Cost of shelter is most people’s greatest expense. However, when I first moved to Florida as a broke college graduate I lived 19 months rent-free by living in a tent.
Sure, that arrangement might not be for most people, but it worked wonders for me. While my peers were busy drowning in student loan debt and crying about how life is so tough these days, I was busy living a life of adventure while crushing all my debt in just three years.
I’m so very tempted to climb up on my trusty pedestal that I always keep within arm’s reach so I can deliver a lecture on the virtues of hard work and living within one’s means, buuuut I’ll save that sermon for another time–I’ll get on with it now.
How To Live In Florida For Under $3,000
My secret was simply that I worked where I lived. I worked/lived at a residential wilderness therapeutic program and had a blast doing it. I socked away almost all my money into a savings account and they even paid for my food and provided a mosquito net.
But I noticed another, similar way to live cheap in Florida by living in a tent while I was scouring the FL State Park, FL State Forest, and FL wildlife management area websites. If I was still a man without children I would strongly consider going down this path, instead, I will share my findings here so others may forge the path to freedom with nothing but a tent (also a car, that will be helpful in this situation).
Okay, let’s break this down! Here’s how to find campsites for cheap or free 365 days a year in Florida.
1. Primitive Camping In State Parks
Officially, primitive camping in state parks cost $5 per night for an adult…but, it is often free. Your are allowed to camp 56 days per 6 months in a single state park (6 month periods being defined as October – March and April – September)
That comes to a total of 112 days per year you can camp in a state park.
112 days x $5.00 = $560
But remember that the 112 day max per year is for one state park, which means you can get 112 days at a second state park, 112 days at a third state park, and the remaining 29 days of the year at a fourth state park.
365 days x $5.00 = $1,825 total cost
Yes, it is possible to have a yearly rent of $1,825!
Related: Here’s An Interactive Map Of All The Florida State Parks
If you go this route I would suggest finding a state park that has easily accessible primitive camping sites, preferably by car, but a short walk is okay too. Many times, the primitive camping sites are accessible only after a 1.5 mile hike, which would make hauling food and camping supplies back there somewhat of a pain.
It should be noted you are only allowed to stay 14 consecutive days in a state park before being required to leave for 3 days. The park manager can decide to extend you all the way to 28 consecutive days though, depending on how busy the park is (shouldn’t be too much of a problem when you are at primitive campsites).
So the strategy would be just to go back and forth between different, nearby state parks to reset your time.
2. Camp For Free On Water Management District Lands
Many lands across Florida that are under one of the 5 Florida Water Management Districts are available for free camping. I’ve camped on District land in Hillsborough County (Tampa Area) for free and had a great time. There was a fire ring, outhouse and an old fashioned water pump that gushed with ice-cold water. Also, we could collect firewood instead of having to buy it like at state parks.
I had to make my reservation over the phone. Each district has their own reservation procedures. The 5 Districts (with direct links) are:
Northwest Florida Water Management District
St. John’s River Water Management District
South Florida Water Management District
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Suwannee River Water Management District
3. Camp In State Forests
The more expensive option. The going rate for camping in a state forest is roughly $14.00 per night + fees, although I did find at least one state forest campground that was going for $10 per night, but that was the exception and not the norm.
You are looking at a minimum rent of $5,110 + taxes and fees for the entire year.
Length of stay policies are just about identical to the state park policies above. This may be something to look at if you have a gap in your camping schedule.
Related: Here’s An Interactive Map Of All The Florida State Forests
4. Camp For Free In Florida National Parks
The normal camping sites cost money, but you are allowed to engage in “dispersed” camping, which basically means walk out in the woods and pick a spot (preferably a previously used site). There are certain areas in each national park that you can use for disperse camping. For example, here is the direct link for Ocala’s dispersed camping sites.
In Florida’s National Forests, you can camp up to 14 days per month, which gives you up to 168 days of fee free camping. (I suppose it’s possible to get 365 days of fee free camping by rotating between FL’s 3 National Forests).
5. Backcountry Camping In The Everglades
While there are a few places to hike in, most backcountry camp sites in the Everglades requires a kayak, canoe, or motorboat to get to. Mid November – Mid April costs $15 for a camping permit and $2 per day per person for camping. If you go from mid April – mid November (summer/wet/mosquito season) it is free.
The max amount of time allowed to camp is 14 days at a time. I don’t know what the maximum amount of days allowed for the year is, but you won’t want to camp year-round in the backcountry of the Everglades–you’ll be roughing it. The cost comes to $43 for 14 days of camping.
Also, keep in mind that some of the best beach camping in Florida is found along Cape Sable, part of the Everglades.
For more info on Everglades camping, go here.
Well, there you go! 365 days worth of free/cheap camping spots in which you can live in Florida for under $3,000 per year! With some planning, a person could hold down a job while living in a tent, enjoying FL outdoors to the max, and sock away a whole bunch of money in their savings account.
