Tent camping options near Poinciana, Florida range from state parks to conservation areas within 45 miles of the city. The region sits within the Central Florida Ridge with elevations between 100-150 feet, providing some slight topography compared to other parts of the state. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September, while winter nights can occasionally drop to near freezing.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on the Hillsborough River: At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, campers can explore one of the most accessible waterways in the region. "Nice trails, great river canoeing. Close to Tampa and Busch Gardens," notes Billie S. The park features Class II rapids, which is uncommon for Florida. "Pretty wild. You can see the only class 2 rapids in Florida," reports Joe R.
Hiking through oak hammocks: The East Camp at Little Big Econ State Forest offers miles of well-marked trails through varied ecosystems. "You could spend an entire day just getting lost around the trails. So much fun. Not a very difficult trial though," writes Hannah S. The forest features multiple trail systems with interconnecting loops suitable for day hikes from camp.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The varied ecosystems near Poinciana support diverse wildlife. "Tons of wildlife," remarks Bryan about Hillsborough River State Park. At Little Big Econ, the river corridor serves as an important wildlife habitat. Steven V. notes, "The camping spots are primitive but are in areas that you seldom find in more densely populated areas. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature right in your backyard."
What campers like
Spacious campsites with reasonable privacy: Certain campgrounds offer better separation between sites than others. At Lake Mills Park, "The campsite is spacious and features a picnic table on cement and an open area surrounded by trees," according to Jordan F. Sites vary considerably in size and separation. Jeff A. adds, "14 sites total some closer to each other than others, but we had no neighbors."
Clean facilities despite primitive settings: Several campgrounds maintain good standards despite minimal amenities. "The bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night," reports Lorilee S. about Hillsborough River State Park. At Lake Mills Park, Stephanie C. observed, "All sites were clean and very well cared for. The whole park was nice."
Fireflies and night sky viewing: The oak canopy at Highlands Hammock State Park Campground provides a unique natural light show during certain seasons. "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," explains Jason D. The park's established in 1931, making it Florida's oldest state park according to Larry M., who noted, "It was our first trip in our new RV but have been tent camping there before. On this trip we were treated to a night time tram ride because the 26 species of fireflies were out for a 2 week period."
What you should know
Bug protection is essential: Insects are a significant factor at most campsites, especially during warm months. At Hillsborough River State Park, Jake H. warns, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog." This echoes at other locations, with multiple reports of biting insects throughout the region.
Water access considerations: Water sources vary widely between campgrounds. Hal Scott Preserve County Park features limited water access. Jamie C. notes, "A well pump for water (not for drinking) are welcomed amenities." Some sites require carrying in all drinking water or having filtration systems available.
Seasonal flooding impacts trails: Several camping areas experience trail flooding during rainy periods. At Hal Scott Preserve, Jamie C. advises, "Expect some areas of water covered trails, ankle deep, especially in the summer months." This can affect both hiking and access to some primitive sites during Florida's wet season from June through September.
Campsite density varies significantly: Highlands Hammock State Park receives consistent mentions of tight spacing. Paolo D. shares, "They should implement more distances between the camping sites. It was really crowded." Similarly, Sri G. notes, "The campgrounds were nice but all campsites were too close to each other."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access for kids: King's Landing provides both recreation and camping opportunities suitable for families. "The park provided plenty of daytime entertainment for our kids; awesome playground, fishing, volleyball, etc.," shares Jeff A. about Lake Mills Park. These amenities offer diversions between outdoor adventures.
Plan for hot weather activities: Central Florida's intense summer heat requires consideration. At King's Landing, Chad N. advises, "The camping sites have zero shade which is not a good thing in the FL summer heat. There is 1 site in the very back that offers the best shade possible but it's first come, first serve." Morning activities before the heat becomes intense are recommended.
Spring access for cooling off: Multiple campgrounds provide water access for swimming during hot days. "The springs are crystal clear, especially when you're the 1st one out there in the a.m. which is a huge perk of camping here," notes Chad N. about King's Landing. Water access provides essential cooling during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract and similar sites require self-sufficiency for RVers. "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," notes Nate D. Most tent camping sites near Poinciana lack power hookups and water connections.
Site access challenges: RV access varies widely between locations. At Highlands Hammock, Bran P. cautions, "The roads in the campground are a bit narrow, traffic can go both ways (even though they are only one lane!), and the dump station is not in the best place!" Similar challenges exist at other locations with limited infrastructure for larger vehicles.
Boondocking preparation: Without full hookups, preparation is essential. Gail W. at Hillsborough River State Park shares, "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 there's a dump station clean bathrooms nice showers."
