Potts Preserve

This is a great spot! There’s two camping areas, one off of North Dee and one off of Hooty Point. It’s primitive/equestrian camping and Hooty Point is far better in my opinion because it has water access for fishing.

I stayed at the North Dee Road site and it was still great despite not having immediate access for fishing. First off, it’s free to reserve, and then the campgrounds comes with a firepit, bench, and non-potable water. This was my test run for starting to camp again and I don’t think I could’ve picked a better place.

Confirmed that there was open spots online. When we got there the the lady who managed the check-in and out totally lied to us and said they had no open spots, told her we checked online beforehand, then miraculously a spot opened, but we didn't stay.. judgemental and profiling people managing check-ins. Would never go back.

Nice quite area with plenty of fishing and exploring to be had. Individual spots are private enough and portable toilets are around in plenty.

Nice campground. Probably about 4 or 5 sites in total. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table, and is semi covered from nearby campers. Didn’t spend but a night here but I would definitely come back here again.

You need a reservation but it's a beautiful spot with a great view of the river, and a few tables and fire pits!

Great place to boondock! Spent 3 nights here by the pavilion. There are about 5 spots in the “primitive” camping area. Plenty of privacy and a kayak launch area. Spots have fire rings and a couple have picnic tables. Porta potty is clean. The back-country area was recently gated so RVs can no longer camp there. It’s now designated as tent-camping only. It’s a huge open space with entrances to walking trails and beautiful views of the river. The back-country area has an outhouse. It’s easy to get to and very quiet other than other campers and periodic airboats that zoom by.

There are three different areas to camp, all require reservations however they are free. Holly Hill is backpackers I would say it's over 5 miles in and not accessible other than hiking. You can park outside the gate off of North Hooty point. Oak hammock is on north Dee River Rd and has regular spot that is left at the outhouse a ways, and nearby for if you bring a horse. The other spot is off north Hooty Point and is called River primitive camping.. there are four or five spots and you can boat right into these spots! However the downside is they are flooded some of the year. To find these you just go to the end of the road, I would guess it's just shy of a mile. The nicest are definitely the River camping, but oak hammock is still pretty nice. I am not ambitious enough to make it back to the other one.. Lol

We stayed at a great, free, campground and though it was down pouring when we arrived, we had no issues going down the long road since it was gravel. It was such a beautiful spot and very quiet! Potts Preserve is 8,500 acres and protects the area's groundwater recharge capability and important surface water features and wetland habitats. It is part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Conservation Lands.

Youtube Video Review: https://youtu.be/_n8q3ib0kPo

Have stayed in numerous areas at Potts Preserve and have no complaints whatsoever.