• Is there anything more relaxing than camping on the beach? The solitude of getting away from it all, the simplicity of a tent in the sand, the tranquility of waking up to the sun coming up over the Atlantic Ocean or of unwinding at the end of the day as the sun sets into the Gulf of Mexico; all are good reasons to choose one of Florida's many beach-side campgrounds.
  
  

Canaveral National Seashore

• Canaveral National Seashore borders the Kennedy Space Center on Florida's northeastern coast. Run by the U.S. National Park Service, Canaveral National Seashore is located on a barrier reef and features 24 miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Camping is allowed on the park's beaches, except during Sea Turtle Nesting Season, and there is no RV or trailer camping. Reservations can be made no more than a week in advance.
  
  Canaveral National Seashore
  212 S. Washington Avenue
  Titusville, Florida 32796
  (321) 267-1110
  http://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm
  
  

Long Key State Park

• Several of Florida's state parks allow for picturesque camping along either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Among the parks in the Florida Keys that allow beach camping is Long Key State Park, located at Mile Marker 67.5, about halfway between Miami and Key West. There is tent and TV camping available, and all 60 campsites are located on the beach, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There is electricity and fresh water at every campsite, as well as grilling and picnic facilities. Tent sites have 20-amp outlets, and there are 30-amp outlets for RVs.
  
  Long Key State Park
  P.O. Box 776
  Long Key, Florida 33001
  Phone: 305-664-4815
  http://www.floridastateparks.org/longkey/default.cfm
  
  

Camping on the Gulf

• National and state parks aren't the only options for travelers looking to camp along Florida's beaches. There are numerous private campgrounds on the beach for your vacation. Camping on the Gulf--in Destin on Florida's panhandle--offers (as the name implies) RV and tent camping on the beach along the Gulf of Mexico. Although tent camping is allowed, the park caters to RV campers as well, with amenities including concrete pads, electric hookups (50, 30, and 20 watts), sewer, water, cable TV and wireless Internet access. There's also a free business center, a heated pool, a fitness center and laundry facilities.
  
  Camping on the Gulf
  10005 Emerald Coast Pkwy
  Destin, Fla. 32550
  877-226-7485
  http://www.campgulf.com