Jill Z.
Traveler
TravelerLazydays RV Resort
Beautiful clean campground with great warm pool and hot tub. Friendly staff.
Camping near Aripeka, FL
23 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Campgrounds near Aripeka, Florida span across several natural areas including the Withlacoochee State Forest and nearby state parks. Chief Aripeka Travel Park provides year-round camping with electric hookups and RV accommodations, while Mary's Fish Camp offers a more rustic experience with cabin options along the water. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds with full amenities and more primitive sites within wilderness areas. Most locations support both tent and RV camping, with several parks like Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park also offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.
Access to many campgrounds varies seasonally, with Florida's summer heat and humidity affecting camping conditions from June through September. Water management is a significant consideration as several camping areas are located near rivers, lakes, or the Gulf Coast. "We love small RV parks with easy living and charm," noted one visitor to a nearby campground, highlighting the appeal of the area's smaller, more intimate camping options. Reservations are recommended, particularly during winter months when the region sees an influx of visitors seeking warmer weather. Many campgrounds in the Withlacoochee State Forest require permits or advance booking, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-check-in systems.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly those along the Withlacoochee River system. The natural setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, with reviewers mentioning sightings of blue herons, turtles, and even alligators. Several visitors noted the peaceful atmosphere at campgrounds like Starkey Wilderness Park, which one camper described as a "hidden gem in west-central Florida." Mixed-use campgrounds in the area typically feature amenities such as showers, restrooms, and picnic tables, though primitive sites with fewer facilities are also available. Highway noise can be an issue at some locations, particularly those near Interstate 75, so campers seeking quiet may prefer more remote options within the state forest system or along less-traveled roads.
Best Campgrounds near Aripeka (283)
1. Mary’s Fish Camp
"Our site(cant remember which number) was right next to the hill which I defientally reccomend because the hill and field allow you to spread out more."
"Located on the Mud River but don't let the name fool you. This is a spring fed tidal tributary which means almost crystal clear, dolphins. manatees, aquatic birds and fish galore."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $175 / night
2. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
"Great get away in west-central Florida as a day trip or long weekend stay.
We spent the day hiking the numerous off-road trails and enjoying some of the amenities the park has to offer.""3.2 mile hike through mostly open Florida pine forest with the occasional swamp. Perfect time of year to come. Site has great shade and opens up at the fire pit for great star gazing."
3. Serenova Tract Campsites
"Starkey wilderness park and can be accessed off of Route 52 in Land O' Lakes, Fl."
"You do have to apply for a permit to camp here through the SW Florida water management site. The campground is gated so you need a code to get in, which is a nice safety feature."
4. Cody's RV Park
"Close to a beach and lots of food and grocery choices. Close to everything but feels tucked away."
"They offer RV and tent camping year around and most have a decent amount of space in between."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $70 / night
5. Encore Barrington Hills
"We visited local state parks (not many nearby) and enjoyed the area on the gulf side of 19. It felt relatively safe and there was no gate to contend with."
6. Encore Topics
"Great grocery store near by. Very nice neighbors. Very quiet at night & pretty friendly. Just didn't care for the office not being open on the weekends"
"Very nice campground conveniently located right off of 589 ( Suncoast Parkway) 38 miles north of TPA. FRIENDLY neighbors, pet friendly. Nice amenities."
7. Pasco County - Crews Lake Wilderness Park
"Awesome park with well maintained trail. There are a lot of other small trails that lead off into the woods. If you wander, bring a compass and throw some az. Fun times"
"Love this place so many trails"
8. Chief Aripeka Travel Park
9. Gulfbreeze RV Park
10. Starkey Wilderness Preserve — Serenova Tract
"You must reserve a site with Southwest Florida Water Management by website. It is sometimes closed to hunting. There are lakes and multiple varieties of terrain."
Drive Time
- 32 min from Homosassa Springs, FL
- 46 min from Tampa, FL
- 1 hr 3 min from Wildwood, FL
Recent Camping Photos near Aripeka, FL
218 Photos of 283 Aripeka Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Serenova Tract CampsitesL
Cody's RV Park
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
Camper's Holiday
Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground
Encore Clover Leaf Forest RV ResortD
Encore Winter Quarters PascoD
Lake Rogers Park
Colonel Robins Group Area
Florida Sand Music Ranch
Tucker Hill Forestry Primitive Sites
Caladesi RV ParkA
Recent Reviews near Aripeka, FL
920 Reviews of 283 Aripeka Campgrounds
- A
Alyssa H.
ScoutEncore Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort
Beautiful pools and showers, washer and dryer on site are only like $2.50 each and very nice! They’ve done a lot of recent updates
James W.
GuideSt. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday
The bayou site are excellent. Reasonably level, nice patios, and a bit of a view. The staff are nice and helpful. They seem to have a section for those of us who are not snowbirds.
Stuart K.
LegendCountryside RV Park
Wild West Meets Old Florida
This Old Florida location has a Western bent to the place with the covered wagon motif and ranch-styled main office with what looks to be a horse tie up on the porch, so whatever the theme might be, this RV enclave is a good stretch away from the I75 highway that you moseyed onto in to find this 55+ retirement one lane (OK, there’s a simple loop) cowboy retirement OK corral. You’ll access Countryside RV Park via Country Rd 489 just off of Route 470 and if you blink (you know, because of all that dust blowing off the prairie), you’d miss the turn-off, so keep your eyes peeled, pardner, and about 20 yards into the property, you’ll swing by the office on what looks to be freshly laid, small single vehicle lanes and check in with the sheriff (er, the RV manager), who will direct you to your humble piece of very flat land, which no doubt will be draped in shade provided by the scattered ancient and live oaks that are sweating Spanish moss creating a very (trust me) un-wild, wild west vibe.
There’s some basic amenities here in addition to the standard pull-through parking pads and FHUs offering 20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage, including: sanitary dump, impeccably clean his / her restrooms and shower facilities, picnic tables, WiFi, cable TV, coin-operated laundry, horseshoes, side X side shuffle boards that are in pristine condition, recreation room with billiards, dog park, fire pit, retention pond, on-site storage, exercise equipment and gym. There’s even a proper mail room in case you plan on staying long enough that you need to receive mail here or have it forwarded (beats waiting for the Pony Express to arrive). Due to this being a semi- or full-retirement zone, Countryside offers additional diversions and activities like bingo, Karaoke, bowling, arts & crafts as well as Bible study, in addition to learning how to lasso your very own steer (OK, I made up this last one).
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If your ID or social security card doesn’t clearly state that you are 55+ you won’t have any luck at this hideout; (2) If you do manage to stay here, IMHO the best spots are those either on the western - but of course - side of this depot (#6 – 22) or eastern (#46–#59) perimeters; (3) Should you need to load up on anything while here, there’s not much nearby apart from a Dollar General and Kal’s Food Grocery, but if you don’t mind driving slightly further afield, there’s a Publix NE of here and a Winn-Dixie and Walmart due south of here towards Bushnell; and (4) In the event that you’d like to grab some local grub, there’s Big Apple Café and a Subway nearby in the small town here, or up on Lake Panasoffkee there’s Big Bass Grill Lakefront Restaurant & Marina, which I highly recommend.
Happy Camping!
- aalan F.Scout
Hillsborough River State Park Campground
Showers and bathrooms are closed
- EEfstathios A.Scout
Encore Winter Quarters Pasco
Great location
- CCorey S.Traveler
Bay Bayou RV Resort
Great time @ a great campground.
Great fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
Gail S.ScoutZephyr Colony RV Park
Present it will be a great place to live.
Zephyrhills colony has new Management. It's like a breath of fresh air.A weight is lifted from our shoulders of constant harassment and being hawked at on a daily basis. The parking pads are beautiful.The construction crew did an excellent job and the yellow stripes on the roads are amazing.We are so thankful for this improvement in our park that we can be proud and happy at once and for all. I thank God for answered prayer personally.Now I can breathe now.I can live amen
Lourie H.ScoutLithia Springs
Beautiful, Peaceful Campground, but the Hospitality Could Use Some Work
The campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
Guide to Aripeka
Camping near Aripeka, Florida centers around a coastal area with spring-fed waterways where fresh and saltwater ecosystems meet. The region's limestone substrate creates unique water features including natural springs that maintain a consistent 72-degree temperature year-round. Camping conditions vary dramatically between seasons with summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winter months attract visitors with comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
What to do
Kayaking on spring-fed waters: Paddle the Mud River at Mary's Fish Camp where you can explore clear, tidal tributaries. "Kayak the river and find a few hidden spring runs. Creek connects to Weeki Wachee river," notes visitor Ron K. The campground offers kayak rentals and easy access to multiple waterways.
Fishing from seawalls: Catch mullet directly from the shore without needing a boat. "The fish swarm the fishing dock/wall so no boat needed to find action. The locals chum the water all day with oatmeal so you don't need fancy lures to catch mullet," reports CJ at Mary's Fish Camp.
Hiking varied terrain: Explore the extensive trail network at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park with over 50 miles of paths. "We spent the day hiking the numerous off-road trails and enjoying some of the amenities the park has to offer," writes Steve S. The park maintains separate trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.
What campers like
Secluded, primitive sites: Serenova Tract Campsites offers isolation with basic amenities. "After a simple on-line reservation and finding someone at the Publix, across the road, to show me where the entrance was, I couldn't believe how nice it was for a free camp spot. I stayed in the primitive side, where there was only 3 sites and I had so much privacy," shares camper Kim S.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural settings provide excellent wildlife watching. "The natural setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing. You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," describes Rebecca A. at Hillsborough River State Park. Waterways attract birds, fish, and occasionally manatees and dolphins.
Night sky visibility: Areas away from city lights offer excellent stargazing. "It's nice and dark at night," notes Lorilee S. about camping at Hillsborough River State Park. The park's oak tree canopy creates a natural ceiling that comes alive at night with fireflies during summer months.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Many camping areas have minimal amenities. "No potable water is available, so bring your own plus, directly across Route 52 is a Publix shopping center where you can get your water, groceries and ice," advises Steve S. about Serenova Tract.
Seasonal insect considerations: Prepare for significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. at Hillsborough River State Park.
Water management challenges: Crews Lake Wilderness Park and other areas can experience flooding. "Be mindful of going after/during a good rain, it floods pretty easily," cautions Brett D. Many campsites require advance planning during Florida's rainy season (June-September).
Tips for camping with families
Spacious sites for multiple tents: Some campgrounds offer extra room for family camping. "Campsite #9 has so far been my most favorite spot here. It's VERY spacious (could easily fit 5 large tents here) and the back of the site has a trail that leads directly to The McNeil Homestead," recommends Shaun C. about Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
Educational opportunities: Local parks provide learning experiences about Florida ecosystems. "Nature education center for children. Playgrounds and pavilions for get togethers," mentions Tim L. about Starkey Wilderness Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Cody's RV Park offers unique attractions. "The site is probably one of the most interesting and unique places I could have hoped to find. The campground is scattered with tons of statues and random buildings built up with dinosaurs and even a real helicopter," describes one camper. Children enjoy the quirky displays and community pool.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup considerations: Verify power connections before setting up. "Good place but only bad thing is power connection on boxes they have melted plugs I wouldn't connect to it," warns Carlos O. about Mary's Fish Camp. Bringing a surge protector and extension cords is recommended.
Level site availability: Many RV sites require minimal leveling. "Somewhat level sites with graveled surface. Water and electric but no sewer or place close to dump tanks," notes Dallas W. about campground conditions at one of the best places to camp near Aripeka, Florida.
Proximity to amenities: Encore Topics provides convenient access to services. "Very nice RV and semi permanent place. Easy access off of the Nature Coast Parkway. Great grocery store near by," reports David M. This location allows RVers to easily resupply while maintaining a camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Aripeka, FL?
What camping is available near Aripeka, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Aripeka, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 283 campgrounds and RV parks near Aripeka, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Aripeka, FL?
Which is the most popular campground near Aripeka, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Aripeka, FL is Mary’s Fish Camp with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Aripeka, FL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Aripeka, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Aripeka, FL.
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