Between Jacksonville And Orlando Is A Peaceful Riverside State Park For Camping & Boating

If you're only familiar with Florida for its white-sand beaches and theme parks, you're missing out on a whole world of stunning natural scenery. The Florida state parks system is full of vibrant hidden gems, like Honeymoon Island State Park, home to one of the best U.S. beaches of 2026, near Tampa. But if you head to the Atlantic Ocean side, about 80 minutes by car south of Jacksonville and an hour north of Orlando, you'll discover the peaceful riverside park of Tomoka State Park.

This park is actually between two rivers. To the west is the Tomoka River, and to the east is the Halifax River, which sits between the park and the city of Ormond-by-the-Sea. So, if you're an avid boater or paddler, you'll likely appreciate having multiple waterways to explore during your visit. Also, depending on where you're at, you may be able to see one of Florida's most popular wild animals, the manatee. As with many Florida state parks, the fun doesn't have to stop when the sun goes down: Tomoka State Park offers full-service campsites, so it's easy to plan a relaxing weekend excursion or an extended stay.

One unique aspect of Tomoka State Park is that it is also an archaeological site. Native Americans established and lived in a settlement on the peninsula over 7,000 years ago. Before the Spanish colonized the area, the Natives created the village of Nocoroco. Archaeological excavations have found evidence of this village, as well as remnants of colonial inhabitants, including a field of indigo created for the Mount Oswald Plantation in the late 1700s. You can still visit the field today, along with the Chief Tomokie sculpture at the tip of the peninsula, in honor of the Indigenous Peoples who lived there.

When it comes to exploring the waters surrounding the park, you can either take a motorboat or a paddle boat (e.g., a canoe or kayak). For motorboats, there is a ramp on the Tomoka River side. However, because manatees are present throughout the river, you must travel slowly and watch out to avoid accidentally striking these endangered animals with your propeller. Being in a boat can make it easier to fish, and the rivers are full of species like drum fish, tarpon, trout, and more. If you do plan to fish, though, make sure to have a Florida fishing license, just in case.

If you're more interested in seeing the wilderness, paddling the rivers may be a better option. Plus, you don't even have to bring your own gear. The Tomoka Outpost is located inside the park, where you can rent kayaks or canoes by the hour or for the whole day. Or, if you'd prefer to sit back and relax, you can book a spot on a pontoon boat tour and learn more about the area.

Another great reason to visit Tomoka State Park is that you don't have to worry about lodging and accommodations, provided you have camping supplies. Rather than booking a hotel or vacation rental, you can pitch a tent, park an RV, or sleep in your car at one of the 100 campsites available. Each site comes with electricity, water, a grill, and a picnic table to help make your stay more convenient. If you are RVing, there is a dump station on site, and the campground has bathrooms with hot showers. Before coming, though, make sure to bring extras of these five camping essentials so you're as comfortable as possible during your stay.

The easiest way to reach the park is to fly into Daytona Beach, aka one of the 10 old-school American cities with attractions that feel stuck in the 1980s. The airport is only half an hour by car south of the park. The advantage of being so close to Daytona and other cities like Ormond Beach is that you can always venture out and grab a bite to eat, rather than packing everything in and eating at your campsite. That said, if you want a restaurant that overlooks the Tomoka River, you can check out the RiverGrille south of the park, which features seafood boils, sandwiches, and even fried gator bites.

Besides exploring the waterways surrounding Tomoka State Park, there is also a half-mile interpretive trail that meanders through the park. Or, if you're really looking to get your steps in, you can connect to the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, which stretches for 34 miles and takes you along the coastline and other natural areas in the region.