6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping near Keystone Heights, Florida includes four free primitive campsites within the Ocala National Forest: West Tower Hunt Camp, Davenport Landing, Cobb Hunt Camp, and 17 Mile Hunt Camp. These dispersed campsites offer well-spaced areas suitable for tents and some RVs, with most enforcing a 14-day stay limit. Campers should prepare for truly primitive conditions at most sites, particularly at Davenport Landing, which offers no facilities whatsoever.
Road conditions to these dispersed sites require careful navigation. According to reviews, Davenport Landing requires traveling "a hefty trek down a winding gravel road" with numerous divots and potholes. Similarly, 17 Mile Hunt Camp has rough access roads that can become muddy after rain. Ground conditions at all sites may be soft, creating potential for vehicles to become stuck. High-clearance vehicles are recommended, especially during wet weather.
Amenities vary significantly between locations. West Tower Hunt Camp features porta-potties, trash bins, and even a cold outdoor shower with a camp host on site. Several campers noted the cleanliness of this location, with one visitor reporting it was "very clean and most spots were very well spaced out." Cell service is limited or non-existent at most sites. Davenport Landing offers access to the Ocklawaha River with opportunities for fishing and paddling, plus a 1.2-mile interpretive hiking trail. Wildlife awareness is essential; alligators, black bears, and "coyo-dogs" (coyote-dog hybrids) have been reported in these areas, particularly at Davenport Landing.
"Pprimitive, no reservations, gets some traffic visiting historic site."
"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."
"Trash and porta potty’s provided by National Forest."
"Definitely dispersed. Definitely got a little chilly tent camping."
"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."
"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."
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 :)
ScoutSmall area, close camping so No privacy, I you are nearby the water, First come first serve spots, has walking trail in the area. Beware of Bears.
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.
GuideI really enjoyed this spot, but I did spot a bear on my way in and scat along the road. I wouldn't recommend this spot to beginners or inexperienced outdoor enthusiasts. There is a campground nearby that charges 10bucks a night that I would recommend for families or beginners. Delancy Campground is accessible from this (FS Road 74) location
Primitive camping near Keystone Heights, Florida offers accessible wild camping options within Ocala National Forest and surrounding areas. These free dispersed sites have varying access conditions, with most requiring navigation down unpaved roads that deteriorate after rainstorms. The Florida heat intensifies from May through September, with average summer temperatures reaching 90°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms creating potential access challenges.
Paddling opportunities: Davenport Landing provides direct river access for kayakers and paddleboarders. "There's an amazing little access point here to the Ocklawaha river that runs through this neck of the woods – which used to be a riverboat stop where steamboats would stop to fuel or disembark enroute to Silver Springs," notes Stuart K. from Davenport Landing.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for diverse Florida wildlife across all sites. At 17 Mile Hunt Camp, the pond area offers excellent wildlife viewing. "We got an amazing spot with a view of the pond," shares Moe B. from 17 Mile Hunt Camp, though campers should "be extra careful with our little dog tho because we did get the sense that something could try to eat it since the sites are in the middle of the woods."
Historical exploration: For history enthusiasts, several sites offer opportunities to explore old settlements. "If you have an explorer's mindset, you'll be richly rewarded here as there is a small gravesite from the Civil War that you can find along with middens along the Ocklawaha River hiding traces of the Timucuan Indians that once populated this area," according to one Davenport Landing camper.
Natural shade coverage: The forest canopy provides welcome relief during hot Florida days. "We didn't see anything bad with this place when we were there. Had no one around and nice and cool in the forest," writes Ethan B. about Davenport Landing.
Space between sites: Most dispersed areas offer good separation between campsites. At West Tower Hunt Camp, Brian notes the campground "was very clean and most spots were very well spaced out." Similarly, Aliyah B. appreciates 17 Mile Hunt Camp for having "tons of space with space between camp spots. Quiet. Lots of locals during the day but settles down at night."
Book exchange: The primitive camping area at West Tower Hunt Camp offers a unique amenity. "Also available is a bathroom and an outdoor cold shower. (There is a book exchange in the bathroom)," mentions Jamie W. from West Tower Hunt Camp.
Seasonal considerations: During hunting season, amenities may change. At Cobb Hunt Camp, Jamie W. notes, "During hunting season, there are portable toilets, but no water. Picnic tables at various spots and plenty of shady areas."
Variable occupancy patterns: Some sites experience seasonal influxes. "Stayed a week. 2 different sights in campground. Really secluded, kept sights. Toilet and trash bins maintained 2 times a week. Went to other two sights, East Tower: Jam packed with hunters," reports Michael W. about Cobb Hunt Camp.
Connectivity limitations: Cell reception varies significantly between sites. "Minimal, if any, cell service, so you will be disconnected pretty much," cautions Moe B. about 17 Mile Hunt Camp, while Chris D. reports "Good verizon and tmobile cell coverage" at Cobb Camp.
Ground conditions: Prepare for potentially soft ground throughout the area. Chrischelle N. warns about 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. Just make sure to check the ground before you park. Very muddy, could get stuck."
Safety considerations: Some sites have reported safety concerns. "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," reports Sam S. about Davenport Landing.
Facility availability: West Tower Hunt Camp offers the most family-friendly amenities. "Host was very nice. Bathroom and shower but no hot water," mentions DeziRay M. about West Tower Hunt Camp.
Access road challenges: Many access roads require careful navigation. Patrick M. from 17 Mile Hunt Camp shares: "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, it was a little wet because of a rain a day earlier."
Leveling considerations: Some sites offer naturally level parking. "We ended up loving the site we picked. We were able to pull through instead of backing in (although a lot of the spots looked like you would need to back 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," reports Will J. about 17 Mile Hunt Camp.
Campground layout: At some sites, navigation within the campground can be challenging. Hilary G. notes about Cobb Hunt Camp: "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Keystone Heights, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Keystone Heights, FL is Davenport Landing with a 3.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Keystone Heights, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Keystone Heights, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
