Hontoon Island State Park Campground

You can’t drive here — that’s the point. A small passenger ferry shuttles campers to this 1,650-acre island in the St. Johns River, where Spanish moss drapes ancient live oaks and gopher tortoises roam the shell-midden trails. The 12 tent sites are primitive but well-spaced, each with a fire ring and picnic table. No RVs, no generators, just river sounds and bird calls.

The ferry runs every 30 minutes during park hours, but stops at sunset — plan accordingly or you’re camping whether you want to or not. Bring everything you need; there’s no store on the island. Peak season (winter months) fills up fast with snowbirds seeking quiet.

Ferry-access island camping on the St. Johns.