If you think of camping, Florida may not be your first thought, but Florida has some beautiful campgrounds to visit, including the Chassahowitzka Campground near Crystal River. This campsite is perfect for exploring some of Florida’s Best Natural Springs, as well as a great place to see manatees in the winter months. Keep reading to learn all about this campground, as well as Seven Sisters Springs! (And don’t worry, I’ve got a link for hotels if you’d rather not camp!)
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When to Tent Camp in Florida
Camping in Florida can be enjoyed year round, but depending on what season you go, you may have very different experiences. The summertime is going to be the hottest, most buggy, and humid, but is good for camping trips to some of Florida’s Springs, as the springs provide a great way to cool down in the hot sun. Note that in the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms and rain are common.
If you do camp during summer (or really any time in Florida), be sure to have a good rain cover and pitch your tent on high ground, as Florida tends to get sporadic rainstorms throughout the day.
During the fall and spring, temperatures will be mild, with less humidity. Some days will be chilly, while others will be warm and sunny. Year round, but summer is extremely hot and buggy, more rain. Ideal from fall to spring, when temperatures are cooler and less mosquitos.
Is Tent Camping Safe in Florida?
Tent camping is generally safe in campgrounds in Florida. Some things to be wary of are insects, the heat and/or sunburn, and the weather. Take general safety precautions like not storing food out in the open, packing sunscreen and plenty of fresh water, and build fires a safe distance from any overhanging foliage. If you are going to be camping near a busy water source, like the Chassahowitzka River, be mindful of boats or swimmers that may be in the water. If you venture out into the River, be mindful of wildlife, and that you are in their homes. Alligators are not uncommon to see in Florida waterways.
Where to Tent Camp in Florida
Florida has lots of campgrounds, state parks, and nature preserves to consider camping at. Especially during the summer, the Florida Springs are a great place for tent camping, which allows for swimming or paddling in the water during the day to stay cool. The Chassahowitzka River Campground is a great option if you want a little bit of river, access to nearby Crystal River for swimming with manatees, and two unique springs! Other campgrounds that I hope to stay at some day include Paynes Prarie Preserve, which has wild horses and bison, and Boyd’s Waterfront Campground in Key West.
Chassahowtizka Campground
The Chassahowitzka River is located about an hour north of Tampa, and is just over a 20 minute drive south of Crystal River. The River, sometimes called “The Chaz”, is 5 miles long, fed by springs and exits out the Gulf of Mexico. Two springs are easily accessible by paddle board or kayak, Seven Sisters Springs, and “The Crack”.
If you are visiting the Chaz, the Chassahowitzka Campground will be your best camping site. Located walking distance from a boat launch, which is perfect for setting up your paddle board or kayak, you can camp and enjoy the river and nature to the fullest. Split into primitive camping and RV camping, the campground has offerings for everyone.
Learn more about the Chassahowitzka River Campground Here!
Within the primitive campsites, you can find fire pits, a plethora of trees to hang hammocks or swings, and a soft, sandy ground perfect for pitching a tent. The campsites are large enough to accommodate more than one tent per site, with some campsites having more space than others. There are restrooms with showers at the front of the campground near the RV sites, as well as a port-a-potty near the primitive sites.
The primitive campsites have a loop around that is beautiful to drive, just ensure you go slow since the path is narrow and close to people camping.
What to Pack for Camping in Florida
Camping in Florida is a unique experience, making packing a little bit more tricky. Some days can be blisteringly hot, while winters can be wet and cold. Be sure to research the common temperatures and weather when you are planning your Florida Camping trip, to pack appropriately.
When I went camping at the Chaz in July, here is a list of what I brought for a weekend trip that may help as a starting point for your Florida camping trip:
- Two person tent with rain cover
- Warm weather sleeping bag
- Battery powered fan with LED light
- Camping pillow
- Inflatable sleeping pad
- Hammock and straps
- Old tablecloth for outside the tent entrance
- Cooler with ice packs
- Inflatable paddleboard
- Reusable water bottle
- 4 gallons drinking water
- Toiletries and lightweight towel
- Snacks & food to cook with
- Lightweight clothes
- Swimsuits & snorkel
- Tevas and comfortable sandals
- A book
- Mineral Sunscreen and Natural Bug spray
While this list is not all-inclusive of things you may need to pack for a camping trip (my campsite was with numerous other travelers, so many people had bigger setups than I did), it may help to serve as a good starting point for planning your camping trip, especially if it is in the summer.
How to Get to Seven Sister Springs
From the campground, Seven Sister Springs is an easy paddle from the Chassahowitzka River Boat Ramp. It is easily walkable from the campground, but may be easier to have someone drop the paddle boards at the ramp with a truck, if accessible. If not, we walked the whole way and didn’t have any issues.
Learn more about the Chassahowitzka River Here!
Once you put your paddleboard or kayak in the water (or rent one from the ramp), you’ll head towards the right and will likely find groups of people wading in what appears to be waist deep water. Tie off your paddle board or kayak, and don your snorkel to see that there are actually quite a few little cave systems below the surface. These caves are relatively shallow, and for strong swimmers, fun to swim through! The water stays 72 degrees year round, so is a great way to cool off during the hot Florida summers.
How to Get to The Crack
Unlike most of the springs in Florida, The Crack is a unique spring that offers not fresh, but salt water that comes from the Gulf of Mexico, passes underground, and is pushed out into the spring. This area is great for swimming, sunbathing, and even has a swing you can play on above the water. This area is up Baird creek, and can get very shallow on the way in, so don’t be surprised if you see other people’s kayaks and paddle boards quite a ways from the actual swimming area. Even though you may have to walk the last bit of it, this is a gorgeous and unique area not to be missed.
From the boat ramp, you’ll paddle towards the left and find the mouth of Baird Creek, and paddle quite a ways down until you see an area where people have their kayaks and paddle boards tied up. Walk down the creek and you’ll find the opening to the Crack, likely busy during the summer months. It’s a fun place to spend the day and adventure, so be sure to add this to your Florida Camping trip!
Heading to Florida for a camping trip? Don’t forget to save this for your travel planning!
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