Freezing in Florida: A Tent Camping Story

January in Florida usually means mild breezes and sunny afternoons, but this year was anything but typical. We didn't let the unexpected arctic blast arriving on January 10th change our plans. Instead, we loaded up our tent camping gear—and an entire truckload of firewood—for what would become one of our favorite winter camping destinations.

Located on the East Coast of Florida, just an hour south of Jacksonville, and 45 minutes North of Daytona, Faver-Dykes State Park is located near St. Augustine, Florida. This charming park features 30 campsites, multiple trails, a fishing pier, a kayak launch (offering access to a paddling trail in warmer weather), and a small-boat ramp.

Upon our arrival, our top priority was to set up camp. Florida State Parks permits only 2 tents and a maximum of 8 people per campsite, so we reserved two campsites to accommodate our 3 tents and several families. We equipped the tents with items to keep us warm at night when temperatures fell into the low 30s. During the day, temperatures varied between 40 and 50 degrees and we brought warm socks and a variety of jackets. Being Florida Natives, we found it quite chilly; however, it didn't hinder our enjoyment.

After the tents were set up, the fire at the main campsite came to life and became the focal point of our weekend. With everyone gathered around, the laughter and chatter warmed us as much as the fire. Stories of past adventures mixed with jokes and plans for the days ahead. The second night was the coldest and although the woodpile dwindled, we had plenty to keep us warm. We have learned from past experiences to bring our own firewood and to always bring more than you think is needed.

The next morning, thanks to an antique percolator and a campsite with electricity, we savored steaming cups of coffee that somehow taste better when camping in a tent. Later, we launched the skiff and set some crab traps in the creek, hoping to catch some dinner for the next day. Then, we headed to the trails for some geocaching. Equipped with a geocaching app and clues, we zigzagged through pine forests and palmettos, discovering hidden treasures in trees and under logs. Each discovery was celebrated with cheers and photo opportunities, the cold forgotten in the excitement.

Evenings brought everyone back to the fire, where the laughter continued late into the night. Bundled in layers of blankets and jackets, we enjoyed outdoor dinners, peach cobbler baked in the dutch oven, enjoyed hot beverages, told stories, and marveled at the stars sparkling in the winter sky.

By the time we packed up on the last day, we were as tired as the frozen South Florida iguanas, but somehow refreshed. The arctic cold crashed our Florida camping trip like an uninvited guest, yet it also gave us a story to tell for years to come. We left with cold noses, warm hearts, and plans to do it all again next year—maybe with even more firewood.

Reservation Notes

If you are a Florida resident you can make a Florida State Park camping reservations 11-months in advance; the system opens up to out-of-state visitors 10-months in advance. Due to the annual migration of snow birds, we recommend securing a site early.

Winter Camping Essentials*

• We enjoy using a variety of rechargeable lights

  • Rechargeable twinkle lights were a nice feature around the campsite. I liked them so much that I will likely purchase another strand before our next camping adventure

  • The rechargeable expanding tent light provided soft light when settling in at night

  • A rechargeable bottle lamp was a cute and practical addition to the picnic table.. When paced on top of a gallon of water the light dispersed perfectly

  • We find it very easy to recharge items by using the Jackery power pack

• Staying warm in the tent

  • Placing moving blankets on the tent's floor provides protective barrier to the cold ground and makes it easier to remove sand from inside the tent

  • Air mattresses means you're sleeping on a bed of cold air. Instead, we prefer using a good mattress pad that provides both cushion and comfort.

  • Although we were tempted to bring all of the blankets in our closet, it was easiest and more comfortable to buy a proper sleeping bag. We used two oversized bags rated for the cold, zipped together to create a king-sized envelope. With two of these bags, we slept comfortably even on the coldest night.

  • One of our solo campers used a single, temperature rated sleeping bag to also sleep comfortably on the coldest night

  • Because one campsite did not have electricity available, an Indoor safe propane heater was essential for creating a warm tent

• A few other favorites

  • A percolator makes the best camp coffee

  • A portable Blackstone makes every outdoor adventure delicious

  • The Dutch Oven was used to keep food warm over the fire and to cook our delicious peach dump cake. Using the proper lid hook allowed us to easily check on the dessert and adding a liner made clean-up fast and easy

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Wishing you Warm Memories!

Florida Native Life