Land Based Camping, Space Coast North

Note; The sites listed below feature opportunities for primitve backcountry camping in a remote, wilderness setting. Facilities and or Utilities at these campsites will either be very limited or non existent and you are responsible for your own well being. All food, water, and other neccesities must be self provided and all trash packed out.

Mainland

Buck Lake Conservation Area (Access to campsites; Hike, Bike, or Equestrian)
encompasses 9,291 acres and has two entrances and parking areas on the north side of State Road 46. The eastern entrance is .75 mile west of I-95 while the western entrance is 6.4 mile west of I-95. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting in season are allowed here and there are four primative campsites available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a type 2 management area, meaning during hunting periods you must have a valid hunting license to enter the property and no camping is allowed.
The ridge found in the eastern part of the property supports about 200 acres of scrubby flatwoods and oak hammock which is the habitat for the florida scrub jay, Florida's only endemnic bird species. This area can be accessed from several trails that lead from the main East Entrance Trail. In this Google link,(Google Image) I have placed a marker in the middle of the eastern ridge trail network. The trails are clearly visible in this image as is the entrance trail to the left. A basin swamp community dominates the eastern third of the property. this basin receives runoff water from the surrounding uplands and drains into a wet prarie which forms the the headwaters of six mile creek. The western portion of this property features a large floodplain marsh and a large marsh lake, Buck Lake. Overall, this conservation area provides protection for many natural communities and provides habitat for not only scrub jays, but gopher tortoises, bald eagles, otters, deer, fox, bobcats, turkeys, herons, egrets, owls, and woodpeckers.
Property Map
Trail Guide
Out In The Boonies Site
Space Coast Birding Site
GPS (East Trailhead) N 28 40.302 W 80 53.427
Google Satellite Image (East Trailhead)
GPS (Buck Lake Entrance) N 28 40.333 W 80 58.332
Google Satellite Image (Buck Lake Entrance)

Seminole Ranch Conservation Area (Access to campsites; Hike, Bike, or Equestrian)
is on Hatbill Road off State Road 46 4.1 miles west of the I-95 SR 46 interchange (exit 81). Look for signs for Loughman Lake Lodge and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area on the south side of 46. There are hiking trails in Seminole Ranch at 1.1, 2.3 and 4.1 miles from SR46. This area has a total of 35 miles of hiking trails, including several miles of the Florida Trail which flanks the St. John's River. Primative camping is allowed on the portion east of the St. John's River, as is biking, horseback riding and canoeing. Hatbill Park, a County Park is within the conservation area at the end of Hatbill Road and offers boating and canoeing access to the river.
The area ecompasses 28,785 acres, 96 % of which is within the St. Johns drainage basin and a variety of habitats are found here including pine, palmetto, hardwood, hammocks, freshwater lakes and river, and wetlands. Certain areas have a unique plant community supported by connate saltwater which flows from small springs near Harney and Puzzle lakes. The salinity of small lakes in the area approaches one-third that of sea water. Many salt-tolerant and marine-dwelling organisms present here are not found anywhere else in the St. Johns River. Wildlife found here includes migratory and residential wading birds, while white pelicans, southern bald eagles, roseate spoonbills and sandhill cranes sometimes are sighted. Other wildlife includes bobcats, otters, deer, and alligators.
Ellis Lake Loop Map
Space Coast Birding Site
Property Map
GPS N 28 39.904 W 80 56.393
Google Satellite Image

Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park (Access to campsites; Hike, Bike, or Equestrian)
9,515 acres, including individual and joint ownership by the District and Orange County.
From Titusville, head west on SR 50, past the town of Christmas. Turn left and go east on SR 520 for about two miles. Turn right (west) into the Wedgefield subdivision on Macon Parkway. Turn left on Bancroft Blvd., right on Meredith Parkway, then left on Dallas Blvd. The parking lot is 1.6 miles south of the Meridith/Dallas intersection, on the right.
This vast expanse of flatwoods and open prairie straddles the Econlockhatchee River in east Orange County. The big attraction for birders here is an active colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers located in the northern third of the property. Best viewing time for the RCWs is at dawn when the birds awaken from their nesting cavities. White stripes around pine tree trunks identify trees with RCW cavities. Other common resident species include eastern bluebird, brown-headed nuthatch, Bachman's sparrow, wood duck, sandhill crane and barred owl. With some luck, visitors may find wild turkey, whip-poor-will, hairy and red-headed woodpecker, hermit thrush, orange-crowned warbler, sedge and marsh wren, king rail and Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawk. There are three backcountry campsites on the property, with the closest one being just under a mile from the trailhead.
Property Map
Trail Guide
GPS N 28 29.163 W 81 05.833
Google Satellite Image

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area; (Orange County) (Primitive Campsite Hike in only, also a Youth Camp and Equestrian Camp near entrance)
3365 Taylor Creek Road
Christmas, FL 32709-9130
(407) 568-5893
can be found west of Titusville on SR 50 over the St John's River and into the town of Christmas. Look for Look for Taylor Creek Road on the south side of SR 50. Then head south for about 3 miles and you'll see the entrance on the left on Beehead Road. There is a nominal day use fee per vehicle. A box to deposit the fee is at the entrance kiosk Overnight primitive camping is available. There are two classes of trails here.
Multi use trails can be hiked, biked, and ridden on horseback and are marked with orange or rust colored blazes while the foot only trails are blazed in white. Horses are not allowed on vehicle roads except at designated horse crossing points. Bicycles are allowed on all park roads, service roads and firelines. This 28,000 acre area runs along the St John's River and features about 30 miles of trails, primative camping, virgin pine flatwoods, and a 900-acre virgin cypress swamp which running along Jim Creek is thought to be the largest remaining stand of cypress left uncut in the state. This is a beautiful area which can be accessed from the last parking area west on Power Line Road before it crosses Jim Creek. The trail head is a log bridge over a creek just accross the road from the parking area. In the pinewoods near Beehead Ranch at the end of Beehead Road, some of the tall slash pines are thought to be 250 years old.
Bird and wildlife watchers will love the opportunity to see some of the large raptors such as osprey, bald eagles, and swallow-tailed kites that can be found here. Wild turkey, white tailed deer, bobcat, racoon, armadillo and on rare occasions, Florida panther are rumored to have been spotted here. Other points of interest include the 30 indian mounds in close proximity to the trails.
Camping facilities include an equestrian camp, a group camp, and a remote campsite located along the Florida National Scenic Trail within the WMA. This is a hiking only trail. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the WMA office at (407) 568-5893. Car and RV camping are not available. During established hunting seasons, camping is permitted only to through-hikers at the site along the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The Park Roads provide parking areas and trail access throughout the park. Refer to the map for specifics.
Florida State Parks Website
The Florida National Scenic Trail Map 23, Tosohatchee, covers this region and can be purchased via the Florida Trail Association; visit their Web site for an order form.
Florida Trail Association Website
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Map
Out in the Boonies Site
GPS N 28 29.912 W 80 59.903
Google Satellite Image

Beachside

Canaveral National Seashore
There are two distinct districts with two separate entrances and you cannot drive between the two. The North or Apollo District is accessed from New Symrna Beach in Volusia County while the South or Playalinda District is accessed from Titusville. (Please Read) All established hiking trails on the seashore are accessible from the North District only. There is an old roadbed that connects the North and South District just above the dune line, and there are some websites that promote this as a hiking trail. However, if the Park Service finds you on this trail they will arrest and fine you $$. This is to protect the fragile sand dunes from erosion. (From personal conversation with Park Personnel)
Owned by NASA, this property is managed by the National Park Service and protects roughly 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean Shoreline and provides nesting grounds for up to 7 species of sea turtles while protecting natural dunes, coastal strand scrub, salt marsh and other wetlands, and virtually the entire body of the Mosquito Lagoon. Over 300 species of birds have been seen at the seashore from gulls, pelicans, ducks, herons, egrets, terns, gannets, assorted shorebirds, and raptors, to painted buntings, migratory songbirds in the hammock areas and scrubjays just inside the north district entrance. Beach and Island Camping is available at the north district. Two beach campsites at Apollo Beach are available by reservation, November 1 through mid-April. Please call 386-428-3384, ext. 10 for current status. When using these campsites, please stay off of the Sand Dunes.
Map of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore
North Brevard Business Directory Website

Space Coast North	Space Coast Central	Space Coast South
Watercraft Access	Watercraft Access	Watercraft Access
Land Access	Land Access	Land Access

Preferred Advertisers