Camping sites near Nobleton, Florida concentrate around the Withlacoochee State Forest with its pine sand hills and cypress swamps at an elevation of approximately 60-80 feet above sea level. The forest spans over 165,000 acres across five counties, creating diverse microclimates within the camping areas. Most campgrounds maintain packed dirt access roads requiring cautious driving during wet weather conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on the Withlacoochee River: Access the river directly from Hog Island Campground where paddlers can navigate either direction from the boat ramp. "Pretty nice paddling you can go either way and make it back to the boat ramp," notes one camper who appreciated the convenient river access.
Swimming in former mine sites: During hot summer months, the spring-fed swimming areas at Mutual Mine Campground provide cooling relief. "It has a beautiful couple of lakes, crystal clear water. I regretted not bring a pole to fish!" reports a visitor who enjoyed the water features at this forest campground.
Hiking historic trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the forest, including sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail. "The highlight of this area is the ability to kayak so make sure to bring yours. Wildlife was crazy the night we stayed," notes a camper who explored the area around Hog Island. Another visitor discovered "a old girl scout camp" while hiking near Cypress Glen.
Mountain biking: The Croom Mountain Biking Trails system near Brooksville offers diverse terrain for riders of all skill levels. Trails run through former mining areas with interesting elevation changes uncommon in Florida.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Campers consistently report abundant wildlife viewing opportunities at camping sites near Nobleton. "Get up early in the morning and take walk and you are sure to see some deer," reports one visitor at Hog Island Campground. The variety extends after dark as noted by a River Junction camper: "The wildlife during the day is awesome to see on the water and then at night the animal life comes alive at a certain point at night. The coyotes at night is one of the coolest things to listen to."
Private, wooded campsites: Crooked River Campground receives high marks for site privacy. "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," writes one family that stayed at site 74. Another camper adds, "It seemed like every site was surrounded by dense undergrowth which really added more privacy."
Hot showers in primitive settings: Despite being relatively rustic, several campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. "Got to say it was nice to have a clean bath house with showers!" writes a Crooked River visitor. At River Junction, a camper mentioned the "bathroom/showers with really hot water," which provides comfort after outdoor activities.
Multiple water features: The interconnected water systems throughout the forest create diverse recreation options. "Access to boat ramp and hiking trails including the Withlacoochee State Trail. Access to the lake for fishing, canoeing/kayaking from campground," notes a visitor describing Cypress Glen facilities.
What you should know
Highway noise impacts some sites: Campers at Silver Lake Campground frequently mention interstate noise as a drawback. "Unfortunately, the noice from I-75 disturbed my husband at night. I only heard it when outside," writes one camper. Another stated simply: "Interstate noise is too loud. Will choose another spot over this."
Site flooding concerns: During summer thunderstorms, water management can be problematic at certain sites. A Crooked River camper noted: "It flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced and there was some poison ivy in an easy to run into area."
Campground access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging entrance roads requiring careful navigation. At River Junction, a visitor reported: "The road in called SW 113 ST was hardcore off road muddy driving. We pay for the sites so the road in could have been a lot less treacherous. Potholes all the way to the site."
Cell service variability: Mobile reception fluctuates across the forest, with Hog Island described as having "spotty, but mostly usable" service. A Mutual Mine visitor reported "2-3 bars of 5G AT&T" while others recommend downloading maps before arrival.
Reservation systems vary: Most campgrounds now require advance booking through Reserve America, but some still maintain first-come, first-served sites. "Sites 1 thru 3 are walk up only. These are also the only sites you can pay cash for," explains one River Junction camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites near water access: River Junction Campground offers specific sites with water features that children enjoy. "We had a blast there stayed at campsite 14 it has its own private pool right in front of it with cold spring water it was an awesome experience," reports one family who discovered this unique feature.
Choose spacious sites for active children: Parents recommend selecting larger sites that allow room for play. At Crooked River, a family shared: "We had site 74 and really enjoyed it. It was huge and secluded! Our kids were able to run around and be noisy and we weren't worried about annoying our neighbors."
Bring water toys: The river and lake access points provide natural play areas for children. "The kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs, they all agree that this was there favorite part," writes a family who visited Crooked River.
Research bathroom facilities: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities, which matters for family camping. Some campgrounds like Crooked River provide "a bath house you can get to by walking and it has hot water in the fall and winter months," while others may have more limited facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Cypress Glen Campground requires attention to site selection for larger rigs. "Some of the outer loop sites had steep drop offs," warns one camper. Another notes: "The sites have a rocky/dirt driveway so the rain made for a messy trip."
Water-only hookups at some sites: RVers seeking full hookups should choose campgrounds carefully. At Hog Island, one visitor explained: "The only reason for not giving it 5 stars is the very reason we love it and that's because the hookups are water only and no electricity. This keeps the big rigs out and campers who want to bring their entire house with them."
Hot weather camping limitations: Summer camping without electrical hookups challenges RV campers. "What no electricity really means to us is we can't camp at Hog Island in the Summer because what we do like on weekends is sleep we don't get during the work week. Just too hot without AC for us."
Dump station locations: The availability and condition of dump stations varies by campground. A Cypress Glen visitor reported: "There's a brand new two-lane dump station that is easily accessible." However, at Holder Mine one camper warned: "The dump station is no longer in use so you have to use the bath house or dump elsewhere."
