Camping at Hart Springs Park: What to Expect

Here’s a no-secret: Florida summers are HOT! Cooling off in Florida’s springs is by far one of our favorite summer activities. If you want to go camping with your kids during the summer in Florida, then Hart Springs Park should be at the top of your list! In this article, I summarize what to expect in the campground, the activities available, and even a summary of everything you should bring.

At a Glance

Check out this 3-minute summary video if you just want to get a quick idea of what to expect.

Camping at Hart Springs Park

We normally stick to State Parks, but this trip we made an exception. Located in North Florida, Hart Springs RV Campground is part of the Gilchrist County Park system.

The park offers RV campground, primitive sites, and there is even a three-bedroom house you can rent if camping is not your thing!

RV Campground Arrival and Check-In

There are two entrances to the park: The RV campground entrance, and the day-use and Primitive camping entrance.

As you go through the RV campground entrance, you will see the pool house on your right, and the campground host will be the first site you see on your left.

The campground host will check you in. We went during the COVID-19 outbreak, so I am unsure whether this is different during regular times. The host will provide you with a list of rules and wrist bands that everybody should wear.

My main complaint here is that maps were not provided. By the pool, however, there is a stand with posted maps. Your best bet will be to take a photo of the maps posted there. I included a photo here, but unfortunately, it is glary because of the glass.

The Roads

There is not much driving that you will need to do because the RV campground is right by the entrance. Most roads within the park are paved, though, with the only exception being the road that leads to the primitive campground.

As expected within a dedicated RV campground, the roads are paved and wide. The roads are two-way, and I did not see low hanging tree branches that would be dangerous for large RVs. There is ample room for maneuvering and parking your RV, which is always a nice thing to see.

The RV Campsites: Best and Worst

There are a total of 71 sites that can be used for RV or tents. Sites 1-39 are on the outside of the loop, whereas sites 40-71 are on the inside of the loop.

All sites have water, electric, and sewer. The water provided comes from a single spigot, so bring a splitter if you want to have water outside. There is also a dump station that did not seem to be in the best of conditions. I am unsure how often it is used, though, because all sites have their own connection.

Most sites are quite spacious, clearly made to accommodate large rigs. The sites, consisting of a mix of packed dirt and grass, give the impression of being level, but they are not perfect. Definitely expect to do some work here to level your camper.

There is not a whole lot of vegetation between the sites, which means privacy is not great. Some sites will have more privacy than others. Still, because sites are spacious, you still will not feel like you are on top of each other!

The same goes for shade. There is a mix of sites with no shade, and sites with almost full shade. In the summer, it is always a good idea to avoid open sites.

RV Campground Reservations through Reserve America

Best Sites

The best sites that have a good combination of privacy and shade are 5, 7, and 11.

Generally speaking, sites on the outside of the loop will give you the most privacy. Sites 1 – 14 are right up against the line of the woods, although some do not get any shade.

The best sites inside the loop are 66, 67, and 68. They have some shade and some privacy, at least for being on the inside of the loop. They are also close to the pool house, but not too close to significantly affect privacy.

Worst Sites

All sites in the inner loop are significantly less shady and privacy is greatly reduced. If those aspects are as important you as they are for us, I would suggest avoiding them. The only advantage of the inner loop sites is proximity to the bathhouse, and having a large, grassy area for young kids to play. It is a good spot when having multiple families camping together.

Sites 15-20, even though they are on the outside of the loop are not shady. I would also recommend avoiding sites 25-28 and 61-63 because they are right next to the garbage and dump station. Lastly, sites 25 – 35 face west, which means no shade during the afternoon hours.

Related: Colt Creek State Park Campground Review and Things to Do

The Bathhouse

There is only one bathhouse for all 71 RV/tent sites, and it is located in the middle of the loop. The bathhouse has four sinks, four stalls, and 3 showers. There is also a handicap-accessible site that has its own toilet, shower, and sink. The bathhouse was cleaned every day from 10 am – 11 am while we were there, and it was kept in good, sanitized condition.

Laundry/Sink

There are two washers and two driers by the bathhouse. They all cost $1.25. A small table is available to fold laundry. There is no sink provided for dish washing.

Cell Phone Reception and Connectivity

Cell reception is not great, but there is some. Sprint had the hardest time staying connected. My Verizon MiFi hotspot had a bar, sometimes two. My AT&T phone had the best reception from our devices. Free WiFi is included in the campground. It is a slow connection, so while it helped to stay somewhat connected to the outside world, I was unable to work.

Related: Rainbow Springs State Park- 10 Things you Should Know

Pets

Up to two non-aggressive animals are allowed in the RV campground. They must be leash or restrained at all times. Animals are not allowed on the springs or the pool.

Primitive Camping

The primitive campground area was closed while we were there due to the pandemic. Still, I was able to see the sites. They are all under a live oak hammock, mostly shaded. They all have a table and a water spigot, but no electricity that I could see. Each site has a designated space for a tent, and there seems to be a decent amount of space between the sites.

The primitive campground is accessible through the day-use area and has quick access to the boardwalk, kayak launch, and the springs themselves.

Do keep in mind that no pets are allowed in this area.

Primitive Camping reservations through phone

Things To Do at Hart Springs Park

Swimming/Snorkeling/Diving

Swimming in the springs is the whole point of visiting this park in the summer, right? Hart Springs is one of many wonderful springs in Florida. Feel free to look at this article to learn about other options for families!

To swim in the springs, you are allowed to bring flotation devices, just keep them small and non-obtrusive. No, that’s not a rule. Just a request from me…

There is a platform for jumping into the deep portion of the water. There are multiple shallow areas, which makes it perfect for little kids.

Of course, there is great opportunity for snorkeling. Even withing the swimming area, you will find lots of fish a turtles. If you go past the bridge you will find even more fish and wildlife.

There is the opportunity to dive in the caves. Even though I am a scuba diver, this is something I would NEVER do. It terrifies me! But if that is your thing, know that you can only go with a guide. More information on cave diving here.

Hiking

There is a paved trail connecting the RV campground with the springs. This trail alone is beautiful, shaded by oaks and large live oak trees. It is a great trail for those that enjoy a morning run before proceeding with their camping activities!

From the paved trail, there is access to a few short hiking trails:

• The Blue trail goes North and goes for about 0.8 miles. It ends on a dirt road, just north of the primitive campground
• The Red trail heads South and also goes for about 0.8 miles. This one loops back around.
• The Orange trail is the longest at 0.9 miles and also heads south. It connects to the dirt road just south of the springs area.
• The Yellow trail is a short 0.25 mile path that connects the Orange trail with the Red trail.

All trails are shaded as far as we could tell, although we did not explore those trails during this trip because of heat and to avoid ticks. They are certainly great options for kid-friendly hikes during cooler winter months!

The short 1-mile boardwalk from the springs leads to views of the Suwannee River. The boardwalk features beautiful views of the cypress dome, and it had a couple of stops and places to sit, relax, and enjoy a snack under the shade of live oaks. The boardwalk loops around and ends by the primitive sites.

Biking

There are no designated biking trails, but having bikes with you is a great way to get to the springs. The paved trail is well over 0.5 miles long, which does not sound long, but when hauling kids and water gear it can be a bit much…especially in the heat!

We saw people biking on the boardwalk, although the boardwalk is short and so it won’t offer much for biking.

Related Read: Camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness – The Ultimate Guide

Fishing/Kayaking/Boating

There are limits as far kayaking and fishing on the springs themselves. However, if you go away from the springs and toward the river, you will find a kayak launch. You can either rent kayaks and canoes on-site, or you can bring your own.

You can kayak downstream from the springs until you get to the beginning of the Suwanee River. On the Suwannee River you can fish. Do keep in mind that boating is a big activity in the Suwannee, so be mindful and cautious when going out on a kayak!

Canoe/Kayak rentals at Hart Springs

Kids Activities

This is probably one of the most-kid friendly parks we have been to. Within the campground itself there is a small playground and swings, a basketball court, and large green spaces for free play. There is also a pool, and the paved roads are great for kids going on scooter rides and bike rides around the loop.

By the springs there is a splash pad, and the springs themselves had multiple levels of depth. This allows kids of multiple ages to enjoy the water without having to go in the deep ends.

Related: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Campground Review

What to Bring

In addition to starndard camping gear, I suggest you bring the following:

• Extra shade/canopy for the more open sites (only one allowed per site in addition to tent/RV)
• Outdoor fan for the summer
• Bikes for adults and kids to go to springs
• You can bring golf carts!
• Small flotation devices
• Snorkel gear
• Good running shoes (if running is your thing)

Do not bring…

• Alcohol
• 4-wheelers
• Generators
• Clotheslines
• Fireworks
• Pets in the primitive campground area or the springs

Summary

Here’s the TL,DR version about camping in Hart Springs Park:

• Hart Springs RV campground has many amenities usually limited to private campgrounds
• Water, electric, and sewer provided
• The bathhouse is clean/washer and driers are available
• RV campground has large sites, roads are paved and in good condition
• The primitive campground has a table and water on each site.
• Up to two restrained animals permitted ONLY in the RV campground
• Lots of kid-friendly activities, such as splash pad, playgrounds, and pool
• Bikes are helpful to go from RV campground to the springs
• No alcohol allowed

I hope this article helps you prepare for your next trip to Hart Springs Park!

Camping Resources

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