Hillsborough River State Park Campground
Showers and bathrooms are closed
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Furnished cabins near Dade City provide a range of accommodation options for visitors seeking comfort while enjoying Florida's natural surroundings. Withlacoochee River Park offers cabin rentals with electricity and basic amenities, located close to hiking trails and fishing opportunities. The cabins at Green Swamp West Tract provide more rustic experiences with fewer amenities but greater seclusion. A visitor commented that "the cabin was absolutely amazing, clean, spacious, and stocked with everyone we needed. Just had to bring food." Hillsborough River State Park Campground also features cabin accommodations with access to canoe rentals and swimming facilities.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Withlacoochee River Park maintains cabins that require advance reservations, especially during peak winter months when northern visitors seek Florida's warmer climate. Most properties allow pets in designated cabin units, though additional fees may apply. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "the group site can hold multiple troops at a time and is away from the regular tent and rv camping sites." Primitive cabins at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park operate without electricity but provide shelter for those seeking a more authentic outdoor experience.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties—some offer full kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves while others provide only outdoor cooking areas with fire rings and grills. Camp stores at locations like Hillsborough River State Park stock basic provisions, firewood, and ice. A camper wrote that they "BBQ'd in a pavilion one eve and it was super clean too." Grocery options exist in Dade City proper, approximately 10-15 minutes from most cabin locations, allowing visitors to stock up before arrival.
"Church groups and other not for profit organizations can book this space if the scouts have not - but they are given first opportunity according to park staff that I worked with."
"One of the most awarded State Parks! This park has everything! 3 full service camping loops full of sites - lots of space for RV's and Tents - 2 designated hammock camping spots."
Available this weekend
from $24 / night
"We didn't check out the bathroom, but the spots seemed fine. Right near a ton of hiking trails and about 10-15 mins from Dade City."
"This lovely county run park you will find at the end of a 15 min drive down a back country road. There is so much to see and do here. The campsites are well shaded."
"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. At the campsite there were about 15 sites."
"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."
"Behind concrete pad is gravel, this is where the picnic table and grill is. There is plenty of room for chairs and a fire pit in the graveled area."
"There are trash bins and fencing directly across the street and it makes backing in very difficult."
from $56 - $201 / night
"Cabin "camped" at Lake Louisa for a long weekend. The cabin was absolutely amazing, clean, spacious, and stocked with everyone we needed. Just had to bring food."
"Lake Louisa is located in Clermont Florida and is only 20 miles from Disney in Orlando. It is a newer park and the facilities were really nice."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $120 / night
"Nature trails. Adults only. Clothing optional. Daily events, drag shows. Bar, restaurant on-site. Store. Membership required. RV sites are very tight. No wifi yet, it's coming. AT&T was great."
"The store has so much great stuff and there is always entertainment. They even have a big farmers market on Sundays with tons of vendors."
"Great facility for families and pet friendly as well."
from $67 - $99999 / night
"This is a very nice RV Park resort. Sites have cement slabs most have double cement slabs which keeps everything nice and clean."
"Great location"
"Very nice campground conveniently located right off of 589 ( Suncoast Parkway) 38 miles north of TPA. FRIENDLY neighbors, pet friendly. Nice amenities."
"Great grocery store near by. Very nice neighbors. Very quiet at night & pretty friendly. Just didn't care for the office not being open on the weekends"
"Exceptionally friendly RV Park. Pool, laundry and small dog park!!!"










Showers and bathrooms are closed
Quiet. 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
Great location
Grass is beyond high. Little dogs can get lost in the grass. Some of the pavers near the pool stairs are lifting to where you need to watch your step or it pinches your foot.
The pros- centrally located. Clean pool. Not too busy of a campground. Large places.
Took the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
Great little spot. Seemed to rain every 5 minutes where they had to shut everything down but had good contingency plans. Golf carts galore with some sites a little more rowdy than the next, but plenty of room. Kids loved the pools and crafts, adults loved the tiki bars and live music.
Nice state park. Plenty of lakes, but also plenty of gators at this time; hatching season. Wide open space, great roads. Not all sites have sewer hookups, it’s worth finding out which one before booking, if it is important for you. Even glamping tents and cabins are available, cabins are right next to the lake. Swimming area at Lake Louisa has a playground with swings and even a beach/swimming area, but that seems awfully dangerous, given the noises the gators make about 30 feet away. Unfortunately there is not a lot of things to do near the state park if one wants to do anything outside of camping, at least not a lot I could find, maybe you are better at that. Apparently it is very popular with bikers and triathletes, I have seen at least 10 today, using the great roads.
If you're planning a visit to Walt Disney World or any of Orlando's major attractions and prefer staying in your own RV over an expensive hotel room, Sun Outdoors Orlando Champions Gate continues to be one of the more convenient options in the area. Since my original visit, the resort has matured nicely, with its modern facilities, clean grounds and resort-style atmosphere making it an appealing basecamp for exploring Central Florida. And make no mistake about it, while this is very much an RV resort – not a nature campground – this spot succeeds by delivering comfort, convenience and easy access to everything the Orlando area has to offer.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Beautifully renovated facilities that still feel modern and well-maintained; (2) Outstanding heated swimming pool, clubhouse and spotless comfort stations remain the centerpiece of the resort; (3) Full-hookup RV sites with concrete pads make setup quick and easy; (4) Exceptional location just minutes from Walt Disney World, ChampionsGate with countless dining, shopping and entertainment options; and (5) Everyday conveniences like Publix, Aldi, CVS and numerous restaurants remain close enough that you can leave the RV parked and run errands with ease.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The campground still feels more like an RV resort than a traditional campground, with relatively little mature landscaping or natural privacy; (2) Larger fifth wheels and motorhomes may find some sites a bit tighter than expected; (3) Tent campers will likely find the experience less appealing due to the predominance of paved surfaces and surrounding RVs; (4) Depending on your site's location, nearby road traffic can occasionally detract from the otherwise relaxing atmosphere; and (5) If you're seeking a true Florida nature experience, you'll need to venture beyond the campground to nearby lakes, conservation areas or state parks.
Happy Camping!
I know, I know, it’s not real camping. But I love it just the same. I love coming here even if I never step foot inside the theme parks. There plenty to do here. You can rent golf carts or bring your own. I love just driving around on the golf carts. They have campfires and trivia. Outside movies. The Trails End to get food at.
Horse stables. Halloween time is the best time to come. I love looking at everyone’s decorations.
Cabin accommodations near Dade City, Florida offer varying degrees of comfort on public lands and at private resorts. Most cabin rentals in this central Florida region sit at elevations between 50-100 feet above sea level, making them less prone to flooding than coastal alternatives. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-70°F, making this area particularly popular for snowbirds seeking rental cabins during December through March.
Hiking and wildlife watching: At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, trails showcase Florida's native ecosystems. "The nature Trails are amazing," notes Jason D., who also recommends watching for "green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy" during summer evenings.
Kayaking on multiple waterways: Paddle options range from calm lakes to flowing rivers. "Nice trails, great river canoeing. Close to Tampa and Busch Gardens," shares Billie S. about Hillsborough River State Park. At Withlacoochee River Park, Joanne W. found more challenging paddling: "The river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging."
Astronomy viewing: For stargazers staying in rustic cabins, Withlacoochee River Park offers special viewing opportunities. Jeanene A. notes, "On new moon nights the local astronomy club uses neighboring field to gaze at the stars. This place is quiet and dark at night!"
Affordability of primitive cabin options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate free and low-cost cabin camping. At Green Swamp West Tract, Abby M. reports, "Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management. They provide a Lock code for you to enter upon entering so there's always a locked gate during your stay."
Clean facilities: Rental cabins at private resorts typically offer more amenities than public land options. At Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, Danielle M. appreciates that "there are nice bathrooms with showers (soaps provided) and a laundry room. This is significantly more expensive than we typically spend camping, but we like to splurge for a weekend here and there."
Privacy between sites: Many cabins near Dade City offer good separation from neighbors. At Lake Louisa State Park Campground, Cyndi B. found that "most sites are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites, have a sizable picnic table and nice fire ring with grate."
Limited bathroom facilities: Some cabin areas have minimal restroom access. At Withlacoochee River Park, Rich S. cautions that "Restrooms are very sparse, however. Only one in the entire camping area, with only one stall in the men's, two in the women's and one shower each."
Booking windows: Most cabin rentals require planning ahead, especially in winter months. For Green Swamp West Tract, Monte W. explains: "You are permitted to collect fire wood as long as it has fallen from the tree. For a free campsite, I can't complain. I would stay here again."
Insect preparation: Florida's humid climate means insects are common, particularly at dawn and dusk. "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.
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose parks with dedicated recreation areas. At Crews Lake Wilderness Park, cabins provide access to "well maintained trail. There are a lot of other small trails that lead off into the woods," according to Marquee M.
Water activities: Swimming pools supplement natural water features at some cabin locations. Camp Margaritaville offers "a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," according to Danielle M.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cabin camping provides chances to spot native species. At Withlacoochee River Park, The R. family reports: "We saw armadillos, turtles, large Ospreys, and a small gator by the fishing dock."
Site accessibility: Many cabin areas have limited turning radius for large vehicles. At Big Oaks RV Resort, Debra R. appreciates the "pool, laundry and small dog park" but notes limited space around cabins.
Winter booking considerations: Seasonal cabin rental prices can double from summer to winter. William C. shares that at Withlacoochee River Park, "It's $25 a night, for both the rec field and their regular spots. There are 12 or so normal RV spots with a bath house."
Pack-in recommendations: For remote cabin locations, carefully plan what you'll bring. Steve E., who stayed at Green Swamp West Tract, admits: "We brought a little too much gear for the 1/2 mile hike. But aside from that and the rain, we really enjoyed the tranquil scenery of our site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Dade City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Dade City, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Dade City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 cabin camping locations near Dade City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring