Best Dispersed Camping near Gainesville, FL

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Gainesville? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Gainesville. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Florida camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gainesville, FL (6)

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Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Gainesville

23 Reviews of 6 Gainesville Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Tower Hunt Camp
    Mar. 11, 2024

    West Tower Hunt Camp

    Beautiful no Verizon service

    Nice spots with a bathroom book exchange and power at the bathroom if you need it.

  • Chris D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Jan. 16, 2024

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Actual campground is closed

    Cobb Camp Osceola is closed though the website makes no mention of the closure. There are people camping just beyond the campground without issue. Nice and quiet spot with 0 amenities. There was a portapoty and trash cans during hunting season. Good verizon and tmobile cell coverage.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Tower Hunt Camp
    Nov. 14, 2023

    West Tower Hunt Camp

    Great spot

    This place was very clean and most spots were very well spaced out. Porta potties and trash bins. Camp host was nice and they have a 14 day stay limit. Verizon service was pretty spotty. Having a host with no charge threw me for a bit of a loop. I only did an overnight, but it was a great place and had a nice feeling of seclusion without being too far from civilization. Also very clean.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Campground Closed But Camping Allowed Just Past Entrance

    We arrived late and saw the campground was taped off and a sign read closed indefinitely. However, we drove just past the campground and found many others camped on the side of the road. Trash and porta potty’s provided by National Forest.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Nov. 2, 2023

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Nice spot

    Sites are spread out and the road is rough getting in. No water or electric. Porta potty on site. No Verizon cell service.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Nov. 2, 2023

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Currently closed

    Currently closed, for maintenance, so could not stay there. Sites were level and Verizon service was good. As of 1 Nov closed with no date to reopen. State campground just down the road

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing
    Sep. 4, 2023

    Davenport Landing

    Sketchy

    There are some permanent party there seemed like 2 dudes in a truck with a big tent mad sketchy looking I wouldn’t recommend straight out of a horror movie

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Mar. 7, 2022

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Barely any service, shots heard, but sick view

    It’s a hunt camp. But it wasn’t hunting season necessarily. Heard many shots during the late afternoon when we got there, around 4p. Off and on until it got dark at 6:30p. We got an amazing spot with a view of the pond. Ground can be soft, but luckily it had been dry for a few days, but you could get stuck in some spots. Minimal, if any, cell service, so you will be disconnected pretty much.

  • Sam S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing
    Jan. 14, 2022

    Davenport Landing

    Yes, this is a place to sleep if you need it

    I would not come back here again. There were obviously some long term residents that had set up shack here, and while they did not make the campground feel unsafe, they were trashing up the place. For example, at our site there was a literal burning pit of garbage that we had to set up next to. We had to douse the fire just to not feel nauseous. Suffice to say, we left very early the next morning and never looked back.

  • DeziRay M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Jan. 9, 2022

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Awesome

    Free no water or electricity, porta-potties . Most campers stay to themselves and there's room for privacy

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Davenport Landing

    Nice….but.

    Really nice area unfortunately there’s a homeless commune.  we set up camp earlier in the day when there was only a few people hanging out wasn’t until a few hours later when I realized that they were living there. Then the rest of them showed up. It got super rowdy. Not to mention the whole area smells like burning plastic.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Easily accessible

    Depends on what you’re into. Great if you’re here as a hunt base camp maybe, but Cobb is not the idyllic peaceful personal campsite. I camped there with my boys in a tent, and they had a blast just playing in the dirt, but I had to figure out how to explain to them why someone had been there for the last 11 months and why we had to sleep through a running generator all night.

    We hiked in a few miles on the Florida Trail, so we had all our water supplies on our person. There’s a little pond there that we were purifying water out of with no issue, but if you drive in and car camp you can easily bring water with you.

    Not great for the backpacker, but probably pretty great if you’re driving in and hunting out of your tent or camper.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing
    Feb. 4, 2021

    Davenport Landing

    Quiet spot

    Pulled in around 9:30 pm. Big open spot. Last 100 yards driving back in were very bumpy but no problem with our van. Not sure about a larger RV. But great Tent/van spot.

  • Will J.
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Jan. 18, 2021

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Peaceful, relaxing, easy.

    This was our first time boondocking and it was the perfect site to try it out. We have a 26’ travel trailer and we did a few loops looking for a good site. It was pretty easy to see where the areas for camping are but it’s not as clear as a paid RV park. We ended up loving the site we picked. We were able to pull through instead of backing in (although a lot of the spots looked like you would need to back in), the ground wasn’t too muddy so we didn’t get stuck, and we didn’t even need to level the camper - it was naturally flat. As far as our actual stay - It was really peaceful. There were only a few other people there and we hardly ever saw them. We did have to be extra careful with our little dog tho because we did get the sense that something could try to eat it since the sites are in the middle of the woods. We generally felt safe tho and just made sure to take beat spray when we went out into the woods. There’s a trash receptacle (albeit small and easily filled) and a porta John at the entrance. All in all would definitely recommend this either as a quick overnight stop or to stay a week or two.

  • Michael W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Jan. 2, 2021

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Better of the Three

    Stayed a week. 2 different sights in campground. Really secluded, kept sights. Toilet and trash bins maintained 2 times a week. Went to other two sights, East Tower: Jam packed with hunters. Big Camp Hunt Camp: remote , small hard to get to. Rd 235. Deep hole , not recommended to cross. Would definitely stay here again. Special shout to neighbor [Lauren) solo female cudo. Nearby clean pond too.

  • Chrischelle N.
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Oct. 8, 2020

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Simple but neat

    Nice primitive campground with well maintained dispersed spots. No picnic tables or fire rings but plenty of space. Nice and quiet. Lots of space for RVs as well. Just make sure to check the ground before you park. Very muddy, could get stuck.

  • P
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    May. 3, 2020

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Nice getaway

    Nice place to unwind,  I'm in a travel trailer so I had the chance to take advantage of all the amenities my camper has to offer, the roads are a little rough, yet passiable, it was a little wet because of a rain a day earlier,  but, I had a blast, not much cell service, no tv stations,  I brought movies, really enjoyed myself.

  • Jamie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Tower Hunt Camp
    Dec. 3, 2019

    West Tower Hunt Camp

    Dispersed with bathroom and outdoor shower

    Lots of dispersed camping spots throughout, some right out in the open, and others are private. Campsites are scattered with nicely cleared areas within bush palms. Also available is a bathroom and an outdoor cold shower. (There is a book exchange in the bathroom) Simple horse stables with drinking water spigot.

  • Jamie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cobb Hunt Camp
    Dec. 3, 2019

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Great dispersed camping

    I've camped here a few different times and loved it every time. There are some older couples that come there every year. During hunting season, there are portable toilets, but no water. Picnic tables at various spots and plenty of shady areas.

  • Frank E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Davenport Landing

    Generally quiet primitive camping with water access

    Pprimitive, no reservations, gets some traffic visiting historic site.

  • Aliyah B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 17 Mile Hunt Camp
    Oct. 8, 2018

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Great Free Camp Spot

    Loved this spot. It had tons of space with space between camp spots. Quiet. Lots of locals during the day but settles down at night. Has picnic tables. Would go again for sure! Also easy to drive up and park car and put up tent next to it.



Guide to Gainesville

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gainesville, Florida, where nature meets adventure. With a variety of options available, campers can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors while exploring unique sites.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • The 17 Mile Hunt Camp offers stunning views of a serene pond, making it a perfect spot for those looking to connect with nature.
  • At Cobb Hunt Camp, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Osceola National Forest, surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife.
  • For a peaceful retreat, West Tower Hunt Camp provides well-spaced sites that allow for a sense of seclusion while still being close to essential amenities.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Gainesville

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at 17 Mile Hunt Camp, where the nearby pond is perfect for casting a line.
  • Hiking trails abound in the area, especially around Cobb Hunt Camp, allowing campers to explore the natural beauty of the forest.
  • Birdwatching is a popular activity at West Tower Hunt Camp, where you can spot various species in their natural habitat.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Davenport Landing

  • Davenport Landing is known for its relaxed atmosphere, where you can enjoy campfires and the company of pets.
  • While it may have some challenges, such as litter from long-term residents, it offers a unique experience for those seeking a more rugged camping adventure.
  • The area is accessible for both drive-in and walk-in campers, making it a versatile option for different camping styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gainesville, FL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gainesville, FL is Cobb Hunt Camp with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gainesville, FL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Gainesville, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.