Cabin options near New Port Richey offer varied accommodations from rustic to comfortable. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park provides primitive cabins with limited amenities that require advance planning. Campers should bring sleeping bags, lighting, and cooking equipment as electricity is minimal. The cabins at Starkey have few outlets, making a power strip essential according to visitors. Most cabins have fire rings with cooking grates, though availability varies by location.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Explore the Withlacoochee River from Crooked River Campground where there's a convenient launch area. "My boyfriend, myself, and 3 kids (7-8y/o) spent 4th of July weekend here and LOVED it! The walk to the river from our site was so worth it. We loved exploring the trail and then letting the kids play in the water while we tried to catch some bass," reports one camper at Crooked River Campground.
Trail exploration: Navigate the trail systems at Crews Lake Wilderness Park with proper orientation tools. "Awesome park with well maintained trail. There are a lot of other small trails that lead off into the woods. If you wander, bring a compass and throw some az," advises a visitor to Pasco County - Crews Lake Wilderness Park.
Geocaching adventures: Search for dozens of geocache locations throughout the Upper Hillsborough Preserve. The trail junctions are marked with small numbered signs that match the map, making navigation more manageable during geocaching expeditions. "We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails," shares a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded layout at Crooked River. "The spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest and the kids loved getting to explore," notes a family that stayed at Crooked River Campground.
Water access: Lithia Springs Conservation Park offers swimming in natural springs for a modest fee. "Nice spring to swim in for 2.00 a person. Most campsites are very shaded. Bathhouse are clean. Has dumpstations," reports a camper at Lithia Springs Conservation Park. This makes it one of the best tent camping locations near New Port Richey for hot weather.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds feature unusually large sites for the region. "Starkey's Campground has everything you could want or need. Friendly staff, plenty of critters, and beautiful trails to walk. Campsite #9 has so far been my most favorite spot here. It's VERY spacious (could easily fit 5 large tents here)," shares a camper at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: Water levels fluctuate dramatically during Florida's rainy season. "We stayed here for a few nights but our reservations were cut short due to flooding," notes a camper at Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Weekend crowds: Popular sites can become crowded and noisy during weekends. "IF YOU ARE HOPING FOR PEACE AND QUIET, DO NOT GO ON A WEEKEND. I went on a Friday night, and the entire campground was PACKED. Very loud, too many tents packed into each site," warns a Starkey visitor.
Reservation requirements: Some primitive sites have reservations that aren't enforced. "We hiked out to the Backcountry site only to find someone there. We made a reservation days in advance, so this person was not supposed to be there," reports a frustrated camper about Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Road conditions: Access roads to more remote sites can be challenging for standard vehicles. "It's a long dirt road to get to the campsite and I didn't think my car would make it through some of the big puddles after rain. Chevy Malibu isn't really known for off-roading," explains a visitor to Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve.
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and wildlife viewing. "Great get away in west-central Florida as a day trip or long weekend stay. The park has separate primitive tent, car-camping (tent) and cabin campgrounds near the entrance of the park along with over 50 miles of biking, hiking, nature as well as equestrian trails to enjoy. Not to mention several parking areas throughout with playgrounds and an educational center make this a favorite for families to just get away," shares a visitor to Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
Check for family-friendly water areas: The Hillsborough River State Park has rentals for family water adventures. "The campground here is very nice! The bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," notes a visitor to Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
Prepare for insects: Bring multiple forms of insect protection for children. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns a camper at Hillsborough River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Camp location selection: Choose sites away from roads if possible. "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. There was 30 amp as well as 50 amp water there's a dump station clean bathrooms nice showers even dedicated dishwashing sinks and a washer and dryer," reports a visitor to Hillsborough River State Park.
Water supply management: Bring extra water for dry camping locations. "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," advises a camper at Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Weather monitoring: Stay alert to weather patterns that can affect camping conditions. "The park rangers constantly ensured our safety and were very friendly and helpful. They made sure to keep us up to date regarding changes in weather and flooding," shares a visitor who spent two weeks at Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
