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Best Campgrounds near Odessa, FL

1,006 Reviews

Odessa, Florida provides access to diverse camping options within several natural areas managed by state and county agencies. The Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers tent and cabin accommodation with hiking and walk-in access points, while Hillsborough River State Park Campground approximately 30 minutes east provides full-service camping with electric hookups, tent sites, and cabin rentals. Both parks serve as convenient bases for exploring the region's mix of pine forests, cypress swamps, and lake environments that characterize west-central Florida's natural landscape.

Seasonal considerations greatly impact camping conditions, with summer months bringing intense heat, humidity, and mosquitoes. The region's campgrounds remain open year-round, though primitive sites may experience flooding during Florida's rainy season from June through September. "This centrally located primitive camping spot is near the Odessa area near Tampa. Group reservations are required - typically scout and church groups use the facility. 100% primitive," notes one camper describing Lake Rogers Park. Water management areas like the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve require reservations for camping, with several locations offering self-check-in systems and camp hosts providing area information and security.

Campgrounds in the Odessa area feature varying levels of amenities, from fully developed sites with electricity and water hookups to primitive backcountry camping. The Serenova Tract Campsites provide a more secluded experience with drive-in and hike-in options, picnic tables, and fire rings in a natural setting. Visitors often mention wildlife encounters as highlights of their camping experience. Multiple waterfront camping options exist within a short drive, including several sites along the Hillsborough River system. Lake Park offers tent camping with water access and hiking trails, making it popular with local outdoor enthusiasts. Many campgrounds in the region provide trail connectivity to the larger Florida Trail system and dedicated mountain biking paths, creating opportunities for multi-sport adventures from established basecamp locations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Odessa, Florida (266)

    1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 987-6771

    $24 / night

    "Then exit 7 to Highway 301 north about 10 miles to the campground. The way in which the state park and campground are set up is easy too."

    "This was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker."

    2. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

    12 Reviews
    New Port Richey, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 834-3247

    "Great get away in west-central Florida as a day trip or long weekend stay.

    We spent the day hiking the numerous off-road trails and enjoying some of the amenities the park has to offer."

    "3.2 mile hike through mostly open Florida pine forest with the occasional swamp. Perfect time of year to come. Site has great shade and opens up at the fire pit for great star gazing."

    3. Caladesi RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Palm Harbor, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 784-3622

    $45 - $75 / night

    "Decent size spot with stone drive and cement patio. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Nice laundry facilities with area to play cards if you wanted. Pool area is nice with shade spots."

    "We first came here a year ago and I was worried about it being so close to a main road, but after staying here I can tell you that it's very quiet and relaxing. "

    4. Serenova Tract Campsites

    8 Reviews
    Hudson, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 423-1476

    "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."

    5. Lake Park

    5 Reviews
    Lutz, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 264-3806

    "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!"

    6. Bay Bayou RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Oldsmar, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 855-1000

    "There’s a place to fish, a place to chill on the dock and not fish, trees are everywhere and lots of random wildlife roaming around.

    Staff has been super friendly too."

    7. Starkey Wilderness Preserve — Serenova Tract

    4 Reviews
    New Port Richey, FL
    7 miles
    Website

    "You must reserve a site with Southwest Florida Water Management by website. It is sometimes closed to hunting. There are lakes and multiple varieties of terrain."

    8. Lake Rogers Park

    3 Reviews
    Odessa, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 264-3917

    "This centrally located primitive camping spot is centrally located near the Odessa area near Tampa."

    "Lake Rodgers trail and campsites are beautiful and well kept up. The 3 trails( upper, mid, and lower) make it nice to walk thru different terrains."

    9. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 582-2100

    $38 - $48 / night

    "As an camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries. 

    I will start by saying that this campground is south of St."

    "Nice walking/bicycle path around the edge. Bike paths also throughout the park. Sites 1-8 or so have direct beach access, but swimming is not allowed. Mangroves surround the rest of the peninsula."

    10. Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA

    6 Reviews
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 937-8412

    $25 / night

    "We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."

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Recent Camping Photos near Odessa, FL

261 Photos of 266 Odessa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Odessa, FL

1006 Reviews of 266 Odessa Campgrounds

  • Amanda W.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale

    So fun! Huge sites!!

    Margaritaville is so clean & spacious!! The store has so much great stuff and there is always entertainment. They even have a big farmers market on Sundays with tons of vendors. There are two big pools (the back one is quiet) with bars, yummy drinks and good food. 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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Belle Parc RV Resort

    Belle parc is a very relaxing campground

    So check in was easy and the ladies at the front office where amazing and very hospitable. We were shown to our campsite by a very nice gentleman. He even helped us back in and hook up. As for the stay it’s been very relaxing and quiet. The shower houses are awesome. We backed up to one of the lakeside areas where the fishing was excellent. We were Also located next to a pool and it was very clean with limited activity from other guest. Would definitely recommend to stay again.

  • SukiDookie ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area

    Very quiet and peaceful

    We were the only ones there for the weekend, probably because of the summer heat. However, it was nice and free. There is a porta-potty, but I didn’t check it out, so I’m not sure about the cleanliness. The grounds were nicely maintained, though. I do wish the fire rings weren’t so damaged, and the lack of trash cans was surprising. Just take your trash with you, leave no trace, and it was an enjoyable and free experience!

  • N
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Sundance Lakes RV Resort

    They don't care about their residents!

    I lived in this park full-time for 2½ years when Hurricane Helene submerged it under 3½ feet of water. The damage left the park without power for months, forcing us to move out and causing tremendous expenses. During that time, the park made no effort to assist or support the residents in any way. 

    When I applied for FEMA assistance, I was told I needed a simple letter from the park confirming the extended power outage. They refused to provide it, even though it would have cost them nothing and could have helped residents like me recover some of our losses. 

    Instead of showing compassion or accountability, they chose to do nothing. The staff at this park are unprofessional, unhelpful, and unwilling to take responsibility. It was a deeply disappointing experience, and I would never recommend living here.

  • Julia Marie H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Encore Vacation Village

    Mosquitoes beware

    This is a mosquito heaven!!! Being bug spray or candles! You will see a large amount of bugs in your area…. They used to spray. But now they don’t… with a pond down the street there is No end in site for air borne bug issues.

  • Jackie S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Gulfbreeze RV Park

    Great little cozy park

    Everyone here treats you like family here

  • C
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Bay Bayou RV Resort

    Excellent clean campground

    Excellent clean campground with great service.

Guide to Odessa

Camping near Odessa, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, you can rent kayaks or canoes to explore the peaceful river. One camper mentioned, "The staff was amazing, and we enjoyed paddling down the clear waters, spotting fish along the way."

  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Lake Louisa State Park Campground, are great for fishing. A visitor shared, "The lake was beautiful, and I caught some nice fish while enjoying the scenery."

  • Hiking: Trails are abundant in parks like Fort De Soto Campground. One reviewer noted, "The hiking trails were well-maintained, and we loved the wildlife we encountered."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hillsborough River State Park Campground said, "The restrooms were always clean, and the hot showers were a nice touch."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Colt Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Our site was spacious and private, perfect for our family."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. A visitor at Lake Louisa State Park Campground said, "The rangers were super friendly and made our stay enjoyable."

What you should know

  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Fort De Soto Campground warned, "The bugs were unbearable during our visit, so bring plenty of repellent."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake Manatee State Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor noted, "It’s a small park, but it’s peaceful and clean."
  • Noise Levels: Campgrounds near roads may have noise from traffic. A camper at Lake Griffin State Park Campground mentioned, "The highway noise was noticeable, especially at night."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA. One parent said, "The kids loved the pool and playground, and we felt safe letting them explore."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has a store. A camper at Lake Louisa State Park Campground shared, "The camp store had everything we needed for our meals."
  • Pack Outdoor Games: Bring games for family fun. A visitor at Hillsborough River State Park Campground suggested, "We brought frisbees and enjoyed playing outside together."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Thousand Trails Orlando advised, "Get there early to pick a good spot; some sites are tight for big rigs."
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations. A visitor at Lake Manatee State Park Campground noted, "The dump station was easy to access, which made our stay smoother."
  • Stay Connected: Check for Wi-Fi availability. One RVer at Encore Crystal Isles mentioned, "The Wi-Fi was spotty, so I had to rely on my mobile data for work."

Camping in Odessa, FL, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Odessa, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Odessa, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 266 campgrounds and RV parks near Odessa, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Odessa, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Odessa, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Odessa, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Odessa, FL.

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