Camping near Jacksonville with horseback riding

Jacksonville might be Florida’s most populous city, but it’s also its greenest—this coastal city boasts the largest urban park system in the US. Urban explorers can take their pick of seven state parks, three national parks and preserves, and some 400 parks and gardens, all within a half-hour drive of downtown. Once you’ve browsed Jax’s art museums and visited the Fort Caroline National Memorial, check into an RV park along the St. Johns River, pitch your tent on the beach at Little Talbot Island State Park, or kayak around the wetlands in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

The mighty St. John’s River meets the Atlantic just east of Jacksonville and flows south of the city, affording plenty of options for riverside camping, fishing, hiking, and paddling. Closer to the city, birders won’t want to miss the Huguenot Memorial Park, a prime spot on the Great Florida Birding Trail, while history buffs can explore Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park and the Kingsley Plantation. 

Summertime is fun in Jacksonville, when visitors flock to the lakes, rivers, and beaches, and highs climb over 90°F. Jax’s far-north location means that it rarely gets hit by hurricane season (expect some summer thunderstorms nonetheless), and it’s still hot enough to hit the beach through spring and early fall. In winter, the mild weather and diminishing crowds can be a bonus for campers, but don’t expect the balmy temperatures of the south.