Family-friendly beach camping near Vero Beach
Seaside parks, lagoons, marshes, and prairies deliver year-round beauty at Vero Beach.
- Vero Beach
Popular camping styles for Vero Beach
Family-friendly beach camping near Vero Beach guide
Overview
Experience crashing waves on Atlantic seashores, expansive plains, marshes, and everglades while camping near Vero Beach. On the east coast of the state, Vero Beach is a small community surrounded by sea and land adventures, along with unique wildlife spotting opportunities. Walk nearby John D. MacArthur Beach for a chance to see sea turtles nesting on the sands; cycle through the massive Kissimmee Prairie, which sits inland from Vero Beach; or hike through area nature preserves—such as J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, which supports vital marsh and slash pine forest habitats. Discover an abundance of camping options in Vero Beach, from beachfront campgrounds to lakeside RV parks.
Where to go
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
A short drive south from Vero Beach, John D. MacArthur Beach is one of the most popular waterfronts in the area. Best known as the nesting ground for hundreds of leatherback and green sea turtles each summer, this beach is also a destination for hiking and cycling on the nearby nature trails and viewing subtropical flora and fauna. Facing the mainland, the waters are calm and ideal for kayaking, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving. The park houses a few campsites, many offering views of Lake Worth Lagoon.
J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area
Spanning 60,000 acres of cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and tropical hardwood hammocks, J.W. Corbett WMA is a subtropical treasure trove for hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping. This region is teeming with wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and feral hogs (which attract hunters), as well as bobcats, racoons, otters, and a few rare and endangered species of birds. The park sits near Lake Okeechobee, where Hipcampers can find lakeside glamping accommodations.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
To the west of Vero Beach is Kissimmee Prairie, a state park covering 54,000 acres of expansive prairies and dry grasslands. An essential part of the Everglades headwaters, this striking biome formed from a long-running cycle of flooding and wildfires. Today, it’s a unique ecosystem of dry prairies perfect for birdwatching, hiking, and cycling. Kissimmee Prairie is also known for its spectacular stargazing far from city light pollution. Check into a farmland campground or stay the night at a nearby RV park, then enjoy an unbelievable view of the Milky Way with no need for binoculars or a telescope.
When to go
As a subtropical region, Vero Beach’s temperatures are agreeable year-round. Hot, humid summer days reach into the 90s, and winter days dip only as low as 50°F in the coldest months. Summer is the rainiest time of year in Vero Beach, so campers should bring adequate rain protection when camping in the area between May and September.
