Alafia River State Park Campground accommodates pets in all accommodation types including tents, RVs, and cabins, with well-maintained sites and trails accessible to leashed dogs. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale also welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly areas throughout its 326 sites. Hillsborough River State Park and Edward Medard Park maintain strict leash policies requiring pets to be attended at all times on leads no longer than 6 feet. Most campgrounds in the Mulberry area enforce standard pet rules including waste cleanup, current vaccinations, and restrictions against aggressive breeds. Sanlan RV & Golf Resort offers spacious sites with room for pets to relax while maintaining park cleanliness. Raccoons at Edward Medard Park can be problematic, requiring campers to secure pet food at night.
Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground provides a unique pet-friendly experience where campers can explore trails along the water with their dogs while also enjoying the ranch's farm animals. The property, surrounded by water on three sides, features multiple hiking options and private bathroom facilities with showers. Alderman's Ford Conservation Park's primitive campsites require a half-mile hike in with pets, offering a more secluded experience with hammock posts and picnic tables at each site. The trails throughout the park are well-marked though sometimes less maintained, creating an authentic wilderness feel while allowing leashed pets to accompany hikers. Temperature considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as Florida heat can affect animals quickly, particularly during summer months when morning and evening walks are recommended.
$24 / night
"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."
$22 / night
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"
$24 / night
"What a beautiful well kept facility near suburbia. Just a short drive from Tampa and Lakeland areas this first come first served facility is a favorite of locals."
"Camping is first come first serve but gives you access to the park after hours. Camp sites are bit close to one another but overall amazing experience."
$78 - $419 / night
"Easy location to get to. The lots are pretty wide open with little shade, but we had a tiki, which was awesome. Pool was nice and warm. Kids loved the slide. Dog park and wash are a bonus."
"They are pet friendly & have dog poo stations along the roads. Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."
$24 / night
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
"Located just south of Lakeland this park offers multiple amenities for group gatherings including a large firepit and stage area."
"Lithia 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."
"Most every one has a dog or two. Everyone obeys the dog rules, not one dog barks excessively. All the campers are courteous about each other and are quiet."
"Super clean campsites and great easy trail out to the site. Very safe area. The rangers made sure there was plenty of fire wood in the wooden hut."
"This location is utterly beautiful! So many different environments can be seen just walking the trials."
$40 - $75 / night
"Great privately owned campsite for those wanting to get away from crowds and overly-popular sites."
"Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals ( steer and goats )."
$24 / night
"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."
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.
TravelerPricey but it's Disney. Lots of activities to do at the campground without going to the parks. Clean and well maintained campsites and bathrooms. The roads are narrow in the loops and the sites can be difficult to get into. Pet friendly with dog parks and trails.
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.
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
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.
GuideNice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!
The Mulberry region occupies a central Florida position with elevations averaging 115 feet above sea level. Local campgrounds benefit from proximity to the Alafia River watershed and former phosphate mining areas that have been reclaimed as recreation sites. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, with high humidity affecting both campers and pets from May through September.
Disc golf courses: Saddle Creek Park and Campground offers disc golf facilities amid its fishing ponds. "This is a small county campground in the middle of a wildlife preserve," notes camper Kathryn C.
Kayaking on rivers: Hillsborough River State Park Campground provides access to class II rapids, rare in Florida's flat terrain. "You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do. The campground is also not far from some big cities, such as Tampa and St. Pete, which is convenient," explains Rebecca A.
Swimming in natural springs: Lithia Springs Conservation Park offers spring swimming for $2 per person. "Very well kept up groundskeeper. Meeting mike at the gate to the park so so nice. Only waited for a short time to have a spot and enjoy the park. The spring area so nice the sound of the breeze through the trees, just wow!" says Holy O.
Hammock camping options: Specific accommodations for hammock users make camping comfortable at some parks. "The sites were nice and spacious, have really excellent tree coverage (this is a MUST during Florida 'summers')," shares Elliott B. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Clean bathroom facilities: Alafia River State Park Campground maintains well-rated facilities. "Clean facilities and nice camp sites," reports Douglas H., making it a reliable pet friendly camping option near Mulberry.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot native species. "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," notes Jason D. about his Hillsborough River experience, though he cautions that "the mosquitoes were ridiculous in June."
First-come, first-served camping: Several parks near Mulberry don't accept reservations. "Camping is first come first serve but gives you access to the park after hours," explains Hampton B. about Edward Medard Park.
Insect protection essential: Bug repellent is necessary year-round but critical in warm months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H.
Temperature management: Saddle Creek Park and Campground doesn't permit ground fires but allows alternatives. "No ground fires allowed but portable grills, fire pits allowed. Great spot for fishing," advises Marissa J., information useful for pet-friendly camping trips near Mulberry where cooking facilities matter.
Primitive camping for beginners: Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground offers an introductory backcountry experience. "I stayed with 3 adults and 3 children under the age of 8. We stayed two nights in 40 degree weather. This is a great place for families wanting to start out primitive camping!" recommends Katelynn L.
Water activities for various ages: Lakes and rivers provide cooling recreation during hot days. "The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," shares Rebecca A. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Animal encounters: Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground offers unique livestock interactions. "Longhorns every where, goats, horse, cows. There's little tours they do on their side by sides. The property is huge! and plenty of roaming area," describes Lisa M., providing a pet-friendly camping experience near Mulberry with added educational value.
Site selection strategy: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort has specific locations better suited for different needs. "We were in 392, which is right behind the dog run and the amenities area. We don't own a dog and we were awakened by a few dog barks and a lot of owners playing with their dogs," cautions Corey C.
Electrical capacity considerations: Parks offer varying levels of power connection. "We needed a campsite near Tampa FL for a few days to meet friends visiting the area from up north. Being a Floridian, we've experienced FL's state parks and found them to offer privacy between sites. Good Verizon signal to allow for plenty of streaming," notes Rick G. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Low season advantages: Visiting during weekdays or off-peak seasons improves camping experience. "We are boondockers so we tend to stay away from very peoplely places... and this is a bit peoply. That said it was very comfortable, everything was clean and super convenient," advises Gail W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mulberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mulberry, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 250 dog-friendly camping locations near Mulberry, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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