I have always wanted to go on a little camping trip somewhere, but we have never done it, because the beach always win out Which, may very well happen again this year. But, does anyone know of any close-by camping spots that are family friendly?

OoooOOoooOoOO I would LOVE to do this, however, is this safe in Florida? I don't mean to sound naive, but my experience has always been up north where the biggest threat is moose and bear. Down here I fear Alligators, Scorpions, Snakes etc...

Suzy, have you been camping down south before?

I know my hubby would never attend but I LOVE the experience, count me in (depending on the date)

Last week we visited some friends who were staying at a camp ground not far from here on the other side of Payne's Prairie. It seemed like a great place to camp as they had nice spots for tents, bathrooms, a playground, some trails. But, we did come home to find some ticks on us! They probably got on us when we went to some tall grass by the water, or when my boys were playing in the woods. But, it still seemed like a great place and it's only minutes from Gainesville.

If you are not a gator then you are gator bait.

We have family that camps at Otter and Hart Springs. They both have bathroom/showers, nice cold spring to swim in, and Otter has a huge screened in pool. We don't actually camp because of lack of supplies but we always visit my family on day trips. It's not that far from Gainesville either. Just about 20 minutes west of Newberry. My kids love the springs.

You can also camp at the beach near jacksonville..I can't remember exactly where, but maybe fernandina.

Two for one trip!

You can come up here to Ohio and go camping!

We've been camping at Ginnie Springs. Not exactly rustic, but I like having a shower and bathrooms. It is a little expensive, but it's just for a night, and there's swimming during the day. It's a little too hot at this point, but once it cools down this fall -- that's where we'll be.

We have camped at Manatee Springs. Anastasia Island is also a good place. That one is on the beach.
I have just discovered a new place where you can rent cabins on the lake in Citra. It's called Horseshoe lake. My mom, cousins and I are thinking of renting one for the weekend as a girls weekend out with no kids.

I love camping!! I remember in college up in Tennessee...we use to camp in the winter time, in the snow. so very viagrant!!! (sp?)

i have not gone camping that I can recall since we been in Florida. I know my son has gone camping with the church and MDA groups. But I know I would love the challenge but without Tim (he is to much work right now).

i miss the days when the young adults from out church use to go camping and canoeing. we would canoe to our camping site and camp for the weekend. that is how i got addicted to potatoes with scramble eggs, muchrooms and cheese as a breakfast casserole. with sourcream. mmmmmm!!

there are a lot of good camping site in florida including near the beach. i think it would be great to try it at least once. Go for it!

have fun!

Camping by a lake sounds fun. I'll have to check that out. And even if I don't end up camping at the Springs, you know I'll be doing plenty of day trips there. I LOVE the Springs.

Otter really is the best, but Hart is a little more reasonable and more rustic...Hart is a state park also outside of Trenton.

We tent camped there years ago, hate tent camping! i don't like to summer camp, too hot for me. we can in the fall and winter, but have a trailer now...spoiled i know but i've paid my dues.

I LOVE camping! We have camped at quite a few places since we've been in florida, i actually like it better than camping up north. We should do a group camping trip sometime. Our favorite place we've been is Manatee Springs, second favorite is Juniper Springs, if you like canoeing, the Juniper run is amazing!

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Originally posted by Nikki782:
I LOVE camping! We have camped at quite a few places since we've been in florida, i actually like it better than camping up north. We should do a group camping trip sometime. Our favorite place we've been is Manatee Springs, second favorite is Juniper Springs, if you like canoeing, the Juniper run is amazing!

Manatee Springs... where is that?

yes...I agree...we should do a group camping one weekend and this summer too.

I vote we do it in July or early August. Anybody else would like to do it too. I can arrange it if we all agree on a site. Canoeing would be fun! I'm pretty good in arranging for large group rates, etc....etc...

That would be so fun!!!