Florida Van Life Review: Can you do van life in Florida?
Florida is a beautiful sanctuary that awaits van lifers!
Embarking on van life in Florida is a thrilling adventure, uncovering the state’s hidden gems that only the brave and unconventional get to experience.
Our haven lies in Florida State Park Campgrounds, offering the cleanest bathrooms, pet-friendly, prompt issue resolution, refund options, and laundry facilities, and are accommodating for late arrivals. These parks have become our go-to, and we’ve rarely encountered any issues, adding to the excitement of our journey.
Florida Van Life Necessities
We went without A/C for a week when we started out van life in the Florida summer and just about died.
We installed this a/c in between the two front seats facing back and cut a hole at the bottom of our van for the hose, and it worked great; we woke up nice and cool even when it was hot outside.
Are Florida State Park Campgrounds Safe?
We have felt safer in Florida State Parks than most private campgrounds.
Even though both usually are gated at night, we’ve been to private campgrounds with no staff present on the grounds. However, that is not to say there isn’t the occasional questionable individual who wants to chat or get a bit too close for comfort in Florida State Parks. We have found that this occurs less in the RV sections of campsites with fewer tent campers.
The only campground in which I’ve had a problem where the rangers came off as creepy with a cop persona, occurring in 2022, was at Oscar Scherer State Park, where the rangers were invasive and were looking into the windows of our van while my boyfriend was gone and I was inside the van at our campsite.
Can you live out of your car or van in the state of Florida legally?
Whether living in a vehicle or car is legal in Florida depends on the county, but in general, no, it is illegal to live in a vehicle in Florida.
It’s crucial to research the specific regulations in the county you plan to stay in. In most campgrounds and designated camping areas, the maximum consecutive stay is 14 days. Then you must leave for a night if you plan to return. Most RV parks in Florida do not allow vans, but there are plenty of privately owned and state park campgrounds and state land for van lifers.
Where can I park my car and sleep in Florida?: Free Van Life Florida
While Florida has no BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands, other options exist for boondocking or free van camping, such as national forests, wildlife management areas, and water management districts.
You can also park your car and sleep in Walmart parking lots overnight for free in Florida and most states, if not all. If you do this for more than one night, you may encounter a problem, but they might not realize it if you keep moving spots. We have done this a lot when traveling spontaneously and can’t find a place to stay or are trying to save money. We cover the windows of our van and park under a light. Usually, there will be plenty of other cars and RVs.
Free Camping Florida National Forests
Free camping throughout Florida National Forests only requires a reservation or permit for a group of over 75 people.
You must camp in specifically marked sites or areas within the campground and designated dispersed sites. All vehicles, RVs, and trailers must fit within your campsite or driveway. Do not drive or park off-road. Generally, the National Forests in Florida has a 14-day per month stay limit. Establishing residency is against federal regulation. Do not set up camp near developed recreation areas or less than 100 feet from streams and other water sources. Pick a previously used site. New campsites negatively impact the environment. Be aware of forest boundaries.
Free Camping Florida Wildlife Management Areas
Free camping opportunities with Florida wildlife management areas within designated campgrounds are allowed by permit only.
You are allowed to camp in Florida Wildlife Management areas in designated campgrounds. Camping is available all year round. You can obtain a permit up to 14 days in advance. Individuals may apply for 14 consecutive days within a given month. Fourteen straight days must pass before obtaining a new permit in either campground and individuals may hold up to one permit at a time.
Free Camping Florida Water Management Districts
In water management districts, free camping is allowed in designated campsites only and requires a reservation.
A valid permit of Special Use is required before arrival. Reservations must be made by the day before the start of the camping permit. Arrival is at 3 p.m. on the first day of the reservation, and departure is by 11 a.m. on the last day. Two camping reservations are allowed per group at a time. Reservations are first-come, first-served. A new reservation is needed for each camping trip. Reservations may be made up to 30 days before the camping date. Camping is limited to seven consecutive days and 30 total days per calendar year.
Is it cheaper to live in a van?
It depends on your destinations and how frequently you plan on traveling with your van.
Van life in Florida not only offers a unique sense of freedom but can also be a smart financial choice. In today’s inflated economy, a month of campsite rates can rival a typical monthly mortgage for a middle-income home. However, it’s worth noting that van life could be a more affordable alternative to renting an apartment or house. This financial flexibility allows you to explore more of what Florida has to offer without straining your budget.
How much does Vanlife cost per month?
Most state park campgrounds and private campgrounds in Florida have nightly rates averaging around $30 a night after utility fees, and this average rate can increase on weekends or holidays.
Oceanfront and beachfront campgrounds expect to pay over $50 a night.
Van Life South Florida & Van Life Florida Keys
Campground and site nightly costs generally increase the further south you go in Florida, especially in the Florida Keys.
Any popular Florida beach town campground will be pricier, with beachfront campgrounds sometimes charging over $100 a night.
How popular is Van Life in Florida?
Van life, with those living in vans willingly and not for desperate situations, is pretty common in Florida, but the state is not overloaded with van lifers.
However, RVs are a big thing in Florida! We have many always-crowded RV parks, which are usually the primary type of camping in campgrounds that allow them or if they’re small enough to fit into sites. Consequently, many Florida campgrounds with electric hookups book out well in advance, especially during winter months.
The van life community in Florida is diverse, with people from various backgrounds and age groups, and they often organize meetups and events to connect and share their experiences.
Van Life Gatherings Florida
Van Life Gatherings 2024 Florida
VanFest, a vibrant community event, was held in Florida, January 2024. The second annual “Peace, Love, and Vans” (formerly Vantopia Florida 2024) van life gathering, held in February 2024, was a testament to the strong bonds of the van life community. Sunshine State RVs hosted it at Withlacoochee River Park near Dade City, FL.
Van Life Gatherings 2025 Florida
Mark your calendars for the third annual “Peace, Love, and Vans” on March 7-10, 2025, in Dade City, FL!
Van Fest USA will be back in Florida in the beginning of 2025, and you won’t want to miss it!
Vans Life For Sale Florida
Florida adventure vans are a safer bet if four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive to avoid getting stuck in sticky situations! Van conversion companies quickly pick up many four-wheel-drive vans in Florida that hit the market at a good deal.
So, if you want to do your own conversion, be ready to check for new listings frequently and make a move when an opportunity arises. Check out rvtrader.com for the latest deals.
Van conversion companies in Florida
Numerous van conversion companies exist in Florida, including the well-reviewed Vanlife Outfitters, Custom Coach Creations, and Mango Vans.
Best Van Camping In Florida
Our three favorite campsites for van life in Florida where we have stayed are Myakka River State Park, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, and Brownville Park!
Camping at Myakka River State Park is the best campground for seeing wildlife, including alligators, deer, hogs, and turkeys. Gilchrist Blue Springs books out far in advance as it is small and has few electric hookup sites, but camping there allows you access to the spring before the park opens for the day, so you will get the unique opportunity to possibly enjoy a Florida spring all to yourself or with very few others. Brownville Park is a super convenient location to camp for a fossil hunting adventure along the Peace River because amazing fossils and fossil shark teeth are awaiting discovery just steps away from the campsites. This, hands down, is one of the most fun adventures in all of Florida.
Van Life Florida Keys
The waterfront camping at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys might be the most stunning affordable for van life Florida Keys at just $36 a night. There are always last-minute reservations if traveling spontaneously is your thing! After storms, a warning that the area can smell bad due to the seaweed. We camped while it smelled beachside, but the primitive bay side camping did not have a bad odor.
