Best Dispersed Camping near Havana, FL
Dispersed camping near Havana, Florida centers primarily on hunt camps and primitive sites within the Apalachicola National Forest. Several areas provide free camping opportunities, including Porter Lake Dispersed Camp approximately 20 miles southwest of Havana, which accommodates both tent and RV camping. Other options include Buckhorn Hunt Camp, Twin Poles Hunt Camp, and Cliff Lake Hunt Camp, all located within the forest boundaries and accessible via forest service roads. These sites offer varying levels of primitive camping experiences with minimal to no amenities.
Access to these dispersed camping areas requires careful navigation of forest roads that may become difficult during wet weather. Porter Lake Dispersed Camp features basic vault toilets and a non-potable water spigot but lacks other facilities. The site is accessible via both drive-in and walk-in routes. Buckhorn Hunt Camp and other hunt camps in the region are drive-in only with no amenities available. Fire restrictions vary by location and season – Porter Lake allows campfires while the hunt camps prohibit them. Most of these areas do not require permits and camping is free, particularly at Porter Lake Dispersed Camp.
The dispersed sites around Havana provide isolation and opportunities for wildlife observation. Porter Lake Dispersed Camp sits near water, making it suitable for boating, kayaking, and fishing. "Nice spot for a quick getaway from city life," noted one visitor to Porter Lake, though they mentioned road noise from a nearby bridge. Another camper observed that the area is "at least 30 miles either way on F13 (dirt road to campground) and other routes to any type of civilization" with "a lot of logging trucks who use the road during the day and other vehicles but at night total quiet just the wildlife." Buckhorn Hunt Camp receives less traffic outside hunting season and features more privacy between camping spots. Some areas previously had portable toilets that have been vandalized and not replaced, according to visitor reports.
