Best Dispersed Camping near Port Richey, FL
Dispersed camping near Port Richey, Florida centers primarily on boat-accessible islands and preserves rather than traditional forest or BLM lands. Anclote Key Preserve State Park and Shell Key Preserve offer primitive camping experiences on undeveloped barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area provides the only land-based dispersed camping option in the region, with drive-in and walk-in access available. These areas maintain primitive conditions with minimal or no facilities, requiring campers to be entirely self-sufficient.
Water access is required for both Anclote Key and Shell Key preserves, with kayaking or motorboat being the only transportation options. Campers must obtain permits before visiting, with Anclote Key requiring reservations through the state park system and Shell Key offering free permits through Pinellas County. Upper Hillsborough features basic pull-through sites suitable for tents and RVs with fire rings but no water or modern facilities. All locations enforce strict pack-in, pack-out policies, with no trash collection available.
"We kayaked out from Anclote river park and stayed two nights on the island. There are no amenities so we packed everything we would need in the kayak," noted one Anclote Key visitor. The island camping experience offers remarkable seclusion, especially after day visitors depart. Shell Key campers report excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including stingrays, sea turtles, and numerous bird species. Upper Hillsborough provides a more accessible option with "large open area with great shade trees" according to a recent review. Seasonal considerations affect all sites, with summer bringing intense mosquito activity on the islands and potential closures during severe weather or sea turtle nesting season.
