Best Dispersed Camping near Keystone Heights, FL

Dispersed camping options near Keystone Heights, Florida include several primitive sites within the Ocala National Forest. West Tower Hunt Camp, Davenport Landing, Cobb Hunt Camp, and 17 Mile Hunt Camp provide free camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities. These sites feature well-spaced camping areas suitable for tents and some RVs. Most locations enforce 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.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Keystone Heights, Florida (4)

    1. Davenport Landing

    7 Reviews
    Welaka, FL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 236-0288

    "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."

    2. Cobb Hunt Camp

    8 Reviews
    Olustee, FL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 752-2577

    "Trash and porta potty’s provided by National Forest."

    "Free no water or electricity, porta-potties . Most campers stay to themselves and there's room for privacy"

    3. 17 Mile Hunt Camp

    7 Reviews
    Osceola National Forest, FL
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 752-2577

    "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."

    4. West Tower Hunt Camp

    5 Reviews
    Osceola National Forest, FL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (386) 752-2577

    "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."

    "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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Keystone Heights, FL

6 Photos of 4 Keystone Heights Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Keystone Heights, FL

27 Reviews of 4 Keystone Heights Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2023

    West Tower Hunt Camp

    Great spot

    This place 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. Verizon service was pretty spotty. Having a host with no charge threw me for a bit of a loop. I only did an overnight, but it was a great place and had a nice feeling of seclusion without being too far from civilization. Also very clean.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 25, 2024

    Davenport Landing

    Magnolia-Shaded Cul-de-Sac Primitive Camping

    Located a hefty trek down a winding gravel road west of Route 19, you’ll have to maneuver around divots and potholes along this narrow gravel, dusty roadway for the better part of 2 miles before arriving to a small sign on the left-hand side of the road that indicates you’ve arrived at Davenport Recreational Area – so finding this place is relatively easy. Unless you make the unwise decision to turn into one of the small handful of options beforehand that would have you drive down a patch of road that likely you are not authorized to, my only advice would be not to exceed 15 MPH on this road as the poor condition of the road could do damage to a lower-lying vehicle. Once you come across the Davenport Recreational Area sign, take a right and slowly (as the road conditions worsen as you get off the main road) follow the narrow tire-rutted pathway to a fork, where on the right you’ll see TRAILHEAD marked on a tree to your right– here you want to turn left instead and follow the pathway to its conclusion, which is a round-about that you will have no other alternative but to stop and park your vehicle.

    Here at literally ‘the end of the road,’ you’ll be greeted by a dozen or so medium-sized Magnolias that blot out the sun’s rays and cast an unusually spooky shadow on this area, made even more dramatic by all of the Spanish moss falling from the tree limbs of these magnificent trees. While the ground here is flat – welcome to Florida, where for the most part, that’s par for the course – but barren and comprised of a combination of dirt and sand silt, which isn’t so bad when it’s dry, but when there’s rain, we’re talking some pretty messy mud-like conditions. As for what you’ll find here at this natural cul-de-sac, there isn’t anything. Literally. No picnic tables. No fire ring. No stand-up grill. No potable(or for that matter, non-potable) water spigot. Nothing. There is what looks to be a small wooden sign that likely was filled with information at some point in time that might have educated you about your stay here, but even that had nothing on it, apart from a single hand-made sign above it, indicating: “You are trash, if you leave trash,” which I wholeheartedly agree with. In all, perhaps there’s 5-6 individual spots that you could make a campsite from.

    If you are a true primitive camper who really wants NOTHING to complement or aid their outdoor survivalist experiment, then you have hit the primitive camping jackpot! Apart from the solid peace & quiet you’ll experience here, 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 via the St. Johns which this tributary eventually connects to. Apart from being a scenic access point to the river, if you are looking to catch and eat your meals, then this will certainly be an added bonus. The steps down the ravine to the river basin are somewhat steep, but for anyone towing a light-weight kayak or paddleboard, me thinks you could likely manage to bring your watercraft down here and easily access emerald-green waters shouldered with an abundance of spade-shaped lily pads to grab some great oaring.

    When we stopped by, there was a team of fisherman there – not camping, mind you – but having a great afternoon nonetheless of ‘hooking‘ em’ and according to these local anglers, the fishing was great. Apart from this and the shade that the mighty Magnolias provide, the only other amenity that exists out here are the few trails that you can jump on to get a bit of hiking in. One word of caution, from my fishermen friends, is to be on the look-out for ‘Coyo-Dogs’ (a cross between canine species where a dog mates with a coyote) and black bear, both of which have been known to frequent this area, especially at night.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) There’s a 1.2 mile interpretive hiking trail called Davenport Landing Trail that will take to you to the former steamboat landing, which makes for a medium-grade hike with some interesting history; (2) 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; (3) For fellow arborists, in addition to finding these amazing Magnolias that seem to be especially planted here for you, additionally there’s sweetgum and red maple trees; and (4) You definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for alligators in this area, where while we didn’t see any right at the ravine’s base, we were told that plenty were sunbathing right around the bend in the river from where we were.

    Happy Camping!

  • N
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Easily accessible

    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. I camped there with my boys in a tent, and they had a blast just playing in the dirt, but I had to figure out how to explain to them why someone had been there for the last 11 months and why we had to sleep through a running generator all night.

    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, but if you drive in and car camp you can easily bring water with you.

    Not great for the backpacker, but probably pretty great if you’re driving in and hunting out of your tent or camper.

  • Chrischelle N.
    Oct. 8, 2020

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Simple but neat

    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.

  • Will J.
    Jan. 18, 2021

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Peaceful, relaxing, easy.

    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. It was pretty easy to see where the areas for camping are but it’s not as clear as a paid RV park. 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. As far as our actual stay - It was really peaceful. There were only a few other people there and we hardly ever saw them. We did have to 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. We generally felt safe tho and just made sure to take beat spray when we went out into the woods. There’s a trash receptacle (albeit small and easily filled) and a porta John at the entrance. All in all would definitely recommend this either as a quick overnight stop or to stay a week or two.

  • M
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Campground Closed But Camping Allowed Just Past Entrance

    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. Trash and porta potty’s provided by National Forest.

  • Frank E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Davenport Landing

    Generally quiet primitive camping with water access

    Pprimitive, no reservations, gets some traffic visiting historic site.

  • DeziRay M.
    Jan. 9, 2022

    Cobb Hunt Camp

    Awesome

    Free no water or electricity, porta-potties . Most campers stay to themselves and there's room for privacy

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2023

    17 Mile Hunt Camp

    Nice spot

    Sites are spread out and the road is rough getting in. No water or electric. Porta potty on site. No Verizon cell service.


Guide to Keystone Heights

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Keystone Heights, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Keystone Heights, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.