Beach Camping Near Gainesville, Florida, US: 12 Best Beach Campsites 2025

United States
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Florida
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Gainesville

97% (491 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Gainesville

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top beach campgrounds near Gainesville

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(241)

Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Dunnellon, FL

Welcome! 🌿 We're thrilled to have you join us for an unforgettable experience surrounded by nature and animals. 🐾 At our ranch, we're dedicated to providing a sanctuary for rescued animals and offering our guests a unique opportunity to connect with nature and support our mission of animal welfare and conservation – it's a haven where you can relax, unwind, and make memories that will last a lifetime. 🌟 During your stay, you'll have the chance to meet our furry friends, including rescued farm animals and adorable companions who call Happy Campers Rescue Ranch home. Whether you're feeding the goats, cuddling with the kittens, or exploring the beautiful surroundings, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 🐷🐱🌳 But that's not all – we also offer a range of exciting extras to enhance your experience. Rent a Kayak or Paddle Boat to explore the area and crystal-clear waters of Rainbow Springs, or choose our cooler with built-in air conditioning ❄️ to stay comfortable during hot summer days inside your tent. As a guest, you'll not only have the opportunity to relax and unwind, but you'll also be supporting our mission of animal rescue and rehabilitation. A portion of your stay goes directly towards caring for our rescued animals and maintaining our sanctuary, allowing us to continue our important work. 🤲 We can't wait to welcome you to out ranch and share our love for animals and nature with you. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or a unique retreat, we're here to make your stay unforgettable. 🌈 ***We kindly request bookings for a maximum duration of up to 7 days. This allows us to maintain the integrity of our sanctuary and ensures that our animals receive consistent care and attention while also offering our guests the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating getaway. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Thank you for choosing our ranch – we look forward to hosting you soon! 🎉

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Enchanted Oaks Camp & Farm

6 sites · Lodging9 acres · Ocala, FL

Welcome to Enchanted Oaks Farm and Camp site. We are an 8.5 acre farm in Ocala Florida, that offers unique glamping experiences. Activities in the area include: -Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak (40 minute drive)-K.P. Hole County Park (40 minute drive)-Disney (1 hr 10 minute drive)-Ocala National Forest (30-50 minute drive)-Juniper Springs Swimming Area (1 hr drive)-Ocala Drive-in (30 minute drive)-Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring (52 minute drive)-The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park (29 minute drive)-Silver Springs State Park (40 mintue drive)Hi Y’all, I’m Cassie Peech. I own and operate Enchanted Oaks Farm and Cassie Peech and Company (a wedding and events company based out of Orlando, Jax, and Tampa).We are from a tiny Kentucky town (2000 people), and love to show people our southern hospitality. We originally bought the farm to host weddings but we figured we would give hosting a try and we love it!!

Cristal camping 🏕️

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Crystal River, FL

You just came across a very unique piece of land very close to all the springs that there is to enjoy and a beautiful small town of Inglis located in Crystal River Florida. Please come and enjoy this cold water from this beautiful springs. And don’t forget to bring the floaty’s, snorkels and goggles because you’re going to need it in order to see all the beautiful underwater scenes on this Cristal water, rivers. Come enjoy our beautiful tent space nestled in a wooded lot located at the beautiful Rainbow River, one of the largest spring fed rivers in the world , you will have a parking area. Kayak rentals available. It is a short walk to the 40-mile Withlacoochee biking/walking trail which has a large variety of birds and wildlife for your viewing pleasure. Rainbow River State park and head springs is located 4.6 miles away, a great place for swimming and snorkeling with an admission fee of $2. There is a laundromat, grocery stores, and a large selection of restaurants nearby for your dining pleasure. See you soon! PEACE

J & T Hideaway / Silver Springs, FL

1 site · RV1 acre · Silver Springs, FL

Beautiful high and dry corner lot with privacy hedge and full hook ups in the highly sought after Wilderness RV Resort. Our property is nestled within the tranquil Ocala National Forest, complete with tons of resort amenities! Did we mention our resort is located on a portion of the Florida Black Bear Scenic Highway! Come Explore the Local Area! The Florida freshwater springs are a natural and tropical central Florida paradise with pristine crystal clear waters. Enjoy the wide array of wildlife the Ocala National Forest and the Florida freshwater springs offer! Our property is located just minutes from Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, and Alexander Springs! Do you love the "Lake Life?" Central Florida is known for their beautiful lakes such as Lake George and Lake Kerr! Love to canoe or kayak? There are tons of canoe runs throughout this area of central Florida. In fact, you can canoe or kayak on the Ocklawaha River with direct river access from the resort! Love mountain biking? Check out the Santos Trailhead which offers over 30 miles of mountain bike trails with three levels of difficulty! One visit to Santos Trailhead and you'll see why so many people say that these are the BEST bike trails in Florida! Explore a Bit Farther! From our property's location and with a short drive, you can easily access the following towns and/or cities: Orlando - 1.5 hour drive Daytona Beach - 1 hour drive Gainesville - 30 minute drive Crystal River - 1 hour drive The Villages - 45 minute drive Enjoy the many amenities that Wilderness RV Resort offers: * Community Pool and Hot Tub * Full Hook Up Service * Direct Access to the Ocklawaha River (canoe/kayak rentals through resort) * Direct Access to Florida Greenway Hiking Trail * Clubhouse/Lodge * On Site Restaurant * On Site Candy Shop (w/ Whoopie Pies) * Laundry Facility * Bathhouse * Recreation Room (Ping Pong, Pool, Darts) * Private Mail Box

Florida Georgia Line River Camp

22 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · GA

Welcome to Blackwater Ranch, nestled on the Florida-Georgia line, where the sun shines bright and the Blackwater of the Saint Mary’s River meanders through the countryside. Located just 45 minutes from Jacksonville and an hour from St. Augustine, this serene retreat spans 10 acres, featuring 1300 feet of riverfront and 2 acres of open field, with the rest covered in woods. We specialize in private venue events, tent camping, and small trailers, ensuring a peaceful escape. Our property is surrounded by 150+ acres of protected sanctuary woods, offering guests complete privacy. Our facilities include an outhouse with lighting, a handwash sink, and a spacious 70' open-air barn with electricity and water, ideal for events. Guests can enjoy trails, picnic tables, fishing, kayaking, swimming in the river with white beach sand, and some of the best stargazing around. Looking forward, we plan to add hot showers, designated tent sites, glamping options, and cabins. Join us on Facebook for a unique outdoor experience. We are dedicated to creating memories in a peaceful, relaxing environment. Frequently Asked Questions: Why is the river black? The water is rich with tannins from the Okefenokee Swamp, giving it a tea-colored appearance that looks black in deeper areas. Is the river safe for swimming? Yes, the tannins in the water help kill bacteria and mosquito larvae, making it great for swimming. Is the river rocky or rough on the feet? No, the property is on an ancient oceanfront dune with soft white beach sand, perfect for swimming. Does the river smell? No, it has little to no odor. Are there bugs? While we recommend bug/tick spray, mosquitoes don’t overrun the property. Are there wild animals? Yes, wild animals can appear at any time. Is hunting allowed? No, this is a private retreat. BB guns are okay with adult supervision. Family friendly? Yes! But please note there is no lifeguard on duty, so watch children closely, as river currents can be strong. Swim at your own risk. Are there stores nearby? Yes, a small store with gas is 2 minutes away, along with a Dollar General (5 mins), Walmart (10 mins), and local restaurants.

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Hawthorne Backwoods Sanctuary

3 sites · Lodging, RVs13 acres · FL

The lovely open woodland of Hawthorne Backwoods Sanctuary was a pasture in the 1970's. Where there are large live oaks on the property, one can imagine those trees stood in the pastures of the 1970's and provided shade for the cattle there. By the time we purchased this property in 2017, it was a young regenerating hardwood forest. The previous owners did not inhabit or pollute this land. We have found very little trash or garbage here, only charred wood when we dig down several feet. You'll have to make up your own story about that. Our aim is to keep this forest healthy, and allow it to continue to provide shelter and food for the creatures that buzz, burrow, nest, forage, browse, hunt and pass through here regularly. Hawthorne Backwoods Sanctuary has been a healthy and regenerative place for us, and we feel honored to offer guests an opportunity to rest and to feel the generous forest energy that has settled us here. Learn more about this land: A hardwood forest with a few parking spots off of the driveway in wooded areas between our homesite and the access road County Road 2082. Armadillo, Deer, Turkey, Hawks, Crows and morning cacophony of songbirds on the property. Less than a mile from the Hawthorne Gainesville Bike Trail. Less than a mile from Magnesia Springs, near Newnan's Lake, Payne's Prairie Preserve, Sweetwater Preserve, Boulware Springs Park, Devil's Millhopper State Park, LaChua Hiking Trail. And, much more. 12 miles to Gainesville, 9 miles to scenic old town Micanopy. A good jumping off point to various springs, and parks.

3 Arrows Homestead RV site

3 sites · RVs2 acres · Macclenny, FL

If you like to wake up in the morning to the cocka-doodle-do of Goliath (the rooster) a big barn for shelter from afternoon thunder storms, and watching goats frolic-this is the camp site for you! Conveniently located within 30 minutes of Jacksonville, you can enjoy the country life with all of the convenience and amenities a coastal city like Jacksonville offers! Here in macclenny, we have a grocery store and walmart only a couple minutes away. You can be at the beach in under 50 minutes, and a dozen springs within an hour as well! We look forward to hosting you!

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GOLDEN OAKS

3 sites · Lodging5 acres · Belleview, FL

Come relax under beautiful live oaks or swim, fish, canoe or kayak on our private, spring fed lake! Enjoy some farm fresh eggs from our happy hens! Make happy memories with nature, friends, and fun. Our home is located within Marion county, the horse capitol of the world! We have a covered 20x40 pole barn and a covered, 10x20 concrete picnic table area with electric, water, sewage and a fire pit. Located on fenced 1/2 acre pasture under large live oaks. Bring your bathing suits, kayaks or fishing gear and enjoy the beautiful private lake and peaceful setting along with some of our farm animals, fresh chicken eggs and nature. There are plenty of fun destination places like The Florida Greenway (Santos trailhead) which boasts of some of the best and most beautiful hiking, biking and horseback riding around! There are also great restaurants nearby or far depending on your preferences and length of stay. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs to help make your stay as memorable and enjoyable as possible. We do have reduced rates for campers who want to extend their stay to one month or more.

River Garden Farm

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Dunnellon, FL

River Garden Farm is located just across the street from the Withlacoochee River in beautiful Dunnellon Florida. We have 1 RV camping space for up to a 30 foot RV. with water and 30 amp electric. We also have a pull through site for "Boondocking" with 15 amp electric and water. We have a deeded boat dock and kayak launch just across the street. The Rainbow River is only about 2 miles away.

100%

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Camp Declan

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Interlachen, FL

Camp Declan is many things rolled into one. First, it is a private six-acre hardwood forest with 400’ of shoreline on a fresh-water, all-purpose lake. The air is clean and fresh and the fish, birds and Florida wildlife teem around you. Second, are the three buildings Cabin, Cabana and Bunkhouse. Each has a bathroom and the Cabin and Bunkhouse accommodate 18 overnight guests comfortably. The Cabana serves as outdoor bar/kitchen and hangout. Larger groups can be accommodated with a little ingenuity, too. Third, the layout of the property is such that the lake and large floating dock are always the star of the show. Whether you’re playing volleyball, badminton or horse shoes, sitting around the fire pit or canoeing on the lake, the sum of its parts makes a wonderful private indoor/outdoor lodging and recreation space for fishing, swimming, boating and grilling. Learn more about this land: "Old Florida" lake cabin, deck, dock, 12-bed bunkhouse, fully-equipped indoor kitchen, outdoor kitchen/bar and hot outdoor & indoor showers. Private, fenced grounds overlooks firepit, zipline and anchored swim raft. Ideal for groups up to 18 who seek a down-to-earth "fish camp" experience.

94%

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Lakeside Retreat @ Lake Ida

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Interlachen, FL

The Lakeside Retreat @ Lake Ida is a private RV lot located directly on the lake front. Walk out of your RV to enjoy a white sandy beach by day and beautiful sunsets by the fire in the evenings. Bring your boat along as well and leave it in the water, attached to the provided dock right off the white beach. A paddle board and John boat are provided for additional fun. Book today and I promise, you won’t regret it.

Booked 1 time

Lake Kerr Retreat

1 site · RV1 acre · Fort Mc Coy, FL

Enjoy a private setting on Lake Kerr Florida. Full hookup, 50 amp, water, sewer included. 2 kayaks, firepit, and chairs. Only 1 site on this property. Private residence not included. This is a one of a kind site for Class A, B, C, SUPER C, or 5th wheel, with guests of no more than 4 persons. This is for people who want to experience peace and quiet on a beautiful spring fed lake that is known for swimming, kayaking, and some of the best bass fishing in Florida. Numerous fresh water springs nearby.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

83%

(6)

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park

Keystone Heights, Florida

100%

(6)

Osceola National Forest

Glen St Mary, Florida

83%

(58)

Ocala National Forest

Silver Springs Shores, Florida

96%

(12)

Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Road, Florida

Fanning Springs State Park

Pineland, Florida

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach camping near Gainesville guide

Overview

Gainesville sits on the edge of the Florida panhandle, about 45 minutes north of Ocala. Starke is about 30 minutes to the northeast, while state capital Tallahassee is two hours northwest. Traveling with kids? You'll want to schedule a stop at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, just 10 miles south of Gainesville. In addition to being pleasingly alliterative, this park features breathtaking wildlife. You'll see free-roaming herds of wild bison and horses here. Climb the park's 50-foot observation tower to get a bird's-eye view. This park also features water access via Lake Wauberg. RV parks are especially popular in the Florida area. Travelers Campground, located about 30 minutes northwest of Gainesville proper, makes a good spot to post up. You'll get free Wi-Fi access and full hookups here. Tent camping is also allowed. Note that this park is close to the University of Florida and can get pretty busy on Gators game days! Heat and humidity can make Gainesville summers stickily uncomfortable. High temperatures stay right around 90 degrees from May through September. The rest of the year is quite pleasant, though, with highs ranging from the high 60s to low 80s.