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Camping near Mulberry, FL

19 campgrounds with availability this weekend

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    Camping options near Mulberry, Florida range from established state parks to privately-owned RV resorts within a short drive of the city. Hillsborough River State Park Campground and Alafia River State Park, both approximately 15-20 miles from Mulberry, offer a mix of tent, RV, and cabin camping in natural Florida settings. Several waterfront camping areas can be found along the Alafia River and nearby reservoirs, with Edward Medard Park providing drive-in access for both tents and RVs. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins in Auburndale offers more developed camping with full hookup options and resort amenities about 10 miles northwest of Mulberry.

    Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though Florida's hot, humid summers and potential for afternoon thunderstorms make fall through spring the most comfortable camping seasons. Reservations are typically required at state parks and private resorts, especially during winter months when seasonal visitors increase demand. One camper noted, "Midweek is best time to visit as weekends fill fast (usually by Thursday night)" at Edward Medard Park. Many campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while primitive camping options are limited to specific areas like Alderman's Ford Conservation Park, which features hike-in tent sites along the river. Raccoons are common throughout the region, and campers should secure food properly.

    Waterfront campsites consistently receive positive reviews from visitors to the Mulberry area. The combination of water access, wildlife viewing, and shaded sites makes Edward Medard Park a popular destination. A recent review described it as "a beautiful well kept facility near suburbia" that offers "kayaking and fishing on the lake." At Wilderness Shores Ranch, campers appreciate the natural setting with water views from most sites. Several visitors mentioned the clean bathroom facilities at established campgrounds like Edward Medard Park. For tent campers seeking a more primitive experience, Alderman's Ford Conservation Park provides a more secluded option with hammock posts at several sites, though some reviewers mention road noise can occasionally detract from the nature experience.

    Best Campgrounds near Mulberry (322)

      1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

      4.3(65)22mi from Mulberry95 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      Available this weekend

      from $24 / night

      2 Sites Available

      2. Alafia River State Park Campground

      4.3(20)13mi from Mulberry29 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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"

      Available this weekend

      from $22 / night

      1 Site Available

      3. Edward Medard Park

      4.3(15)11mi from MulberryRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Very pretty and wooded for Florida. Great to bike around and see everything. Neat to see gators. Will definitely go back."

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale

      4.5(23)16mi from Mulberry9 sitesRVs, Cabins

      "What it lacks in shade it makes up for with 2 nice pools, one geared toward kids with a fountain and very fun twisty slide, music, TV’s etc & the other is on the lake by a tow-ski place that’s fun"

      "Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."

      from $67 - $99999 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Lithia Springs Conservation Park

      4.5(12)15mi from MulberryTents

      "Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."

      "Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Lithia Springs

      4.5(11)15mi from MulberryRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Canoe and Kyak launch is easily accessible to enjoy the calm waters of the Alafia River. Restrooms and showers were clean and plentiful around the grounds. We will definitely be back."

      7. Sun n Fun Campground

      4.5(4)6mi from MulberryRVs, Tents

      "Located just south of Lakeland this park offers multiple amenities for group gatherings including a large firepit and stage area."

      "Large dispersed camping area with good views of the airshow, included access to the ground display area, and great facilities considering how large the event is."

      8. Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground

      4.8(4)9mi from MulberryTents

      "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."

      9. Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground

      5.0(5)12mi from Mulberry4 sitesRVs, Tents

      "If you’re looking for an authentic “Old Florida” experience surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this campground is truly something special."

      "Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals ( steer and goats )."

      from $40 - $75 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Colt Creek State Park Campground

      4.6(34)26mi from Mulberry28 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      Available this weekend

      from $24 / night

      1 Site Available

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    Recent Reviews near Mulberry, FL

    1465 Reviews of 322 Mulberry Campgrounds

    • James W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 5, 2026

      St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

      The bayou site are excellent. Reasonably level, nice patios, and a bit of a view. The staff are nice and helpful. They seem to have a section for those of us who are not snowbirds.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 5, 2026

      Lake Arbuckle Park & Campground

      Site are fairly big and a rate of $20 to stay the night with water and electricity is reasonable. Bathrooms are not very clean. That's why I only gave a 3 star review.

    • dThe Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 3, 2026

      Orlando/Kissimmee KOA

      Tim and Leisha were the best! Great campsite close to Disney is what we wanted.. clean and well organized. They make you feel at home and they even invited us to dinner at the pool and provided all the food. I will definitely be going back when I’m in town. They loved our kiddos too!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 1, 2026

      Fort De Soto Campground

      The Most Perfect Campground in Florida?

      On my never-ending pursuit of finding the most perfect campground on earth ... I may have just landed it! Fort DeSoto State Park Campground, which rests at the southernmost edge of Pinellas County, reached by crossing a series of causeways from St. Petersburg until the land simply runs out and the Gulf of Mexico (as my friend John Cougar Mellencamp recently point out - not Gulf of ‘Merika) takes over. First impressions are pure Florida magic with palm-lined roads, sweeping water views of translucent aqua blue shimmering in the sun all accompanied by a salty breeze that makes you feel like vacation has officially begun. The campground itself is spread across a low-lying coastal landscape with mangroves, dunes and open skies punctuated by cotton candy clouds, and despite its popularity, this tri-loop campground haven manages to feel relaxed and unhurried if you pick your timing right.

      This archipelago is shaped like a boomerang with 3 distinct campground loops – each with its own vibe, layout, amenities and overall character (more on this later) – leaving one with the impression that Fort DeSoto is both incredibly spacious as well as incredibly well-organized, offering a mix of waterfront and interior sites with paved pads, picnic tables, stand-up grills and access to modern bathhouses that are generally clean and well maintained. Many sites offer electric and water hookups, with a dump station available for RV travelers. Navigation through the one-way loops is straightforward, pets are welcome and the overall layout feels intentionally designed to handle high traffic without feeling chaotic. While there’s but just a modest playground on-site, there are much more amenities for the kids on North Beach, but throughout the campground area, the sheer amount of open space, bike paths, beach side access to inlets that will allow you to make the most out of being this close to the Gulf more than compensates for families.

      What truly sets Fort DeSoto apart is everything just outside your campsite. Miles of white sand beaches wrap around the park, including North Beach which is frequently ranked among the best beaches in the country (note: not county ... country). Kayaking trails wind through calm mangrove tunnels, fishing piers stretch into Tampa Bay, and biking loops circle the entire park. History lovers can explore the restored fort and military ruins, while birders will find plenty to admire along the shoreline. For supplies, you’re about 15 minutes from Tierra Verde Market, Publix and a Walmart Supercenter on Pinellas Bayway as well as a handful of casual eateries like Billy’s Stone Crab and Sea Hags if cooking feels optional.

      Trying to find out which 1 of the 3 loops might be best for you? I’ll try to break this down. First, of all, my brother and I stayed in Area #1, so let me begin there, not only because numerically that’s where we should begin, but also because I’m the most familiar with this loop, which consists of sites numbered #1-85. If you’re looking not just for ocean views with Gulf access – because like me, you’ve brought a kayak / canoe – then Area #1 for this solo reason is why you want to book here. And while it’s true that you likely could access water in Area #2, you’ll have to go the long way around to access the Gulf. Back to Area #1, I found this simple, single loop offering sites excellent in size, with TONS of shade (no need to bring your shelter to blot out the sun, although not a bad idea to have it handy in case of rain) and decent length long ‘driveways’ with which to pull in and set up camp, whether you’re packing tents (like me) or pulling in with your RV or sprinter van. Seriously, the scenery alone here in Area #1(at least sites #1-34) cannot be beaten with direct views of the Gulf, which you can access in less than 20 paces from where you’ve pitched your tent or parked for the night. 

      Each site is equipped with electric and water and for RVs needing sewage, there’s a spot as you exit prior to arriving at the ranger station that will accommodate you. The restroom and shower facilities in Area#1 are the best that I’ve ever seen in the state of Florida (which is saying something as I’ve camped in more than 100 spots here in the Sunshine state) – and wonder if this is because CG Hosts (versus FL state employees) are charged with keeping the CG clean?! – with very hot water (sometimes TOO hot) and lots of pressure would be an accurate description. Area #2 IMHO is somewhat cramped, very RV populated, with sites that are fairly crowded, yet heavily shaded with amenities that are similar to Area #1, albeit slightly more outdated; however, if you come with pets in tow, this is the ONLY area that will welcome you here at Fort DeSoto CG. Lastly, Area #3 has AMAZING water views, but given the seawall that surrounds this portion of the island, you won’t be able to actually access the water unless you dock your boat somehow to the wall and don’t mind jumping up 4-6 feet down to access your vessel. I found the sites here to be fine, although like Area #2, somewhat crowded, but yet still offering very good shade with restroom and shower facilities to be on par with the rest of the park. The best sites over here would be those from #197– 233 that look northernly towards the Gulf offering nothing short of AMAZING sunsets on the water.

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) Waterfront sites in Loop 2 and Loop 3 are the most coveted for sunset views and breezes, but they book fast; (2) Bring bikes as this park is tailor-made for cruising on two wheels with flat, scenic loops in and around the campground area, but the best biking will be had once heading out past the ranger station to explore the larger areas of the island, where East Beach is worth a glide by (especially to watch the kite surfers where wind is at its strongest), but it’s North Beach that will have you stopping for a longer spell; (3) Kayaking through the mangroves on a calm morning is a must, especially for wildlife sightings; however, our absolute favorite moment of the entire trip was crossing the strong currents of shipping lanes to make it all the way to Shell Key, which apart from a few pensioners getting sunburnt in their beach chairs and an errant fishing boat or two, we had the entire island to ourselves … EASTER EGG: I’m a fairly solid kayaker and love oaring and with these strong currents, it IS manageable to cross, but you’ll want to plan on at least 1 hour of non-stop, albeit scenic oaring to make it to Shell Key; (4) Afternoon storms roll through quickly in summer, so plan beach time early and camp dinners later; (5) North Beach on the northernmost edge tends to be quieter and more family-friendly than the busier east-facing beaches near the fort; (6) If you’re visiting during peak season, weekday stays are noticeably calmer than weekends; and (7) When heading to the restroom facilities you will come across what is likely the largest sign I have ever seen in any campground WARNING YOU OF RACCOONS and, trust me, you want to HEED THIS SIGN as these black-eyed bandits are EVERYWHERE and not afraid to come right up to your tent and look in or right up to you sitting next to your campfire while looking for something to eat or steal, so be incredibly careful and PACK UP EVERYTHING whenever it’s not being used EVEN IN DAYLIGHT HOURS.

      In sum, I absolutely loved this campground and will now be comparing every single one I visit to Fort DeSoto Campground.

      Happy Camping!

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 23, 2026

      Little Manatee River State Park Campground

      Quiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage

    • d
      Oct. 20, 2026

      Bradenton / Hunsader Farms KOA

      Nice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!

    Guide to Mulberry

    Mulberry, Florida offers camping options within a modest elevation range of 100-130 feet above sea level. The area features a subtropical climate with marked wet and dry seasons that influence camping conditions. Sites near Mulberry typically remain cool from November through April with temperatures in the 60-70°F range, making winter and spring the most comfortable camping seasons.

    What to do

    Explore class II rapids: The rapids at Hillsborough River State Park Campground are the only class II rapids in Florida. "Pretty wild," notes one camper, while another mentions the "great river canoeing." Hiking trails through preserved Florida ecosystems offer additional exploration options.

    Mountain biking opportunities: Alafia River State Park Campground provides extensive mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. One visitor explains, "I loved that they had a ton of different trails to choose from, some just hiking or biking, and some mixed ones. Really well kept." The park maintains trails specifically designed for technical mountain biking.

    Observe wildlife: Wildlife viewing is excellent at several campgrounds near Mulberry. One camper at Alafia River State Park noted "Saw a few deer," while another visitor to Hillsborough River mentioned, "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy." Early morning and evening offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities.

    What campers like

    Natural swimming areas: Lithia Springs Conservation Park features spring-fed swimming areas that maintain a consistent 72°F year-round. One visitor observed, "Nice spring to swim in for 2.00 a person. Most campsites are very shaded." Another notes the "spring area so nice the sound of the breeze through the trees, just wow!"

    Hammock camping: For those who prefer sleeping suspended, Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground provides dedicated hammock accommodations. One camper reports, "Sites were equipped with hammock posts, picnic table, and a fire pit," while another noted, "campsite 1, 3 and 4 have hammock poles able to fit 3 hammocks at a time."

    Clean bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds near Mulberry maintain good bathroom facilities. At Hillsborough River State Park, a camper noted, "Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus!" Similarly, at Lithia Springs Conservation Park, a visitor mentioned, "The restrooms back here were way nicer and cleaner than the main park bathhouse."

    What you should know

    First-come, first-served availability: Several campgrounds near Mulberry operate on a first-come basis rather than reservation systems. At Edward Medard Park, one camper explains, "Check in is a breeze. Make sure to have your registration." Another notes that while the park can get busy, it's "a beautiful well kept facility" once you secure a site.

    Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be significant during certain seasons. At Hillsborough River State Park, a visitor warned, "The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June. We practically had to anchor our toddler to the picnic table so he wasn't carried away by them." Another camper noted, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog."

    Wildlife management: Secure food storage is essential at many campgrounds. At Edward Medard Park, one camper advised, "I wouldn't recommend leaving food out because they'll take everything," referring to the raccoon population. Other parks have similar wildlife concerns, particularly during warmer months.

    Tips for camping with families

    Beginner-friendly primitive camping: Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground offers opportunities for families new to camping. One visitor described it as "Great privately owned campsite for those wanting to get away from crowds and overly-popular sites. This campsite also has cattle and goats and the owner allows you to pet the goats (great for little kids)."

    Family-oriented water features: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort provides water features specifically designed for children. A camper described it as having "a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults." Another noted, "Kids played for four hours straight and went back for more after dinner!"

    Ranger-led activities: Several parks offer educational programming. A visitor to Edward Medard Park mentioned the "plenty of wild life" and opportunities for children to learn about Florida ecosystems, while Hillsborough River State Park offers nature programs during peak season.

    Tips from RVers

    Cell signal considerations: For those needing to stay connected, some campgrounds offer better service than others. At Hillsborough River State Park, one RVer noted, "Good Verizon signal to allow for plenty of streaming," which is important for those working remotely or needing connectivity.

    Boondocking preferences: For RVers who prefer more natural settings, several options exist. One camper at Hillsborough River State Park shared, "We are boondockers so we tend to stay away from very peoplely places... That said it was very comfortable everything was clean and super convenient. There was 30 amp as well as 50 amp water."

    Site size variations: Many campgrounds have a mix of site sizes. At Hillsborough River, a camper observed, "Small tight spaces in the campground. Most with no coverage between sites," while others noted some loops have more spacious sites. Researching specific site dimensions before arrival is recommended for larger rigs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Mulberry, FL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Mulberry, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 322 campgrounds and RV parks near Mulberry, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Mulberry, FL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mulberry, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.

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

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