participating Partners: Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Federal Highway Administration, National Archives & Records Administration, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, Tennessee Valley Authority, Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers and US Forest Service.
Free or Cheap Camping Map of Florida
This map shows each of the campgrounds or areas, grouped by color. For example, State Park Campgrounds (fee required) are shown as Orange, and National Forest Campgrounds (fee required in most cases) are shown as Grey.
In Part 6, I write about State Forests in Florida and camping opportunities.
