Camping in Crescent Lake with hiking

Fish, swim, or go for a hike at this northern Florida lake.

95% (2350 reviews)
95% (2350 reviews)

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Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds in Crescent Lake with hiking

92%
(104)

Camp Seminole Springs

100 sites · RVs, Tents38 acres · Fort Mc Coy, FL
Bring your mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks and fishing gear. We have it all here at Seminole Springs. We are open for tent camping. Limited number of campsites with Tents on them in a variety of sizes available. First come, First serve. These sites will have a slight upcharge. When you book, if you want to upgrade and reserve one of these sites, let us know and we will accommodate you. We also have 3 units inside the lodge for the people who need just a step up from glamping, but not quite the whole hotel experience. These are beautiful comfortable rooms with half baths in the rooms. The showers are located in the lodge bathhouse. WE have the Jungle themed room, the Equestrian themed room and the Honeymoon Suite. Each unit comes equipped with its own hot tub. (To book any of these units, just send us a message and we will reserve it for you. The prices for these units are different than that campsite and glamping site prices.) The Grist Mill is also available for rent too! This is a very romantic, yet rustic getaway equipped with a half bath as well. Very secluded and private overlooking the spring on one side and the water fall on the other. Sit outside on the deck and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and at night the sound of the waterfall will lull you to sleep. The shower is located in the Lodge bathhouse. (To book this unit you must send a message to us and we will reserve it for you. The price is different than the campsites but we will go over that with you) WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR YOUR EVENT: TAKING BOOKINGS FOR WEDDINGS, CAR SHOWS, MUSIC EVENTS, ETC. LET US KNOW! NOTE: TURN AT CAMP SEMINOLE SPRINGS SIGN ON HIGHWAY 21. Your GPS may tell you to turn at the wrong St. Make sure that you are turning at 244th...Your GPS may tell you to turn at 243rd Street (where the Orange Market it) which is a dead end street. Just go a little bit further until you see the sign for Camp Seminole Spring. Bring bug spray and sun screen. If you need something, don't worry! There is a Dollar General, a gas station and a small cafe within walking distance. We have 38 acres of camping sites nature trails for hiking and mountain biking. Guests can park right on their site, or they have the option of parking and hiking into the woods to set up their site a bit more remote and off the beaten path. This is rustic camping. We have a bathhouse located at the campsites with showers. The bathhouse at the Great Lodge will be ready by Fall 2022. Whereas we do have garbage cans, we prefer that anything you bring into the property, you bring out with you. We allow campfires. Don't be surprised if you see a monkey or two in the trees... The fishing is amazing in these parts, so if you are an angler, come and visit. We have .75 miles of frontage on the Orange Creek. The creek flows into Lake Ocklawaha which just so happens to be one of the best bass fishing lakes in the USA. In fact, ten-pound bass are not uncommon from the Lake Ocklawaha River in the winter. Recently (2020), a 17.2-pound bass was caught there. The combined Ocklawaha and St. Johns drainage basin is possibly the most significant river-estuary waterway of Florida. This water system is of legendary reputation among anglers of largemouth bass who seek 10 pound plus trophy fish. Conveniently located between Ocala and Gainesville in the heart of Orange Springs, Florida, Camp Seminole Spring is perfectly located for the traveler who wants to really connect with nature. It appears to be ‘off the beaten path’, yet it is close enough to civilization so that even the most seasoned camper can make a quick run to store should he or she need something not found in nature. Camp Seminole Spring is mid-way (approx.. 22 miles) between Ocala and Gainesville, Florida, which are two thriving cities in this area of Florida. Ocala, the ‘horse capital of the world’ showcases a brand new multi-billion-dollar equestrian center which draws people from all over the world. This scenic property has an artesian spring which pushes out 1.6 million gallons of water per day rated among the top three percent of water in the world with an 8.4 natural pH. This water fills the pond and then continues on to flow into Orange Creek. Camp Seminole Springs was established in the 1940’s as a honeymoon resort and campground. The founders built a heart-shaped ‘pond-spring’ which is filled with the crystal-clear water pushed out from the spring where guests can lounge by the beach or gaze down into the bottom through the glass-like water or take a refreshing swim. At the top of the hill overlooking the heart-shaped spring, one will find the rustic Great Lodge where guests can come and mingle with each other, enjoy a relaxing conversation and a drink on the veranda or just sit and watch the activity in and around the spring.
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from 
$39
 / night
99%
(70)

Celestial Acres

6 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Hastings, FL
Welcome to our little homestead. Nestled amidst the serene countryside, this quaint campground offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Surrounded by lush farms and sprawling horse pastures, the air is filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers and the gentle rustle of leaves. With only a handful of RV spots and a few cozy tents scattered among the trees, guests can truly reconnect with nature while roasting marshmallows over crackling campfires under a blanket of stars. Here, the pace slows down, allowing visitors to unwind and immerse themselves in the simple pleasures of rural life. We just finished (well 2 years ago) traveling the country in an RV with five of our 7 kids (oldest two were in college) and we had a terrible time finding places to stay in Saint Augustine when we came home to visit. I hope that we can offer some nice people a safe and beautiful place to park their rig. Things to do: The property is near the historic St. Augustine, a fun walkable/bikeable city, lots of state parks and of course an awesome beach! Other things to note: 6 Miles away is 4 Lakes Campground with dumping facilities
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$11.11
 / night
93%
(148)

The LODGE @ Runaway Bay

7 sites · Lodging1 acre · Seville, FL
Runaway Bay Lodge - a place where Love and Magic Happen After the 4 mile trip through The Lake George State Forest, you will pass two small RV campgrounds of Pine Island. Runaway Bay Lodge is the first private property past The Pine Island RV Campground, on the right side of the street. OUR PROPERTY IS NOT LOCATED IN THE CAMPGROUND. We have 4 separate units on our property, including 2 cabins and 3 yurts, Each cabin and yurt is set up with only one bed, in each. We are a perfect spot for solo journeyers and couples. Larger groups can rent multiple units. We also host 3rd party retreats for up to 12 total guests. We do allow cannabis smoking on our property, in the common areas outside of the tents and cabins. We offer our exclusive Magic M Meditations, Yoga, Plant Based Vegan, Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian Meal Options, Moxibustion, Kundalini, Tantra, Energy work and other holistic well-being services, Small Group Retreats, Boat Tours and Boat Rentals. Use of a private vehicle is required. The property is on a natural 46000 acre lake that is connected to The Atlantic Ocean by The St Johns River. This location offers abundant wildlife refuge. This can be exciting, but dangerous. Please do not feed or approach the wildlife. You may see alligators, snakes, otters, manatees, as well as several species of fish and birds, including, but not limited to, american bald eagles, egret, heron, seagulls, bass, mullet, crappie, bluegill and more. Please simply use caution and do not attempt to disturb the animals or their environment.
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$75
 / night
95%
(546)

Wooded areas in a horse pasture

8 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · St. Augustine, FL
Campsites are on a small horse farm located just 4 miles from downtown St Augustine and 5 miles from Vilano Beach. Many hiking and water activities within 30 minutes. You select the space you where you wish to set up camp. The entrance off the dirt road is tricky for large rigs or trailers more than 35' may not have easy access. Our sites offer potable water, a shower, picnic tables, a toilet, wifi, trash disposal, space for campfires, and we are pet friendly! We can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers. Our guests love staying here: "Camping at Gayle’s property was an amazing experience. We shared the field with 3 other campers but there was still plenty of room between sites. Land is flat and has fire pit spaces and BBQ grills. Outdoor shower was appreciated even though we didn’t use it & it was great to have the port-o-potty on site. The best part was getting to see the animals!"
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$45
 / night
100%
(11)

Waterfront Camp/Glamp/RV

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Marineland, FL
Beautiful waterfront lot with nearly an acre of land. Access to the water view, and 1 mile from a beautiful beach that’s rarely crowed. There is a rustic shared camping cabin with a shower, toilet and kitchen which was built by my grandfather in the 1930s. You have access to many hoses and it’s possible to hook up an RV for an extra charge. The property is large, as we own 3 lots, so there is plenty of space to post up. We will be adding a luxury water view glamping tent soon if you would like an upgrade. The main 3 bedroom house is also for rent and sleeps 10 people. We have two paddleboards for rent, and its possible to pay to use a laundry room if its available. Private yoga and massage is also available, but must be booked in advance. Paddleboards: $15/hour or $35/day Washer-Dryer: $10/day Massage/Yoga: $100/hour
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$50
 / night
98%
(181)

Hidden Gem

14 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · New Smyrna Beach, FL
Welcome to our HIDDEN GEM which is tucked away in 11 acres of beautiful oak trees. Splashed with Spanish moss this tropical paradise offers a serene experience and creates a perfect environment for the Monarch Butterfly to thrive. We offer hot outdoor showers and flushable toilets. Our sites are large and secluded. We are 10 minutes from the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Bring your boat if you like to fish. We are 3 minutes from the boat ramp which accommodates boats large and small to access off shore fishing at the Inlet or flats fishing at Mosquito Lagoon. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast we are 30 minutes from Daytona Speedway and NSB Speedway. Kayak and surfing with your own or rentals are available. All the popular attractions are one hour drive time from us. There are 5 Golf Courses in NSB as well as an array of fine dining, art shows and of course lots of sunshine. As lifelong campers it is a pleasure to share our Hidden Gem with you. We love animals so bring your best friends along.
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$40
 / night
96%
(12)

Clean and comfortable

12 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Georgetown, FL
Learn more about this land: clean camping no drama no loudness no getting crazy no stealing peaceful camping here only everyone is welcomed to come and enjoy the outdoors in beautiful Georgetown Florida clean camping. No loudness, no getting crazy. Peaceful camping here only everyone is welcomed to come and enjoy the outdoors in beautiful Georgetown Florida
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from 
$35
 / night

Cedar Ford Retreat

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Hastings, FL
We offer 2 plus acres of mixed woods in a rural community surrounded by farms and forests. We are about 30 minutes from historic St. Augustine, St Augustine Beach and 45 minutes from Daytona. We are 20 minutes from 2 state parks which offer hiking, fishing and boating. Or just come and relax at our peaceful retreat.
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$20
 / night
100%
(102)

Cozy Freedom

9 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Ormond Beach, FL
Perfect spot to set up and enjoy Florida's great outdoors! Convenient to Atlantic Ocean, fresh water springs, state forest and more. If you're in town for an event, come and go day or night. Historically, Cozy Freedom was occupied by the Timucuan Indians who hunted the forest and swamp land. More recent history of the property included a plant nursery and beekeeping location. Now, surrounded by horse farms and state forest, nature abounds. There's organic produce growing in fall, winter and spring. Ornamental nursery items are also being propagated. We have citrus trees and blueberry bushes, ginger and turmeric. Resident bats help with the mosquitos. Our friendly four-legged friends romp around and are all very loveable. The newest feature on the property is a 11-circuit walking labyrinth. What else do you need to achieve cozy freedom?! Learn more about this land: A serene location with 33,000 acres of state forest backing up to the property, an 11-mile direct run east into the Atlantic Ocean, and less than an hour from spectacular blue-water springs. Day trips to St. Augustine, Orlando, Cape Canaveral and Ocala.  Visit local Old Florida sites nearby, including Bulow Plantation Ruins, Tomoka State Park, and Barberville Pioneer Settlement. Take a day to hike or bike out in Tiger Bay State Forest without having to drive off the farm, or enjoy just hanging out on the farm. Outdoor kitchen, hot/cold private shower and designated campsites on 8+ acres.  Working produce/nursery farm.  Electric and water available at all designated sites and options available for dispersed tent sites without access to electric and water. Wintertime is peaceful and ideal for camping in Florida. We do have some nights that drop into the 30's, but most days are perfect to be outside. Summers are hot and wet and mosquitos will drive you inside from mid-June through to the end of August. Enjoy staying put on the farm or safely leaving your belongings while visiting the sights in the area.  Someone is always nearby onsite, but privacy is respected. Property is situated on a thoroughfare between Ocala and Ormond Beach with audible traffic, so not ideal for individuals seeking absolute silence.
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$50
 / night
100%
(3)

Waterfront Island Bungalow

1 site · Lodging6 acres · FL
Drayton Island is a private island (only accessible by boat*) on Lake George and the St. John's River in North Central Florida, home of the manatee and crystal clear fresh water springs and part of the historical "Bartram Trail". We are on 6 secluded, jungle acres with 12 more additional available for exploring. We have a canoe and a pontoon boat that seats 8 people available for guided charter. You can explore the shoreline, find hidden canals or be at one of our crystal clear, freshwater springs in about 15 minutes. Enjoy stunning sunrises from our private dock, watch the wildlife from anywhere on the property. NO CLEANING FEES :) *private water taxi may be available for $50 round trip. If you need a water taxi please inquire in regards to availability before booking.
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$135
 / night
100%
(1)

Magickal Oaks

2 sites · Tents20 acres · Crescent City, FL
Secluded campsite nestled in 20 acres of conserved land. Camp among beautiful ferns under a hardwood canopy of oaks, camphor, magnolias, etc. The site is in an agricultural setting and adjacent to railroad tracks. Practice conservation by having a minimal impact on the land. Primitive camping only - Leave no Trace. Bring your own water and pack out all waste.
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$25
 / night
98%
(196)

Serene Forested Blueberry Farm

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Ft. Mc Coy, FL
Located on 5 acres in the Ocala National Forest, Hookie's Hideaway is the perfect place to stay for easy access to all of nature's bounty and activities.  This property is easily accessible, serene and peaceful. Campsites are in a beautiful grove of pine and sycamore trees. We are surrounded by forested camping areas and close enough to drive into town to pick up groceries or get a meal. We have a "you pick them" blueberry farm when in season. We are close to hiking, horse trails, lakes and springs. Bocce Ball and Croquet is available to play here anytime! We are only a short distance away from amazing horse riding trails and Florida's most popular natural springs. We live on the property and are available during normal business hours. We are free to ask questions and give suggestions for surrounding activities and dining options. We will interact as little or as much as you need.Birds singing in the morning and crickets at night ensure a restful getaway here. Our property is the perfect place to escape the noise and high paced city life.
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$35
 / night

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Camping in Crescent Lake with hiking guide

Overview

Named, unsurprisingly, for its mildly crescent-like shape, this large northern Florida lake is a great place for swimming and fishing, as well as hiking over four miles of walking trails. Primitive group camping and a covered picnic pavilion are available in the adjacent Haw Creek Preserve State Park, while plenty of reservable Hipcamps can also be found on the western side of the lake. Tent and RV sites with hookups are available at Faver-Dykes State Park, about a 40-minute drive from the eastern part of the lake, a portion of which is protected by the Crescent Lake Conservation Area.

Where to go

Haw Creek Preserve State Park

Abutting the southern part of Crescent Lake, Haw Creek Preserve State Park surrounds a blackwater creek that attracts paddlers wanting to take in views of the surrounding Florida cypress swamp. It's also a great place for birdwatching, particularly in the winter, when migratory birds flock to the area from the cooler north.

Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area

Encompassing over 3,000 acres on the eastern part of Duns Creek, this preserved area is full of wildlife, ranging from frogs and lizards to white-tailed deer and bobcats. Birders bring your binoculars for a chance to spot yellow-crowned night herons, barred owls, and red-shouldered hawks. There are also trails for walking, cycling, and horseback riding, and tent camping is permitted.

Ocala National Forest

Encompassing over 400,000 acres, the Ocala National Forest is a prime spot for fishing, swimming, and paddling, with hundreds of lakes to choose from (not to mention four natural springs). It's also a great place for land-based recreation, with miles of trails, many of which are mountain biker- and equestrian-friendly. Camping options range from developed campgrounds to Civilian Conservation Corps cabins.

When to go

Crescent Lake is popular year-round, though you'll find the best temperatures for swimming between late spring and early fall, when the weather is at its warmest. The rainiest months are from June through August, tapering off in September. Come in October for warm-weather camping with a lower risk of tropical storms. If you're coming to fish, your best bet is to come in late spring or early summer during the spawning season.

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