The Cove Pub & Campground, Inverness, FL
Yep. You read that right. A pub that is also a campground. And if it sounds a little sketchy or back-alley, let me tell you that is FAR from the truth. This place is like a little secret hideaway tucked away in Old Florida and I honestly kind of want to keep it to myself, but it deserves attention and I guess that I’ll stand in line for a site for the greater good of this charming campground.
All of that being said, sometimes when you’re traveling, you stumble across a place that feels less like a travel destination and more like you’re being welcomed into a someone’s special little corner of the world. That’s exactly how we felt during our stay at The Cove Pub and Campground, just outside of Inverness, Florida.
From the moment we pulled in, we could tell this place had a personality all its own.
A Warm Welcome
Before we even arrived, I had spoken on the phone with Tee, who handles reservations. She was friendly, helpful, and made the whole booking process feel easy and personal. When we arrived, there she was again—zipping around the property in her golf cart, greeting guests and showing people to their sites. She led us over to Site #6, where we quickly settled in and started taking in our surroundings.
Throughout our stay, Tee seemed to be everywhere at once—checking on campers, helping guests staying in the few Airbnbs on the property, and making sure everything was running smoothly.
The first evening we met Annie, the general manager, while we were having dinner at the pub. Annie was just as warm and welcoming, and over the next few days we saw her everywhere too—sometimes helping in the restaurant, sometimes tending to the grounds, always making sure things were running perfectly.
Between Tee, Annie, and the wonderful servers we met in the pub, the whole place had the feeling of a happy family working together. It’s the kind of place where people clearly care about what they’re doing—and about the guests who come to stay.
The Pub — The Heart of It All
At the center of the property is the lively pub itself, and it’s clearly the heartbeat of the campground. The food and drinks were fantastic, and every server we had was absolutely wonderful in attitude and just doing a great job to make it the best possible dining experience. After a day of exploring, the Pub quickly became one of our favorite rituals - to wander over for dinner or a drink and soak in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
But we weren’t the only ones who loved dinnertime at the pub. Simon and Prudence (our two Australian Labradoodles, and faithful travel companions) were treated like utter royalty everywhere we went during our stay. Each evening they joined us on the porch at dinner, happily soaking up the attention from staff and guests alike while water bowls appeared out of nowhere and chicken breast, grilled especially for them, arrived already cut in bite-sized pieces for their ultimate dining experience
For anyone who travels with dogs, you know how special it feels when your furry companions are truly welcomed—and here, they were more than just welcomed and treated like the most special guests of the evening.
The food at the Pub is so good! They have daily specials - sometimes special dishes that are not on their normal menu. We had the rib-eye steak the first night we were there and it was so good! We are picky steak people, too and are often disappointed when we order a steak at a restaurant because Richard’s steak is so good it’s hard to beat. We enjoyed so many delicious dishes over the days we were there - quesadillas to die for, homemade potato chips topped with the best smoked bbq you could imagine, hot wings, Garlic Parm shrimp, great burgers and a very solid Reuben sandwich. The beer selection is just perfect with a nice selection but not too big that you get lost in the menu. The drinks are made “just-right” and available in regular or large sizes. All of the items on the food and drink menu are reasonably priced. I’ve heard a few people say they thought it was pricey. We did not think so. The price was actually quite good, in our opinion, for the quality.
Airboats and River Life
One of the most fun things about staying here was watching the airboats come and go throughout the day. The campground sits along the water, and the sound of an airboat starting up often meant another group heading out for an adventure.
Guests can take airboat rides right from the property, and it added a sense of excitement and classic Florida charm to the whole experience. There’s something about watching those boats glide across the water that makes you feel like you’re witnessing a little piece of old Florida still alive and well.
Oaks, Chickens, and Farm Views
The property itself is beautiful and surprisingly peaceful.
Beyond the campground sits a small farm that’s part of the property, which adds to the rustic charm. The only animals we spotted during our stay were a group of cheerful chickens wandering around, but the farm scenery made the whole setting feel wonderfully relaxed and countryside-like.
What we loved most were the big oak trees scattered throughout the grounds. Their branches stretched wide and created shady little pockets perfect for slow walks. I believe they may have been water oaks, though I’m no tree expert. Whatever they were, they made the entire property feel timeless and picturesque. We found ourselves wandering beneath them more than once, simply enjoying the quiet and the beautiful view across the landscape.
A Place That Feels Good
Some places are memorable because of big attractions or fancy amenities. But every now and then you find somewhere that simply feels good to be.
Between the friendly people, the lively pub, the airboats drifting in and out, the farm views, the big old oak trees, and the way Simon and Prudence were welcomed like honored guests, The Cove Pub Campground captured that feeling perfectly.
It’s relaxed, welcoming, pet-friendly, and full of heart.
And if our travels bring us back through Inverness again, we won’t hesitate for a second to pull back into Site #6.
