Sunshine State has always been a popular beach resort for Americans, but many people seem to forget that there is more to Florida than theme parks and beaches! Camping is a great way to travel right now, with the first people to stay in camp all the time, according to the North American Camping Report. The combination of Florida\’s tropical climate and natural beauty makes this an ideal destination for your camping trip this fall!
Holidu, a vacation rental search engine, has decided to find out which places in Florida are best for camping this season. We surveyed 200+ Florida cities with a population of over 20,000 using Google\’s monthly average search of these cities with the words ‘camping in’ and ‘camping sites’, and 2) the estimated number of hours of the day during the fall of those cities. If you want to escape this fall, why not visit one of these high-camping places in Florida?
These tent camps were found using Google search volume and weather data for each city\’s history, and data show that:
● Coastal camp is very dominant: all the top 10 cities are located on the coast
● The west coast of Florida is a hotbed of campers
● The Tampa Bay area is the best camping site, with 4 cities in the top 10
Top 10 Campgrounds in Florida
1. Rated: Key West | Camping points: 10
Key West takes the cake to this level with 8,900 searches per month camping. That is hardly surprising given the fact that the Florida Keys are not only the most popular destinations in the country, and they are also home to a great natural beauty, and they are a perfect place to camp. From mangrove forests to Dry Tortugas Natural Park, Key West offers many ways to immerse yourself in nature. Because of the 11.5 hours of sunshine a day, or in the fall, you do not have to give up all your favorite water activities such as boat snorkeling and scuba diving.
2. Second qualifying location: Clearwater | Average tents: 9.67
Arriving in second place, the next tent hotspot is Clearwater. Clearwater is on the same peninsula as St. Petersburg, and the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Old Tampa Bay to the east. This camping site is the first camping site for any nature lover. Clearwater is home to several parks and nature reserves, such as the Moccasin Lake Nature Park or the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve, a great place to start your trek in Tampa Bay, whether you decide to dive out or go up the coast. Bird watchers and fishermen will also love Clearwater for the diverse wildlife you can see in the area.
3. Close for the third time: Naples | Camping points: 9.52
Beautiful Naples in the south takes third place! The city has many hours of sunshine in all the highlands, entering about 12 full hours of sunshine a day during the fall. Combine this with getting closer to the big nature parks like the Everglades, and it’s no wonder why Naples is the third most popular tent location. Discover the unique Florida landscape during your camping trip: manatees, dolphins and a few native bird species are waiting for you! The parks around Naples also offer a wide range of hiking trails, cycling and BMX-ing and road driving in all ages and skill levels.
4. The fourth surprise: Miami | Average tents: 9.44
It may seem strange to see a big city like Miami in fourth place at this rate, but the fact is that Miami is one of the best camping spots in Sunshine State. You have to drive a few miles south, and you\’re in the middle of the Everglades! Other well-respected parks in the area are East Coast Buffer Preserve, Biscayne National Park and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. Spend 11.5 hours of sunshine in the Miami sun on fall day to explore its beautiful parks. Whether you love hiking, cycling, horseback riding or kayaking, parks around Miami have amazing trails to explore!
5. Tampa | Average tents: 9.44
The third most populous city in Florida, Tampa, ranks fifth on our list of booths. While Tampa, like Miami, may not be the best place to camp, there are plenty of camping and recreation areas on the outskirts of the city. Tampa Parks and suburbs, such as Rocky Creek Trails Nature Preserve or Morris Bridge Road Preserve, have trails of all levels, not only for walking and cycling, but also for hiking, horseback riding and more! Tampa is also a major sailing and kayaking destination, with many river and river roads that you can explore.
6. Fort Myers | Average tents: 9.43
In sixth place we find Fort Myers, the City of Palms! While the city is a summer favorite due to its large beaches, the fall brings warmer but smaller temperatures ready for camping. Many areas of the camp are located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, where you can enjoy activities such as fishing in a beautiful natural setting. Trolley lovers can be prepared in one of the many forests and nature keeps a close-knit area, where they can hike, cycle and hike.
7. Dunedin | Camping points: 9.42
Let’s go back to Tampa Bay the next city in this scenario: Dunedin is next on our list coming in seventh place! This coastal city has two territories: a large city on the Florida peninsula, and several islands that make up two state parks. State parks on Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island are two must-visit places in Dunedin. Use the warm weather and 11.6 hours of sunshine in the autumn to enjoy a full day of fishing, hiking, cycling and boating in Dunedin and the surrounding islands.
8. Tarpon Springs | Camping points: 9.42
We live in the Tampa Bay Area and Tarpon Springs in eighth place. This city is an ideal camping site for anyone who likes to get out or get close to the water. With the Gulf of Mexico to the east, Lake Tarpon to the west and many roads through the city, there are no fishing grounds, sails, and kayak. You can also explore the bayous on foot or by bike for the beautiful trails of North Anclote River Nature Park. Along the coast of Tarpon Springs you will also find Anclote Key Preserve State Park, a beautiful island with many camping opportunities and amazing mountain trails.
9. Venice | Average tents: 9.41
While Venice is most famous for Venice Beach, it is surrounded by many state parks and nature reserves that make the camps absolutely love the city! Camps on the outskirts of the city of Venice are the gateway to beautiful parks and are preserved like Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park. A short drive will take you to the world\’s largest hot springs at Warm Mineral Springs Park: enjoy 85ºF water all year round! Just 25 minutes from Venice, this unique park is an unforgettable experience. Relax your muscles in the healing water and recover from all your walking and cycling.
10. Cape Coral | Average tents: 9.40
We close the comparison with Cape Coral, one of the most famous marine areas with hidden camping treasures. To the north of the city lies the Yucca Pens Unit State State Wildlife Management Area and Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, two amazing mountain hiking trails, fishing, road trips and much more! The Cape Coral also expands access to many maritime areas such as the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, which is a protected port between the city and Pine Island. Campers will be able to enjoy the best of Florida wildlife!