Thonotosassa, Florida features abundant outdoor recreation opportunities within the 18,000-acre Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve and surrounding conservation areas. The region maintains an average annual temperature of 72°F with summer highs reaching 90°F and higher humidity from June through September. Primitive campsites in the area typically have basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings, with access restrictions varying seasonally due to hunting schedules and water levels.
What to Do
Trail riding and hiking: The oak and pine forests provide over 16 miles of multi-use trails suitable for various experience levels. At Colt Creek State Park Campground, "There are 2 primitive sites along a 10 mile loop trail" and "The park was beautiful. The campsites were clean! Everything was so nice and conveniently located."
Fishing and wildlife viewing: Multiple water features offer fishing opportunities throughout the wilderness areas. "We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently... There is a lovely fishing doc with easy access," reports a visitor to Colt Creek. Another camper at the park noted they saw "deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets."
Mountain biking: The terrain offers diverse trail experiences for cyclists. At Alafia River State Park Campground, "I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here." The park is known for trails of varying difficulty through former phosphate mining land.
What Campers Like
Privacy and seclusion: Despite proximity to urban areas, many sites offer quiet camping experiences. At Oak Ridge Primitive Campground, "This campground is huge as you can use it either as a primitive site or an equestrian site. Although it's nice and open you actually have a ton of tree coverage."
Free camping options: Several campgrounds in the area provide no-cost camping with basic facilities. At Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract, campers appreciate that it's "Beautiful, Clean, Quiet. We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails."
Wildlife encounters: Natural habitats support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Green Swamp reported: "The symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget." Another camper at Colt Creek mentioned seeing "deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets."
What You Should Know
Water availability: Non-potable water is common at primitive sites. At Little Manatee River State Park Campground, "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks." Primitive sites elsewhere require campers to bring their own water or filtration systems.
Access challenges: Road conditions can impact vehicle access to some sites. At Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, a camper noted: "It's a long dirt road to get to the campsite and I didn't think my car would make it through some of the big puddles after rain. Chevy Malibu isn't really known for off-roading."
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping near Thonotosassa requires advance reservations. For Green Swamp West Tract, "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." This system helps maintain site security.
Tips for Camping with Families
Accessibility options: Some campgrounds offer features for mobility-impaired visitors. At Colt Creek, "Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety. These tent sites had water and electric as well. There are 2 of these sites available and both are easily accessed from handicap parking close by."
Multi-activity options: Sites with varied amenities keep children engaged. Little Manatee River State Park offers "Great little campground, clean with good natural foliage dividers between campsites. Nice walking trails, & a gentle river for an easy paddle."
Seasonal considerations: Prepare for insects during warmer months. At Green Swamp — West Tract, one camper warned: "Beware however of mating season for the caterpillars! They were everywhere!!" Summer camping requires additional planning for heat and bugs.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Large rigs can access several developed campgrounds in the area. At Colt Creek, "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping." Another camper mentioned: "We have stayed in site 1 and 11 and didn't need blocks for either."
Hookup availability: Services vary significantly between primitive and developed campgrounds. At Alafia River State Park, campers can expect full hookups, while at Green Swamp West Tract, "Most had non-potable water. All had a picnic tables and fire ring. My site had a covered picnic table."
Generator usage: Policies differ on generator use at primitive equestrian sites. At Cypress Creek Preserve, one camper shared: "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," though this practice may not be permitted at all locations.
