Best Dispersed Camping near Trilby, FL
Dispersed camping near Trilby, Florida includes several primitive options on public lands. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area permits free dispersed camping with drive-in and walk-in access points. The area features basic fire rings and some picnic tables but no drinking water or bathroom facilities. Anclote Key Preserve State Park offers boat-in only primitive camping on an island setting, while Trout Lake Primitive Sites provides tent camping opportunities with drive-in and walk-in access about 45 miles north of Trilby.
Roads accessing these primitive campsites vary significantly in condition. Upper Hillsborough has pull-through sites suitable for RVs according to visitor reports, while Trout Lake access requires navigating narrow, two-track dirt roads with tight tree clearance where four-wheel drive is recommended. Anclote Key requires personal watercraft for transportation as no ferry services drop off overnight campers. Most sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash collection facilities. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste following leave-no-trace principles.
These primitive areas provide seclusion and natural surroundings characteristic of Florida's backcountry. Upper Hillsborough offers shaded sites under large trees, creating comfortable camping areas even during warmer months. Trout Lake sites are described as secluded with poor cell service. Anclote Key provides a unique island camping experience with opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly shorebirds. "We were the only ones there for the weekend, probably because of the summer heat. However, it was nice and free," noted one visitor to Upper Hillsborough. Another camper at Trout Lake mentioned "very narrow trails but really easy access, you will leave with some new pinstripes."
