11 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Hardee Lakes Park offers numerous pet-friendly camping options in Bowling Green with both RV hookup sites and primitive tent areas. Dogs must remain on leash throughout the property, including along the trail system that encircles the four fishing lakes. The park maintains clean, well-kept grounds with spacious sites that provide adequate room for campers with pets. Campsites range from full hookup RV spots to waterfront primitive sites with water access only, priced at $20 per night as of recent visits. Pioneer Creek RV Resort and Little Charlie Creek RV Park also welcome pets with designated areas for dog walking. The campground prohibits alcohol, which creates a quieter family environment for those camping with dogs. Most sites provide fire rings and picnic tables suitable for camping with pets, while the shared bathroom facilities include clean showers for campers.
Peace River Oaks and Thousand Trails Peace River both accommodate pets with varying amenities targeted toward dog owners. Trail systems throughout these properties provide excellent opportunities for daily dog walks, with Peace River offering fossil hunting opportunities along riverbanks where dogs can cool off in designated areas. Little Charlie Creek RV Park features a dedicated dog park for off-leash play, making it one of the more dog-friendly campgrounds near Bowling Green, though campers report occasional wildlife encounters requiring careful pet supervision. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures can be extremely hot for dogs. The nearest veterinary services are located in Wauchula, approximately 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds in the area. The campgrounds maintain pet waste stations throughout common areas, though campers should bring their own waste bags as supplies can occasionally run low during busy periods.
"A nice campground in south-central Florida. Campsites are close together but enough room to park trailer and tow vehicle. Most sites have some shade trees. Beware of low grassy areas after a rain."
"Camping next to the river with our adult kids and the grandkids, good bicycle paths walking trails, canoeing fishing and actually quite in the evenings on the eastern side of the grounds, everything is"
"There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site and there is a toilet nearby. For showers you have to drive to the regular campground and use theirs. You can purchase firewood in the park as well."
"There are many short loop trails that take you through many ecosystems, giant trees at sizes few have seen before, lots of wildlife to."
from $18 - $22 / night
"There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes. Like all parks some site are better than others, none are bad. We had the end site on the lake that was very private."
"My husband enjoyed riding his fat tire along with our dog. We are hoping to visit again in February!"
from $25 - $28 / night
"If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61."
"Fun turf play area near main office. Shark tooth sifting, trail hike, but the bank river fishing was tough. Owner/manager was a jack of all trades, very helpful and did it all."
from $85 - $95 / night
"This location is at one of the most unpredictable water level spots along the Peace River - this is not the wide deep Peace River you will find further south, but it is a very popular location for the"
"I was staying across the Street at 1000 trails, and I thought I would come over here and look at the old locomotive and the log cabin, etc."
from $15 - $23 / night
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"
Available next weekend
from $22 / night
"All the activities like shuffleboard and such surround the activity center. Located pretty much in the center of the park."
"The dog park was nice. The pool was nice but had ALOT of frogs that didn’t make it… I was told there was a turtle found once so look before you enter, they do clean it very often though!"
"This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."
"ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."
from $16 - $80 / night
"Easy location to get to. The lots are pretty wide open with little shade, but we had a tiki, which was awesome. Pool was nice and warm. Kids loved the slide. Dog park and wash are a bonus."
"They are pet friendly & have dog poo stations along the roads. Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."
from $67 - $99999 / night
ScoutHaven't been camping here. Based on the photos, it looks like it is a beautiful place. Looks like somewhere to have a fun, crazy, spontaneous camp experience. I prefer natural nature. Cutting the trails, fire wood, catching dinner, fighting mosquitoes without harsh chemicals. Preserving the world. Maybe make a reservation. Leave the dogs with a sitter and not have a care in the world.
ScoutShowers and bathrooms are closed
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
ScoutZephyrhills 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
ScoutThe 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.
ScoutEverything went pretty well except for one hiccup. Our first night staying there our bathroom drain got backed up with sewage that came back up from the drain which caused a terrible smell of The shower then also clogged and had to shower in puddle of water that got gross from our feet being all dirty because of the mud. I had mistakingly booked the stay without adding the hot tub.. so when we mentioned the issue to Dan(main guy in charge) we asked about the hot tub for the second day since it says it needs to be booked for a 2 night minimum. He said it would be taken care of.. so in our minds of a server and bartender and having worked in the service industry for a long time, we figured that the hot tub would be taken care of for us, considering that it's simply a$30 charge. So l then later get a text message from him asking if the card that I had on file was Ok to charge for the hot tub, and I asked if there would be any sort of compensation for the bathroom situation, he said being charged for one night instead of 2 was the compensation.. which made no sense to me since we only were getting it for one night. To top it off the hot tub was not even hot.. Was def not very impressed by that.
TravelerIf you like peace and quietness this is a place for you. I’m sure it is busier during the winter months. Plenty of shade with a new pool. You can rent canoes, play putt putt or paddle along the Peace river. If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61. It overlooks the pasture with plenty of shade. Lot 60 and 59 also have total coverage and will be one of my next next choices. Plenty of space between your neighbors even make it better
ScoutGreat place just know this campground has no shower house etc it’s just a nice quiet place with a beautiful sunset! Starlink works great
Camping sites around Bowling Green, Florida offer outdoor recreation in a central Florida setting with four distinct seasons. Located at an elevation of 132 feet, this rural area provides campers with access to multiple lakes, river systems, and reclaimed phosphate mine lands. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-70°F, making it a popular destination for seasonal campers seeking milder weather.
Fossil hunting by the river: Peace River areas provide excellent opportunities for discovering prehistoric artifacts. At Thousand Trails Peace River, visitors can collect fossils along the riverbanks. "I found a ton of shark teeth," reports Jennifer L., who enjoyed the oak hammock campgrounds.
Explore multiple lakes: Hardee Lakes Park features four fishing lakes connected by a trail system. "Trail system is great from dirt paths to boardwalks to cut straight through the woods," notes Joshua W., who stayed at a non-electric site directly on the lake.
Observe local wildlife: The rural setting provides opportunities to spot native Florida species in their natural habitat. One camper at Highlands Hammock State Park noted, "We had a bear visit the garbage bin during the night, so you'll have to pay attention to storing your food during the night."
Spacious camping areas: Hardee Lakes Park offers larger campsites than many Florida campgrounds. "We got lucky to get a site here last minute... most sites do seem to have at least some trees providing partial shade," reports Kathy L., who appreciated the natural setting.
Peaceful atmosphere: The no-alcohol policy at some campgrounds creates a quieter environment. "This is a great park. Best campground I have stayed in so far. Very quiet and relaxing," shares Dustin, who enjoyed his stay at Hardee Lakes Park.
River access: Primitive camping sites with direct water access are available. At Pioneer Park, Jan M. reported, "We opt for a primitive site by the water for a couple nights and couldn't have been happier. We had a solid picnic table and fire ring and a very large site."
Weather considerations: Summer brings intense heat and humidity while winter offers more moderate temperatures. "Weather was cool in February that allowed for comfortable hiking and biking," notes Rick G. about his stay at Hillsborough River State Park.
Water level variations: The Peace River water levels fluctuate significantly based on rainfall, affecting access. "Peace River is really pretty, very green and has a wooded section, a tropical section, and a flood section. We have seen Class As sink, so if you have a heavy diesel pusher, make sure you find a spot safe for your RV," advises Laura H.
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "Cell reception: minimal, it is put in the country for Florida, And the neighboring town is small. So there is signal but bandwidth is low," explains one camper about Peace River areas.
Safety around water: Many campgrounds feature lakes and rivers that require supervision. "Alligators along the River banks and in the woods" were reported by Laura H. at Thousand Trails Peace River, reminding campers to maintain awareness near water features.
Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly during warmer months. "The mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. about Hillsborough River State Park, suggesting families bring plenty of bug spray.
Educational opportunities: Peace River Campground offers natural history exploration suitable for all ages. "This is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting," shares Laura D., noting that the campground offers both wilderness and developed camping areas.
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research the specific campground layout before arrival. At Thousand Trails Peace River, Sherry P. explains, "Unlike The Oaks at Point South you have to find your own spot. It's a little unnerving. Fortunately, we had a few to choose from as soon as we arrived."
Hookup availability: Limited full hookup sites may require planning. "Not all hookups are full. Must enter lottery to get full hookup site," explains one reviewer about the system at some parks, suggesting RVers plan for limited services.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some campgrounds can be challenging after rain. "It had just rained a lot due to Hurricane Eta and there are huge potholes. So go slow!!!!" advises Sherry P. about navigating within the campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bowling Green, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bowling Green, FL is Thousand Trails Peace River with a 4.1-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bowling Green, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 204 dog-friendly camping locations near Bowling Green, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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