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Serenova Tract Campsites accommodates pets throughout its primitive and equestrian camping areas with multiple secluded sites that require free permits obtained through the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Each site includes fire rings and picnic tables, with a locked gate requiring a code provided upon reservation for added security. Hillsborough River State Park Campground, Cypress Creek Preserve, and Quail Run RV Park also welcome pets in various accommodation options including tents, RVs, and cabins. Many campers appreciate the peace and privacy at Serenova Tract, with one visitor noting a six-night stay where the only sound was an owl. The campground remains uncrowded even during peak times, offering a mix of sun and shade across approximately 15 camping spots.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly preserves provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, though owners should remain vigilant for wildlife, particularly the active wild hog population in Serenova Tract. Campground amenities vary significantly - Quail Run features full hookups with level concrete pull-through sites while primitive options like Cypress Creek require bringing your own water and packing out trash. Most sites maintain reasonable cell service, with reports of 2-3 bars of 5G through AT&T at Serenova Tract. Conveniences include a Publix supermarket directly across from Serenova's entrance and a gas station less than half a mile away. Despite being primitive, the vault toilet at Serenova is described as decent, though campers should bring their own toilet paper as facilities aren't checked regularly.
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Starkey wilderness park and can be accessed off of Route 52 in Land O' Lakes, Fl."
"You do have to apply for a permit to camp here through the SW Florida water management site. The campground is gated so you need a code to get in, which is a nice safety feature."
"Only one pet per spot allowed and don’t allow over 35 pounds unless receive permission."
"We stayed at Quail Run for a weekend in October as it was close to my son’s lacrosse practice location... we were pleasantly surprised with the very nice site with full hook ups and cable."
"I live in an adjacent neighborhood (2 years) and walk this park daily with my doggos. I’ve biked all the trails and been here from sunrise to sunset."
"This park has a really great walking trail around a lake with exercise stations. I’ve seen some horses on the trails also. There’s a cool BMX and rc car track too!"
"There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse."
"There are pot holes as you drive in that are kinda steep however nothing too serious. The spots are spacious and all other campers were respectful of noise volume and kept spots clean."
"This campground was adequate and very close to I-4. Sites are accommodating and clean. Pool and restaurant on site."
"It is very dog friendly and the sites are spacious. There are a lot of activities and a great pool area. This campground is close to Busch Gardens Tampa. We stayed here in a motor home."
from $61 - $83 / night
Check Availability"Okay, so I didn’t do a ton of research, but I have driven around here before so I decided to get one of the primitive sites and do a little gear testing. 5+ per person/night -Bundles of firewood available"
"Colt Creek State Park is one of the newer parks in the Florida State Park System. We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."
"The beach is a 5 minute drive and pet friendly! The Pinellas bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground."
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Trails to walk on. Paved driving roads. Both water and land volleyball. Petanque courts very nice. Pickleball and tennis. Went out on kayak today in Lake. Bar and restaurant going full speed."
ScoutBeautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.
GuideDuring our journeys we came across this small, out of the way park that was quite a delight!
Serenova tract is part of the larger Jay B. Starkey wilderness park and can be accessed off of Route 52 in Land O' Lakes, Fl. The park offers free camping with a reservation which needs to be made with the Southwest Florida Wildlife Management District. The campsites are primitive, but each site has a picnic table and fire ring which doubles as a grill - you must provide your own firewood. Potable water is not available, so bring your own plus, directly across Route 52 is a Publix shopping center where you can get your water, groceries and ice!. The campsites are very well maintained, shaded by oak trees and separated enough to allow everyone to enjoy their peace while not disturbing their neighbors.
Hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing are the staples of the park, including approx. 20 miles of trails along with a spring fed lake accessible after about a 2 1/2 mile hike. There is even a hand pump well and cast-iron bathtub used as a watering trough for the horses!
For the history buffs, the remains of a decaying chimney near the lake has long been rumored to be the remains of a hideout used by Al Capone.
LegendOne of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol.
We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.
Amazing views.
Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.
LegendIt’s not common to find a spot that you can plant your RV on and go out to hit the links for the day all in the same location, but here at Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort you can hit par on both fronts. Located right off Route 27 just due west of Lake Apopka in central Florida, Clerbrook offers nearly 300 acres of prime landscape that posits 1200+ RV slots for your parking and vacationing pleasure. Here you’ll be able to perfectly blend a golfing oasis that blends its RV offering complete with lush vegetation, interconnecting ponds and narrow canals all surrounded by ancient Oaks draped with Spanish Moss.
As far as amenities goes, Clerbrook does not disappoint. Here’s just a small list of all the great amenities you’ll find: Welcome Center, Heated Swimming Pools, BBQ and Picnic tables, Planned Activities, Clubhouses, Billiard Room, Card Rooms, Post Office, Fishing Area, 18 Hole Golf Course with Pro Shop (note: first 9 holes are complimentary with a visit to the Pro Shop), Exercise & Fitness Center, Horseshoe Pits, Recreation Hall, Laundry, Shuffleboard Courts, Library, Nature Walks, Pets Welcome, Picnic Pavilion, Driving Range, Dog Park, Wood Shop, Basketball Court, Playground, Restrooms & Showers, Softball Field, Hot Tub, RV Storage, complimentary WiFi, Arts and Craft Classes as well as Live Entertainment on the weekends. Of course, for RV’ers you can expect both back-in and pull-through slots with all of the traditional water, sewage and electric (30 / 50 amp) hook-ups.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’ve got wine on your mind (and why wouldn’t you when on holiday?!), just meander a few miles south of Clerbrook and you’ll discover a fairly respectable winery called Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards offering tours and tastings featuring Muscadine grapes (apparently a prominent grape varietal down in these parts known for their antioxidant qualities; (2) When you get tired of fixing every meal from your mini-fridge or cooler, then you’ll have to head south to Clermont where you’ll find PeruRican Ceviche, which for these parts is pretty outstanding and if you are still longing for pizza, check out Mamma Rita’s Pizzeria for some good pies and pasta; and (3) If nature is calling and you want to get out for a good hike, then head due south to Hiawatha Preserve that has a few dog parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking paths, and of course, access to Lake Hiawatha, in case you want to drop your kayak or canoe in the water.
Happy Camping!
RangerThis is probably the largest park we have ever stayed in. We normally go for the smaller quaint parks but we decided to try it out. We went along the outside rim in site Mako 7. The sites are large enough and have most have full hook ups. Not many trees for shade, but it is in Florida so that is to be expected. We were fortunate to have a couple of grassy areas around close to walk the dog. There is a dog park but it was on the other end of the campground. We did go one day and the park is nice. It’s sand and has poop bags. But no water for drinking so take your own. This side of the park had more trees and was nice for walking around with the dog. No WiFi in the area closest to the dog park. Sites seemed mostly level but only the new section has nice concrete pads. The older sections are hit and miss as to what the site looks like. All in all it’s a great location for visiting all the local attractions... (but we didn’t do that).
GuideThis is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.
GuideLithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
LegendThe Hog Island Recreation Area is located on the eastern bank of the Withlacoochee river close to the small town of Nobleton. Part of the recreation area includes the Hog Island Nature Trail, part of the Trailwalker Program and officially certified as part of the longer Florida National Scenic Trail. The Hog Island Campground (fl-dof.com) provides nicely shaded and dry campsites for tent and RV campers with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. These sites are amazingly screened from each other with natural understory vegetation and access to the Withlacoochee River. Restroom with showers (which could use a little love and care), water spigots and a dump station are located nearby. Campers arriving by canoe can stay at a riverside campsite that includes access to drinking water.
This is a good campground with pretty decent warm/hot showers and electric hookups, so you aren't going to really be spending a few days completely off the grid. Although, cellular service is spotty, but mostly usable. The camp hosts were really nice and supposedly no pets are allowed, but I definitely heard some dogs at night. Just a few steps away is the Hog Island boat ramp, nature trail and a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail leaving you with lots to do.
You get your standard nice campground features
· Large shared picnic area
· Good fishing
· Canoe and boat launch
· No pets allowed.
*I heard some dogs and there were basically no one around, so maybe the host let some people get away with it…
· 2-mile loop Nature Trail.
· Hiking trails:
· Equestrian trails:
Serenova Tract Campsites offers free camping with pets in Land O' Lakes, with required reservations through the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The primitive campground features fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, maintaining a natural setting for campers with dogs. Cypress Creek Preserve also welcomes pets at its primitive sites, providing basic amenities including fire rings and outhouses. Both campgrounds have spacious, shaded sites separated enough to maintain privacy while camping with dogs. Sites never reach full capacity during weekdays, allowing campers and their pets plenty of space to enjoy the natural surroundings. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities despite their primitive classification, though campers should bring their own toilet paper as supplies aren't checked regularly.
Hiking trails throughout these preserves provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with multiple interconnected paths winding through Florida's natural landscapes. Campers should watch for wildlife, particularly wild hogs that are active in the area while hiking with pets. Convenient access to supplies makes these locations practical for pet owners, with a Publix shopping center directly across from Serenova Tract and gas stations within half a mile. Lake Como Nudist Resort represents another pet-friendly option with cabin accommodations, offering electric hookups and shower facilities for those seeking more amenities while traveling with pets. The primitive campgrounds provide enough cell coverage for emergency veterinary contact, with most visitors reporting 2-3 bars of 5G service through AT&T at Serenova Tract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Land O' Lakes, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Land O' Lakes, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 64 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Land O' Lakes, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 246 dog-friendly camping locations near Land O' Lakes, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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