Best Campgrounds near Zephyrhills, FL

Camping near Zephyrhills, Florida includes several good spots within driving distance. Fort De Soto Campground has waterfront sites where campers can fish or launch kayaks directly from camp. Hillsborough River State Park Campground sits among trees with hiking trails and easy access to the river for paddling. Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground tends to be quieter, with bigger sites and good wildlife watching opportunities. All these campgrounds have basic facilities like bathrooms and places to eat outdoors. The trails at Hillsborough River State Park connect throughout the park, making it easy to explore on foot. Many campers spot birds and deer at Lake Kissimmee, particularly in early morning hours. The grounds are kept clean, which helps make camping comfortable regardless of which place you choose. Site sizes differ across these parks - some work better for tents while others can handle larger RVs. Trees provide good shade at most sites, helping during hot Florida days. You should book ahead when possible, especially in winter when northern visitors fill the parks. Zephyrhills camping works for quick weekend trips or longer stays depending on what you're looking for.

Best Camping Sites Near Zephyrhills, Florida (358)

    1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 987-6771

    $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."

    2. Colt Creek State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Zephyrhills, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (863) 815-6761

    $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."

    3. Withlacoochee River Park

    12 Reviews
    Dade City, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 567-0264

    "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."

    4. Green Swamp — West Tract

    9 Reviews
    Dade City, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 423-1476

    "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."

    5. Crooked River Campground — Withlacoochee State Forest

    38 Reviews
    Nobleton, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (352) 797-4140

    "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."

    7. Green Swamp — Hampton Tract

    9 Reviews
    Polk City, FL
    12 miles
    Website

    "Free campsite maintained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. "

    "Drive slow all will be just fine."

    8. Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract

    5 Reviews
    Zephyrhills, FL
    6 miles
    Website

    "So, campers will need to bring their own water or filtration system… You’re situated right off to the side of some immediate access to 16 miles of partially wooded roads (“trails”) marked for multiuse"

    "Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida."

    9. Quail Run RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Land O' Lakes, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 973-0999

    "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."

    "Close to epperson lagoon which was nice."

    10. Lazydays RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Lee, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 246-4777

    "We were less than an hour away from home at Lazydays RV Resort and it felt like we were on the other side of the planet. Got to spend uninterrupted time with my bride and it was awesome."

    "Great location just outside Tampa, Fl. Wonderful facilities and friendly staff. nearby RV dealership is largest in America with huge service department and camping/RV store."

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Recent Reviews near Zephyrhills, FL

1322 Reviews of 358 Zephyrhills Campgrounds


  • Tara G.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Trimble Park Campground

    Incredible Hidden Gem

    Just returned from a 2 night stay at Trimble Park and I'm already planning my return next week!  The campground is very small and intimate, you will certainly get to know your neighbors and others staying in the park if you're going to be spending any time outside.  The park employees are zooming about on their golf carts multiple times within the hour during the day and always ready to help if needed.  The man in the office was amazing (I wish I had gotten his name) and so helpful, even swapping our spot for another with a better lake view!  Speaking of, the view is awesome!  Spots 8 and 9 are directly in front of the docks so if you mind other campers walking through your site to get to them, choose a different spot.  Even the spots that don't have a lake view are great!  Every site has a grill, separate fire ring, lantern hangers and picnic table plus electric and water hook ups.  Bathrooms are kept clean, every morning they are tended to.  My only complaint there is that the showers are very narrow.  I'm small and was feeling a bit cramped. Also the water pressure could definitely be stronger...took forever for me to rinse shampoo.  My personal issues are not enough for me to not come back though!  It's a great place to recharge and be at peace; I still can't get over how beautiful it is!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Serenova Tract Campsites

    Beautiful park

    The campground is nestled in a canopy of oaks ,pines with palmetto underbrush. It was packed when I arrived. But I found the ideal site around the Pavillion circle. It was nice to have neighbors after being alone for so long. My site doesn't have a fire ring, but a picnic table. Toilets and water not far away. Excellent trails to hike.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    October 2025

    It’s a beautiful campground. That’s a well maintained by The very friendly and helpful staff. The scenery and activities available at this part make it well worth the drive and work the stay.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Quiet, Clean, & Friendly

    Many of the lots are large & somewhat secluded. Trees for some shade. *Clean, friendly, & a gate code for safety. *Nothing can be tied to trees, including hammocks.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve

    Alafia North of Baseball Parking

    “Alafia North Corridor Park is such a peaceful escape. The trails wind through beautiful natural scenery, and the quiet surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing hike. It’s a great place to slow down, take in the fresh air, and enjoy the simple beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a longer hike, this park offers a calming outdoor experience.”

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Lithia Springs Park

    Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • Courtney Moriah
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Trimble Park Campground

    Gorgeous natural park

    Been here only 1 day so far. The park is beautiful! It’s like a jungle, very tucked away and private and surrounded by water. 50 amp power, water hookups and sewage dump is right inside the campground for easy access. Our site has lantern hangers and a big fire pit with benches! The sites are nicely paved and graveled and the picnic tables are like new!! 10/10 recommend.

  • Dan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

    Very Nice but ....

    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


Guide to Zephyrhills

Camping options near Zephyrhills, Florida range from free primitive sites to full-service campgrounds across Pasco, Hernando, and Polk counties. Seasonal flooding affects several locations, particularly in Green Swamp, where water levels can restrict access during summer rainy season. Winter remains the most popular time for camping when temperatures typically range from 50-75°F with low humidity.

What to do

Paddle the Withlacoochee River: Access the river directly from Withlacoochee River Park where "the river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging" according to one camper. The park connects to the Florida Trail for combined paddling and hiking trips.

Wildlife viewing at dawn: Morning hours offer the best chances to spot wildlife at Green Swamp — West Tract. One visitor described "the symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget" at the Gator Hole backcountry site.

Florida Trail hiking: Multiple sections of the Florida Trail pass through the area. "The trails at Hillsborough River State Park connect throughout the park" with several campgrounds providing direct trail access. A camper noted that Withlacoochee River Park is especially convenient because "the Florida Trail starts there also."

Class II rapids viewing: Florida's only class II rapids can be found near Hillsborough River State Park Campground. A visitor mentioned "several short trails to see the only class 2 rapids in Florida. Pretty wild."

What campers like

Concrete pads for all weather: Quail Run RV Park offers "nice wide, level concrete pull-through sites" that remain usable during Florida's unpredictable rainfall. "Very good service. Nice park. Level concrete pads. Ours was pull through," noted one reviewer.

Night sky viewing: Astronomy enthusiasts appreciate the dark skies at several area campgrounds. At Upper Hillsborough Preserve, "the local astronomy club uses neighboring field to gaze at the stars. This place is quiet and dark at night!"

Budget-friendly options: Free camping exists at several water management areas. At Green Swamp — Hampton Tract, "to camp, you need to obtain a permit ahead of time on the website. You get your approval almost immediately. You need that because it will have your gate code."

Shaded sites: Florida heat makes tree cover valuable. At Crooked River Campground, "it seemed like every site was surrounded by dense undergrowth which really added more privacy" and one camper appreciated that "the spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Water management district properties require advance permits. For Green Swamp West, "you can't beat Green Swamp West for nice and quiet free camping area" but you must make "a reservation through Southwest Florida water management. They provide a Lock code for you to enter."

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically. At Hampton Tract, one camper reported "we had 2-3 bars of AT&T and Verizon, but the internet was almost unusable most of time we were there" while another noted just "1-2 bars of 4G via AT&T."

Water availability: Many primitive sites lack potable water. At Upper Hillsborough Preserve "the downside to this campground is there is no hookups, no potable water on-site, no dump on-site and no dumpsters."

Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Colt Creek State Park noted "nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks" while another campground's bathrooms were described as "very sparse, however. Only one in the entire camping area, with only one stall in the men's, two in the women's and one shower each."

Tips for camping with families

River access for kids: Choose sites near water for entertainment. At Crooked River, "the walk to the river from our site was so worth it. 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."

Insect protection: Florida's insects can be relentless. One camper 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" while another noted "bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog."

Site selection for privacy: At Crooked River, families appreciate that "our kids were able to run around and be noisy and we weren't worried about annoying our neighbors" in the more secluded sites. Look for corner or end sites that back up to natural areas.

Flooding concerns: One family noted "it flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced" at their campsite. Ask about elevated sites when making reservations, especially during summer rainy season.

Tips from RVers

Generator restrictions: Rules vary by location. At some campgrounds, campers report issues with "someone isn't following the rule of generator shut off at 8" while others allow longer operation hours.

Site dimensions: Many campgrounds weren't designed for modern RVs. At one campground, a reviewer noted "we had to disconnect as our F450 was in the road" and "the CG is old and needs to be upgraded to better accommodate today's larger rigs."

Sewer connections: Distance to hookups can be an issue. One RVer reported "the sewer was at the end of the pad, and we needed right at 20 feet of hose" at their site. Always carry extension hoses when camping in this area.

Water pressure concerns: Higher than normal pressure exists at some parks. "Water pressure was above 60 psi, so we needed a reducer" noted one RVer, suggesting campers bring pressure regulators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Zephyrhills, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Zephyrhills, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 358 campgrounds and RV parks near Zephyrhills, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Zephyrhills, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Zephyrhills, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Zephyrhills, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Zephyrhills, FL.