Tent campsites near Wildwood, Florida vary from riverside locations to secluded forest spots, with most positioned within a 30-mile radius of town. Florida's subtropical climate creates year-round camping conditions, though temperatures can reach 90°F with high humidity during summer months. Winter camping from November through March offers milder temperatures with overnight lows rarely dropping below 40°F.
What to do
Paddle the Withlacoochee River: The river system near Crooked River Campground offers excellent kayaking opportunities. One visitor explained, "We loved exploring the trail and then letting the kids play in the water while we tried to catch some bass... The kids really loved cooling off in the river and catching frogs."
Explore hiking trails: The trail system throughout Flying Eagle Preserve provides access to diverse Florida ecosystems. A camper noted, "Plenty of land to run and hike about on. This is probably the best free water management site I've stayed at so far."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings are prime wildlife viewing times throughout the preserves. At Potts Preserve, campers frequently spot deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species along the riverside trails and camping areas.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Many campsites offer privacy uncommon in developed campgrounds. At Potts Preserve - River Primitive Campground, a camper noted it's "Hands-down my new favorite camping spot in Florida. Free, primitive, private, secluded. Pet-friendly, hammock friendly, boat friendly, fire friendly, & more."
River access: Direct water access for swimming and fishing ranks highly among visitor preferences. One visitor to Crooked River Campground shared, "My boyfriend, myself, and 3 kids spent 4th of July weekend here and LOVED it! The spacious, private campsites were a plus. The walk to the river from our site was so worth it."
Clean facilities: Where available, maintained restrooms and showers receive positive comments. A camper at Hillsborough River State Park noted, "The bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Beyond mosquitoes, ticks and fire ants require attention. At Hillsborough River State Park, one camper warned, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can create challenging conditions. A visitor to Crooked River noted, "It flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced and there was some poison ivy in an easy to run into area. Worth noting."
Airboat noise: Several preserves experience regular airboat traffic. At Flying Eagle Preserve, a camper mentioned, "The only noise pollution is from air boats on the nearby swamp river, but this dies down at maybe 10 or 11 pm ET and mostly only on weekend nights."
Navigation challenges: GPS directions to remote sites can be unreliable. For Trout Lake Primitive Sites, a visitor advised, "Main road entry is packed dirt; smaller access road to sites is two-track about 1/4 mile through woods — very narrow tree clearance. 4WD recommended. Just barely scraped a FWD Promaster through the trees."
Tips for camping with families
River swimming spots: Shallow river areas provide natural swimming holes for children. At Potts Preserve, one camper shared, "We really enjoyed our stay at this site. It was nice and quiet. You can't drive up to the river view campsites. So cart would be useful for that reason."
Wildlife education opportunities: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife viewing for educational experiences. Many camping areas near Wildwood feature interpretive signage about local ecosystems.
Site selection for privacy: For families needing space between neighbors, seek end sites or those with natural barriers. At North Shore Relic Ranch, a visitor reported, "Great place to camp, my wife and I really enjoyed our time at the Ranch. James was the best host, I was able to order wood and it was waiting on arrival."
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Many primitive sites near Wildwood have tight clearance and soft terrain. At Trout Lake, a camper noted, "Very narrow trails but really easy access, you will leave with some new pinstripes."
Site leveling: Most primitive sites lack leveled pads. Bring leveling blocks and ground protection. One RVer at Flying Eagle Preserve recommended preparing for sandy surfaces that can become challenging after rain.
Hookup availability: Most primitive campgrounds offer no hookups. For electric and water connections, Hillsborough River State Park provides these amenities, with one camper noting, "There was 30 amp as well as 50 amp water there's a dump station clean bathrooms nice showers even dedicated dishwashing sinks and a washer and dryer."
