Primitive camping sites near Lamont, Florida offer direct access to Florida's unique ecosystems with minimal infrastructure. Located in central Florida where temperatures range from 50°F in winter to 90°F in summer, these sites provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and water activities. Most campgrounds require advance reservations through county park systems or water management districts.
What to do
Hiking trails: Upper Hillsborough Preserve's Alston Tract features 16 miles of partially wooded roads marked for multi-use activities. "The map has numbers that match small signs posted at trail junctions, making for easy navigation," notes a camper, though they warn that "parts of these trails can be filled with water (large puddles)."
Kayaking and canoeing: Hillsborough River State Park Campground provides access to river paddling through diverse ecosystems. One visitor mentioned, "The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do."
Wildlife viewing: Cypress Creek Preserve offers opportunities to observe native Florida species in their natural habitat. The preserve maintains primitive camping areas with basic facilities. A recent visitor noted, "Spent 7 days it was a great camping trip. Clean. There weren't that many people due to covid issue. Weather couldn't have been any better."
Swimming and recreation: Fort De Soto Campground features designated swimming areas and recreational facilities. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of tons of Birds!" shared one enthusiastic camper.
What campers like
Private campsites: Fort De Soto Campground offers spacious sites with natural buffers. "Very private spots lots of trees," notes one reviewer, though they caution about "lots of bugs in the summer time." Another camper appreciated that "many sites are waterfront and are mostly well separated."
Clean facilities: Terry Tomalin Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite its rustic setting. "Friendly people running the campground and it's pretty spacious! It's in an awesome location, too," reports one camper. Another mentions, "This place was newly renovated for guest to stay. The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren't too close to other campers."
Yurt accommodations: Several parks near Lamont, Florida offer yurt camping options with elevated comfort. The structures typically include solid flooring, furniture, and protection from the elements while maintaining a camping atmosphere. Unlike the glamping options mentioned in the existing description, these yurts often have simpler amenities focused on practical needs rather than luxury touches.
Dark skies: Multiple campgrounds in the area maintain minimal lighting, creating opportunities for stargazing. One camper at Cypress Creek Preserve noted it was a "hideaway" with minimal interference from surrounding development, making it ideal for night sky observation when weather permits.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking. At Starkey Wilderness Preserve, "You must reserve a site with Southwest Florida Water Management by website. It is sometimes closed to hunting," explains one reviewer.
Seasonal closures: Weather conditions and management schedules affect availability. A visitor to Hillsborough River State Park mentioned, "This park just reopened a couple of weeks ago from the hurricanes. They are slowly bringing the sites back up to par, but it is still an awesome place."
Insect protection: Biting insects are common, particularly in warmer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns one Hillsborough River State Park camper.
Campground restrictions: Rules vary significantly between locations. At Terry Tomalin, "Please be aware that this is a very restrictive campground. You can only tent and you are not allowed to smoke anything Vape anything drink anything alcoholic," cautions a camper.
Water access considerations: Several campgrounds have water features but limited access points. E.G. Simmons Regional Park offers waterfront sites but one visitor notes, "you really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no see-ums."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "There are many hiking, bike trails, and 2 playgrounds within mere steps of your tent or cabin," notes one family camper who visited with "4/5 year old boys and our Cub Scout pack."
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide nature programs and historical exhibits. At Fort De Soto, families can explore "the historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking" all in one location.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for children to play safely. One reviewer noted about Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, "Starkey's Campground has everything you could want or need. Friendly staff, plenty of critters, and beautiful trails to walk. Campsite #9 has so far been my most favorite spot here. It's VERY spacious (could easily fit 5 large tents here)."
Noise considerations: Weekday camping offers quieter experiences at most campgrounds. A camper at Starkey Wilderness Park warned, "IF YOU ARE HOPING FOR PEACE AND QUIET, DO NOT GO ON A WEEKEND. I went on a Friday night, and the entire campground was PACKED. Very loud, too many tents packed into each site."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: E.G. Simmons Regional Park provides sites with improved surfaces. "Paved roads, packed sand and grass sites, 30A and water at each site, two separate campgrounds each with a dump station and bath house," reports one RVer who appreciated the infrastructure.
Site selection: Waterfront locations offer the best experience at many parks. An experienced camper at E.G. Simmons noted, "We were in site 55 of the East CG which was right on the water where we launched our kayaks to paddle the canals amongst the Mangroves."
Hookup details: Understand the limitations of each site. "The sites have full hook up, but we had a premium site and it was on a patch of dirt/grass...I would recommend any of the few concrete sites if you can get one," advises an RVer who stayed at Sherwood Forest RV Resort.
Access roads: Some preserves have rough entry roads. A Cypress Creek Preserve visitor cautioned, "I suggest you arrive before dark as the road is a bit rough and narrow, with no light."
