Many understand that military members move around a lot. Part of that traveling may lead you to one of the military campgrounds in Florida. Whether you want a fun family trip close to home or a place to stop on the way to your next PCS orders, Florida is a perfect spot for a camping trip. Vacationing in Florida gives you beautiful beaches, stunning flora, and unique wildlife viewing.
Let’s explore 10 of the best military campgrounds in Florida for your next getaway.
What Is a Military Campground?
The United States military has an extensive network of campgrounds around the country. Most bases across the different branches provide RV hookups, tent spaces, and recreation areas. However, these places remain reserved for veterans, active duty, or retired service members and dependents.
Occasionally, the base commander will allow guests to accompany the ID cardholders as well. However, they might restrict the number of guests or during certain times of the year if the base has drills or other events. They may also reject guests if the campground is full. Call the base where you would like to camp to verify these regulations.
Additionally, military members can use any of the campgrounds across the branches. For example, an airman and their family can use a campground on a naval base and vice versa. Here’s a look at the best military campgrounds in Florida.
Pro Tip: Learn more about What Are Military Campgrounds to determine if you can stay at one.
10 Best Military Campgrounds in Florida
These military campgrounds in Florida offer pristine beaches, lakes, and views for a trip to paradise. You can enjoy some mini-golf, paintball, boat rentals, and many other activities. Camping here also comes with additional benefits, such as access to the base commissary. Rates change based on rank, season, and spot. Check out the websites for more information.
Here are our top 10 military campgrounds.
1. Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area – US Navy Corry Station, Pensacola, FL
Address: 2100 Bronson Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506
About: This military campground in Florida lies on the northeastern shore of the beautiful Perdido Bay. It remains open year-round and offers dirt, concrete, and platform sites. You can make a reservation up to a year in advance for active duty and six months in advance for all others.
They don’t allow same-day check-ins, and you must cancel 14 days in advance. Some sites have full hookups, while others only have water and electricity. The concrete pads include sewer connections.
Campground Features: The campground features a playground, picnic areas, a beach, and a marina. You can also enjoy hiking, disc golf, paintball, or mini-golf. Additionally, you can experience water activities with sailboat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals on-site. The campground also has laundry and shower services.
Cost to Camp: The 13 tent sites range from $7 to $14 a night. The 75 concrete RV sites range from $23 to $25. The dirt/grass sites cost $16 to $17.50, or you can rent one of the seven cabins for $40 to $45 a night.
2. Manatee Cove Campground – Patrick Space Force Base
Address: Rescue Rd, Patrick Space Force Base, FL 32925
About: Manatee Cove Campground lies on Florida’s east coast on Patrick Space Force Base, which used to belong to the Air Force. It has 156 sites with water, sewer, and 20/30/50 amp service. You can bring up to two pets, but they must have updated vaccination records. Check the website for breed restrictions and additional guidelines.
You can make a reservation six months in advance and stay for a maximum stay of 30 days. Also, note that you must have the current registration and insurance for all vehicles, including RVs.
Campground Features: Manatee Cove features a community center, private beach, restrooms, laundry facilities, camping equipment rentals, and boat rentals. While staying here, you can go fishing, golfing, swimming, biking, and boating. It also has a playground, pavilion, and picnic area to grill lunch.
Being located on the base, you have access to the commissary, gas station, car wash, Exchange, fitness center, and more. With all these features, you may never want to leave. You’ll find something for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost to Camp: The 18 riverfront sites cost $30 a night, and the other standard sites cost $20 to $24. However, these prices can change, and you may have higher rates from November to April.
Pro Tip: Does the name Manatee Cove Campground have you wanting to swim with actual manatees? We got you covered with these tips on How to Go Swimming with Manatees in Crystal River, Florida.
3. Sigsbee RV Park – Key West Naval Air Station, Key West, FL
Address: Arthur Sawyer Dr, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040
About: Come relax in the Florida Keys at Sigsbee RV Park, located on the Key West Naval Air Station. Enjoy beautiful beaches and over 90 full-hookup sites with 30/50 amp service. Or stay in one of the vacation mobile home units.
These two-bedroom, one-bathroom houses can sleep up to four people and come fully furnished with cable TV. You can also enjoy all the amenities of the base, including the commissary, car wash, gas station, and the exchange.
Campground Features: This military campground in Florida offers water sports, boat rentals, fishing, and a marina. Or you can put together a team to play at the sports field, then play some rounds of golf.
The kids can also run around at the playground while you grill up lunch at one of the BBQ grills, followed by a relaxing evening on the beach watching the sunset. It also has laundry and shower facilities to clean up after a day of playing.
Cost to Camp: Truman Beach Deluxe Waterfront sites cost $80 to $85 a night. The RV campsites range from $36 to $46. Or you can stay at the primitive tent sites with no hookups for $26 to $35 a night. The vacation home rentals cost upward of $120.
4. Navy Getaways Jacksonville RV Park
Address: Birmingham Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32212
About: Jacksonville RV Park sits on Manatee Point on the St. Johns River. Haul in your big rig or boat to camp at one of the 42 RV sites. They offer water, sewer, and 30/50 amp hookups.
If you want to do more traveling, you can visit downtown Jacksonville 20 minutes away, or St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, 30 minutes to the south. You also have access to base amenities such as the commissary, lodge, fitness center, and clinic when you stay here.
Campground Features: You can get up early for breakfast at Mulligan’s Restaurant. Then head down to the marina to take out the boat for some manatee watching or fishing. Or if you don’t have a boat, you can rent one nearby.
It also features a 27-hole golf course for year-round fun. After a day of playing, you can clean up at the shower and laundry facilities. Then head back to camp and enjoy the free Wi-Fi to stream your favorite movie.
Cost to Camp: Campsites cost between $27 and $29. Active-duty can book a year in advance, and all others can make reservations 180 days in advance.
5. Mid-Bay Shores – Maxwell AFB/Gunter Recreation Area, Niceville, FL
Address: 801 White Point Rd., Niceville, FL 32578
About: Come camp next to white, sandy beaches at Mid-Bay Shores on Maxwell Air Force Base. You can play at Lake Pippin or in Choctawhatchee Bay. Bring your pets, but they can’t go on the beach or in the water. You must also pay a $10 pet fee and provide vaccination records.
Stay in one of 19 full-hookup RV sites, seven partial-hookup sites, or one of the 24 fully-furnished bungalows. It also has five mobile home rentals.
Campground Features: Mid-Bay Shores military campground in Florida offers a beach, swimming area, playground, and fishing pier. You can also rent paddleboards, ocean kayaks, tandem bikes, and beach cruisers. The campground also has a boat launch and storage area, showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station. You can also get free Wi-Fi throughout the park.
Cost to Camp: The primitive tent site costs $10 a night. RV rates from October to March cost $22 for partial hookups or $27 for full hookups. Trailer rates range between $55 and $100 based on rank and season. You can also choose a bungalow that costs $70 to $130 a night.
Pro Tip: Want to let your furry friend run in the sand? We found The 7 Most Dog-Friendly Beaches in Florida.
6. Raptor Ranch – Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, FL
Address: 101 FamCamp Rd, Tyndall AFB, FL 32403
About: Raptor Ranch on Tyndall Air Force Base lies in the East Bay, nearly 17 minutes away from Panama City. It has 100 full-hookup and 18 partial-hookup RV sites, but it doesn’t allow any tent camping. However, you can rent one of the three cabins.
You can bring pets as long as they remain leashed have updated vaccinations. Additionally, sponsored guests can only visit between April 1 and Oct. 1.
Campground Features: Come enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking. You can hang out at the community firepit or let the kids play at the playground. Relax at the beach or picnic area before going for a swim.
Then play some darts in the large recreation center that hosts family activities. Raptor Ranch also has a laundry room, showers, restrooms, a dump station, and propane for sale. The base also gives you access to the library, commissary, gas station, and more.
Cost to Camp: RV sites cost $30 a night, and cabins cost $100. You can also rent weekly and monthly spots.
7. Pelican Roost RV Park – Mayport Naval Station, Mayport, FL
Address: 2062 Bon Hommes Richard St., Jacksonville, FL 32228
About: Pelican Roost RV Park, located on the Mayport Naval Station, offers beautiful beaches with views of passing naval vessels. It has 19 waterfront RV sites and 28 standard sites with full hookups. It also has 10 platform tent sites.
You can bring sponsored guests between May and September only. Waterfront sites have a 14-day stay limit, while others have a 30-day limit.
Campground Features: Pelican Roost gives you beautiful sunsets and walks along the beach. But if you want even more fun, head to the tennis court or the archery/skeet ranges. Then you can take your family bowling, fishing, or golfing.
And don’t forget about the snack bar, shoppette, and picnic area. Clean up in the shower area or use the free laundry facility. The campground also features a dump station.
Cost to Camp: This military campground in Florida has waterfront RV sites that cost $23 to $27, while hardstand sites cost $20 to $23. Tent sites have an $8 fee.
8. Raccoon Creek Recreation Area – MacDill Air Force Base FamCamp, Tampa, FL
Address: 9909 Marina Bay Dr. #60, Tampa, FL 33621
About: Raccoon Creek Recreation Area on MacDill Air Force Base has a beautiful beach and lots of tree cover. It sits in the heart of Tampa Bay, and you can even see dolphins and manatees from the water. It has 389 sites, full hookups, cable TV, and Wi-Fi.
Campground Features: The campground features an activity room and a hobby shop. You can spend time at the beach or grill up lunch at the picnic area. Then grab a boat rental on-site to take out to see some dolphins. You can also grab a treat from the snack bar or head into the shoppette.
You also have access to the base commissary, library, and clinic. After swimming, you can clean off in the showers and at the laundry facility. Then take an evening to golf and relax at your campsite.
Cost to Camp: Paved and grass sites with full hookups cost $18 to $23. Grass sites with partial hookups cost $17 to $21. You can also get dry RV or tent sites for $9 to $13.
9. Destin Army Infantry Center Recreation Area – Fort Benning
Address: 557 Calhoun Ave., Destin, FL 32541
About: Destin Army Infantry Center Recreation Area is much more than a simple campground. This full-service vacation resort spanning 15 acres has hotel rooms, villas, studios, and an RV park.
It has 48 full-hookup RV sites in a beautiful area. You can look out on the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay, fish off the pier, and grill some dinner while watching the sunset.
Campground Features: In addition to the fishing pier, you can also have fun at the swimming pool and splash park. However, the resort doesn’t have direct beach access, but you can head to the Eglin AFB Beach Park nearby. You also have many other beach access parks in the vicinity.
If you want, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards to take out. The resort also has a fitness center, conference facility, and Wi-Fi.
Cost to Camp: You can reserve RV sites of varying sizes or a 40-foot pull-through site. It costs $30 for the 32-foot site, $35 for the 38-foot, and $40 for the 40-foot ones. The pull-through site costs $55, but prices change depending on the season.
If you prefer to stay in the hotel or villas, prices range from $75 to $160. Rates depend on the room size and season. You can get discounted rates on the weekdays in the winter only.
10. Oak Grove Park and Cottages, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL
Address: 190 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508
About: This military campground in Florida lies on the other side of the peninsula from the Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area. It looks out onto the Gulf of Mexico and has six waterfront RV sites. It also has 45 other RV sites with full hookups and eight primitive tent sites.
The park also has 26 one or two-bedroom cottages nestled in beautiful oak trees. You can take a walk on the beach or to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The campground is also a half-mile from the Pensacola Lighthouse.
Campground Features: The campground features full-service sites, including sewer and cable TV. Try some water sports or get some camping or recreation equipment rentals. You can play at the beach or go boating, hiking, or fishing.
Oak Grove also has a marina, shoppette, and snack bar. And don’t forget, you have access to all the amenities on base. You can bring your pets as long as they remain leashed.
Cost to Camp: Waterfront RV sites cost $30 to $32 or $26 to $28 for a standard one. Tent camping has a $7 to $8 fee. The cottages cost $100 to $120 a night, depending on the size.
Military Campgrounds Can Be Hidden Gems
If you want to relax at the beach, take advantage of these amazing benefits offered to U.S. military members and their families. You can enjoy much more than simple camping or water fun. Many of these locations provide activities, sports, bowling, golf, long-term stays, and extra amenities found on the base.
You’ll have everything you need for an amazing and relaxing weekend getaway. If you need repairs, you can find mechanics close at hand or take your tow vehicle through a much-needed car wash. While many prices vary significantly based on rank, season, or site, you can find the perfect place to stay. Choose from cabins, beach houses, RV sites, and more.
The military likes to reward its service members by offering them special deals and exclusive amenities. Don’t let these military campgrounds in Florida pass you by. Make a reservation now before you PCS or for a spontaneous vacation.
Will you visit a military base campground? Tell us in the comments!
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Brenda
Wednesday 14th of September 2022
May be worth noting that some campgrounds do allow Sponsored Guests, but each installation is different so you will have to call. As we have gotten older, we feel safer traveling with another couple so we look for those campgrounds that allow our travel partners to accompany us.
Mortons on the Move
Saturday 1st of October 2022
Thanks for the tip!