The best camping in Tomoka State Park, FL

Where the Halifax and Tomoka rivers meet in Ormond Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway, campers will find Tomoka State Park. This little park's lagoons and saltwater marshes are ideal for boating and paddling, as well as a great spot for birdwatchers with more than 160 species sighted, especially during spring and fall migrations. Hiking and walking trails include a short riverside nature trail that snakes through a hardwood hammock and passes through the Indigenous Timucuan village of Nocoroco, while the endangered West Indian manatee is protected throughout the park. Overnight visitors can stay at one of the Tomoka State Park Campground's 100 campsites, each with a picnic table, grill, electric hookups, and dump station access.

1. Reservations can be made at the Florida State Parks website or by phone. Florida residents can make campsite reservations 11 months in advance, while non-residents can make reservations 10 months in advance.
2. Booking in advance is recommended (especially in summer).
3. If you can't secure your preferred dates, keep checking. Spots open up as others' plans change.

Tomoka State Park is open and good for tent camping year-round. If you plan to visit during the summer months or during holidays, it’s a good idea to make your reservations early because they tend to fill up quickly, especially in summer and around the holidays. Late fall and winter is the best time for birdwatching, as you can see migratory birds that have headed south to escape the cold northern winters. 

• Tomoka State Park is set just 10 miles north of Daytona Beach and about an hour's drive south of St. Augustine and its historic sites.
• Tomoka campsites access to restrooms and bath houses with hot showers but cannot accommodate RV camping rigs larger than 34 feet in length and 11 feet in height.
• Be cautious where you step, especially in warm weather. Rattlesnakes are prevalent and well-camouflaged in grass.
• Visit the Tomoka Outpost camp store for snacks and camping supplies, as well as kayak and canoe rentals. Other facilities include a boat ramp, group pavilions, and picnic areas.
• All pets must be on a 6-foot leash and be attended to at all times. Pets are not allowed on the beach, wetlands, boardwalks, playground, or in any buildings.