Dispersed camping near Hilliard, Florida centers around several hunt camps in the Osceola National Forest. These primitive dispersed campsites include 17 Mile Hunt Camp, Cobb Hunt Camp, West Tower Hunt Camp, and Sandhill Hunt Camp, all located within 30-45 minutes southwest of Hilliard in Baker and Columbia Counties. Each location offers rustic, no-fee or low-fee dispersed campsites with minimal amenities and varying levels of seclusion. These forest service areas permit tent and RV camping without reservations, though site availability depends on hunting seasons and maintenance closures.
Access roads to these dispersed sites range from passable dirt roads to more challenging terrain that may become muddy after rain. Campers should be prepared for potentially soft ground conditions that could cause vehicles to get stuck, particularly at 17 Mile Hunt Camp. Most sites have limited amenities, with West Tower being the most developed, featuring outdoor cold showers, drinking water, and toilets. Cobb Hunt Camp provides portable toilets during hunting season but has experienced periodic closures. A 14-day stay limit applies at West Tower Hunt Camp, while others may have seasonal restrictions during hunting periods.
These areas attract visitors seeking quiet, natural settings with minimal facilities. The dispersed campsites offer privacy, though proximity varies. According to one camper at 17 Mile Hunt Camp, "Nice primitive campground with well maintained dispersed spots. No picnic tables or fire rings but plenty of space." Another noted, "It's a hunt camp. Heard many shots during the late afternoon when we got there." Cell service is generally poor or non-existent, particularly at 17 Mile Hunt Camp. West Tower Hunt Camp receives positive reviews for cleanliness and maintenance, with one visitor describing it as having "a nice feeling of seclusion without being too far from civilization." Small ponds exist near some camping areas, providing scenery but requiring water treatment if used for consumption.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"This is a great place for dispersed camping, but it’s not as quiet as you might expect. Dogs bark all night, so it’s not the best place for those who are sensitive to noise."
"Trash and porta potty’s provided by National Forest."
"Definitely dispersed. Definitely got a little chilly tent camping."
TravelerThis is a great place for dispersed camping, but it’s not as quiet as you might expect. Dogs bark all night, so it’s not the best place for those who are sensitive to noise. However, it’s a great place to experience nature, even though there are some houses nearby. Just be aware that it can get extremely hot in the summer, so if you’re planning to go, make sure you have an RV or trailer.
GuideGreat spot to camp, did see a baby bear and a few wood peckers. Quiet clean and beautiful. No marked camp sites no reservations and no fees.
TravelerFeels like true north fl wilderness even though you’re very close to a rural residential area and only about 15 minutes off I-10. Any car can access even after heavy rain. Just don’t go too far deep because the road is rutted and muddy but there’s plenty of spots before that. I had signal (Verizon) at my site but it was spotty throughout the camp. The spots are huge, even had picnic tables, so great for group camping. I did see porter potties and another building next to it but I didn’t look inside. Only caveat is this IS a hunt camp so hunters are out with their dogs at night. I didn’t hear any gun shots but I did hear lots of dogs barking and howling, thankfully a good distance away so it didn’t bother me. Mosquitoes weren’t too bad this time of year even with the rain. I would come here again happily :)
GuideSeveral well marked, well maintained, and easy to pull into to spots. At&t 5g, 2 to 3 bars. Several others out here camping, but everything is spread out. There are toilets available, and they are clean. Once you pull into the parking space below the tower, you will see some dirt/sand roads. You need to head down those to find the spots. I wouldn't bring a trailer down, but my full sized 4x4 truck had no issues and no pinstripes added. Most spots have a picnic table and a firering. Amazing this spot is free.
ScoutThis has been an exceptional experience. Gorgeous trees & quiet, a beautiful rickety tower to climb, several bathrooms to choose from (cleaned daily), an outdoor shower, and mostly great neighbors! There's also a house across the road, which was comforting, given that I was traveling solo as a woman. They even helped when my car broke down and I needed to call a towing company. Speaking of phones, Verizon service was nonexistent at the second site and spotty at the first. I ended up driving out about 10 minutes to make calls & check my phone. Also note that hunters come on weekends and kick up a lot of dust while driving past camp sites; their dogs also make a lot of noise.
🙏🏼💗 So grateful for this time.
ScoutWe pulled in late, a lot of open spots. Other guests were camping. Definitely dispersed.
Definitely got a little chilly tent camping.
TravelerWe weren't sure what to expect considering the ride in past some shacks and few and far-between homes but the forest itself is incredibly spacious and shady with the campsites pretty far apart from each other (at least 4 sites that we saw) and each able to accommodate 5+ tents plus cars or trucks. Our site had three full-size picnic tables plus a fire grate on the ground if you chose to grill. It seemed like each site had an animal-proof trash bin, which was really handy. There were two porta-potties at the entrance to the camp area. This site was easily found on Google maps.
It was a half-moon so scattered moonlight but otherwise, no light pollution. There were a pack of dogs barking throughout the night, but not too loud or close to keep us awake. We saw them being picked up in the morning (at least 5 or 6) and loaded into a truck.
GuideCrime scene tape Has been removed since last visit so that's a plus. Lots of wide open area where if you have a trailer you can park. Not much privacy. Has the feel of a regular campground but its free. Small pond in the middle of the campground seems to have a few swirls. Can't drive thru the campground expect in a lifted truck due to water hole but main road access is available to the other side.
TravelerMy first night here was fantastic. I can stay up to two weeks here. It’s December and there was only two other people camping here my site. I couldn’t even see anybody.
Primitive camping near Hilliard, Florida is concentrated in the Osceola National Forest, approximately 30-45 minutes southwest of town. The forest spans 200,000 acres across Baker and Columbia Counties, with elevations ranging from 150-200 feet above sea level. During summer months, temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing between December and February.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple hunt camps offer access to diverse ecosystems. At 17 Mile Hunt Camp, campers can explore the small pond that attracts local wildlife. "We ended up loving the site we picked. We were able to pull through instead of backing 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," notes Will J.
Hiking access: The Florida National Scenic Trail passes near several camping areas, providing day hiking options. Nate D. at Cobb Hunt Camp reports, "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."
Disconnected relaxation: With minimal or no cell service at most sites, these areas provide true digital detachment. "Minimal, if any, cell service, so you will be disconnected pretty much," explains a camper at 17 Mile Hunt Camp. Another visitor noted, "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."
Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping offers varying degrees of separation between camping spots. "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," reports Jamie W. about West Tower Hunt Camp.
Spacious camping areas: Many sites provide ample room for setup. Chrischelle N. observed at 17 Mile Hunt Camp, "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."
Minimal light pollution: Remote locations away from urban areas create excellent stargazing conditions. "My first night here was fantastic. I can stay up to two weeks here. It's December and there was only two other people camping here my site. I couldn't even see anybody," reports Dan B. about West Tower Hunt Camp.
Seasonal closure issues: Some hunt camps experience periodic closures without advance notice. "Cobb Camp Osceola is closed though the website makes no mention of the closure. There are people camping just beyond the campground without issue," notes Chris D. Another camper reported, "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."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging, especially after rain. Brian observed at 17 Mile Hunt Camp, "Sites are spread out and the road is rough getting in." Another camper added, "Just make sure to check the ground before you park. Very muddy, could get stuck."
Hunting activity: Be aware of hunting seasons when planning your visit. "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," reports one camper about their experience.
Bring all necessary supplies: No services are available at most sites. "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," shares Will J., who visited with family.
Consider wildlife encounters: Small children and pets require supervision. "We did have to be extra careful with our little dog though 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 though and just made sure to take bear spray when we went out into the woods."
Seek out kid-friendly areas: Some sites offer more contained spaces for children. Aliyah B. at 17 Mile Hunt Camp shared, "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!"
Water management: No hookups are available, so plan accordingly. Patrick M. suggests, "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 passable."
Level site selection: RVers should scout locations before setting up. "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," notes Nate D. At West Tower Hunt Camp, one camper noted the area "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."
Generator rules: Policies vary by location. Some campers report hearing generators running overnight at certain locations, while other areas maintain quieter conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hilliard, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hilliard, FL is 17 Mile Hunt Camp with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hilliard, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Hilliard, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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