For campers, the historic city of St Augustine in Northeast Florida is a fantastic beach destination. With St Augustine campgrounds right on the water, it’s easy to establish a base in a gorgeous location and explore the city.
There are more than 40 miles of sandy beach on or near the Atlantic Ocean. Some are close to the quaint downtown district with a distinctly European feel. Others are in more natural areas teeming with wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. And because this is sunny Florida, the weather is so nice you can do all these things for most of the year.
But before we get into St Augustine campgrounds near the beach, let’s dive into a little bit of the history of one of the oldest cities in the country.
Add St Augustine, FL to Your Camping Trip
Historians recognize St Augustine as the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. Its modern history dates back to 1565, when the territory was under Spanish rule.
About 40 miles south of Jacksonville, St Augustine is directly on the famous Highway A1A and just a few miles east of I-95. With a population of around 17,000, it’s not even close to being one of Florida’s largest cities.
However, it has a charming and bold personality with its classic colonial architecture and incredible access to the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors love how the city embraces the past and has many contemporary attractions, including a thriving dining scene.
There’s a vibrant feel in the salty air. Maybe it’s because of the fabled fountain of youth that Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon believed was here.
7 Best St Augustine Campgrounds Near the Beach
Most of these beach campgrounds are just off the main highway on the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Some have access to both, and most are just minutes away from St Augustine’s top attractions.
1. St Augustine Beach KOA Holiday Campground
Address: 525 W Pope Rd, St Augustine, FL 32080
About: One of the popular St Augustine campgrounds, this beach lies near 1,600 acres of sand dunes and tidal marsh on Anastasia Island. The Matanzas River, which forms part of the Intracoastal Waterway, separates this barrier island from the mainland.
Amenities: The KOA facility has 119 sites with asphalt or dirt pads and can handle rigs up to 70 feet long. There are pull-thru and back-in sites with grills, tables, and chairs. Sites have full hookups (30 or 50 amp) plus Wi-Fi and cable.
Some sites overlook a pond, and it’s an easy walk to the beach. Extras include a laundry room, a swimming pool, and a playground for the kids.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.6/10
2. North Beach Camp Resort
Address: 4125 Coastal Hwy, St Augustine, FL 32084
About: This location is about 4.5 miles north of the city, near Vilano Beach. It’s on a heavily wooded barrier island, and there’s a lovely stretch of pristine white sands to explore. Hurricanes have done lots of destruction over time, so it’s nice to be able to enjoy the shade from mature oaks and other hardwoods.
Amenities: It’s not exactly a “resort,” but this is one of the most beautiful St Augustine campgrounds and a rustic place with a few comforts and a friendly vibe. In some ways, it’s more like a state park experience, but there’s also a Publix right down the road.
There are 150 full hookup sites with dirt pads, and there’s a laundry and bathrooms/showers. You can do some fishing or launch a boat from here, and there’s a pool and hot tubs.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.3
Keep in Mind: If you’re going to go beach camping, make sure not to break any of these 10 Beach Camping Golden Rules You Should Never Break.
3. Anastasia State Park Coquina Loop Campground
Address: 300 Anastasia Park Road, St Augustine, FL 32080
About: This sprawling state park is on one end of Anastasia Island, while Matanzas Inlet is on the other. There are four miles of undeveloped beach here, and nature trails snake around sand dunes and forests.
There are smooth, level paths for bikes, too. The open waters on the east side are popular with surfers while canoeists and kayakers enjoy the calmer marsh areas.
Amenities: The camping area is a short distance from shore and has 139 sites, including those for tents. The RV sites have gravel pads. There’s no sewer, but there is electricity, water, and a three-lane dump station.
Each site has a fire ring, table, and an in-ground grill. A communal picnic area offers great views. Clean bathhouses with hot showers are another bonus.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.5/10
4. Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort
Address: 4850 A1A S, St Augustine, FL 32080
About: Eight miles south of town, Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort is just far enough away from the city to offer a remote, peaceful atmosphere. It’s not right on the beach, but you can be there in a few minutes using the resort’s private walkways (you can also hear the crashing waves from your site).
Concrete pads help to keep the sand out of your rig. Roads and sites are few, but the staff scores big on service.
Amenities: There are 250 sites here with full hookups with either 20 or 30 amp power. Most sites have a cabana-style porch. There’s a laundry, heated pool, a spa, and a dog run.
This is one of the St Augustine campgrounds that has cable and Wi-Fi. There are also courts for tennis and pickleball, plus space for activities like horseshoes and shuffleboard.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.2/10
5. Ocean Grove RV Resort
Address: 4225 A1A South St Augustine Beach, FL 32080
About: Also south of town, Ocean Grove RV Resort is right on the Intracoastal Waterway with 198 sites – some on grass and some paved.
Many offer an excellent view of the scenic coastal marsh. The zero-entry swimming pool and its large deck, along with a few other amenities, help it claim its resort label.
Amenities: All sites have full hookups (with 30 or 50 amp power) and have grills and picnic tables. Up to four pets are allowed, and the first two are free.
Extras include a hot tub and pool with a deck, a court for basketball, and a bocce ball court. One of the more active St Augustine campgrounds, this has a large picnic pavilion, a recreation hall, a fitness center, and a dog run.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.2/10
6. Faver-Dykes State Park Campground in St Augustine
Address: 1000 Faver-Dykes Rd., St Augustine, FL 32080
About: This rustic state park campground is slightly inland along Pellicer Creek on the part of what used to be a Spanish-owned plantation. It’s about 20 miles south of the city on the edge of the Pellicer Creek Conservation Area.
The type of shady terrain here is called a hardwood hammock, and it’s characterized by a thick canopy of broad-leafed trees. There are four different nature trails in the park, and it’s a very popular spot for birding. The waterway, which flows into the Matanzas River, is part of the state’s Canoe Trail.
Amenities: There are 30 campsites with partial hookups that can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. There is a dump station, and each site has a fire circle, grill, and picnic table. There are restrooms and showers, and you can rent canoes.
Warning: The signs that say “Beware of Ticks” are there for a reason, so plan accordingly.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.9/10
Keep in Mind: Ticks aren’t the only creepy crawlies to keep an eye out for while in Florida! Make sure to Avoid These Insects When Camping in Florida.
7. Peppertree RV Resort
Address: 4825 A1A S #200, St Augustine, FL 32080
About: Back on Anastasia Island, this friendly, laidback RV campground has an almost residential, community-like feel. It’s a short walk across the street to the ocean’s edge and a quick drive to downtown St Augustine. The campground is a blend of RV sites and park model RVs for rent, so there may be some longer-term residents here.
Amenities: Some sites have full hookups and some partial, and there is a dump station. Sites have grills and picnic tables. The St Augustine campground has bathrooms and showers and places to play basketball, horseshoes, and shuffleboard. There’s a swimming pool on the grounds and a pond where you can do some catch-and-release fishing. It’s pet-friendly and offers cable and Wi-Fi.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.7/10
Other Things to Do in St Augustine, FL
One of the first stops for many visitors is the imposing 17th century structure called the Castillo de San Marcos. This impressive stone fortress stands as a powerful testament to the Spanish period. It overlooks the scenic bay known as the St Augustine Inlet. With all of its history, there’s a lot more to take in.
The St Augustine Lighthouse and its adjoining museum shine a light on the community’s maritime past. The museum houses actual artifacts and treasures from when St Augustine was a stronghold for pirates.
You can also wind down with a casual stroll through the brick streets of the “Old City” shopping district. Lovers of the outdoors may also enjoy a seagoing eco-tour aboard an airboat or personal watercraft.
How Much Does It Cost to Camp in St Augustine, FL?
Going back to the Gilded Age of the 1920s, the city has offered luxurious, resort-level hotel accommodations. St Augustine campgrounds, on the other hand, are a way to enjoy the city on a more modest budget. But this is Florida, one of the country’s favorite vacation spots, so they aren’t cheap.
The only great values are at the state parks, where nightly rates are as low as $18 before extra fees and taxes. You can expect to pay five times that or more at private campgrounds. Because the sites are in such stunning locations, there’s a great demand for them, even at $100 or more a night.
Enjoy Your Stay at the Best St Augustine Campgrounds
Outdoor lovers follow the sun down to South Florida throughout the year. The northern part of the state has its share of allure, and St Augustine has many prime campgrounds on the beach.
There is lots of history to soak up, too. You can certainly save some money by avoiding hotels. But keep in mind that this is Florida, so the rates are higher than many other places in the country.
What are your favorite places to visit in Florida? Tell us in the comments below!
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Bob
Thursday 28th of April 2022
Koa Saint Augustine….you must have rated this sight unseen or (site unseen) . I had reservations and went to see it before I stayed there. I immediately cancelled. I have never seen sites so close together with the car parked partially in the road and kids running and riding out in front of cars. I had a small class C at the time, but there was no way I would stay there after seeing it.