Top Picks for Tent Camping in Broward
Best Tent Camping Sites in South Florida
Despite its reputation as a "beach-only" destination, the truth is, South Florida is home to many great parks and campgrounds that are perfect for pitching a tent. Whether you are looking for a peaceful beachfront campsite in the heart of the Florida Keys or a shady getaway where you can set up your tent while not being too far from everyday comforts, one thing is for sure: SoFlo is the place to go when it’s time to get back to nature. With that in mind, we asked South Florida Finds editors to come up with some of their favorite places to camp with a tent in South Florida; one or two may just surprise you.
For this "Top Picks" feature, we will be looking at campgrounds that specifically offer tent camping. We will be moving up and down the Florida Coast, checking out camp spots between Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and everywhere in between. Thanks to South Florida's predictable (mostly) weather, many of these camping spots can be used year-round, regardless of the season. Just be certain to check your local weather before planning!
Tent Camping Sites in Broward County: Quiet Waters Park
Nestled in between local businesses, strip malls, and industrial warehouses, Quiet Waters Park is mostly known for its water activities, such as their famous Cable Water Skiing and the Splash Adventure water park, where you and your kids can splash in wading pools and cool off in a family-friendly environment. Quiet Waters Park is also host to several concerts during the year and hosts the ever-popular South Florida Renaissance Festival - a month-long event where parkgoers can play dress-up and interact with other "Ren-Faire" enthusiasts in a (somewhat) historically-accurate setting; all while eating giant turkey legs and drinking giant cups of Meade.
What you may not know about this quaint little park in Deerfield Beach is that it boasts a small campground that is perfect for first-time campers or those with little experience in the wild. One of the nice features about the park’s campground is that it includes pre-setup tents and camping equipment, so you can save money on camp supplies and tents. It also saves you time and hassle, if setting up a tent is not your idea of a relaxing time!
Two other nice features about this tent-friendly camping site: it is close by grocery stores such as Publix and a few local restaurants, so if you need to refill up on canned beans or crave something more than campfire Smores, civilization is literally five minutes away. Finally, if you get hot or need to cool off, as mentioned, the nearby water park is probably a five-minute walk from the campground and is accessible from several walking paths attached to the grounds. Oh, and did we mention these is a communal boy’s/girl’s restroom?
What Equipment You Will Need to Camp at Quiet Waters in Broward County: As noted, Quiet Waters Park is a beginner’s tent camping spot. Since you can literally “Rent-a-Tent”, you will not need to worry about traditional tent equipment. The tents also feature a number of cots (depending upon the size you rent) and their own grill. With that in mind, some insect repellant, lanterns, food, and sleeping bags should be all you require for this cute getaway.
Quiet Waters Park Campground Features:
- Picnic Tables
- Charcoal Grills
- Restroom complexes with showers
- Wi-Fi Access
- After-Hours Security
- Pet-friendly campground – two pets per campsite.
Quiet Waters Park campground is located at 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.
To make reservations, book a campsite, or learn more about their tent camping facilities and rules, call 954-357-5100.
E-mail: QuietWatersPark@Broward.org
Tent Camping at T.Y. Park’s Whispering Pines in Hollywood, FL
T.Y. Park – better known as Topeekeegee Yugnee Park – features a tent camping site conveniently located off I-95 in Hollywood, Florida. Its name was coined from a Seminole Native American term meaning a “meeting or gathering place” and it suits the park well. Covering roughly 150 acres, this South Florida recreational spot features a great deal of amenities and activities. It attracts more than its fair share of walkers, joggers, and picnickers, alongside those seeking a refreshing dip in either of TY Park’s two water playgrounds or swim lagoon.
TY Park’s camping area is known as Whispering Pines and has an area for RV camping (61 sites at the time of this writing), as well as primitive camping space – which is the focus of this article. Aside from its stellar location and beautiful scenery, this popular campsite offers a ton of activities and features that will help ensure your family never gets bored. Aside from the aforementioned water parks, tent campers will also have access to basketball courts, biking/walking paths, fishing, picnic areas, gazebos for larger gatherings, volleyball, boat rentals, tennis, and even a fitness facility.
As with other campgrounds in South Florida, TY Park also has a nice restroom/shower facility, free Wi-Fi, and is pet friendly.
What Equipment You Will Need to Camp at TY Park in Hollywood, Florida: TY Park’s tent campsite is a step above a beginner’s primitive camping site – you won’t find pre-setup tents here. Because of that, we classify it as an intermediate campground. With that in mind, you will need your own camping tent and camping gear. If you want to fish, bring a rod and reel, alongside your tackle box. There are opportunities to create open fires at designated fire rings, so be sure to pack a fire starter kit – or plenty of matches if the caveman life is not for you.
TY Park Primitive Tent Campsite Features:
- Sporting areas: Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Fitness Facility
- Bike and walking paths
- Fishing area, boat rentals, and a marina
- Gazebos, meeting rooms, and picnic areas for larger events
- 2 Water Parks and a swimming lagoon
- Wi-fi access
- Dog-friendly and kid-friendly
- Local shops, restaurants, and grocery stores within walking distance
TY Park Campground is located at 3300 North Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021.
To make reservations, book a campsite, or learn more about their tent camping facilities and rules, call 954-357-8811.
E-mail: TYPark@Broward.org
Easterlin Park Tent Campsite in Oakland Park, Florida
For a true tent camping experience in South Florida, Easterlin park checks off pretty much every “must-have”. It is comprised of nearly 47 acres of designated Urban Wilderness Area, consisting of Cypress and Mixed Cypress trees, some of which are 250 years old and 100 feet tall. It is known as the most wooded campsite in South Florida and is nestled next to a beautiful lake.
In addition to Easterlin Park’s designation as an Urban Wilderness Area, the park also belongs to the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. This popular trail is part of a system that winds along Florida and is about 2,000 miles of walking trails where one can view more than 500 preserved bird habitats, along with a host of local flora and fauna.
This scenic lakeside view and showcase of lush, diverse, greenery, make Easterlin Park a primitive tent paradise. Don’t be scared away by the “forest” feel of the park; however, despite its setting, the campground is minutes away from downtown Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding beaches, making this an excellent vacation spot for out-of-towners visiting Broward County.
What Equipment You Will Need to Camp at Easterlin Park in Oakland Park, FL:
Easterlin Park’s tent camping site is an intermediate campground. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and typical camping gear. To get the full camping experience, we recommend you bring fishing gear and bird watching equipment (such as binoculars and logbooks) to take advantage of the birdwatching and fishing opportunities the campsite offers.
Easterlin Park Campground Features:
- Picnic Tables
- Charcoal Grills
- Restroom complexes with showers
- Wi-Fi Access
- After-Hours Security
- Pet-friendly campground.
- Sports: Basketball, Disc Golf, Horseshoes, Volleyball.
- Nature Trail
- Bird Watching
- Fishing
- Playground
Easterlin Park tent campground is located at 1000 N.W. 38th Street, Oakland Park, FL 33309.
To make reservations, book a campsite, or learn more about their tent camping facilities and rules, call 954-357-5190.
E-mail: EasterlinPark@Broward.org
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