Camping near Crystal River

Crystal River beckons campers with sprawling wetlands and chance meetings with manatees.

93% (4245 reviews)
  1. Crystal River
93% (4245 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Crystal River

Community favorites near Crystal River

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Crystal River

Stories from the community

Star Hosts in Crystal River

Available this weekend

12 top campgrounds near Crystal River

93%
(994)

Smokey Acres

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Brooksville, FL
Welcome to Smokey Acres! This property has been in my family for decades. My Husband and I were married under the oaks and have had our share of campfires out there. Down a hidden gravel drive with wetlands on either side you will find a completely fenced in field surrounded by pine, oak, and swamp maple trees. There are two ponds located on the property both stocked with bass, bluegill, and sunfish. The front pond is home to many natural Florida wildlife and is a great location to bird watch. Located a few miles from Brooksville and the Suncoast Parkway, this quiet and peaceful setting is just 5 minutes from the parking area and trailhead for the Suncoast Trail and 10 miles from the famous Weeki Wachee Springs, where you can spend the day at the local park or float down the river with the manatees. Withlacoochee State Park and other natural preserves with trail access and kayaking are only a short distance away, and Dames Cave, Homosassa Springs, and Chasawiska Springs are all within a ~20-minute drive as well. Spending a day at the beach is easy with plenty of options along the Nature Coast. We’re also less than an hour from Tampa and Clearwater and two hours from Orlando. A perfect weekend get-away for anyone looking to “unplug,” Smokey Acres is also a great stop for those passing through the area. We are a close distance to many racing, livestock, boating and fishing events. We have no problem accommodating whatever you’re towing! Whether you'd like a leisurely day on the river or an adventure in the Gulf, there are plenty of boating options nearby. Be sure to make it back to the property in time to enjoy amazing sunsets that bring peace and tranquility to your experience. Our neighbors, JG Ranch, offers U- Pick Fruit and Vegetables or a great selection of local harvest at their roadside stand. This 10-acre property has been in my family for decades. My Husband and I were married under the oaks and have had our share of campfires together out there. I've recently moved back home with my own family and as much as we enjoy the land for ourselves we'd love to share it. Any profit from hosting campers will help us maintain our sustainable farm that we're hoping to expand onto Smokey Acres. Just in! Our dirt road has been repaved. So no worries about a bumpy drive in!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$22.50
 / night
96%
(294)

Happy Campers Rescue Ranch

13 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! 🎉
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$30
 / night
99%
(307)

Lucky U Ranch

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents60 acres · Bushnell, FL
Authentic old Florida homestead. Beautiful Spanish moss veiled Grandfather Oak trees, rolling subtle grassy hills and Cypress filled wetlands with an abundant of bird life every day. We raise Nigerian Dairy goats and always have time for goat visits and petting. Our horses are boarded at night and roam freely during the day along with our donkeys. Hiking our land and marked trails, gives you the feeling of serenity and back to nature, clearing your mind so you can remember what nature is all about. Just minutes away are amazing places and parks like the Withlacoochee State park, Hog Island and the Withlacoochee river, where kayaking is a must. Peace and quiet and privacy as you tent, stay in one of our RV's or bring your own. Be part of our AGRITOURISM VENUE and take part in the RANCH EXPERIENCE, a guided visit to meet and pet our livestock, from baby goats to miniature horses! Get to pet one of our over 80 goats and check out our twin turkeys and many chickens.... Pigs are just begging to be scratched as well!!! ENJOY!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$25.60
 / night
100%
(7)

Wildflower Ranch

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Bronson, FL
Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape on 20 acres of serene rural land. Take a walk to the chicken coop and hear all of the chickens' opinions. Lay a blanket out in the meditation corner and enjoy the peace and quiet. Walk through the fruit trees and past the blackberries and take any ripe fruit of your liking. Explore the ranch to locate gopher tortoise burrows (but don't get too close) and wave at all the fox squirrels. Find the northeast corner of the ranch and play volleyball with your friends (let us know if you need a ball). Stroll through the round-pen-turned-garden and check out the Datil pepper plants which we use to make our datil sauce and datil vinegar (both are for sale to guests). Finally, enjoy the starry night sky. Thanks to our rural setting we have some of the darkest skies in Florida. There is an observatory only one mile away! Wildflower Ranch is close to dozens of crystal clear natural springs and rivers, bike trails, hiking trails, state parks, and more. We are ideally located in North Central Florida, so many of your Florida outdoor bucket list adventures are within reach. The ranch is a close neighbor of Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring, the Blue Grotto, Black Prong horse riding and biking trails, Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens and more. Wildflower Ranch offers two private primitive campsites (accommodating tents or vehicles), one private RV site, and one private cabin. Our cabin has a private bathroom, while our campsites have 24/7 access to climate-controlled full bathrooms with hot water showers, flushing toilets, and sinks.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$30
 / night
92%
(33)

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!!
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
$75
 / night
84%
(34)

Twin Pines

4 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Sugarmill Woods, FL
Welcome to your own, private campsite in the heart of Weeki Wachee surrounded by the wildlife management area, various state parks and fresh water springs! Our well-maintained campsite is a big, open area with full sun, surrounded by trees which give you plenty of shade if preferred. It is quiet and dark enough for you to hear the wildlife at night! The primitive backyard campsite rural, secluded and easy accessible, the spot is 20 feet wide so you’ll have enough space for your motorhome to pull in. We, the owners, will be your neighbors (on the same property) so we can assist you with your needs. Right now what we have available is a 20 amp extension cord and a water hose. You can also run your generator. THINGS TO DO The wildlife management area is a one minute walk from the campsite with the buford and eagle nest springs inside. There is also a distillery (NJoy Spirit) on site. Seven Sisters springs are a ten minute car ride away. You can rent a kayak or a canoe to go out and see dolphins, turtles, alligators, manatees, snakes, deer, various birds or even bears. Other springs in the area are Hunters Springs, Rogers Park and Three Sisters springs. Crystal River is a charming, historical town 25 minutes north. You’ll pass Homosassa and their State Park (the oldest Hippo Lu (65) lives here). At the waterfront restaurant ‘Crumps’ you can watch monkeys on an island! Dames Cave in Lecanto is about 17 minutes from here with multiple caves to explore. The famous Weeki Wachee Springs State park is a 15 minute drive south highway 19. Howard’s Flea Market is the largest in Citrus County, 10 minutes north from the camp site. ‚Adventure Flg X’ is a fun Zip Line park in Brooksville. Rainbow River Springs is an hour north from Twin Pines. The park has beautiful scenic trails and a water temperature of 72 degrees year round which invites you to explore the river in a tube or kayak. The Weeki Wachee preserve is another beautiful, close spot worth visiting. Disney World, Legoland and Universal Studios are within two hours. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa and Tarpon Springs are must-see cities! Beaches: Pine Island, Fort Island, Sunwest Park Beach. Further away: Madeira Beach, Honeymoon Island & Fort DeSoto. Make sure the beaches are open!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$25
 / night
99%
(194)

Homosassa Springs RV Site

3 sites · RVs1 acre · Homosassa, FL
Homosassa is an old Florida fishing town that is a hidden gem along the gulf coast, this site is nestled quietly at the head of the river. This location is close to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where you can discover the wild side of Florida with endangered Florida panther, red wolf, manatee and whooping crane, plus black bear, bobcat and, of course, alligator.The site is located 150 ft from the dock on our private residential property at the head of the springs. This is a residential area and is very quiet. This listing is for the SITE ONLY. Setup your own RV under the shade then enjoy our shared dock with direct access into the Homosassa springs for a refreshing dip or paddle. We provide full hookups (water, sewer, 50amp electric) for your RV as well as WIFI service and access to the docks for your boat or swimming. We have kayaks and paddleboards INCLUDED with our site or bring your own to paddle the springs and take a chance at seeing a manatee up close and personal or catching some fish. The site is located 150 ft from the dock on our private residential property at the head of the springs. This is a residential area and is very quiet. Homosassa is an old Florida fishing town that is a hidden gem along the gulf coast, this site is nestled quietly at the head of the river.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
$75
 / night
92%
(6)

The Scramble On Inn

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Crystal River, FL
CHECK-IN is from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. No exceptions for late check-in unless previous arrangements made with owners. Welcome to the Scramble On Inn! An "Old Florida" vibe in Florida's Manatee Capitol of Crystal River. The property is private, yet just minutes from stores, restaurants and the water. The cabin is located on private property with owners and security on site, yet plenty of privacy. Your cabin is fully supplied with bedding, towels, refrigerator, coffee pot, cups and silverware, AC in the summer months, and an electric fireplace in the wintertime. On site is our own Bistro Barn fully furnished with a refrigerator, gas grill, charcoal grill, silverware and all the pots and pans you may be looking for. It's a great little hang out area with bluetooth speaker setup. Outside you will find a firepit as well as a charcoal grill, a table for eating, a hammock, and a swing chair. The outside shower house is on the primitive side and made for the adventure type. It is equipped with a portable toilet and shower under the stars. It is hooked up with instant hot water. During the day, paddle your way to the beautiful Three Sisters Springs for a swim. You may see some manatee or dolphins on your way there. Hunter Springs is a great little park with a beach area for swimming and kayak rentals too. There are also several Diving with the Manatee tours available. One we suggest in town is Fun2Dive. These are all only a short drive away. You can enjoy swimming, fishing, scalloping, snorkeling, kayaking, pontooning just five minutes away, or just relaxing back at camp fireside. Heritage Village is in town filled with many hometown eateries and shoppes. It's a great way to spend the afternoon and explore downtown Crystal River. We have a variety of great one-of-a-kind eateries with many special events and festivals throughout the year. Conveniently located at the end of the street is a Publix, DG, a Mexican restaurant, and Beef O'Brady's. We also have brochures on all kinds of other great places you'll want to experience while staying in beautiful Crystal River! Oh, and don't forget to stop by Grandma's gift shop before you leave. We look forward to your stay!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
$75
 / night

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

Other options near Crystal River

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Crystal River guide

Overview

The Nature Coast of Florida houses the city of Crystal River at its heart with all the favorite activities of hiking, fishing, birding, and boating, as well as more challenging recreational fare like seasonal hunting, backwoods biking, and equestrian trails. Wetlands surround the 141-mile-long Withlacoochee River, whose lakes and tributaries provide life to unique flora and fauna: the gentle manatee, scrub oaks and marsh trees, and the reclusive scrub jay (which many birders wait a lifetime to see). Crystal River campgrounds feature primitive or tent camping sites, plus water and electrical hookups for RVing or car camping. Most sites include fire pits, picnic tables, and grated grills.

Where to go

Flying Eagle Preserve

Lakes, marshes, swamps, and the small isles of the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes surround Flying Eagle Preserve. Camping in southwest Florida offers access to ecological and environmental wonder, with opportunities for birding, fishing, and hunting—provided campers apply for the proper licenses from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Flying Eagle welcomes horse trail riders, too—both equestrian and primitive camping sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills (free with a reservation). ADA-accessible bathrooms allow all to enjoy campsites, boating, and canoeing among the open waters and live oak scrub.

Potts Preserve

Connected to the same waters as Flying Eagle, the wetlands of Potts Preserve are home to an array of wildlife and plants unique to the gulf coast. Waterside camping in Potts Preserve provides opportunities to catch sight of leatherback turtles, while visiting birders might glimpse the elusive and endangered Florida scrub jay. Stay at equestrian, primitive, or backcountry campsites only available by foot, letting hike-in and hike-out campers experience the splendor to the north and south of the park. Bike down the nine miles of multi-use trails, reserve a horse-drawn buggy ride, or just park off of Hooty Point for day-use and river hiking trails.

Withlacoochee State Forest

The Withlacoochee State Forest follows the same river as Flying Eagle and Potts Preserve. Obtain a State Forest Use Authorization by either calling ahead or stopping by the visitor center for access to 50,000 acres of outdoors recreation, campsites under shady oaks with concrete pads for car or tent camping, and an RV park with full hookups and dump stations. Campsites feature fresh water, each with a picnic table and grated fire ring. Hike the Citrus Loop Tracts or hunt (with proper licenses mentioned above) during the proper season. Motorbikes and ATVs can cruise the 2,600-acre Croom Motorcycle Area, a designated off-road exploration and recreation section.

When to go

With the hot and heavy summers of the gulf coast, Hipcampers enjoy visiting Crystal River, Florida from November through March, where the lowest temperature averages out to 45°F. In January, when the Gulf of Mexico experiences its winter cool down, Crystal River welcomes over 400 manatees with the Florida Manatee Festival, offering the opportunity to celebrate and even swim with gentle and majestic sea cows in their natural habitat.