Beach and dog-friendly camping near Gainesville

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

97% (315 reviews)
97% (315 reviews)

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Star Hosts in Gainesville

5 top beach and dog-friendly campgrounds near Gainesville

97%
(251)

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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from 
$30
 / night
83%
(15)

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
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from 
$30
 / night
100%
(8)

Florida Georgia Line River Camp

12 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 35 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 preserve, offering guests complete privacy. Ideal for camping and events, a spacious 70' open-air barn with electricity and water, an outhouse-style restroom with lighting, and a handwash sink. Guests can enjoy untouched nature, fishing, paddling, walking trails, grilling, disc golf, firepits, swimming, or just lounging. Looking forward, we plan to add hot showers, glamping options, and cabins. Join us on Facebook for a unique outdoor experience. We are dedicated to creating family 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? Absolutely! The water has no agricultural runoff or pollutants. Is the river rocky or rough on the feet? No, the property is on an ancient 8,000+ year-old dune featuring soft white beach sand, perfect on the feet. Does the river smell? No, it has little to no odor. How bad are the bugs? While we recommend bug/tick spray, mosquitoes/flies don’t overrun the property. Are there wild animals? Yes, wild animals can make an appearance at any time. Is hunting/shooting allowed? No, this is a private retreat. BB guns and archery are okay with adult supervision only. Family-friendly? Yes! But please note that there is no lifeguard on duty, so watch children closely, as river currents can sometimes be strong. *Swim at your own risk* Are there stores/restaurants nearby? Yes, a small country store only 2 minutes away, along with Dollar General (5 minutes), Walmart (10 minutes), and plenty of local restaurants in Macclenny. Things to do? Fishing, Swimming, Padding, Biking, Cornhole, Trampoline & more!
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$24
 / night
98%
(55)

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
Potable water
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$48
 / night

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

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

Beach and dog-friendly 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.

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