Campgrounds near Aripeka provide access to spring-fed rivers with primitive and full-hookup options throughout central Florida's Gulf Coast region. The area sits in a humid subtropical climate zone with average summer temperatures reaching 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 45°F. Camping options range from secluded forest sites to waterfront properties with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Fishing from seawalls: Mary's Fish Camp offers a 275-foot seawall popular with anglers. "Watch locals catch endless schools of mullet. Bamboo poles are the popular style. Pelicans and water turkeys will hang out with you all day," according to one visitor who rated the experience highly.
Kayaking hidden springs: Launch from campsites to explore crystal-clear waters. "Kayak the river and find a few hidden spring runs. Creek connects to Weeki Wachee river," notes a camper from Mary's Fish Camp. The spring-fed tidal tributaries provide clear visibility for observing marine life.
Hiking forest trails: Serenova Tract Campsites provides extensive trail systems through native Florida woodlands. "Lots and lots of hiking options in this huge area," writes a visitor, who particularly appreciated the well-maintained paths through oak and pine forests with palmetto underbrush.
Wildlife observation: The wetland ecosystems support diverse bird populations and aquatic species. "The Withlacoochee travels around the different campgrounds here and there is a large day use boat ramp onto the lake away from the campgrounds," notes a camper at Crooked River Campground, explaining the interconnected waterways that attract wildlife.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Crooked River Campground receives praise for site layout and natural buffers. "The spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest and the kids loved getting to explore," writes a first-time tent camper who visited with family.
Waterfront access: Direct river and lake frontage adds value to camping experiences. "The walk to the river from our site was so worth it. We loved exploring the trail and then letting the kids play in the water while we tried to catch some bass," a camper mentions about their stay at Crooked River.
Community facilities: Cody's RV Park offers unexpected amenities. "There is a community pool with two more bathrooms connected to it. Chicken coops and a hurricane shelter built like a castle. They have a common area room that reminded me of a man cave mixed with a she-cave," describes a visitor who appreciated the unique facilities.
Secure access: Gated entrances provide safety at several campgrounds. "The campground is gated so you need a code to get in, which is a nice safety feature," notes a camper who stayed at Serenova Tract Campsites for five days, appreciating the controlled access during their extended stay.
What you should know
Electrical concerns: Some campgrounds have maintenance issues with hookups. "Good place but only bad thing is power connection on boxes they have melted plugs. I wouldn't connect to it but other than that it's a very good place," warns a recent visitor to Mary's Fish Camp about potential electrical hazards.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability vary widely between properties. "Small bathroom 1 shower toilet sink for men and the same for women," notes a reviewer about Mary's Fish Camp, indicating limited facilities even during busy periods.
Seasonal flooding: Low-lying areas experience water issues after rainfall. "Be mindful of going after/during a good rain, it floods pretty easily," cautions a camper about Serenova Tract. Another mentions, "It flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced" at Crooked River Campground.
Reservation requirements: Hillsborough River State Park Campground and other state facilities require advance planning. "The campground also is available for organized youth groups, but requires a reservation. You can't do this online like the normal sites," explains a camper about Crooked River's booking process.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Shallow areas offer safe play spaces. "The kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs, they all agree that this was their favorite part," shares a parent about their Crooked River experience with three children aged 7-8.
Site selection for noise management: Some locations offer better privacy for active families. "Our kids were able to run around and be noisy and we weren't worried about annoying our neighbors," notes a family who stayed at site 74 at Crooked River, recommending it for groups with children.
Wildlife education opportunities: The diverse ecosystems provide learning experiences. "I am a flower lover, so I spend most of my time taking pictures and observing the different flowers," mentions a visitor to Three Lakes RV Resort, highlighting the natural educational resources available.
Proximity to supplies: Convenience stores and shopping centers near some campgrounds simplify family logistics. "There's a Publix just across the street and a gas station not even half a mile down the road. Super easy to get to and short drive down a dirt road," notes a camper about Serenova Tract's convenient location.
Tips from RVers
Pet-friendly policies: Dog friendly campgrounds near Aripeka typically welcome pets with reasonable restrictions. "Friendly to dogs with a large wilderness area to let your pup run off leash," mentions a reviewer about Cody's RV Park, indicating more flexible pet policies than some other local facilities.
Site conditions: Surface materials affect leveling and comfort. "Somewhat level sites with graveled surface," notes a visitor to Mary's Fish Camp describing the parking areas, while another mentions "no concrete pads" when discussing the basic conditions at the same property.
Hookup configurations: Encore Barrington Hills and other RV parks have varied utility placements. "Some have left hand utilities (reason for 4 stars instead of 5)," explains a camper about the awkward hookup positioning at Mary's Fish Camp that can complicate RV setup.
Long-term resident considerations: Many parks balance visitor spots with permanent residents. "Very large park consisting of the usual pavement and concrete. There are many full time residents here," writes an RVer who stayed at Barrington Hills, noting the mixed-use nature of many local RV resorts.
