Dispersed camping around Leesburg, Florida consists primarily of undeveloped sites within the Ocala National Forest and nearby water management areas. Most locations require complete self-sufficiency with no services or facilities. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional cold snaps, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Summer thunderstorms frequently occur in late afternoons.
What to do
Kayaking on creeks and lakes: Blue Sink offers excellent kayaking opportunities in a secluded setting. According to Destiny R., it's "the most beautiful place to stumble upon," though access has become more challenging since "the Forestry Service recently chopped down trees and covered the easy access roads."
Stargazing in open areas: The St. Johns River Dispersed Spot provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. Camper Mike D. notes that "the trees open up so you get a great view of the stars," making this a prime location for astronomy enthusiasts despite the "bumpy" access roads.
Fishing in remote waters: Freak Creek Dispersed Camping has "a nice creek area where you can swim and or fish if you have the right equipment," according to hilary G. Access requires substantial vehicle capability, as the area has "huge deep ruts" and water crossings.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Trout Lake Primitive Sites provides isolation from crowds. Joe P. calls it a "great spot" with "very narrow trails but really easy access," though he warns "you will leave with some new pinstripes" due to tight tree clearance.
No reservation requirements: Most dispersed camping near Leesburg operates on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing for spontaneous trips. Trout Lake Primitive Sites offers this flexibility, though Entropical Breeze E. notes it's "not the cleanest but passable" and mentions "poor cell service even with booster."
Free camping options: Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area provides no-cost camping with better accessibility than many forest sites. SukiDookie notes, "it was nice and free" and "the grounds were nicely maintained," though they mention "the lack of trash cans was surprising."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements crucial: Many sites demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles with recovery equipment. At Freak Creek, hilary G. warns "if you don't have 4wd and recovery gear I wouldn't risk it" and describes a water crossing "over my bumper on my lifted Mojave."
Safety concerns exist: Some areas have reported security issues. A visitor to Lake Dorr left because "it felt unsafe" after a local "warned of violence, robbery, and killings in this area." The reviewer noted even their "tow truck driver carried a gun because of how unsafe the area is."
Tree clearance limitations: Trout Lake Primitive Sites has extremely narrow access roads. According to Entropical Breeze E., the "smaller access road to sites is two-track about 1/4 mile through woods—very narrow tree clearance" and they "just barely scraped a FWD Promaster through the trees."
Tips for camping with families
Bring complete supplies: No services exist at most sites, requiring full preparation. At Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area, Nina O. found the campground quieter than expected, noting she "didn't run into anyone eventhough permit page indicated Booked out."
Consider more developed alternatives: For families, Upper Hillsborough offers more structure than forest sites. Scott O. describes "large open area with great shade trees" with "easy pull through for RV," "tent spots," and "fire rings."
Plan for communications gaps: Cell coverage is unreliable throughout the region. At Blue Sink, the remote location means visitors should "need ATV or creative backpacking to get there now," according to Destiny R., suggesting significant preparation is needed.
Tips from RVers
Small rigs only: Most dispersed sites can't accommodate large RVs. At Freak Creek Dispersed Camping, Adamm A. advises, "I would not attempt bringing a camper unless it's really small," highlighting the limitations for RV campers.
Upper Hillsborough provides better RV access: This area offers more suitable conditions for recreational vehicles. Scott O. specifically notes the campground has "easy pull through for RV" sites and is "Harley-Davidson approved," suggesting better access for vehicles of various types.
Be prepared for primitive conditions: Even at more accessible sites, amenities remain minimal. At Upper Hillsborough, SukiDookie reports "there is a porta-potty, but I didn't check it out" and wishes "the fire rings weren't so damaged," indicating RVers should plan for self-contained camping.
