Camel Lake Campground
Camel Lake Recreation Area provides a quiet place to relax and take in the beauty of the longleaf pine forest. Camping, swimming, hiking, and boating opportunities are all available, focused on the crystal-clear waters of Camel Lake.
More like this: electric hookups in Florida · reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida · pets allowed in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 6 |
| RV with electric | 4 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | RV electric | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | RV electric | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | RV electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | RV electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | RV | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No | Lakefront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 06 | RV | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 07 | RV | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 08 | RV | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 09 | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 10 | RV | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 80 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Some of the campsites have electricity, and there is a bathhouse with flush toilets in the campsite and in the day-use area. A campground host is always available. The day-use parking lots, picnic areas, and restrooms are accessible. Hours of operation through the summer are 8 am to 8 pm (April 1st - Oct 31st) and through the winter are 8 am to 6 pm (Nov 1st - March 31st).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | National Forests in Florida |
| Booking | All campsites at Camel Lake are reservation only. If you walk in or arrive without a reservation, you must either make a reservation by calling 877-444-6777 or know that you may be asked to move at… |
| Fees | Day Use Fees - $5/vehicle per day. Half price for some passholders. Camping Fees - Visit recreation.gov online for the most updated camping fees. Fees are subject to change without notification. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take SR 20 west from Tallahassee through Hosford to Bristol. Turn south on SR 12. Continue south to the Apalachicola National Forest boundary sign and look for a sign for Camel Lake soon after you pass the work station and trailhead on the left. Turn left on Forest Road 105, which is an unpaved road.
| Nearest town | Bristol, Florida |
| Coordinates | 30.2771° N, 84.9866° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Refunds can not be made on site.
Fire nearby
- WildfireIao
21 mi from the campground · 260 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Wewa Outdoors and Pawn ↗ | 17.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Connections ↗ | 37.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping at Camel Lake Campground in the Apalachicola National Forest
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miFnst - Camel Lake Spur ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_scenic_or_historic
- 0.1 miCamel Lake Loop1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.4 miCamel Lake Connector0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.5 miLittle Camel Lake0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 1.5 miTrail of Lakes4 mi trail · hiking
- 2.4 miFnst - Apalach Section ↗35.2 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_scenic_or_historic
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in Florida.
- inNational Forests in Florida ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,423,183 acres
- 14 miMud Swamp/New River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,075 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The Apalachicola is one of the most bio diverse places in the world, and Camel Lake places you in the middle of this natural treasure. You will be surrounded by tall longleaf pines and wiregrass, while seepage slopes in the forest create pitcher plant bogs. Rare pine savannahs are just to the south and the creeks and swamps around host a wide variety of animal life.
Recreation
Above the lake's rim, the focal points of this recreation area are the well-shaded ten-site campground, suitable for RVs or tents, and the day use recreation area with its picnic tables, picnic shelter, and sandy beach for swimming. A short loop trail surrounds the lake, with longer loops possible incorporating the nearby Florida National Scenic Trail.
Nearby
Nearby, several boat landings provide access to the numerous creeks that feed into the Apalachicola River. The Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway and the Big Bend Scenic Byway provide beautiful views of pine savannahs, and they make excellent routes for trips down to the coast, which is only about an hour south.
Guidebooks for Florida
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Camel Lake Campground?
Sites at Camel Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. All campsites at Camel Lake are reservation only. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Camel Lake Campground?
Day Use Fees - $5/vehicle per day. Half price for some passholders. Camping Fees - Visit recreation.gov online for the most updated camping fees.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Camel Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Camel Lake Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Camel Lake Campground have?
11 sites, including 6 RV sites without hookups and 4 RV sites with electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Camel Lake Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Camel Lake Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Camel Lake Campground?
Some of the campsites have electricity, and there is a bathhouse with flush toilets in the campsite and in the day-use area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Camel Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Camel Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Camel Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Camel Lake Campground?
Above the lake's rim, the focal points of this recreation area are the well-shaded ten-site campground, suitable for RVs or tents, and the day use recreation area with its picnic tables, picnic shelter, and sandy beach for swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Camel Lake Campground?
Bristol, Florida. Nearby, several boat landings provide access to the numerous creeks that feed into the Apalachicola River.
Source: Getting there