By Kimberley Riccio
Camping on the warm
beaches of Florida can be a cost-effective treat for any vacationing family. A number of state parks offer campgrounds on the
beach. Although most commercial campgrounds cater only to the RV camper, state parks allow both RV and tent camping. A few of the parks also have cabins for visitors.
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is located near Santa Rosa Beach in northwest Florida. The park accommodates hikers and cyclists with more than four miles of trails as well as kayakers with its salt marshes and lakes. Anglers have the option of freshwater, saltwater and surf fishing. Campers only have to take a few steps to the beach for great swimming and sunbathing or playing beach volleyball. Camping options range from RVs and tent sites to cabins. Park fees are $4 per car, camping fees are $19 plus tax, and cabin fees are $110 plus tax.
357 Main Park Road
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Phone: 850-231-4210
http://www.floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach/
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Visitors to the Sebastian Inlet State Park near Melbourne can visit the McLarty Treasure Museum, exploring the area's history, including a sunken 1715 Spanish fleet. Park guests can find great fishing, and surfers can catch the waves. Other activities include swimming, scuba, snorkeling, shelling, kayaking and sunbathing. Park fees are $5 per vehicle. Camping fees are $23 plus tax. The campground is a full-service facility that includes a boat ramp.
9700 South A1A
Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951
Phone: 321-984-4852
http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/default.cfm
Cayo Costa State Park
Cayo Costa State Park, located near Fort Myers, is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast with nine miles of beaches. Only accessible by private boat or ferry, the park requires reservations be made in advance. Visitors can observe manatees and dolphins in the waters around the island. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, shelling, hiking, cycling, fishing and educational programs provided by the park's rangers. Camping options are tents or tent cabins. Admission fee is $1 a person and tent camping fee is $18 per night plus tax. The tent cabins are $30 a night plus tax.
P.O. Box 1150
Boca Grande, Florida 33921
Phone: 941-964-0375
http://www.floridastateparks.org/cayocosta/default.cfm
Fort Clinch State Park
Fort Clinch State Park, which houses a 19th-century fort, is located in Fernandina Beach. Activities include surf fishing, swimming, hiking, cycling and relaxing in hammocks. The park houses a full-facility campground that provides for both tents and RVs, as well as a youth camp. The entrance fee per vehicle is $5. Camping is $22 per night plus tax. The youth camp is $1 per youth and $2 per adult.
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
Phone: 904-277-7274
http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/default.cfm
Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park near St. Augustine offers four miles of beaches, making this a much sought-after area for the surfers. Other activities include fishing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, windsurfing and just relaxing in one of the park's four beaches. Campground guests only need to walk a short distance to locate the beach areas. The campground also houses a camp store that rents sailboards and kayaks as well as beach chairs and bicycles. Park fees are $1 for pedestrians or cyclists and $5 per vehicle. Campsite fees are $25 per night plus tax.
1340-A A1A South
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Phone: 904-461-2033
http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia/default.cfm
Resources
About the Author:
Kimberley Riccio has been writing professionally since 1978. She writes travel articles for various e-magazines and other online publications. Riccio holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from Wilmington University, culinary certification from Le Cordon Blu and a Master of Science in cultural sociology from the Defense Graduate Institute.
