Hog Island Recreation Area, near Bushnell, Florida, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape into nature without the distractions of modern life. With spacious sites that offer good privacy, it’s perfect for setting up camp and enjoying the great outdoors.

This campground is all about the basics, featuring drinking water and clean restrooms, but no electric hookups. Campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere, especially at night, making it a peaceful retreat. One visitor noted, “The sites are spacious and spread apart pretty well,” which adds to the overall tranquility of the area.

For outdoor activities, you’re in luck! There are hiking trails nearby, and the boat launch is just a short distance from the campsites, making it easy to enjoy kayaking or canoeing on the Withlacoochee River. Many campers have enjoyed paddling around the island, with one saying it was “a ton of fun” for novices. Just remember to bring your own firewood, as the local supply is mostly cypress, which doesn’t burn well.

While the campground is a bit remote, it’s a great place to unwind and connect with nature. Just keep an eye out for ticks while you’re exploring, and you’ll be set for a memorable camping experience.

9274 CR 635, BUSHNELL, FL 33513 Hog Island Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Sumter County), and is approximately 15 miles from Brooksville. On the bank of the Withlacoochee River, this campground is a peaceful, paddlers paradise. Other recreational activities include: fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking. CAMPSITE #21 IS CANOE/PADDLE IN ONLY, NO VEHICLE ACCESS.

**Leashed Pets Allowed**.   
 Before bringing a pet to a Florida State Forest campground, please review Florida Administrative Code 5I-4 and adhere to the following rules: Pets must be on a leash (unless signs in the area indicate otherwise). Pets may not damage natural or manmade resources or create a nuisance. Pets must be well-behaved at all times and confined in the owner's camping sleep quarters during designated quiet time. Visitors must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet waste in trash receptacles. Visitors must comply with section 828.30, Florida Statutes, requiring rabies vaccinations.  
No hunting allowed in campgrounds. Please refer to kiosk or myfwc.com for specific hunting seasons and dates if planning on using any trails.  
  
It is recommended that visitors wear 500 square inches of Blaze Orange while hiking in the area during hunting seasons.  
  
Please contact WSF Dispatch at 352-797-4100 before you begin each day of your outing to verify if prescribed burning will be taking place that day.  
  
Per Florida Administrative Code, 5I-4006(4)(k) Chainsaw use in camping facilities is prohibited. Operation/use of chainsaws in other areas of the forest requires a Fuel Wood Permit.  
  
Firewood is generally available on-site within the campground.

Hog Island Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

Nobleton is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Nobleton campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Nobleton, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Nobleton

The Best Camping Near Nobleton, Florida

The [Hog Island Recreation Area](http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Withlacoochee-State-Forest/The-Croom-Tract-at-Withlacoochee-State-Forest#hog) is located on the eastern bank of the Withlacoochee river close to the small town of Nobleton. Part of the recreation area includes the Hog Island Nature Trail, part of the [Trailwalker Program](http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Recreation/Hiking) and officially certified as part of the longer [Florida National Scenic Trail](http://www.floridatrail.org/). The Hog Island Campground (fl-dof.com) provides nicely shaded and dry campsites for tent and RV campers with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. These sites are amazingly screened from each other with natural understory vegetation and access to the Withlacoochee River. Restroom with showers (which could use a little love and care), water spigots and a dump station are located nearby. Campers arriving by canoe can stay at a riverside campsite that includes access to drinking water.

This is a good campground with pretty decent warm/hot showers and electric hookups, so you aren't going to really be spending a few days completely off the grid. Although, cellular service is spotty, but mostly usable. The camp hosts were really nice and supposedly no pets are allowed, but I definitely heard some dogs at night. Just a few steps away is the Hog Island boat ramp, nature trail and a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail leaving you with lots to do.

**You get your standard nice campground features**

·       Large shared picnic area

·       Good fishing

·       Canoe and boat launch

·       No pets allowed.

*I heard some dogs and there were basically no one around, so maybe the host let some people get away with it…

·       2-mile loop [Nature Trail](http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Recreation/Hiking/Florida-Trailwalker-Trail-List-by-State-Forest).

·       Hiking trails:

*    - River Trail/Sumter is 7.2 miles.

·       Equestrian trails: 

*    - Hernando Main Loop is 18.65 miles.
*    - Hernando is 36.35 miles.
*    - Sumter is 7.70 miles.

Nice and secluded.

stayed with friends for a weekend r&amp;r. didnt do much but was nice. bathrooms again are good.

another sweet spot in the woods.

We love it! It’s close to us. Bring canoe or kayak and fishing pole. Pretty quiet although you can hear some traffic. Get up early in the morning and take walk and you are sure to see some deer. Restrooms are dated but clean. Firewood available for donation and 1-4 are walk up sites.

Real Florida 

Good place with spicy camp sites can collect ur own wood plenty of it has water but no power outside ring sites are well wooded

Fun place 

Sometimes I have mixed feelings about sharing secret spots as they become more and more crowded. I love this park within the State Forest. Nice sites, small and quiet with a great hiking trail and river to paddle. Staff is excellent and park is very clean. In the winter firewood is available with an honor system for payment. Nice amenity.

  

The only reason for not giving it 5 stars is the very reason we love it and that's because the hookups are water only and no electricity. This keeps the big rigs out and campers who want to bring their entire house with them. 

  

What no electricity really means to us is we can't camp at Hog Island in the Summer because what we do like on weekends is sleep we don't get during the work week. Just too hot without AC for us.

  

Other than that, this is a really secluded park with a great hiking trail and paddling on the Withlacoochee. Other than that, bring your own fun as it's kind of a hike to the nearest town (Brooksville or Inverness)

One of our favorites

Nice enough campground. Sites have good privacy. My main complaint is that there is nothing else to do nearby.

Good Place to Chill

Great smaller recreation area that has nice, mostly private, sites. Water only, no electricity. The highlight of this area is the ability to kayak so make sure to bring yours. Wildlife was crazy the night we stayed. Like others have said, make sure to bring in everything you need as it’s a hike back to civilization. 

Give It A Shot!

The sites are good sized Some privacy between them. Hiking trails in the area. A boat ramp area to basically launch canoes or kayaks. Pretty nice paddling you can go either way and make it back to the boat ramp.

Cozy weekend stay

Si te gusta disfrutar del aire fresco y el canto de los pájaros este es un lugar genial. También puedes traer tu bici, Kayak o simplemente caminar por los senderos. 
Si agregaran electricidad a las áreas de camping ganarían 5 estrellas. Es un lugar muy hermoso y con frías noches, no olvides traer tu cámara 📷


Aire puro

This was our 1st camping trip in years. This is the only place I could find an opening for Memorial day weekend near by. We liked it. Most sites pretty  private. But no electric hook up. And there is a tick problem. But overall we will go again.

Nice campground in Florida 

We loved the large sites. And pretty private. Wooded areas between sites. Nice clean restrooms and showers. Only 2 showers in the ladies bath house. It's old but clean. But it's  sapose to be no pets. And a camper near us had a very large dog in a cage that barked all day. Very annoying. Bad area for ticks. Rangers check sites several times a day and are very nice. Also there is water but no electricity.  We will go back. No generator after 10pm.

Spacious camp sites!

The sites here are massive. We choose 13 because it was the most spacious with great privacy. The downfall is its a good hike to the restrooms and also a good hike in the opposite direction to the dumpster. But the site itself was amazing. If I go again I will check out Site #1  which is across from the bathrooms and has by far the most seclusion. The only downfall is it looks like it has the least shade but its set back so far I couldnt see the whole site.

There is plenty of downed firewood but its mostly cypress which doesnt burn well. I reccomend bringing wood.

One unique thing about the site is there are absolutely no low branches. Made it difficult to hang my lights and hammock chair but I had some rope and string so no big deal.

The walk to get to the river access is a good hike. This is another benefit for Site 1 as it is a good bit closer. The higher numbered sites are even closer. There is a parking lot so you can drive your boat or kayak. I do not know if there is additional parking fee.

The fishing at the picnic area was not to hot when we stayed there, New Years weekend. But we did manage to snag a few mudfish.

Kayaking around the island was a ton of fun. Perfect little trip for a novice like me and better fishing spots.

The little bit of hiking we did was really cool. All them cypress trees in the area gives the forest a very unique feel.  Just be sure to check for ticks.

About ten minutes away is a Circle k gass station if you need. 



Tent Camping Site 13

 The sites are spacious and spread apart pretty well. I stayed in location number two, which is fairly close to the bathroom. The hiking trail was less than a ￼ quarter of a mile away. The boat launch/kayak launch was closer to the site. Very quiet at night, which was very peaceful.

Plenty of space

Older Florida park on the Withlacoochee State Forest. The campground had 20 very large sand and grass sites in tall pines. Each site has water only. The campground is very quiet and offered both T-Mobile and Verizon cell service.  Facilities are clean, albeit old. The campground is convenient to fishing, hiking, and bike and equestrian trails.



Photos of Hog Island Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

Real photos from real campers