Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Babson Park? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Babson Park. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
The family campground offers water and electric hookups, a dump station, access to restrooms with shower facilities, laundry and dishwashing areas.
Currently, there is no free Wi-Fi in the campground; however, Wi-Fi is available at the Hammock Inn Concession, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during peak season months. During the slow summer season, daily availability and hours of operation may vary for the Hammock Inn camp store. Call 863-402-0061 for details.
Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings. Sites vary from being open and sunny to partially or fully shaded and range in length from 20 to 50 feet. Maximum RV length = 50 feet.
Three paved campsites, designated as American Disability Act sites, are near an ADA-accessible restroom. A maximum of eight people with two tents are allowed per site. RV sites are allowed to have the RV and one tent.
The recreation hall, a park rental facility with a full kitchen, stage, large seating area, restrooms, barbecue grill and playground, is used for family reunions, weddings, parties, meetings and other events. Reservations may be booked through the ranger station 11 months in advance.
The campground is a short walk from the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and the picnic area. The bike path, nature trails and playgrounds are within proximity and easily accessed. Ranger-guided programs and interpretive walks offered during the busy winter season are suspended during the summer.
$18 - $22 / night
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this Hillsborough River State Park Camping offers a refuge from city life with its seven miles of nature trails and ample places to cool off in the water.
Except for occasional reenactments, the cannon and guns are now silent at Fort Foster. No longer do Seminole Indians have to fight to keep a foothold in Florida, and soldiers no longer guard a strategic river crossing. The reconstructed fort and its surroundings are now part of Hillsborough River State Park.
Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Tucked away, only a short distance from the bustling city of Tampa, camping is a popular activity at Hillsborough River State Park.
$24 / night
Well-known for its natural spring which flows year-round, cool, clean water into the Alafia River, the Lithia Springs Park was originally purchased by Gardinier, Inc., a mining company that soon became Mosaic Phosphate, Inc. When the company leased the park to Hillsborough County as a recreational area in 1957, the 160-acre site slowly became a popular camping spot.
After setting up camp, hikers can explore the woodsy trails and its diverse plant communities, river cypress swamps, and hardwood hammocks. But it is the natural spring that serves as the park’s major attraction, which---courtesy of the water’s 72 degree temperature---provides an excellent swimming experience all year long. In addition to swimming, visitors can fish and play volleyball. There is also a bath house for the parents to rest and chat, while their kids can play at the park’s playground.
The park’s 44 camping sites---which is also suitable for RVs---include water/shower and electrical services. The campers also have access to picnic shelters and tables, restrooms, and barbecue grills. There are no reservations for these sites; everything is done on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Park rules to know:
-Picnic shelters are not rented for the months April - September. -All shelters, tables and grills and parking spaces are first come first serve -Due to the high demand of the swimming area and current conditions maximum capacity is -No rain checks / refunds
$24 / night
A free camping reservation is required and must be displayed.
Bicycling Recreation Description Approximately 65 miles of multiuse trails. Bicyclists are required to stay on designated or marked trails. Florida law requires bicyclists under 16 to wear helmets. Recreation Term Birding Recreation Description Site located on western section of Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Contact FWC for more information. Recreation Term Boating Recreation Description Small boat ramp available on River Road. Withlacoochee River offers remote wilderness experience. Recreation Term Canoeing-Paddling Recreation Description Small boat ramp available on River Road. Withlacoochee River offers remote wilderness experience. Recreation Term Camping Recreation Description Equestrian and Primitive Sites: Separate sites available for equestrians and primitive camping. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills. A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground. Backcountry Camping Sites: High Bluff , Foster Bridge, Concession Stand and Gator Hole. Recreation Term Equestrian Recreation Description Approximately 63 miles of multiuse trails. Riders are required to stay on designated or marked trails. Each rider must carry proof of horse's current negative Coggins test. Horse-drawn buggy riding requires a free day-use reservation for buggy access behind locked gate. Florida law requires equestrians under 16 to wear helmets. Recreation Term Fishing Recreation Description Along Withlacoochee River; access from River Road and State Road 471. Contact FWC for license requirements. Recreation Term Hiking Recreation Description Approximately 65 miles of multiuse trails. Approximately 31 miles of Florida National Scenic Trail run through Green Swamp East and West tracts. Recreation Term Hunting Recreation Description Contact FWC for information regarding license requirements and permits. FWC rules and regulations must be observed throughout the year. Recreation Term Picnic Facilities Recreation Description Picnic tables available inside main gate. A free reservation is required to reserve the pavilion.
Guide
Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails
Guide
We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida.
Guide
Spent a great weekend here fishing and relaxing. Rooms are neat and clean with AC. Grounds are well kept and the pool was definitely a plus at the end of a Hot day! I'll be back.
Legend
We stayed in site 26, which was tucked back and fairly private. We planned on trail riding, but rain changed the plans. We didn’t get to explore much, but will be back. Nice long drive down to the sites. Electric and water were both great, and dump stations easy. Staff was extra friendly.
Traveler
The park is fantastic! The park rangers constantly ensured our safety and were very friendly and helpful. They made sure to keep us up to date regarding changes in weather and flooding. Oh, and the pricing to stay per week is amazing! It's a must-visit!
Legend
Can’t beat the convenience & amenities of the Disney parks are on your itinerary. Super cost effective and direct access to magic kingdom and easy access to all the others. Sites were big, clear and clean. Amenities were wonderful. I’d stay here even if we didn’t do a Disney park. There are so many sites and yes there are people around but there’s serious vegetation between all the sites that you have plenty of privacy. Constant ground crews, sanitation work and transportation options. Pools, restaurants, shops and fun activities going on all the time. We loved it.
Traveler
clean, naturally and quiet
no wlan and good mobil connection
restrooms and laundry are o.k.
rangers are super and nice
playground and a small beach to put your feet into water.
Scout
The park was clean, convenient and the staff was super friendly. Great amenities and a beautiful pool! Our site was shady, mostly level, gravel with just enough space for our toad(F150). We will definitely be staying here again when passing by.
Traveler
The place is gorgeous and if you want shade or sun it offers both. Quiet, relaxing, good trails that lead over to Hickory Hammock campground. Audrey is a excellent camp host.
They keep it very clean and is very helpful in showing you the campsites. It is right off the main road so no dirt road to get there though you have some road noise but you can get back away from most of it. Lots of wildlife in the woods, nothing bothered the campsite.
There are bathrooms but no showers. They are a ways away from the campground. Its still shocking you can camp in Florida like this for free. Hope we can keep it this way for a long time.
Traveler
Well maintained facilities and friendly rangers on-site. Numerous hiking trails with open Prarie landscape. Very limited light pollution at night so great Location to star gaze.
Legend
OK, let’s just cut to the chase here. You are likely considering Sun Outdoors Orlando Champions Gate due to its proximity to the ‘Most Magical Place on Earth’ or one of the other themed amusement parks here in the Orlando area. And maybe you’ve got an RV and shrugged your shoulders and said ‘why not?’ And to this I say, if proximity and accessibility are key criteria for you on this particular trip and locking down a spot to park your RV for a few days while you (and likely the kids) are wanting to enjoy all of the entertainment and endless lines of all-you-can-eat buffets, then Sun Outdoors will certainly be a very good option for you.
What I like most about Sun Outdoors Orlando is that this spot is recently completely refurbished, so everywhere you go, while the place itself looks like it has recently been cleared of all vegetation (definitely a negative in my mind - as it looks as though every single piece of nature, be it grass, bushes or trees, has been surgically removed leaving a very barren, sterile environ), all of the buildings, sites and amenities look fairly brand spanking new, especially the club house and adjoining in-ground heated pool, which is definitely the best aspect of this particular paved campground. Here they have plenty of level, asphalt-paved or grassy RV pads, spots for tent camping as well as even cottages and cabins that they’ll rent to you in case you’ve not come prepared with any overnight preparations of your own.
Amenities: large heated in-ground swimming pool with patio and deck chairs, umbrellas and chaise loungers, pristine bathroom & showers, shuffleboard court, game room, horseshoe pit, WiFi, pet-friendly, coin-operated laundr-O-mat, dog park, bingo hall, basketball, volleyball, stand-up BBQ grills, religious services, Adirondack chair encircled fire pits, cornhole as well as back-in and pull-through RV slots with concrete patios, picnic table and all the traditional hook-ups (20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage).
Insider’s tips: (1) When we visited, there was a solid amount of road construction going on right in front of Sun Outdoors Orlando, so unless that has changed (call ahead if this is of concern), then I would highly suggest booking a spot furthest away the front of the campground, which sits right in front of the roadway where the work is being done; (2) If you grow weary of opening up your on-board fridge or half-empty roto-molded Cordova cooler and want to check out a nearby restaurant, I recommend nearby Miller’s Ale House, Marco’s Pizza, Mondo di Gelato or Reunion Gyro; (3) While this campground will tell you on-line and on-site that you can tent camp here, even if you could, I don’t know that you would want to, unless your idea of a good tent camping experience is being sandwiched between 2 oversized RV’s and pitching your tent on asphalt; (4) Some of these sites for large RV’s and even 5th wheels appear to be a bit too small (several were either parked beyond the asphalt limits on the grass, or the width was too large and overhung the concrete pad itself, creating unstable situation for some RV’s) ;(5) If you actually care to grab a slice of nature while you are here at Sun Outdoors Orlando, then go for a day trip to Lake Tohopekaliga, which has some pretty amazing bass fishing as well as a few choice places to drop your boat into, like Twin Oaks or Cherokee Point Conservation Areas (and if you don’t have your own kayak, canoe or boat, contact Wild Willys Airboat Tours and they’ll show you around); and (6) There’s a Publix, CVS and Aldi so close to this campground that you can walk there, in case you run out of anything.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Why contemplate leaving the creature comforts of home when you can just haul everything that you love most to a place that provides all of the concrete paved, easy-to-access amenities that you likely have at home in the first place? If you find yourself in this dilemma, no worries, Orlando/ Kissimmee KOA has all of your manufactured outdoor camping needs covered … and what’s perhaps most interesting is that you won’t even have to drive out of the concrete jungle to encounter this experience, in fact, it’s right off a major 4-lane highway (HWY 192).
So, if you are dreaming of escaping your domesticated life for the thrills of an outdoor camping adventure that will have you appreciating the best of what nature has to offer, then just be forewarned, this is not that place. But if you are simply looking for a change of scenery and want to be near all of the action and attractions here in Central Florida’s ‘Magic City’ and want a different experience than paying overpriced rates at Tiki-hut themed entertainment hotels and relish the idea of dusting off your RV or unpacking your tent in a pseudo nature environment complete with all the astro turf your dog can poop on within a confined, fenced-in setting, then this KOA (and let’s be frank, ANY KOA) has you covered.
As far as amenities go, it’s a KOA, so there’s going to be more amenities here than you can shake a stick at. These include: heated in-ground medium-sized pool complete with tiled patio, lounge chaise chairs, tables with umbrellas and regular chairs, water-rinsing station, as well as a jacuzzi / spa, propane refilling station, bike rentals, 134’ max length slots, WiFi, pavilion, Kamp K9, firewood for sale, 24 hour laundr-O-mat, picnic tables, community fire pits, on-site market, recreation office, life-size Jenga, designated trash areas, fitness center, playground, dog wash, public bus service, basketball court, EV chargers, jump pad, taxi service back-in and pull-through perfectly paved, level concrete RV sites with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). There’s even RV sites that are dubbed ‘Deluxe,’ which are larger and come with a paved connected patio.
No RV? And REALLY don’t want to have an experience that is different than living at home? Even here at this KOA, that’s not a problem, where the proprietors will easily rent you a deluxe cabin, if there is one available. These 1BR or 2BR A/C cooled Deluxe Cabins sleep 4, 6 or 8 people and come with bunk bed set, futon / sofa sleeper and a queen-sized bed along with a private bath and shower, TV with cable offering over 20 channels, some with EV chargers, patio w/ charcoal or gas BBQ grill and fire pit, front porch with patio furniture and chairs, refrigerator, fresh linens, paw pen for the pups and a partial or full kitchen. They even have rustic cabins that are cheaper and don’t come with all the thrills for those that want some degree of ‘roughing’ it, so this means no kitchen and no bathroom or showers, although there is full bed, bunk bed, TV, mini-refrigerator, A/C patio furniture, brick fire pit with cooking grate.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) To continue with the simple, easy-to-access, manufactured experience theme here, for those that grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal for the kiddos, who are grumbling about making every meal, head on over to any one of these nearby drive-thru windows or curb-side meal offerings: McDonald’s, Panda Express, Applebee’s, Steak ‘n Shake and Wendy’s; (2) If you want to heighten that suburban culinary experience you all have been craving though, I really do rate the silverware-free dining experience that is Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, which is literally just down the road and is actually a lot of fun for the kiddos and adults alike; (3) Should you find yourself in need of anything that you either forgot or may have run out of, then fear not, there’s a Sam’s Club that is in walking distance from this KOA and further south that definitely requires a drive, there’s a Walmart Supercenter; (4) I’ve noticed that this place has SIGNIFICANT discounts if you simply plan in advance – so for example, during the months of March OR April (it’s January now), they’re offering a whopping 25% discount; and (5) If you are looking for a slice of nature’s paradise, then I highly recommend driving a bit north to Wekiwa Springs, where you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most amazing springs in all of Florida where the water is 72 degrees year round.
Happy Camping!
Legend4 miles down washboard sand/gravel road will beat your truck and trailer to death. And the sites are small!! 18’ trailer in site #6 and had to unhitch the tow vehicle as it was sticking in the road. Barely fit 22’ trailer and tow vehicle in site #1 without unhitching. That aside, it is a beautiful quiet spot that is excellent for star gazing. Bath house is clean and lots of hot water. If you are car camping or tent camping or have a camper van, this might be a good spot for you. It is a dark zone, so no lights after dark - use red lights.
ScoutSo much to do you don't even need to go to the theme parks if you don't want to. A little pricey but worth it in my opinion https://youtu.be/3qPP3GaZ_UU
Traveler
We were down for a funeral so we, unfortunately, didn’t spend any time in the park or campground. The park is absolutely gorgeous and we can’t wait to return in November for a week long stay. The roads in the campground are a little narrow so maneuvering a larger rig might take some time backing into sites but there were plenty of big rigs there so it is doable. The sites have picnic tables and a fire ring. As far as we could tell, all sites are sandy so I’m sure it would be a little messy after a rain with possible flooding. Our site was perfectly level with no side to side adjustments needed. Our loop was very shaded with gorgeous trees. The rangers were amazing and patrolled the campground on a regular basis. There is a huge pool but it was closed for renovations, opening sometime this summer. There is a small cafe with ice cream and you can rent kayaks or canoes to take a trip down a wonderfully, peaceful river. It was so clear that we could see fish swimming around. No swimming is allowed in the river because of gators but experienced paddle boarders would love the easy paddle. Lots of trails to hike as well.
Definitely a great place to stay right outside the Tampa area. Recommend highly.
TravelerHad a 2 night tent camp stay here during January. Great option for family reunions, we had my girlfriend’s 30th here, and with our rented golf cart, had no problems escorting our guests to our campsite to enjoy a camp cookout with us at our campsite. Was definitely an authentic Disney experience, with a never ending list of activities with plenty to keep kids and kids at heart busy, which we didn’t partake in since we were enjoying our campsite.
TravelerWe loved our tent camping experience at Lake Kissimmee. Our site was 22 in Loop 1 and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we had our own direct path to the bathroom, which wasn’t something featured on the FL State Park booking site. On-site store was only open on specific days of the week and did not carry ice, but they did have small bundles of firewood. We look forward to booking the same spot when we come back to visit during the colder months.
Traveler
If you are a traditional camper stay away. This place is mainly for trucks and ATV’s. There is sugar sand everywhere and my car got stuck. After they helped me get out I left.
Traveler
This place was a good place for a beginner camper like me. It’s close to a Walmart, to get things I forgot. It has a few trail heads and lots of boat docks. I enjoyed fishing and wild cranes.
GuideI simply can't say enough about Ft. Wilderness. It will always be a part of the magic of our Disney family vacations.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!
LegendSmall spacious park. Restroom clean and showers, laundry $1.50 each. Firewood available to purchase. Lots of walking, biking, and hiking. Beautpark. Great camp hosts and ranger.
Guide
Cannot say enough great things about this special place! During the weekends it can get filled up and busy. We were there for a few days during the week and enjoyed every minute. Close to lake, great for bird watching and walks/ boating. Friendly host and fellow campers. We will definitely be returning. For the price, can’t beat it. First come first serve, recommend doing the Grape Hammock air boat tours from fish camp!
RangerLove it! Great campground with good shade and privacy between sites. Peaceful. Cool weather in February meant little to no bugs (yay!). Clean facilities, level site. Really nice hikes - but unfortunately it’s a bit of a walk from the campground to the trailheads. Worth it though! We will return!
ScoutVery quiet and spacious. Wildlife in abundance. We were a 45’ motorcoach with a 20’ tow behind. Stayed in spot 3. Will return soon.
Traveler
This is camp for hunters it's free and has pit toilets open area park anywhere in the camp. Lots of land to explore, hiking very close to Florida scenic trail.
Guide
We stayed there during the Tampa Show. Last minute decision. Park has a lot of long term RV's and many of them older. Dog friendly and has a decent sized dog run. We had a pull thru spot that was plenty long enough to leave our dolly hooked up to our 33' class A, and still have plenty of room to park in front. Although it was very narrow and I was a little concerned about my leveling jacks sinking in when it rained due to it being all grass. Fortunately it didn't rain much. There were cable hook ups, but I couldn't get a signal. Not sure about wifi, because I just used my hot spot. Most, if not all, of the short term spaces had picknick tables. Overall just a fairly quiet place to park with hookups and not too far off the highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Babson Park, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Babson Park, FL is Highlands Hammock State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Babson Park, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Babson Park, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
