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ScoutHillsborough River State Park Campground
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Dog-Friendly Camping near Dade City, FL
24 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Withlacoochee River Park provides pet-friendly camping spaces within a short drive of Dade City. Dogs are welcome at the RV sites, tent camping areas, and cabins throughout the wooded campground. The spacious campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and water and electric hookups while keeping pets comfortable in shaded environments. Campsites are well-maintained and relatively private, with several trails accessible directly from the camping areas. Green Swamp West Tract also accommodates pets throughout its primitive camping areas, offering a more rustic experience for campers with dogs. The park requires pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or tents, and owners must clean up after their animals. Sites remain quiet and peaceful at night, making them suitable for pets that may be sensitive to noise. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Dade City, Florida.
Hiking trails throughout the Withlacoochee River Park system provide excellent opportunities for dog exercise, with several miles of paths connecting directly to campgrounds. The Florida Trail section running through Green Swamp West Tract offers additional pet-friendly hiking options with varied terrain. Campers report seeing wildlife including armadillos, turtles, and birds, so keeping dogs leashed is essential for their safety and wildlife protection. The Withlacoochee River provides water access where pets can cool off, though owners should watch for posted warnings about alligators. For longer stays, Dade City's veterinary services are approximately 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds. Travelers seeking more amenities may consider Florida Sand Music Ranch, which offers a more developed camping experience while still welcoming pets, particularly during their regular music events held throughout the year.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Dade City (302)
1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."
1 Site AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $24 / night
2. Colt Creek State Park Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
3. Withlacoochee River Park
"Right near a ton of hiking trails and about 10-15 mins from Dade City."
"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."
4. Green Swamp — West Tract
"We hiked out about a mile along the Florida Trail and stayed for a night at the Gator Hole campsite. It was so peaceful, lots of space to explore (we had a 3 year old and two dogs!)"
"Stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management."
5. Cypress Glen Campground
"The down fall is that the sites are around a lake/river, so many of them are on a slope."
"Pets are allowed on leash. Nothing much for kids to do but my kids enjoyed walking the campground loop and walking the trails."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
6. Florida Sand Music Ranch
"Sertoma Youth ranch is located in Dade City, Forida off a dirt road. It has water and electric hookups and a dump station."
"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."
7. River Junction Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest
"I just called them and none are walk-in. All has to be reserved. And you are not allowed pets."
"Pets are NOT allowed. I just wanted to clarify, since the listing states they are. Bathrooms are decent and the showers have hot water. Sites 1 thru 3 are walk up only."
14 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $14 / night
8. Crooked River Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest
"Crooked River Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando County), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75."
"Even though you can't bring your dogs here (Cypress Glenn you can - it's just down the road, but not as secluded and more for RV's)."
Check Availabilityfrom $13 / night
9. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area
10. Quail Run RV Park
"Only one pet per spot allowed and don’t allow over 35 pounds unless receive permission."
"We stayed at Quail Run for a weekend in October as it was close to my son’s lacrosse practice location... we were pleasantly surprised with the very nice site with full hook ups and cable."
Drive Time
- 29 min from Lakeland, FL
- 35 min from Tampa, FL
- 46 min from Wildwood, FL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Dade City, FL
136 Photos of 302 Dade City Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Florida Farm School & Animal Rescue Inc
Withlacoochee River ParkW
Florida Sand Music RanchR
Ducky's Day Off RV Park
Colt Creek State Park Campground
Find Out FarmsB
Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract
Green Swamp — Hampton Tract
Hillsborough River State Park Campground
Cypress Glen Campground
Big Oaks RV Resort
Sumter Oaks RV ParkS
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Dade City, FL
1437 Reviews of 302 Dade City Campgrounds
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Gordon S.ScoutLittle 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
- EEfstathios A.Scout
Encore Winter Quarters Pasco
Great location
- CCorey S.
TravelerBay Bayou RV Resort
Great time @ a great campground.
Great fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
Gail S.ScoutZephyr Colony RV Park
Present it will be a great place to live.
Zephyrhills colony has new Management. It's like a breath of fresh air.A weight is lifted from our shoulders of constant harassment and being hawked at on a daily basis. The parking pads are beautiful.The construction crew did an excellent job and the yellow stripes on the roads are amazing.We are so thankful for this improvement in our park that we can be proud and happy at once and for all. I thank God for answered prayer personally.Now I can breathe now.I can live amen
- TTim K.Scout
Lake Point 55+ RV Park
Restrictions
Exercise caution with this reservation. The website says pet friendly but only after you reserve the site do they make you aware of pet size limit and breed restrictions. And your reservation is not refundable.
Lourie H.ScoutLithia Springs
Beautiful, Peaceful Campground, but the Hospitality Could Use Some Work
The campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
- LLibby H.Scout
Chassahowitzka River Campground
Great location, professionally managed, shady Old Florida
This is an excellent, quiet campground conveniently near the Chassahowitzka River Boat Ramp. It's incredibly cool and shady, so valuable in Florida. Sites are level and trees well trimmed. As newer RVers, I'd point to spots 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20 as among the easiest back-in spots, as you can utilize the turn of the driveway to get straightened up better. All of these spots also are shady and private. The campground was quiet on the weekend we visited, but during high season, sites 19, 20 and 48 (pull through) are among those offering the most privacy from neighbors.
Regarding the boat ramp access: take note, the ramp is easily accessible from the campground but not "walking distance" if you are carrying a kayak. You will either need to drive your boat(s) down or rent. Parking fee is $5 vehicle only/$7 vehicle plus boat trailer, and you can access the spot before business hours and pay the fee in cash in the Honor System box on the side of the boat house. The Chassahowitzka is a gorgeous, spring-fed, clear-water river, a true gem in Florida, and just gorgeous for observing fish and birds. The place gets busy on weekends, so arrive early.
We loved our stay and this camp is on our "must return" list!
- TTommy W.Scout
McCormick Lakes RV Park
Amazing stay
Great place just know this campground has no shower house etc it’s just a nice quiet place with a beautiful sunset! Starlink works great
Guide to Dade City
Seasonal camping opportunities abound within 15 miles of Dade City, Florida, where the terrain features gentle rolling hills and cypress wetlands. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-70°F, making December through March the most popular camping season. Summer campers should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures consistently above 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Kayaking the Withlacoochee River: Access the river directly from Withlacoochee River Park where kayak launches provide entry points to explore the waterway. "The river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging... She have a you tube channel called trailandcampreport.com," notes Joanne W., highlighting the navigational challenges that attract experienced paddlers.
Hiking the Florida Trail: The Florida Trail section near Green Swamp West Tract offers scenic hiking through diverse ecosystems. "We hiked out about a mile along the Florida Trail and stayed for a night at the Gator Hole campsite. It was so peaceful, lots of space to explore (we had a 3 year old and two dogs!) and the symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget," shares Kelly S.
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds host astronomy events on new moon nights. "On new moon nights the local astronomy club uses neighboring field to gaze at the stars. This place is quiet and dark at night!" reports one camper about Withlacoochee River Park's minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Crooked River Campground, campers appreciate the natural buffers. "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," shares Danae N., who camped with her family at site 74.
Wildlife encounters: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife viewing. "We saw armadillos, turtles, large Ospreys, and a small gator by the fishing dock," reports one camping group at Withlacoochee River Park. At Green Swamp, the natural soundscape enhances the experience: "The symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities. "The bathhouse is set up for 1 person/family the way we use it," notes a camper about Withlacoochee River Park, while another mentions, "They did a fantastic job in all area's of their new campground. So much to do and it was so quiet and clean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Dade City require advance booking, especially during winter months. Colt Creek State Park requires reservations through their official system. "They offer ice and firewood as well," mentions Ivy, noting on-site supplies available for purchase.
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings mosquitoes and afternoon thunderstorms. "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," reports Jason D. about his family's experience camping in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Dade City, FL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dade City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dade City, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Dade City, FL?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dade City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 302 dog-friendly camping locations near Dade City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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