Sebastian Inlet State Park Camping: The Complete 2026 Florida Guide

Sebastian Inlet State Park camping puts you on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, right where the inlet cuts through. It sits on State Road A1A, straddling the line between Brevard and Indian River counties, about 20 miles south of Melbourne Beach and 15 miles north of Vero Beach. The park has three miles of beach, two fishing jetties, one of the best-known surf breaks on the East Coast, and a small campground overlooking the inlet.

That campground is small and popular, and in 2026 it shares the inlet with a six-year bridge project. This guide covers what you need to know before you book: the sites and hookups, fees, reservations, the campground map, the construction, fishing, surfing and the nearby alternatives.

Is Sebastian Inlet State Park Open?

Yes. The park and the campground are open. But a few things have changed, so check them before you go:

• The A1A bridge is being replaced. The Florida Department of Transportation started construction on the new Sebastian Inlet Bridge in June 2026, with completion estimated for spring 2032. Since June 1, 2026, the south section of the north parking lot has been closed around the clock. The observation deck under the north side of the bridge is closed, and parking is limited on that side. The rest of the park stays open.
• The south entrance keeps shorter hours. Since November 12, 2025, the South Ranger Station, the side the campground is on, has been staffed 8 a.m. to sunset. Registered campers can still get in after hours. The north side stays open 24 hours.
• Expect noise and detours. The park has warned campers about construction noise, traffic, possible changes to the campground entrance and, in some cases, cancelled reservations.
• The north side fills up. On busy weekends the north side can reach capacity and close to incoming cars for a while.

Call the park at (321) 984-4852 before you drive out, especially if you plan to use the beach on the south side, where access has been limited during construction.

Sebastian Inlet State Park Campground: Sites and Hookups

The Sebastian Inlet State Park campground is on the south side of the inlet, in Indian River County. Most sources, including the park's own listings, give 51 sites. Some aggregators list 60, so go by what the reservation system shows. Every site has:

• Water and electric (no sewer hookups), plus a picnic table and fire ring
• A paved pad, with RVs up to about 40 feet (check the length listed for each site, since some are shorter)
• Access to restrooms with hot showers, laundry and a dump station

There's also a small camp store that sells basics and bait. The beach is a short walk across A1A.

The waterfront sites are the ones to get. Regulars in Florida camping groups point to sites 1–14 and 52–55 as the ones right on the inlet. They're also the windiest. Second-row sites get less wind, but the breeze helps.

Plan for no-see-ums. The tiny biting midges are the most common complaint in reviews, especially on calm evenings near the lagoon. A steady breeze keeps them down. On still nights, use a tent with fine mesh, long sleeves and a repellent made for no-see-ums.

Sebastian Inlet State Park Camping Reservations and Fees

You book Sebastian Inlet State Park camping reservations through the Florida State Parks reservation system or by calling 800-326-3521. Florida residents can book up to 11 months ahead, and non-residents up to 10 months ahead.

• $28 per night, plus tax
• $7 nightly utility fee for RVs (tents don't pay it)
• $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee
• 50% off the base campsite fee for Florida residents 65 or older, or with a qualifying disability certificate

Book early for winter. January through March is peak season on the Space Coast, and the waterfront sites go first. For other options around the state, see our Florida state parks camping guide.

Sebastian Inlet State Park Campground Map

Florida State Parks publishes a park map that shows the campground on the south side of the inlet, the marina and boat ramp, and the north and south jetties. The reservation system shows each site's location and length when you book. That's the most reliable way to check whether you're booking a waterfront site. If you're searching for Sebastian Inlet State Park campground photos, Campsite Photos and recent Facebook camping-group posts show individual sites.

Fishing at Sebastian Inlet

Fishing at Sebastian Inlet is the reason many campers come. The inlet is one of the most productive saltwater fishing spots in Florida.

• The jetties. The North Jetty fishing pier is known for Spanish mackerel, snook, bluefish and pompano. Black drum hold in the deeper inlet water. Bridge work affects the area around the north side, so check what's open when you arrive.
• The lagoon. Fly anglers work the oyster bars and spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon for redfish and trout.
• Boat ramps. There's a ramp at the campground on the south side and another at the north-side marina, for a small fee.

Snook and some other species have seasons and slot limits, and you'll need a Florida saltwater fishing license. Before you go, check the Sebastian Inlet fishing report and the Sebastian Inlet tide chart, because the current through the inlet runs hard on a falling tide.

Surfing: First Peak and Monster Hole

Surfing Sebastian Inlet is a big part of the park's identity. First Peak, a wedge that forms beside the North Jetty, is one of the most consistent breaks in Florida and gets crowded fast. Monster Hole is an offshore shoal about a third of a mile off the south beach, for experienced surfers only. You can check conditions on the Sebastian Inlet surf cam or live cam before you paddle out.

Museums, Kayaking and Trails

• Sebastian Fishing Museum. This one is inside the park, near the campground, and covers the area's commercial fishing history. It's free with park admission.
• McLarty Treasure Museum. It sits at the south end of the park and tells the story of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet that wrecked off this coast. It's run by volunteers, so call (772) 589-2147 for hours.
• Kayaking. The calm lagoon side is good for paddling past mangrove islands, with manatees and dolphins around.
• Hammock Trail. A short nature trail through coastal hammock, good for birding.

Nearby Alternatives

If the park campground is full, two county campgrounds sit close by:

• Long Point Park (Brevard County), about a mile north, has around 170 sites, most of them on the Indian River Lagoon.
• Donald MacDonald Park (Indian River County), on the St. Sebastian River, is small, cheap and mostly tent sites.

Both take reservations through their own county systems, not Florida State Parks. Further north on the Space Coast, Jetty Park in Port Canaveral is another campground by an inlet, with cruise ships passing by.

Fees, Hours and Directions

• Address: 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 · (321) 984-4852
• Admission: $8 per vehicle
• Hours: the north side is open 24 hours. The South Ranger Station is staffed 8 a.m. to sunset, and registered campers can get in after hours.

Dogs are allowed in the campground on a leash, but not on the beach. See our camping with dogs guide.

Recommended Gear

• Coleman Sundome Camping Tent: easy to pitch, with a rainfly that holds up to Atlantic wind and pop-up storms. Stake it down well on the waterfront sites.
• GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker XL: for watching boats come through the inlet from your site at sunset.
• Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp: for walking to the bathhouse, rigging bait before sunrise, or night fishing from the jetty with both hands free.

New to camping on the coast? Read our camping checklist, how to set up a tent, and camping in the rain for Florida's summer storms.

The Short Version

About 51 sites with water and electric on the south side of the inlet, $28 a night plus fees, booked 10–11 months out. Ask for sites 1–14 or 52–55 if you want the water view. Bring repellent for no-see-ums, check the fishing report and the bridge construction updates, and expect parts of the north side to be limited until 2032.