Manatee Hammock Campground

I reserved the Manatee County Park tent location for two nights, but this review is based on lots of caveats. First, it was a torrential rain when I arrived. The main office was closed, but you had to park your vehicle and walk to the location to check in. I could have driven, but the signs did not say that was allowed. You truly get what you pay for here, and had I read between some of the review lines better (now I know), remember that phrase. The camp is evidently on a river, but the waves were crashing up and over the rock barrier, which was horrifying to someone driving 1,500 miles from the North of the U.S. The person who checked me in gave me a map but did not specify that a part of the road was blocked off, so when I got to that one-way area, with no way to turn back around, I had no choice but to get around the barriers. Later I was told by the other check-in person that that had eroded away and was closed and dangerous. Plus, the original map I was given did not show how to get to the tent area, which was all one-ways. That did not alleviate my fears of sinkholes. I asked the second person about the waves and potential flooding, and he said the campground is on a river and doesn't flood. Well, where I come from, rivers do flood. I asked if there was anyone to warn the tenters if there was flooding, and he didn't seem to be worried. When I finally got to the tenting sight, there was one tenter, which looked abandoned (wise move), and no one else. The previous reviewer mentioned the rundown feeling, and that's what I experienced. The big RVers were so close to each other, unless you had very good neighbors, this was not a place to stretch between the spots. The tenting area was even worse with no barriers whatsoever. It is such that it's like a fan, and if you don't tent right next to the access road, you, literally are next to each other in your tents. Because of the torrential rain, I did not set up my tent. So my caveated review is based on the bad vibes from the bad map and trying to find my way, the crashing rain over the rocks, and the feel of the place. Again, you get what you pay for. I was able to get in early to Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, so I took the loss on my second night and left early. I have no idea about any other sites to visit in the area. I can understand why this is a hot spot during launchings at Cape Canaveral. A different park ranger told me that he didn't realize that the launchings are at 11 p.m., and VERY loud. So I'll throw that in there for a warning. Also, the train was very loud and frequent here, along with some unidentifiable noise at 2 a.m., sounded like a revving Big Monster truck close by. Caveat emptor!

We concur with all the other reviews here and additionally if you visit in the winter time expect there to be hundreds of birds (mostly robins) in the trees directly over head of your campsite. So with the birds come bird poop and it ends up everywhere. On your truck, trailer, picnic table and anything else on your campsite. But hey it all washes off if you get to it quickly enough!

We visited this campground from 01/18/19 until 01/21/19.

We love back-country camping, boondocking or just plain living off the grid peace and quiet but when it comes to camping in Manatee Hammock the noises never end. But first,
the positive.

1. Spacious and hammocked with trees. Full hookups
2. Easy to make reservations
3. Friendly, attentative staff
4. Friendly wildlife (squirrels)
5. Super clean bathrooms and showers
6. Hot water in showers with good pressure!
7. Small park but large enough to walk, run and/or bike
8. Price is fair, no qualms
9. Space launches and wildlife viewing (if timing is right)
10. Safe, good lighting with great wifi service that's FREE!

Negatives:

1. Traffic: Never stops. Location is along side a highway
2. Trains: Didn't know it till tent was set up but there is a train that come maybe once an hour, you'll hear the engines first and then, as luck would have it, there is a crossing right in front of the park entrance! The horns are usually 3-4 blasts till the sound of buffalo fade in the distance. This happens all thru the night!!
3. Planes: There is an airport not far from here across the street. It's small but stays busy. Planes come and go, and like cars and motorcycles with terrible exhaust pipes, you'll get some planes that should be shot down.
4. Camp sites: Mixture between dirt, broken cement and rocks. Some sites have grass and mud.
5. Staff (hosts) drive a gas powered golf cart a few times an hour around the grounds at night. That's great that they're thinking of our safety and concerns for loud, obnoxious people who have never camped before or at least feel that everyone should hear their conversation or their terrible music, but gas powered? At night, things calm down and start to become more quiet. When it's time to sleep (in a tent), the sound of the cart becomes a nuisance; all thru the night.

So, the pros outweigh the cons. If we're down here again exploring we'll consider this place again but will keep in mind to bring ear plugs for sleeping because I don't think the planes, trains and gas powered golf carts are going to stop for us.

I had high expectations for Manatee Hammock based on the previous reviews. What we found was a cramped campground that felt more like a beat down RV park.

Sites are cramped, have dirt pads with lots of long term campers. The best sites are #36-52, and they are just ok.

On the upside, it's a full hookup campground and the location to Kennedy Space Center can't be beat.

Verizon - DOWNLOAD: 13.70Mb/s, UPLOAD: 7.35Mb/s
AT&T - DOWNLOAD: 30.74Mb/s, UPLOAD: 16.43Mb/s

Nice shady park, although there is grass, most sites are sandy. We had a nice shady spot with a water view. RV sites have electric, water & sewer

Restrooms/showers , laundry clean and well maintained. WiFi was free but not fantastic

There is a pier on the river and we found this a great place to watch the launch at Cape Canaveral. There is also large fenced dog area.

We paid $12.50 for 2 nights with PA discount and one night full price. I would stay here again if in the area.

I'm not aware of a public campground that is more convenient to the attractions of the Space Coast, which is why we were in this neck of the woods.

We were here on a weekend in April so it was full with weekend families. Everyone was very respectful of quiet times and friendly. The spaces were a bit tighter than we usually prefer and it took us a bit of maneuvering to get into our spot. If the neighbors trucks had been there, we would have had to ask them to be moved, although not all spots looked to be that difficult to get into.

We had one of the most private spots available on the outside of the loop with a small creek behind us and a quick hop across was a nice way to walk the dogs to the dog park. The dog park at a county park was a huge bonus (however I can't understand, even with poo bags available why people can't pick up their dog poop!)

There is a dock here with a clear view to the launch pad over at Kennedy (unfortunately we were just a couple days off schedule to their rocket launch). It was a very easy drive to both Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral National Seashore.

Not much we can say that others haven't already covered, but we were so pleasantly surprised by how nice this park is for the price + location.

There isn't much or any privacy between sites here, but everyone around us was so nice that we actually preferred it that way and socialized outside more than normal with other campers. We got to know all our neighbors quite well. Quite a few seasonals here (180 day stay limit per year) but overall it feels more like you're camping at a state park. No ground fires allowed, so bring an enclosed fire pit or a propane bonfire in a can. Sites are quite soft and can be unlevel, as they're all on sand. Bring your jack pads! All the hookups worked well.

Technically there's a 2-dog limit, but they allowed us 3, while reminding us if anyone asked we had 2. ;-)

Lovely breezes off the water were rustling the tall pine and palm trees above us, there's a great view of rocket launches or boats going by, a big dog park on-site, clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities ($2 to wash or dry), the pool looked nice, there's a kayak/canoe launch, and great cell signal. We'll be back!

Sites closer to Route 1 are noisier and train noise can be heard, but it is not bad. Unhook your tow vehicle right where you pull up to check in. Dog park measures 150' x 180', with both open and shaded areas; they even provide poop bags! While there is no swimming in the Indian River Lagoon, there is a swimming pool next to the recreation building. There is a small camp store, which in addition to selling typical camping supplies, also rents out board games. Be patient, and you can see wildlife in the IRL; a manatee swam right by the pier (looks right across at the VAB at the Kennedy Space Center) when we were out on it. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is nearby, providing an excellent visitor's center and extensive hiking opportunities as well as beach access. You can also purchase the federal interagency senior park's pass for $10 at the visitor's center; it will pay for itself the first day you use it if you go into the park.

We stayed in this campground last weekend and loved it! It was quiet, shady, cool, and right on the water. There is a dock to walk to, great for kayaking and fishing. However, not a "swimming" area. Large dog park right on the campground. Camp store on site with supplies we needed. Very close to beaches and kennedy space center. This would be a great location to watch rocket launches. I would definitely be interested in returning to see a rocket launch.

If you are traveling with a very big rig, make sure to call and see which spots are best to book. We had no problems fitting, but saw some others having issues fitting into spaces.