Updated for 2024
If one ventures beyond the borders of the three national forests in Florida, finding free camping is challenging. This is when experienced campers turn to Florida’s five Water Management Districts for options.
Free camping is available in all areas of the State; just don’t expect to camp for free in the Keys or near Disney World!
And I must issue a warning; for the reasons described below, booking the Water Management Districts is not an easy process!
In this article, I cover camping in Florida’s Water Management Districts. Please note – most sites are free but not walk-up. Sites must be pre-booked.
Organization of Public Camping in Florida
As described in the first article of this series and the org chart above, the Water Management Districts report to the Office of Water Policy as part of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Several tracts are managed in cooperation with other agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and different sets of camping rules may apply. Safety regulations during hunting season are of specific importance to campers.
At last check, I counted 69 vehicle-accessible Water Management District campgrounds or sites available to book online or via phone. In 2020 as a result of COVID-19, booking options changed and online booking is the only method to reserve sites. Drive-up and pay are no longer an option.
The Challenge
There are five Water Management Districts each with a different website and booking procedure! This means you must learn to navigate 5 different websites and maintain different usernames and passwords if you plan to camp in each District!
But no worries – in the next section I describe each website and show you how to book a site on each.
Camping Guide for each Water Management District
With so many camping options available in each District, my summary below will help you navigate the various websites and booking engines. Here are general tips:
- Do not expect much in terms of policing or rules enforcement! You are on your own and may have to leave if you are unhappy with something. Authorities generally do not care about loud parties, RVs setting up in tent-only sites, dumping trash, quiet hours, and even booking requirements should someone else illegally occupy your site when you arrive.
- Read your confirmation email very carefully. It has important information such as your lock combination and camping rules which may surprise you. For example, generators are not allowed at some campgrounds.
- Be aware of road conditions and weather (rain and flooding especially). High-clearance vehicles are recommended. And please do not park a trailer or RV on tent-only sites.
- Most sites are free but bookings are required. You cannot drive up and grab a site without completing some paperwork online.
- Maximum stay is generally between 7 and 10 days but every site is different
- Most sites are located behind gates using combination locks. You will get the combinations in your confirmation email together with emergency numbers to call if you need help.
- Locked areas are the safest and best to book in my opinion. When free sites are not gated, disrespectful locals will show up at all hours to disturb the peace.
- Some sites are walk-in (hike-in or paddle-in) and problematic if you sleep in your car or van. These sites require you to park some distance from your site and carry a tent to a fenced pad.
- Some sites are group sites with minimum requirements (for example 10 or more campers). Do not book these if you are alone!
- Sometimes you will have the whole area to yourself (single campsite), and sometimes you grab a spot in an open shared area. Others may consist of several numbered sites and you pick a site when you book.
IMPORTANT TOOL – Locate all the campgrounds and sites on my interactive map shown at the end of this article!
Northwest Florida Water Management District
Campsite Summary
A reservation can be made for up to seven (7) nights. Only 2 camping reservations are allowed per family group at a time, and reservations cannot be back-to-back.
You can book 335 days (about 11 months out) before arrival. Check-in is at or after 3:00 p.m. and Check-out is by 1:00 p.m.
The headings are self-explanatory:
- Book – Free reservations are required, and no first-come, first-served sites
- Days – Maximum stay in nights
- Block – Closed during General Gun Hunting seasons
| Name | Equip | Toilets | Book | Nights | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Spring | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Bluff Springs | Tent - walk in | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Boynton Landing | Tent, van, truck camper | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Christoff Landing | All | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Cotton Lake | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Cotton Landing | Tent, van, truck camper | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Dead River Landing | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Devil’s Hole | Tent, van, truck camper | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Florida River island | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Keyser Landing | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Lafayette Creek Tract?? | Tent | No | |||
| Longleaf | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Lost Lake Campsite | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Mystic Springs | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Otto Hill | Tent, van, truck camper | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Pine Ridge Equestrian Trail | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Rattlesnake Lake North | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Rattlesnake Lake South | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Seashell | Tent, van, truck camper | No | yes | 7 | no |
| Sparkleberry Pond | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Spurling Landing | Tent, van, truck camper | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Tom Johns Landing | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Walsingham Camp Site | Tent | No | yes | 7 | no |
| Walsingham Park | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Webb Landing | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| White Oak Landing | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Whitewater Lake | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | yes |
| Williams Lake | All | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
Contact Links
main website – http://www.nwfwater.com/
camping information – Recreation
bookings – Use the Chrome Browser – Camplife
Florida River Island – Free Campsite in Florida
Photo Slideshow
Click Play to see photos of the various campgrounds.
Suwannee River Water Management District
Campsite Summary
The headings are self-explanatory:
- Book – Free reservations are required, and no first-come, first-served sites
- Days – Maximum stay in nights
- Block – Closed during General Gun Hunting seasons
| Name | Equip | Toilets | Book | Nights | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Pasture | All | Yes | FCFS | 10 | Gun |
Contact Links
main website – http://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/
camping information – Recreation
For group bookings – email or call –
- 386-362-1001
- 800-226-1066 (FL only)
- recreation@srwmd.org
There is only one camping area, Goose Pasture, and it is located in the Northwest area of the District. First come, first serve. You can register at the kiosk if you find an open site.
Closed during General Gun season – (Early November through late January)
St. Johns River Water Management District
Campsite Summary
Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours (before 1 pm prior) in advance. Reservations are accepted within 90 days (about 3 months) before arrival.
All camping is limited to a maximum of 7 nights per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year. Check-in time is 1 PM and check-out time is 11 AM.
Important – No travel trailers, campers, or RVs are allowed. Either sleep in the car or pitch a tent!
The headings are self-explanatory:
- Book – Free reservations are required, and no first-come, first-served sites
- Days – Maximum stay in nights
- Block – Closed during Hunting seasons
| Name | Equip | Toilets | Book | Nights | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayard | Tent | no | yes | 7 | Yes |
| Black Creek Ravines | Tent | Yes, nearby | yes | 7 | No |
| Buck Lake | Tent | no | yes | 7 | All |
| Crescent Lake | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Fort Drum | Tent | Yes, nearby | yes | 7 | No |
| Hal Scott | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Heart Island | Tent | No | yes | 7 | Gun |
| Lake George Barrs | Tent | No | yes | 7 | Gun |
| Lake George Jumping Gully | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | Gun |
| Lake George Pine Island | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | Gun |
| Lake Monroe | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Longleaf | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Moses Creek | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Orange Creek North | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Palm Bluff | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Seminole Ranch | Tent | Yes | yes | 7 | no |
| Sunnyhill | Tent | No | yes | 7 | no |
Contact Links
main website – http://www.sjrwmd.com/
camping information – Recreation
bookings – Use the Chrome Browser – Camplife
Some campsites are closed during hunting seasons. Lake George is closed for most of the 2nd half of November
Buck Lake – several dates
Photo Slideshow
Click Play to see photos of the various campgrounds.
Campground Reviews
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Campsite Summary
Reservable campsites require a reservation and permit from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations are accepted 30 days before arrival. Only 2 camping reservations are allowed per family group at a time.
All camping is limited to a maximum of 7 nights per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year. Check-in time is 3 PM and check-out time is 11 AM.
The headings are self-explanatory:
- Book – Free reservations are required, and no first-come, first-served sites
- Days – Maximum stay in nights
- Block – Closed during General Gun Hunting seasons
| Name | Equip | Toilets | Book | Nights | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alston Tract - (Group 6 or more) | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Conner Preserve | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Cypress Creek Preserve | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Deep Creek Preserve (Group 6 or more) | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Flying Eagle Preserve | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Hampton Tract | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Lake Panasoffkee | All | Yes | yes | 7 | Yes |
| Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Potts Preserve | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Serenova Tract | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Upper Hillsborough Tract | All | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Edward Medard Park | All | yes | no | ? | No |
Contact Links
main website – http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/
camping information – Recreation
bookings – Reservation Page
Photo Slideshow
Click Play to see photos of the various campgrounds.
Campground Reviews
South Florida Water Management District
Campsite Summary
Reservable campsites require a reservation and special use license (SUL) from the district. Campers must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations are generally open for booking 4 – 6 months before arrival.
All camping is limited to a maximum of 7 nights per visit and you may camp no more than 30 days on a property per year. Check-in time is 3 PM and check-out time is 11 AM.
The headings are self-explanatory:
- Book – Free reservations are required, and no first-come, first-served sites
- Days – Maximum stay in nights
- Block – Closed during General Gun Hunting seasons
| Name | Equip | Toilets | Book | Nights | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| duPuis | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Hickory Hammock | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Istokpoga Canal | All | yes | yes | 7 | No |
| KICCO | All | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Allapattah Flats | Tent - walk in | Yes | yes | 7 | No |
| Chandler Slough West | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Fort Basinger | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Micco Landing | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Oak Creek | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Starvation Slough | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
| Yates Marsh North | Tent | No | yes | 7 | No |
Contact Links
main website – https://www.sfwmd.gov/
camping information – Recreation
bookings – Special Use License needed – Arzada
Photo Slideshow
Click Play to see photos of the various campgrounds.
Campground Reviews
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 in Orange, and Office of Water Policy Campgrounds (mostly free) are shown in Purple.
In Part 8, I write about Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in Florida and camping opportunities.
