Best Dispersed Camping near Dover, FL

The Dover, Florida area features a mix of inland and coastal camping options within driving distance of the city. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area offers primitive camping with drive-in and walk-in access, providing shaded sites with fire rings and picnic tables but limited amenities. Within a broader radius, several boat-accessible island preserves create unique camping experiences, including Shell Key Preserve and Anclote Key Preserve State Park. These locations provide free primitive camping on undeveloped barrier islands along Florida's Gulf Coast, requiring permits but offering seclusion not commonly found in the region's more developed campgrounds.

Camping logistics vary significantly between inland and coastal sites. Upper Hillsborough provides easier access with pull-through sites suitable for RVs and tent camping, though without drinking water or modern facilities. Island preserves require watercraft for access, with campers noting that "you must have your own transportation to stay overnight" as "ferry services do not drop visitors off for overnight camping." Weather conditions impact accessibility, particularly for kayakers heading to offshore islands. Summer brings intense heat and mosquitoes, with one camper advising to "make sure to have everything you need, especially bug spray." Most preserves enforce strict pack-in, pack-out policies with no trash service available.

Campers consistently highlight the natural experience as the primary draw of the region. Island campsites offer remarkable solitude, with visitors reporting that "by about 4pm we basically had the island to ourselves." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers encountering "sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes." The primitive nature of these sites requires preparation, as one reviewer notes sites have "lots of plants, shrubs, sticks and stones which can make being in a tent pretty rough if you don't have a good pad and a tarp." Seasonal considerations affect activities, with "campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting" on some preserves. The trade-off for minimal amenities is exceptional natural beauty, with "beautiful sunset and sunrises with crystal clear water."