255 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tampa East RV Resort welcomes pets in all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. Located in Dover, Florida, this highly-rated resort features dedicated dog parks and green spaces for exercising pets. Lazydays RV Resort, another pet-friendly option nearby, maintains two dog runs and a dog wash station. Sites at these parks provide water and electric hookups, though Lazydays notes that RV sites are positioned closely together with limited privacy between them. The parks enforce typical pet policies requiring dogs to remain leashed when outside designated off-leash areas. Security patrols are present at night, creating a safe environment for evening dog walks. Most campers find the pet-friendly atmosphere accommodating, with one visitor specifically recommending sites 36-38 at Lazydays for their large adjacent grass area perfect for pets.
Several hiking and recreational options accommodate dogs near these campgrounds. Edward Medard Park, approximately 15 minutes from Dover, offers pet-friendly trails and fishing areas where pets can join their owners. The park features paved bike paths suitable for walking dogs and multiple piers for fishing access. Hillsborough River State Park and Alafia River State Park both permit leashed pets on their trail systems but prohibit them from swimming areas and buildings. When camping with pets in this region, be aware of wildlife concerns including raccoons that are particularly persistent at Edward Medard Park. Campers report that leaving food unattended, even briefly, will attract these animals. The Tampa area's warm climate requires consideration for pet comfort, with shaded sites being valuable during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"What a beautiful well kept facility near suburbia. Just a short drive from Tampa and Lakeland areas this first come first served facility is a favorite of locals."
"Camping is first come first serve but gives you access to the park after hours. Camp sites are bit close to one another but overall amazing experience."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"This campground was adequate and very close to I-4. Sites are accommodating and clean. Pool and restaurant on site."
"It is very dog friendly and the sites are spacious. There are a lot of activities and a great pool area. This campground is close to Busch Gardens Tampa. We stayed here in a motor home."
from $61 - $83 / night
Check Availability"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Most every one has a dog or two. Everyone obeys the dog rules, not one dog barks excessively. All the campers are courteous about each other and are quiet."
"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."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Lots of shaded spots, 3 laundry facilities around the park (2 w/bathhouses). Large fenced in swimming pool, clubhouse with pool table, games, movies, kitchen, activities almost daily."
"Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."
"It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"The neighbors are super helpful and friendly, when I couldn’t locate a doggy poop station to discard dog bags, a neighbor offered to collect and take trash to (location unbeknownst to me) dumpster on my"
"Good location!"
ScoutBeautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.
TravelerPricey but it's Disney. Lots of activities to do at the campground without going to the parks. Clean and well maintained campsites and bathrooms. The roads are narrow in the loops and the sites can be difficult to get into. Pet friendly with dog parks and trails.
LegendOne of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol.
We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.
Amazing views.
Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
RangerThis is probably the largest park we have ever stayed in. We normally go for the smaller quaint parks but we decided to try it out. We went along the outside rim in site Mako 7. The sites are large enough and have most have full hook ups. Not many trees for shade, but it is in Florida so that is to be expected. We were fortunate to have a couple of grassy areas around close to walk the dog. There is a dog park but it was on the other end of the campground. We did go one day and the park is nice. It’s sand and has poop bags. But no water for drinking so take your own. This side of the park had more trees and was nice for walking around with the dog. No WiFi in the area closest to the dog park. Sites seemed mostly level but only the new section has nice concrete pads. The older sections are hit and miss as to what the site looks like. All in all it’s a great location for visiting all the local attractions... (but we didn’t do that).
GuideThis is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.
GuideLithia 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!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
LegendThe Hog Island Recreation Area is located on the eastern bank of the Withlacoochee river close to the small town of Nobleton. Part of the recreation area includes the Hog Island Nature Trail, part of the Trailwalker Program and officially certified as part of the longer Florida National Scenic Trail. The Hog Island Campground (fl-dof.com) provides nicely shaded and dry campsites for tent and RV campers with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. These sites are amazingly screened from each other with natural understory vegetation and access to the Withlacoochee River. Restroom with showers (which could use a little love and care), water spigots and a dump station are located nearby. Campers arriving by canoe can stay at a riverside campsite that includes access to drinking water.
This is a good campground with pretty decent warm/hot showers and electric hookups, so you aren't going to really be spending a few days completely off the grid. Although, cellular service is spotty, but mostly usable. The camp hosts were really nice and supposedly no pets are allowed, but I definitely heard some dogs at night. Just a few steps away is the Hog Island boat ramp, nature trail and a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail leaving you with lots to do.
You get your standard nice campground features
· Large shared picnic area
· Good fishing
· Canoe and boat launch
· No pets allowed.
*I heard some dogs and there were basically no one around, so maybe the host let some people get away with it…
· 2-mile loop Nature Trail.
· Hiking trails:
· Equestrian trails:
Located in central Florida, Dover sits within Hillsborough County, approximately 15 miles east of Tampa. The area features relatively flat terrain with an elevation ranging between 60-75 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-72°F, making it a popular destination for pet friendly camping near Dover, Florida during the cooler months when humidity levels decrease significantly.
Hike Florida's rare rapids: Hillsborough River State Park features Class II rapids, unusual for Florida's typically flat terrain. "A beautiful park that is a real taste of old Florida, with a campground that is completely shaded by oak trees. At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," notes Jason D. who visited Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Alafia River State Park offers extensive mountain bike routes built on former phosphate mining land. "I was probably the only hiker at this park and there were a ton of mountain bikers. I loved that they had a ton of different trails to choose from, some just hiking or biking, and some mixed ones," explains Elizabeth G. from Alafia River State Park Campground.
Kayak natural waterways: Paddle through the natural springs and clear water at Lithia Springs Park. "The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," shares Rebecca A. who visited Hillsborough River State Park.
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the well-designed campsites at Lithia Springs. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents," notes Ryan who stayed at Lithia Springs.
Clean facilities: Colt Creek State Park receives high marks for its newer amenities. "They did a fantastic job in all areas of their new campground. So much to do and it was so quiet and clean. The entire staff was so friendly and helpful," writes Rick W. who visited Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide excellent opportunities for animal sightings. "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life, we saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," shares Barbara A. about Colt Creek State Park.
First-come, first-served options: Some campgrounds don't take reservations. "It is a first come, first serve type campground. Very pretty and wooded for Florida. Great to bike around and see everything," explains Jeff G. about Edward Medard Park.
Insects can be intense: Summer months bring significant mosquito activity. "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," warns Jason D. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Cell reception varies: Coverage can be spotty depending on location. "We got 4 bars on Verizon. Water pressure was above 60 psi, so we needed a reducer," notes MickandKarla W. about their stay at Lazydays RV Resort.
Playgrounds available: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "There is a nice spring to swim in. Several sites are on the river," shares Rick W. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Make camping educational with the abundant wildlife. "Lots to do around the state park," writes Melissa A. about Colt Creek State Park, which is known for its diverse bird species and animal sightings.
Food storage protocols: Wildlife, especially raccoons, can be persistent. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," advises Jake H. about Hillsborough River State Park, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Sites sit 90 degrees to the narrow street, so backing can be tricky, especially with all the vehicles parked along the road perpendicular to the pad entrance," explains MickandKarla W. about their experience at Lazydays RV Resort.
Utility connections: Check utility locations before setting up. "Water and electric were located in the middle of the pad. The sewer was at the end of the pad, and we needed right at 20 feet of hose," reports MickandKarla W. about Lazydays.
Security features: Many campgrounds offer added security measures. "Security at night was friendly and helped us feel safe. Our spot had a nice light at the power pole which made it easy when loading up at night," shares Samantha M. about their stay at Lazydays RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dover, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dover, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 64 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dover, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 255 dog-friendly camping locations near Dover, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
