Group Landing
37 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
Outdoors
Camping near Gainesville
Campgrounds and camping areas near Gainesville on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
18campgrounds and camping areas
37 mito the closest
October–Aprilbest months
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Closest picks
Lake Shore Group Camp
38 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.
Ocean Pond Campground
39 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
Map of all 18 places
Map of 18 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (15)
Group Landing
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Lake Shore Group Camp
Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Ocean Pond Campground
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
- Accessible Swimming
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Mill Dam Group Camp
Mill Dam Group Campground offers a fun and relaxing setting for groups of up to 150 to enjoy Ocala National Forest.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Juniper Springs Rec Area
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
Doe Lake Group Site
Doe Lake is a group campsite with a variety of activities. Centered around a historic lodge with a large group kitchen, it's an ideal place for major outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife viewing
Big Scrub Campground
Perennially popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Big Scrub Campground sits in the Ocala National Forest in central Florida. A trailhead within the facility offers riders campsite-to-trail access.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka NWR was established in 1943 for waterfowl conservation. The refuge protects saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps in Homosassa, FL.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Photography
Buck Lake Group Campground
Buck Lake is a group camping facility in the heart of Ocala National Forest in Florida. Great for family reunions and social gatherings, the campground can host a group of up to 50 guests along the shores of Buck Lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Swimming
Lake Dorr Cabin
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
River Forest Group Site
River Forest is a shaded group camping facility on the shores of the St. Johns River in Ocala National Forest.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” The refuge conserves the unique features of the Okefenokee Swamp,the headwaters of the Suwannee and…
- Boating
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
75 miles and farther (3)
Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits
Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland…
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Cumberland Island National Seashore
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Canaveral National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Gainesville. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Gainesville
A WALK AROUND TOWN
Downtown Gainesville Florida Walking Tour
A recorded downtown Gainesville walk, passing University Avenue, storefront blocks and the clock-tower area. Shared by Florida Streaming; the creator’s closing graphics are part of the original film.
Watch on YouTube ↗
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A Relaxing Walking Tour Downtown Gainesville, Florida | City Walk USA
A short recorded walk along downtown Gainesville’s palm-lined streets and pedestrian areas, including The Promenade. Shared by City Walk USA.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Gainesville
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Gainesville?
Group Landing (USDA Forest Service), about 37 miles north of Gainesville as the crow flies. Next are Lake Shore Group Camp (38 mi) and Ocean Pond Campground (39 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Gainesville?
Based on Gainesville’s average highs, October–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Gainesville?
14 of the 18 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.