Best Campgrounds near Dade City, FL

Several good camping spots surround Dade City, with Colt Creek State Park Campground being one of the main options for hikers and wildlife watchers. The park has multiple trails where you can walk through Florida's natural landscape. About an hour away, Lake Louisa State Park Campground sits beside the water and has good fishing. You'll need to book sites at both parks ahead of time. The local wildlife includes alligators and many bird types, so store your food properly to avoid unwanted visitors. During dry periods, fire rules might limit campfires, so check before you go. Most people camp here from October through March when it's not so hot and sticky. Summer camping can be tough with the heat. You can drive to these campgrounds on regular roads without problems, though some trail access points might need vehicles with more ground clearance. Both parks work well as starting points for hiking or fishing trips. Just follow the park rules and leave no trace to keep these natural areas in good shape for everyone.

Best Camping Sites Near Dade City, Florida (363)

    1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 987-6771

    $24 / night

    "Then exit 7 to Highway 301 north about 10 miles to the campground. The way in which the state park and campground are set up is easy too."

    "This was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker."

    2. Colt Creek State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Zephyrhills, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 815-6761

    $24 / night

    "Okay, so I didn’t do a ton of research, but I have driven around here before so I decided to get one of the primitive sites and do a little gear testing. 5+ per person/night -Bundles of firewood available"

    "Colt Creek State Park is one of the newer parks in the Florida State Park System. We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient."

    3. Crooked River Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    38 Reviews
    Nobleton, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 797-4140

    "Crooked River Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando County), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75."

    "Each campground has its primitive camp charm all come with a picnic table, parking spot, a wooden pole you can hang your garbage, and a water spout near by."

    4. Withlacoochee River Park

    12 Reviews
    Dade City, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 567-0264

    "Right near a ton of hiking trails and about 10-15 mins from Dade City."

    "Hottest month in Florida but still we had a lovely time here at this park. It was our first time taking our 2016 class C out on the road as total newbies."

    5. Green Swamp — West Tract

    9 Reviews
    Dade City, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 423-1476

    "Stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management."

    "This section of the FT is quite a nice walk, and I assume that most individuals looking at a site on the trail, are looking at Gator Hole."

    6. Cypress Glen Campground

    15 Reviews
    Nobleton, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 797-4140

    $22 / night

    "Perfectly located just off the exit for Brooksville off of I-75, and right off the Withlacoochee Rails to Trail bike/hiking path and near the [Croom Mountain Biking Trails](http"

    "This is a RV-tent camping site with all sites being a reasonable walking distance from the facilities in the center."

    7. Florida Sand Music Ranch

    6 Reviews
    Trilby, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 754-3082

    "Sertoma Youth ranch is located in Dade City, Forida off a dirt road. It has water and electric hookups and a dump station."

    "Located in Brooksville Florida, you will find more of Florida's nature hidden here. There's a swamp like lake in the back with plenty of birds to see."

    8. River Junction Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Nobleton, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 797-4140

    $14 / night

    "The road in called SW 113 ST was hardcore off road muddy driving. We pay for the sites so the road in could have been a lot less treacherous. Potholes all the way to the site."

    "Full over the weekend Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: thick shrubs Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Sand Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: none Through Traffic"

    9. Quail Run RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Land O' Lakes, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 973-0999

    "We stayed at Quail Run for a weekend in October as it was close to my son’s lacrosse practice location... we were pleasantly surprised with the very nice site with full hook ups and cable."

    "Close to epperson lagoon which was nice."

    10. Camper's Holiday

    7 Reviews
    Brooksville, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 796-3707

    $10 - $38 / night

    "We paid around 20/ night. There is a 55+ community using the same entrance and sharing the pool and park.

    The campground was about 1/2 full when we were here."

    "Treed sites, campers pavilion, swimming pool, group campfire site, secure, gated facility, close to all nature coast activities"

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Recent Reviews near Dade City, FL

1343 Reviews of 363 Dade City Campgrounds


  • Ethan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Colt Creek State Park Campground

    Good, clean campsite

    This campsite was nice with a good amount of wildlife. It was very quiet at night even with a decent amount of other people around. The only downside was there wasn’t a ton of privacy at every campsite, and the clean bathrooms were only missing toilet paper. Other than that, good campsite with very nice rangers.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    EG Simmons

    Pretty bare campground. Shade is LIMITED. Good water views and paddle sport area. Not a lot of trails to walk or hike. Nice little beach spot by the playground in the back. East side bathhouse is clean but needs updated.

  • Tara G.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Trimble Park Campground

    Incredible Hidden Gem

    Just returned from a 2 night stay at Trimble Park and I'm already planning my return next week!  The campground is very small and intimate, you will certainly get to know your neighbors and others staying in the park if you're going to be spending any time outside.  The park employees are zooming about on their golf carts multiple times within the hour during the day and always ready to help if needed.  The man in the office was amazing (I wish I had gotten his name) and so helpful, even swapping our spot for another with a better lake view!  Speaking of, the view is awesome!  Spots 8 and 9 are directly in front of the docks so if you mind other campers walking through your site to get to them, choose a different spot.  Even the spots that don't have a lake view are great!  Every site has a grill, separate fire ring, lantern hangers and picnic table plus electric and water hook ups.  Bathrooms are kept clean, every morning they are tended to.  My only complaint there is that the showers are very narrow.  I'm small and was feeling a bit cramped. Also the water pressure could definitely be stronger...took forever for me to rinse shampoo.  My personal issues are not enough for me to not come back though!  It's a great place to recharge and be at peace; I still can't get over how beautiful it is!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Serenova Tract Campsites

    Beautiful park

    The campground is nestled in a canopy of oaks ,pines with palmetto underbrush. It was packed when I arrived. But I found the ideal site around the Pavillion circle. It was nice to have neighbors after being alone for so long. My site doesn't have a fire ring, but a picnic table. Toilets and water not far away. Excellent trails to hike.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    October 2025

    It’s a beautiful campground. That’s a well maintained by The very friendly and helpful staff. The scenery and activities available at this part make it well worth the drive and work the stay.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Quiet, Clean, & Friendly

    Many of the lots are large & somewhat secluded. Trees for some shade. *Clean, friendly, & a gate code for safety. *Nothing can be tied to trees, including hammocks.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve

    Alafia North of Baseball Parking

    “Alafia North Corridor Park is such a peaceful escape. The trails wind through beautiful natural scenery, and the quiet surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing hike. It’s a great place to slow down, take in the fresh air, and enjoy the simple beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a longer hike, this park offers a calming outdoor experience.”

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Lithia Springs Park

    Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!


Guide to Dade City

Dispersed camping near Dade City offers options beyond state parks, with several sites providing unique experiences in the natural Florida landscape. The area sits at approximately 100 feet above sea level and features a mix of wetland areas, pine forests, and oak hammocks. Most primitive camping sites in this region require advance planning for water needs, as summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.

What to do

Paddling opportunities: Withlacoochee River Park provides access to kayak and canoe routes. "The river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging," notes Joanne W., who appreciates that "the Florida Trail starts there also."

Wildlife observation: River Junction Campground serves as a base for spotting native species. "The wildlife during the day is awesome to see on the water and then at night the animal life comes alive," explains Rusty R., adding that "the coyotes at night is one of the coolest things to listen to."

Stargazing sessions: Several campgrounds in the area offer dark sky viewing. The astronomy field at Withlacoochee River Park hosts local astronomy clubs during new moon nights, making it ideal for stargazers. One visitor noted, "This place is quiet and dark at night!"

Mountain biking trails: The Croom Mountain Biking Trails near Cypress Glen Campground provide technical rides through forest terrain. Located just off Interstate 75, these trails attract cycling enthusiasts who describe them as "a great spot to stop for the night" with "many like-minded cycling neighbors."

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Crooked River Campground offers private camping spots. "My boyfriend, myself, and 3 kids spent 4th of July weekend here and LOVED it! The spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest," shares Danae N.

Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate riverside camping options. At River Junction Campground, John O. reports they "stayed at campsite 14 it has its own private pool right in front of it with cold spring water it was an awesome experience."

Trail connectivity: Green Swamp West Tract provides direct access to the Florida Trail system. Kelly S. describes a memorable experience: "We hiked out about a mile along the Florida Trail and stayed for a night at the Gator Hole campsite. It was so peaceful... the symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget."

Clean facilities: Despite primitive settings, many campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. At Withlacoochee River Park, reviewers note "very clean bathrooms with showers" and at Green Swamp West Tract, a visitor mentioned that "a vault toilet was also provided and was pretty clean."

What you should know

Gate access procedures: Many campgrounds use combination locks or gate codes. At Green Swamp West Tract, "It is free but had to register at watermatters.org - (Southwest Florida Water Management). They provide you with a code to unlock the gate once registered," explains Monte W.

Limited cell service: Be prepared for connectivity challenges. At Withlacoochee River Park, campers report "perfect cell service with Verizon," while at River Junction "most cell phones have spotty reception here, but all the better for camping."

Seasonal flooding: Cypress Glen Campground and other riverside sites can experience water issues during rainy periods. "The sites are around a lake/river, so many of them are on a slope. I went when it was a rainier weekend and the water went through my site to the lake/river behind," reports Malaney H.

Reservation requirements: Policies vary significantly between campgrounds. At River Junction, "Sites 1 thru 3 are walk up only. These are also the only sites you can pay cash for. All the others are available on reserveamerica.com only."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water spots: Choose sites with safe water access for children. At Crooked River, Danae N. shares that "the kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs, they all agree that this was their favorite part."

Playground access: Hillsborough River State Park offers family-friendly amenities. "You can rent Surrey's and golf carts to cruise the park which is a nice plus," mentions Jason D., though he cautions they are "overpriced."

Bug protection essentials: Florida's humidity attracts mosquitoes, especially near water. One camper at Hillsborough River State Park warns, "The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June. We practically had to anchor our toddler to the picnic table so he wasn't carried away by them."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Scheduled ranger programs help children identify local species. At River Junction, families report seeing numerous wildlife species, with one camper noting they "enjoyed the water and the trails in the area. The day time nature is great. Then at night we got to hear different creatures of the night."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Cypress Glen, Karen T. notes, "Some of the outer loop sites had steep drop offs," and advises selecting sites carefully based on rig size.

Road condition awareness: Florida Sand Music Ranch and other rural campgrounds may have rough access roads. One RVer mentions the "rolling hills as you come into the check in of the ranch/campground," recommending appropriate vehicles for the terrain.

Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. A camper at Cypress Glen notes, "For you folks in an RV, there is a dump station located in Silver Lake Campground," which requires planning for longer stays.

Power options: Available electric service varies between parks. Many campgrounds offer 30-amp service, while others like Quail Run RV Park provide 50-amp connections on "nice wide, level concrete pull-through sites," though one camper notes it's "not really child friendly."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Dade City, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dade City, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 363 campgrounds and RV parks near Dade City, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Dade City, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dade City, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dade City, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Dade City, FL.