Motorcycle Camping in Florida: Where to Camp, When to Go and the Rules to Know

Motorcycle camping in Florida means choosing between state parks, state forests, county parks and private campgrounds, then timing the trip around the weather. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and thunderstorms leave no safe place outside, tents included. Riders who want trail riding as well as camping can stay at the Croom Motorcycle Area in Withlacoochee State Forest.

This page is part of our motorcycle camping guide. New to camping from the bike? Start with our plan for camping on a motorcycle.

Key takeaways- Plan around hurricane season, June 1 to November 30.- In a thunderstorm, a tent is not shelter. Head for a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle.- Riders under 21 must wear a helmet in Florida; riders 21 and older may ride without one only with proof of medical insurance coverage.- State forest campsites, including Croom, are booked through ReserveAmerica or 1-877-879-3859.

Where you can camp on a motorcycle in Florida

State parks

For state park campsites, booking windows and rules can change, so check the Florida State Parks reservation information page before you plan. Our source check could not open that page, so we do not quote its rules here.

State forests

The Florida Forest Service manages the state forests. Withlacoochee State Forest alone covers 164,073 acres in west-central Florida, with several campgrounds offering developed and primitive campsites. Passes are no longer sold at the forest office; buy them and book sites through ReserveAmerica or by phone.

Croom Motorcycle Area

Croom is a 2,600-acre off-road area for motorcycles and ATVs inside Withlacoochee State Forest, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Its Buttgenbach Mine Campground has sites with 30- and 50-amp power, water, a picnic table and a fire ring, plus restrooms and showers.

Know the rules before you go: pets and alcohol are not allowed, helmets are required for every rider, and each bike needs an Annual Motorcycle Permit when you camp. A Croom day pass is listed at $15 and an annual pass at $80.01. Our page on camping at Croom Motorcycle Area goes into detail.

When to go

Florida camping comes down to heat, storms and crowds.

| Choose shade and ventilation when you pick a site |

The National Hurricane Center's climatology page shows how a typical season builds.

Storm and lightning safety at camp

A tent is not a lightning shelter. The National Weather Service says substantial buildings and hard-topped vehicles are safe, while rain shelters, small sheds and open vehicles are not. A motorcycle has no hard top, so it is not on the safe list.

When you check in, find the nearest bathhouse or other solid building. If storms are forecast for the afternoon, plan to be off the bike and near that building before they arrive. The NWS lightning safety page explains the reasoning.

For wet nights, our guide to motorcycle camping in the rain covers keeping the tent and gear dry.

Florida rules for riders

Helmets. Riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older may ride without one only if they can show they are covered by a medical insurance policy. This summary comes from the IIHS helmet law table; read the statute itself (Florida Statutes section 316.211) for the exact terms. At Croom, helmets are required for all riders regardless of age.

Campfires. Check the campground's fire rules and any burn bans on the day. Put fires out with the drown, stir, drown, feel method.

Camping near water. Where you pick your own spot, stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. In a developed campground, use the site you booked.

Florida camp setup tips for a bike

• Ventilation. Open the vents and doors for airflow to cut condensation in humid air.
• Soft ground. Put a side-stand puck or flat plate under the stand on sand or soft ground.
• Cooking. Cook outside the tent, never inside, even with the doors open.
• Wildlife. Store food properly and keep your distance from wildlife; follow each park's rules.

For the full tent routine, see tent camping on a motorcycle.

A Florida trip outline to fill in

We have no Florida trip on record yet, so this is the frame the team will fill with a real ride:

• Route and riding days:
• Campgrounds used and how they were booked
• Weather on the trip and what changed the plan
• What was packed and what went unused

Riding gear for Florida heat

If you are weighing a vest against a jacket for hot days, remember that a vest covers less of you. You can browse Leather Collection motorcycle vests.

FAQ

What is the 200 rule for camping?

It means camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams to protect the water and the land around it. The same distance applies when you wash or dig a cathole.

Is boondocking illegal in Florida?

It depends on who manages the land, so check with the park, forest, county or landowner before you stop for the night. In state forests, book through ReserveAmerica.

Where can you camp on a motorcycle in Florida?

At state parks, state forests, county parks and private campgrounds. Riders who want trails can camp at the Croom Motorcycle Area's Buttgenbach Mine Campground.