The best desert campgrounds in Florida

Desert camping in Florida isn’t what most people expect, but you’ll find over 40 campsites tucked among sandy pine scrub and dry palmetto flats across the state. Set up your tent at spots like Happy Campers Rescue Ranch (243 reviews) or Hammock Hideaway Palm Coast Flagler (2 reviews) and wake to crisp air, open skies, and trails that wind through sunbaked terrain. Average price per night is $45, but you’ll spot options as low as $35 if you book ahead. Most sites allow campfires and provide showers and toilets. Hikers, horseback riders, and dedicated wildlife-watchers will feel right at home here—expect the odd deer or armadillo wandering through at sunrise. Don’t forget extra water; desert days get hot fast, even in Florida.

95% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds near Florida

1. Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

95%

(330)

15 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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! 🎉

Desert camping in Florida isn’t what most people expect, but you’ll find over 40 campsites tucked among sandy pine scrub and dry palmetto flats across the state. Set up your tent at spots like Happy Campers Rescue Ranch (243 reviews) or Hammock Hideaway Palm Coast Flagler (2 reviews) and wake to crisp air, open skies, and trails that wind through sunbaked terrain. Average price per night is $45, but you’ll spot options as low as $35 if you book ahead. Most sites allow campfires and provide showers and toilets. Hikers, horseback riders, and dedicated wildlife-watchers will feel right at home here—expect the odd deer or armadillo wandering through at sunrise. Don’t forget extra water; desert days get hot fast, even in Florida.

95% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds near Florida

1. Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

95%

(330)

15 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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! 🎉

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

S

Shannon

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

Cool secluded spot for camping. Traveled with our 2 dogs for a quick overnight stay. The site had a fire pit and a table with chairs which was nice. There was a porta potty available close to the site. Quite & peaceful place to sleep under the stars. Host was responsive and super nice. No complaints :)

A

Alexandra

April 2025

14 ft pop-up camper

2 nights at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

We had a great time at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch! The animals were such a joy to visit with! They really loved apple slices and carrots ☺️ Other than the amazing animals, the other thing we loved so much about this campground was how quiet it is. So peaceful. The stargazing was incredible. They provided our personal outhouse, chairs, solar lights, and fire pit.

L

Luc

March 2025

17 ft campervan

2 nights at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

Good place and Arcadio recevez us well. Camping site was good for our camper van Thank You Arcadio

Dominique

March 2025

15 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

Arcadio’s campsite was awesome. Great communication and helpful, detailed direction on how to locate our spot (especially at night)! He was kind enough to accommodate our very last minute booking. The location is very close to some beautiful springs!

S

Spencer

February 2025

Tent

1 night at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had camping in a long time, they treat you like family, and are super responsive. I highly recommend checking this spot out!

J

Jasmine

December 2024

20 ft campervan

2 nights at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

Quite, peaceful and was allowed to have camp fire. Perfect for our trailer. Host were responsive and allowed us to check their animals.

R

Robert

December 2024

20 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

The host was very helpful enjoyed my stay Will come back

V

Victoria

November 2024

Tent

1 night at Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

I had a great time hosting an event on this property! Arcadio was the most gracious host and thought of everything we needed! Small touches, such as decorative lights and screens to watch movies, really made the difference to us. Great location, property, views and vibe! Can't wait to go again!