Tent camping near Durant, Florida provides access to wooded riverside sites in the Hillsborough watershed region, situated within central Florida's subtropical climate zone. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter brings milder days averaging 65-75°F. Many campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though fall through spring typically offers more comfortable conditions with lower precipitation and fewer insects.
What to do
River paddling opportunities: Hillsborough River State Park offers canoe rentals and access to river paddling routes. "Nice trails, great river canoeing. Close to Tampa and Busch Gardens," notes Billie S. The park's location provides easy access to both natural and urban attractions.
Wildlife viewing: The Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract protects critical wildlife habitat with numerous viewing opportunities. One camper observed that the "property's roads and trails meander through pine flatwoods, consisting of both slash and longleaf pine overstory, palmetto/gallberry understory and hydric hammock and floodplain swamp along the river."
Swimming in natural springs: For relief from summer heat, Lithia Springs Conservation Park provides spring swimming. "Nice spring to swim in for 2.00 a person. Most campsites are very shaded," reports Nate D. The constant 72°F spring water temperature makes this a refreshing activity option year-round.
Trail exploration: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the region. At Lake Park, campers report diverse trail options: "There are lots of little loops in the woods, sometimes flooded out, but just be prepared during rainy season. One section is an old grove and during citrus season, there are oranges available for snacking, while exploring."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Crooked River Campground receives high marks for site separation. "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," reports Danae N. Many sites feature natural vegetation buffers that create seclusion.
Well-maintained facilities: Several campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities. At Hillsborough River State Park, campers appreciate the upkeep: "To start with, the state park employees were fantastic!! Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night. Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus!"
River access: Riverside camping locations allow direct water access. At Crooked River Campground, one camper 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." Some sites offer easy walking paths to the water's edge.
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds provide dark sky conditions for stargazing. "It's nice and dark at night," mentions a Hillsborough River State Park visitor, making these locations suitable for astronomy enthusiasts during clear nights.
What you should know
Train and road noise: Some seemingly remote sites experience unexpected noise. At Upper Hillsborough Tract, one camper warned: "Site is literally 50 feet from an active train track with trains sounding the horn all night long. Besides the road noise felt like we were next to a freeway. Not peaceful at all."
Seasonal crowds: Popularity varies significantly by season. At Lithia Springs, a camper observed: "The park itself got incredibly busy (guess the secret of this park is out). Maybe the park itself would be better in the 'off' season when it's not so packed."
Site reservation requirements: Many sites require advance planning. For the best tent camping near Durant, Florida, know that some locations like Crooked River have limited walk-up availability: "You have some walk up sites (2) and the others you will need to reserve ahead of time."
Flooding concerns: Low elevation affects site conditions after rain. Upper Hillsborough campers note the preserve is "seasonally very wet" and recommend "dry season camping only." At Lake Park, visitors report that "during the rainy season, half of the park is closed off due to the road being flooded."
Tips for camping with families
River play opportunities: Island Retreat Florida offers family-friendly water activities: "This island adventure include camping and water activities at it's finest. Whether you relax and take in the breeze on the island with a book, venture out to Beer Can Island, or paddle in dinner and drinks at the Bar/Restaurant across the river, you are guaranteed to have a nice time."
Wildlife education: Introduce children to native Florida wildlife safely. At Crooked River, one family reported: "The kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs, they all agree that this was there favorite part. We didn't see any gators, which was disappointing but I'll survive."
Insect protection: Mosquitoes remain a persistent challenge, particularly for children. Jake H. at Hillsborough River State Park warns: "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog." Long-sleeved clothing and head nets provide additional protection during peak mosquito seasons.
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Lake Park provides "a park type area for kids" according to visitors, offering an alternative activity when children need a break from hiking or water activities.
Tips from RVers
Boondocking options: Self-contained RVers can utilize free camping areas. At Alston Tract, one camper shares: "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," demonstrating how prepared RVers can enjoy primitive sites.
Electrical reliability: For power-dependent campers, service varies by location. Rebecca A. notes that Hillsborough River State Park has reliable hookups: "The campground here is very nice! The bathrooms are well kept and clean," making it suitable for campers requiring electrical access.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies throughout the region. At Hillsborough River State Park, one RVer notes: "Good Verizon signal to allow for plenty of streaming," which proves important for those needing to stay connected while camping.
