The Withlacoochee State Forest dominates the camping landscape around Trilby, Florida, with multiple campgrounds spread across its 165,000 acres spanning five counties. Established campgrounds like Cypress Glen and River Junction provide water and electric hookups for RVs while accommodating tent campers with shaded sites near Silver Lake and the Withlacoochee River. Several areas include amenities ranging from basic to full-service, with Florida Sand Music Ranch hosting regular music festivals and events throughout the year. The region encompasses mixed-use campgrounds with varying levels of development, from primitive sites to those with modern facilities including showers, restrooms, and dump stations.
Access to camping areas around Trilby varies seasonally, with most campgrounds operational year-round but experiencing higher occupancy during winter months when temperatures moderate. Campsites within the Withlacoochee State Forest require reservations through Reserve America, a change from the previous self-registration system. A visitor noted, "They did away with walk-ups, now it's Reserve America and prices went up." Many campgrounds feature hard-packed gravel roads suitable for most vehicles, though some sites present challenges with sloping terrain. The proximity to Interstate 75 means road noise affects certain campgrounds, particularly those near Silver Lake, while sites deeper in the forest offer more seclusion.
Campers report high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites throughout the area. The Withlacoochee River and Silver Lake provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. A review highlighted that "It's not too far away but very peaceful and quiet. Fishing, kayaking, trails. Nice campfires in the evenings." The extensive trail systems, including the Withlacoochee State Trail and Croom Mountain Biking Trails, draw cycling enthusiasts to campgrounds like Cypress Glen. Wildlife observation opportunities abound with species including deer, turkey, bald eagles, and gopher tortoises inhabiting the forest. Campground options range from more social settings with organized activities to quieter, nature-immersive experiences, with campground selection largely determining the camping experience in this diverse region.
$24 / night
"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."
$22 / night
"Perfectly located just off the exit for Brooksville off of I-75, and right off the Withlacoochee Rails to Trail bike/hiking path and near the [Croom Mountain Biking Trails](http"
"This is a RV-tent camping site with all sites being a reasonable walking distance from the facilities in the center."
$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."
$14 / night
"The road in called SW 113 ST was hardcore off road muddy driving. We pay for the sites so the road in could have been a lot less treacherous. Potholes all the way to the site."
"Full over the weekend Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: thick shrubs Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Sand Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: none Through Traffic"
"Hottest month in Florida but still we had a lovely time here at this park. It was our first time taking our 2016 class C out on the road as total newbies."
"This is a great free camping area in the Florida wilderness. Plenty of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The Florida trail is nearby."
"Crooked River Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando County), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75."
"Each campground has its primitive camp charm all come with a picnic table, parking spot, a wooden pole you can hang your garbage, and a water spout near by."
$14 / night
"hog) is located on the eastern bank of the Withlacoochee river close to the small town of Nobleton."
"Older Florida park on the Withlacoochee State Forest. The campground had 20 very large sand and grass sites in tall pines. Each site has water only."
"Stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management."
"This section of the FT is quite a nice walk, and I assume that most individuals looking at a site on the trail, are looking at Gator Hole."
"Located in Brooksville Florida, you will find more of Florida's nature hidden here. There's a swamp like lake in the back with plenty of birds to see."
"The Florida Sand Music Ranch is a small campground that has big music events throughout the year. We are her for a 3-day blues music festival."
$22 / night
"There is a beautiful lake that you can canoe/kayak/boat on, and a great trail that runs along side of it, but it is super close to I75."
"I only heard it when outside (hearing impaired). The have a decent bath house, nice walking trails and it’s closed to Croom trails State ATV/Dirt bike."
TravelerStayed just one night on March. Great tent sites and mostly private. Facilities are clean with showers. Water and power at the site. Beautiful walks and lakes, Lots of birds and rabbits.
Only issue was the early morning traffic on the nearby highway (#27) was noisy.
ScoutI'd like to give you the positives. Crisp, clean, manicured, food and bar pretty good, well-appointed amenities. We had a pretty good week, having found a quiet pool area. Saw a bald eagle and a swallow-tail kite. I’d like to tell you about that, but that’s not the review.
Here’s the review: if you book here, you will be checking into a bizarre combination of tropical paradise, tailgate party, spring break, and a middle school playground. On St. Patrick's Day, we had been doing some sightseeing. We came back to our site, and the folks who had arrived behind us fired up their music. I don't have a problem with music or other noise prior to"quiet time," so long as it's not over the top. This was way over the top. Kim was on the phone with the nursing home about her 91-year old mother and she couldn't hear the other end of the call.
We called Security and asked for help, they came around and talked to the offenders. Whereupon the offenders started yelling around"who complained about our music?" And, they sent their preteen daughters on their bicycles going around and asking"did you complain?” Let's just say it was downhill from there. They jacked the volume even more, and started taunting us. Kim lost her temper and started yelling at them to quiet down. They responded by threatening her. She told me to call security, but since they hadn’t helped, and the on-duty rent-a-cop had no interest in helping, I called 911(which the campground rules said to do in an emergency). Apparently, that was a mistake. The rent-a-cop was pissed off that we called 911 when he was supposed to already be on top of it(which he wasn't). So there was a conclave of police cars, and the night manager, and the three large guys from the offending site, etc.
Bottom line: management demanded that WE leave, in half an hour, or be arrested. It’s 10:30 pm, and I told the rent-a-cop that I was in no shape to drive. “Figure it out,” he said, and walked away. So two 70-year olds had 30 minutes to get everything packed up and drive to some alternative place.
While we were striking the site, the kids at the offending site were chanting"we won, we won." And they started playing"Hit the Road You Jack" quite loud. And the adults were yelling"we're Republicans. We can do whatever we want." They noted our Maine license plates and told us to"go back to Canada where you belong."
We ended up in a wicked expensive hotel in the next town over, paying spring break prices($340 a night!!). And we lost the cost of two nights at the campground.
So if you’re a party animal, this may be your kind of place. Just don’t complain about anything, or you will be asked to leave.
It’s interesting to note which rules are enforced and which aren’t. For instance, there’s a poolside bar, and lots of signs between the bar and the pool saying“no food or drink beyond this point.” Not only was there lots of food and drink around the pool, there were wait staff taking orders and delivering it.
In retrospect, the fact that they have a rent-a-cop cruising the premises every night should have been a red flag. I’ve never seen that before, but apparently they expect rowdiness. They just don’t want to deal with the negative repercussions.
TravelerSpring break got hit with a cold front but we got 1 day in the springs. It’s nice and clean
ScoutI stayed two weeks here with my dog and loved the location— great bike access to nearby trails and easy drives to Honeymoon Island. Sites were roomy, shaded by beautiful oak trees and there was other people my age around. This is a rare park, for almost everything is 55 and up. But I am 40 and was not surrounded by the old ancient and cranky lol!! The full hookups worked well. Park is quaint and clean, staff were friendly at check‑in, and the heated pool was a nice bonus. Dog-friendly overall(plenty of grassy areas for walks) and doggie doo doo stations all throughout, so bring a long leash but don't stress about poo bags. They offered Wi‑Fi but I use a Star Link because I do love to stream Netflix at night, and guest wifi at parks can be lagging with everyone trying to use it. I got great recommendations from Amanda in the office about places to eat around there. She is a local, and locals know all the good places! Uh let's see, oh Lloyd I think is the maintenance guy. He helped me with my sewer hook up since I was struggling that first day. Check in was easy, because there was no formal one, I got a text with a bunch of info for the bathrooms,wifi and a map. So overall it was a great stay, great location and I'll defiantly be back.
GuideJust left the Peace Love & Vans Rally needed a convenient resupply space ¯_(ツ)_/¯ KOA site clean, safe, and well organized
ScoutGreat small RV park. Very clean and super friendly & helpful staff. We stayed 3 nights and will definately return. Approximately 60% full-time residents.
ScoutNice old KOA but businesses built around it. If you like sirens and racing cars irs ok. It is a nice camp ground but don’t park in back near the fence. lots of street noice like garbage pickup.
GuideWelcoming staff upon arrival. Park is very clean and well taken care of. Met some great neighbors and enjoyed the quietness. The park is constantly monitored by staff giving you a sense of comfort. Beautiful spring to enjoy a warm day as the water temp is a consistent 72°. 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.
TravelerLarge, level sites. Can accommodate any size RV. Very active community. 2 activity centers, pool, pickleball, horseshoes, billiards, bingo, entertainment and much more. Clean bathrooms and showers.
Camping spots near Trilby, Florida sit within a transition zone between Central Florida's sandy ridges and the low-lying coastal plains, with elevations ranging from 40-75 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot, humid summers with afternoon thunderstorms and mild winters that attract seasonal campers. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions with daytime temperatures between 70-85°F and lower humidity.
Kayaking the Withlacoochee River: At Crooked River Campground, campers can access the river via a staircase. "We enjoyed a group paddle down the river for a few hours. We shuttled some cars down that way so we could paddle far down and ride back," shares one visitor. The river offers multiple entry points for different skill levels.
Wildlife observation: The forests around Trilby host diverse animal species. At Colt Creek State Park, campers report regular wildlife encounters. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," notes one reviewer. Dawn and dusk provide the best viewing opportunities.
Mountain biking trails: The Croom Mountain Biking Trails system offers routes for various skill levels. Cypress Glen provides easy trail access where "a rails to trails walking/bike path runs nearby." Trails range from beginner-friendly flat paths to technical sections with moderate elevation changes.
Stargazing: Light pollution is minimal at several campgrounds. At Withlacoochee River Park, the astronomy field hosts regular star-viewing events. "On new moon nights the local astronomy club uses neighboring field to gaze at the stars. This place is quiet and dark at night!"
Private, secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at Withlacoochee River Park. "The campsites are well shaded. Sites were nice and the area was very nice and seemingly secluded," writes one reviewer. The primitive tent sites are particularly noted for their privacy.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being in remote settings, several campgrounds feature clean facilities. At Hillsborough River State Park, "bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night." Many sites feature updated shower facilities with hot water.
Natural swimming areas: Several locations offer swimming opportunities. At River Junction Campground, site 14 features "its own private pool right in front of it with cold spring water." These natural swimming spots provide relief during hot months.
Multi-day paddling options: The Withlacoochee River system allows for extended paddling trips. A Crooked River camper explains, "We shuttled some cars down that way so we could paddle far down and ride back. And have a lunch at the campsite afterwards. Perfect area for this."
Reservation system changes: Most campgrounds now require advance booking. At Cypress Glen Campground, "they did away with walk ups, now its Reserve America and price went up." Booking windows typically open 6 months in advance.
Highway noise: Campgrounds near Interstate 75 experience road noise. Silver Lake Campground sits closest to the highway, with one camper noting "interstate noise is too loud." Crooked River and Hog Island offer quieter alternatives.
Weather considerations: Summer camping presents challenges. A camper at Hillsborough River State Park 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."
Water levels fluctuate: River access points change with seasonal conditions. During dry periods (typically April-May), some river sections become difficult to navigate. After heavy rains, currents strengthen and water levels rise, creating different paddling challenges.
Kid-friendly swimming: Several locations offer safe water play areas. At Crooked River Campground, families enjoy river access. "The kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs, they all agree that this was there favorite part," writes one parent. Sites 62-64 offer the closest walks to the river.
Handicap accessible options: Colt Creek State Park offers specialized sites for families with accessibility needs. "We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient. Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety."
Playground facilities: Withlacoochee River Park includes multiple play areas. "There are 2 playgrounds" alongside other family amenities. Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain designated kid zones away from water features.
Watch for wildlife: While exciting, families should maintain appropriate distance from wildlife. A Crooked River camper noted, "We didn't see any gators, which was disappointing but I'll survive." Parents should supervise children near water areas at all times.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds present terrain issues. At Florida Sand Music Ranch, "The sites are dirt and grass and some are pretty unlevel." RVers should pack leveling blocks for most campgrounds in the area.
Dump station locations: While not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations, regional options exist. Cypress Glen campers note "a brand new two-lane dump station that is easily accessible." Most public facilities charge $5-10 for non-campers.
Seasonal considerations: Winter brings the highest occupancy. "We go in the off season when not so many people are traveling in their RVs so it isn't as crowded," shares a Cypress Glen camper. Summer offers more availability but requires air conditioning due to heat.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. At River Junction, "The road in called SW 113 ST was hardcore off road muddy driving. We pay for the sites so the road in could have been a lot less treacherous. Potholes all the way to the site."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Trilby, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Trilby, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 387 campgrounds and RV parks near Trilby, FL and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Trilby, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Trilby, FL is Colt Creek State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Trilby, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Trilby, FL.
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