Top Free Dispersed Camping near Grand Island, FL

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Grand Island, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Grand Island, FL (9)

    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Sink

    1. Blue Sink

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    35 Saves

    Area may be unavailable. Please check with the local USFS Ranger station to check on status.

    Many people enjoy this solitude and primitive experience, but knowing your limits, skills and abilities is a must. Following certain rules and regulations will help make your experience safer and ensure settings remain unspoiled. https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/florida/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=70792&actid=34

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    • No image available
      • No image available
        • No image available

          4. St. Johns River Dispersed Spot - Ocala NF

          1 Review
          139 Saves

          Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of dispersed camping - camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers with few services or facilities. Additional skills are necessary for a successful trip. It is your responsibility to know your limits and abilities before you try this experience. Certain rules and regulations will make your experience safe and ensure settings remain scenic and unspoiled. Leave No Trace. Be Bear Aware. Minimize Waste. Pack it in, pack it out. Dispose of all garbage in proper receptacles. Bury all human and pet waste at least 6 inches deep and at least 100 feet away from any water source. Camp Considerately. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas or less than 100 feet from streams and other water sources. Pick a previously used site. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites. Make your campsite less visible, so other visitors can experience a “wild” setting. Avoid camping in the middle of a clearing or meadow. Be aware of forest boundaries. Get permission before camping on private property. Control your Campfire. Do not camp in an area with campfire restrictions listed under Alerts & Notices and Forest Supervisor's Orders. Use existing fire rings, fire pans or mound fires to minimize scarring rocks, soil and plants. Gather and use down and dead firewood. Do not cut standing trees or limbs off standing trees. Burn all wood and coals down to ashes. Make sure campfires are dead out and cold to the touch before leaving. Douse them with water and stir with a shovel. Know the Rules. Generally, there is a 14-day per month stay limit on the National Forests in Florida. Establishing residency is against federal regulation. Groups of over 75 people must obtain a special use permit from the nearest national forest office. Pets are welcome in most areas but must be kept on a leash. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites during general gun season, as defined in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations for the Wildlife Management Areas.

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Phone Service
          • Tents
          • Dispersed
          • Alcohol
          • No image available
            Camper-submitted photo from Davenport Landing

            6. Davenport Landing

            5 Reviews
            1 Photo
            52 Saves

            Many people enjoy this solitude and primitive experience, but knowing your limits, skills and abilities is a must. Following certain rules and regulations will help make your experience safer and ensure settings remain unspoiled. https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/florida/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=70792&actid;=34

            • Pets
            • Fires
            • Phone Service
            • Tents
            • Group
            • Dispersed
            • No image available
              • No image available
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
                Camper-submitted photo from Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area

                9. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area

                1 Review
                11 Photos
                30 Saves

                Primitive and backcountry camping available. No amenities available.

                • Pets
                • Fires
                • Reservable
                • Dispersed
                • Picnic Table
                • WiFi

              Recent Dispersed Reviews In Grand Island

              10 Reviews of 9 Grand Island Campgrounds


              • EThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Trout Lake Primitive Sites
                Jan. 26, 2024

                Trout Lake Primitive Sites

                Nice secluded sites

                Set of primitive spots near lake. Main road entry is packed dirt; smaller access road to sites is two-track about 1/4 mile through woods — very narrow tree clearance. 4WD recommended. Just barely scraped a FWD Promaster through the trees, into a pullout just before sand started. Poor cell service even with booster. Plan on returning after antenna upgrade. Not the cleanest but passable.

              • MThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dorr
                Nov. 13, 2023

                Lake Dorr

                Area Unsafe and Had to Leave. Please avoid.

                Attempted to stay at this campground but left because it felt unsafe. Spoke to a local that warned of violence, robbery, and killings in this area of the national forest.

                Got stuck in sand on the way out and had to wait for a tow truck. Tow truck driver carried a gun because of how unsafe the area is and warned us not to stay.

                Please avoid the Ocala NF!

                If you do decide to come to this campground, avoid north part of Ron Paul Drive. You’ll either get stuck in sand or have issues to low/tight trees. Drive further south of the other side of Ron Paul Drive.

              • J
                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

              • Destiny R.
                Camper-submitted photo from Blue Sink
                May. 4, 2022

                Blue Sink

                Blue Sink

                Most beautiful place to stumble upon. You may need ATV or creative backpacking to get there now. The Forestry Service recently chopped down trees and covered the easy access roads.

              • 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.

              • 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.

              • 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.

              • Frank E.
                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.



              Guide to Grand Island

              Camping near Grand Island, Florida, offers a mix of fun activities and beautiful nature. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

              What to do:

              • Explore the springs: Visit Alexander Springs Recreation Area for a refreshing swim. One camper mentioned, “The spring is walking distance from the campground - we saw turtles, otters, and many fish while swimming in the spring.”
              • Kayaking and canoeing: At Silver Springs State Park Campground, you can paddle down the river. A visitor shared, “We had our own kayaks so we put in at the head springs and paddled down to the campground.”
              • Hiking: Trails abound in places like Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, “The trails are absolutely gorgeous. Natural palms growing among tall pines.”

              What campers like:

              • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A guest at Lake Louisa State Park Campground said, “Shower facilities are recently remodeled and impeccable, with new wall tiles and epoxy floors throughout.”
              • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. A visitor at Thousand Trails Orlando mentioned, “The staff was very friendly and accommodating.”
              • Privacy between sites: Campers enjoy having space from their neighbors. One reviewer at Blue Spring State Park Campground noted, “The individual campsites give off a vibe of privacy, intimacy, and solitude.”

              What you should know:

              • Noise levels can vary: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially on weekends. A camper at Salt Springs Recreation Area said, “Loud and rowdy campers all weekend long—day and night.”
              • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have electric or water hookups. A visitor at Alexander Springs Recreation Area pointed out, “For the price, no electric or water hookups and the facilities were not well maintained.”
              • Reservations are recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground advised, “If you find yourself out-of-luck in finding an available campground site to reserve, try your luck at booking one of the cabins.”

              Tips for camping with families:

              • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A family at Lake Louisa State Park Campground enjoyed, “There’s a playground and a small beach to put your feet into the water.”
              • Rent a golf cart: At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, renting a golf cart can make it easier to get around. One camper shared, “With our rented golf cart, we had no problems escorting our guests to our campsite.”
              • Plan for downtime: Make sure to have games or activities for quieter moments. A visitor at Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground mentioned, “There are plenty to keep kids and kids at heart busy.”

              Tips from RVers:

              • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Orlando noted, “D section is old-school, Florida State Park-like camping. It’s tight for big rigs.”
              • Look for pull-through sites: These can make parking easier. A camper at Juniper Springs Recreation Area mentioned, “Only Tropical camping area has pull-throughs.”
              • Be prepared for limited cell service: Some areas may not have good reception. A visitor at Salt Springs Recreation Area said, “No park WiFi and no T-MOBILE cell service.”

              Camping around Grand Island, FL, has something for everyone, whether you’re in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!

              Frequently Asked Questions

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

                According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Grand Island, FL is Blue Sink with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

                TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Grand Island, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.