Surrounded by natural springs and located along Florida's west coast, Dunnellon sits at the confluence of the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers. The subtropical climate creates year-round camping opportunities with summer temperatures often reaching 90°F and winter lows around 50°F. Camping options range from primitive sites with river access to developed parks with full RV hookups.
What to Do
Hiking and wildlife viewing: Withlacoochee State Forest offers extensive trail systems through diverse habitats. "We hiked extensively in this tract and used Mutual Mine campground as one of our stop-overs. Very nice, open, flat areas to pitch tents and close to hiking trails," notes Alex M. of Mutual Mine Campground.
Swimming in natural springs: Crystal-clear waters provide refreshing swimming opportunities during hot months. "The place is very tropical, lush, and landscaping is really pretty. They have a great pool, hot tub, clubhouse area," mentions Laura H. about Crystal Isles RV Resort.
Boat rentals: Access the waterways directly from campgrounds. According to Crystal T., "The site has its own marina where you can easily rent pontoon boats. We did a manatee tour and they picked us up right at the dock. This was helpful since we didn't have a car with us."
Paddling: Kayaking through spring-fed waters lets campers spot wildlife up close. "La Chua trail was beautiful and we saw lots of gators. We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice," shares Lindsey H. about her experience at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between sites. "Large sites with ample separation from your neighbors. I am a native Floridian and this is the real deal," writes Jody O. about Silver Springs State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The region provides numerous animal sightings including manatees, alligators, and birds. One camper at Manatee Springs State Park shared, "Florida in its natural state. We had an incredible time camping here. Swimming in the Springs, canoeing, and seeing so much wildlife. The deer will literally eat out your hand! We saw 3 alligators, one was a 13 footer!"
Year-round accessibility: Glamping close to Dunnellon, Florida remains available through all seasons. Jennifer T. noted about Mutual Mine Campground, "It was a Family weekend for the books! Would absolutely recommend this campground, the watering hole helped us stay cool and the camp host was very informative and friendly."
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate how near these sites are to various points of interest. "Nearby to Crystal River, FL. Nearby there is an awesome rock beach, Manatees, and a walking path through wetlands. There is a fun downtown area and historical area," explains Laura H.
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation in site quality. "Site was flooded when we arrived and had to be moved. Lots of noise from fellow campers after hours," warns Ray P. about Crystal Isles.
Advance reservations recommended: Popular glamping sites near Dunnellon fill quickly, especially in winter. "Two days before travel were able to get 2 nights in a pull thru site w full hook up," mentions Jody O.
Waterfront sites limited: Premium locations often go to long-term campers. Dale R. notes about Nature Resort Campground, "A little short on waterfront spaces and boat docking. The only downfall to the campground is most of the waterfront is rented out to permanent residents."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects camping experience significantly. "Hot with skeeters the majority of the year, cold overnight in the winter. All kinds of little critters in the woods and access to hikes and many gators," reports Dan X.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground amenities: Kids need recreation options at camp. Erica D. shares about Crystal Isles, "Facilities were great. Pool was amazing as was the playground. Would stay again."
Safety near water: Many glamping options near Dunnellon have water access requiring supervision. At Silver Springs State Park, Carlos R. advises, "The glass bottom boat tour is an absolute must, we had such a wonderful time and the boat captain had lots of interesting information. We have a 4 year old and a 10 year old and they both really enjoyed the boat tour also."
Transportation options: Some campgrounds offer alternate ways to get around. Crystal T. recommends, "Also, the site has golf carts to rent. Highly recommended!"
Hiking difficulty levels: Some trails may challenge younger children. "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes," cautions Lindsey H.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes vary: Check measurements before booking. Tina S. notes about Crystal Isles, "We loved the concrete pad. Made it very easy to set up one night. The park was quiet and the office staff was very friendly."
WiFi and connectivity: Cell service differs between campgrounds. Laura H. shares, "Cell signals: T-Mobile was great, AT&T was decent."
Road conditions: Interior roads may present challenges. Jesse D. points out, "Clean campground. Most sites are on top of each other. I recommend getting site 13 if possible. Road noise is a bit of an issue."
Electrical hookup quality: Verify connections upon arrival. "Do not waste your time or money at this park. We arrived close to closing time for the office. We were assigned a lot for our rv. When we arrived at the lot and parked, we discovered someone had melted the 30 amp connection," warns Catherine A.
