The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve spans 16,000 acres of protected land with terrain ranging from pine flatwoods to cypress swamps. Winter temperatures average 60-70°F, making December through March the most comfortable camping season. The preserve sits at an average elevation of 40 feet above sea level, with several wetland areas that may flood during summer rainy season.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Oak Ridge Equestrian Area provides access to an extensive trail system. "Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" reports a visitor to Alafia River State Park Campground, which offers similar riding amenities.
Fishing access: Multiple ponds and the Hillsborough River provide fishing opportunities throughout the preserve. "We spent 7 days it was a great camping trip. Clean. There weren't that many people due to covid issue. Weather couldn't have been any better," notes a visitor at Cypress Creek Preserve, where fishing is popular.
Wildlife viewing: The preserve hosts diverse wildlife including deer, gopher tortoises, and numerous bird species. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports a camper at Colt Creek State Park, which shares similar ecosystems with the Dover area preserves.
What campers like
Peaceful camping environment: Most horse campgrounds near Dover offer quiet surroundings away from urban noise. "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life," notes a visitor to Colt Creek State Park, reflecting the tranquil nature of camping in this region.
Natural Florida setting: The area preserves old Florida landscapes. "Very pretty, very peaceful and very well kept," reports a Colt Creek camper. Another visitor to Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract adds, "Beautiful, Clean, Quiet. We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area."
Proximity to amenities: While secluded, most campgrounds remain accessible to stores and services. "There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse. We are in a 24' class C and found a nice private area that was surprisingly level," reports a Cypress Creek visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings intense heat, humidity, and mosquitoes to horse campgrounds near Dover. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all and because of the quarry and stagnant water the mosquitoes were RIDICULOUS! Probably worst mosquitoes in 30 years of camping," warns a visitor to Alafia River State Park.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have rough access roads that may be difficult after rain. "Very Nice just being wood panels. It's a long dirt road to get to the campsite and I didn't think my car would make it through some of the big puddles after rain. Chevy Malibu isn't really known for off-roading lol," notes a Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance reservations. "First of all, locked gate. You have to make a free reservation to get the combination. I camped at the primitive side," explains a Cypress Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Easy trails for beginners: Several areas offer less challenging trails suitable for novice riders. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here. Pup friendly at the campsites as well," mentions an Alafia River visitor.
ADA-accessible options: Some campgrounds offer accessible facilities. "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. Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety," notes a visitor to Colt Creek.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer fishing or paddling opportunities. "The park was beautiful. The campsites were clean! Everything was so nice and conveniently located. The offered ice and firewood as well," reports a Colt Creek camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should research site specifics before booking at horse campgrounds near Dover. "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water at each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks. Our van is so small in our site," notes a Colt Creek visitor.
Leveling considerations: Some sites require minimal leveling equipment. "We love this place. The long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites. We have stayed in site 1 and 11 and didn't need blocks for either," reports another Colt Creek visitor.
Limited hookups: Most primitive equestrian sites lack traditional RV hookups. "Nice and quiet, i use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays. The drive is very rough due to teenagers mudding out there," advises a visitor to Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract.
