Upper Hillsborough Preserve offers free dispersed camping across 9,000 acres of protected lands within the Green Swamp ecosystem near Zephyrhills. This area sits at an average elevation of 80 feet above sea level with distinctive pine flatwoods and hydric hammock terrain. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop into the 40s, creating ideal camping conditions from October through April.
What to do
Kayaking the Withlacoochee River: Put in at Withlacoochee River Park for direct water access. "The river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging... the Florida Trail starts there also," notes Joanne W., who recommends bringing your own equipment for the best experience.
Geocaching adventures: The Alston Tract contains dozens of geocache locations throughout its trail system. "Lots of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The Florida trail is nearby," reports Ryan S., who appreciates the wilderness setting of this free camping area.
Observe wildlife from observation towers: Visit the viewing tower at Withlacoochee River Park during early morning or evening hours. "Definitely climb the tower for a great view. Close to great kayaking on the Withlacoochee River," recommends Jennifer L., who enjoyed spotting various wildlife species from this elevated vantage point.
Mountain biking trails: Green Swamp West Tract offers extensive biking opportunities through pine flatwoods. "Nice trails for biking," notes Brett D., who visited the McNeil primitive camping area and appreciated the scenic riding routes through the preserve.
What campers like
Large, level sites: Colt Creek State Park Campground offers spacious camping spots with well-maintained facilities. "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks," says SanDal B., who noted how small their van looked in the generous site.
Quiet camping environment: The Hampton Tract provides peaceful camping when not crowded. "This camping area is nice and quiet. It is similar to the other Green Swamp sites, level campsites and plenty of space," notes Bruce D., though he recommends visiting during less busy periods.
Natural Florida ecosystem: Crooked River Campground preserves an authentic Florida experience. "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 particularly enjoyed letting her children play in the river.
Free camping options: Most water management district sites offer no-cost camping with basic amenities. "Free campsite maintained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. To camp, you need to obtain a permit ahead of time on the website," explains Meandering Life, who appreciated the quiet, dark camping environment.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most public lands require advance reservations, even for free sites. "We stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management. They provide a Lock code for you to enter upon entering so there's always a locked gate during your stay," explains Abby M.
Limited bathroom facilities: At Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract, amenities are minimal. "Port a Potry was however atrocious. Good thing there is a Circle K just down the raod a few miles," notes Annie C., suggesting campers plan accordingly.
Generator noise issues: Some campers report problems with neighbors running generators after quiet hours. "Very quiet unless someone isn't following the rule of generator shut off at 8 other than that highly recommend," mentions Tyler B. about Hampton Tract, where noise regulations exist but aren't always followed.
Seasonal bugs: Summer brings challenging insect conditions. "The amount of deer flies in that place was absolutely unbearable. Even after slathering myself in bug repellant, the guys out there were seriously ruthless - swarming and biting constantly," warns Falon N., suggesting winter camping is preferable.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly water access: Hillsborough River State Park Campground offers safe water recreation options. "The campground here is very nice! 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," recommends Rebecca A.
Look for educational opportunities: Colt Creek State Park offers accessible nature trails for children. "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," shares Jeanene A.
Consider accessible camping needs: Several parks offer ADA-compliant facilities. "There is a paved trail as well as wide dirt trails to explore. This is a great place to visit," notes Jeanene about Withlacoochee River Park, which offers options for families with mobility considerations.
Plan for weather changes: Florida's rapid weather shifts require preparation. "The site was huge and secluded! Our kids were able to run around and be noisy and we weren't worried about annoying our neighbors. My only 'complaints' are that it flooded very quickly during the few thunderstorms we experienced," cautions Danae N.
Tips from RVers
Research road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites often present challenges. "The access road can be challenging for RVs and trailers, it's better to go to your site first and then walk there," advises Jennifer L. about Withlacoochee River Park's entrance area.
Consider portable water options: For dog friendly campgrounds near Zephyrhills without potable water, planning is essential. "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," shares Nate D., who regularly camps at Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Solar limitations in wooded areas: Dense tree cover affects power generation. "The campground is very wooded which is normally great, but we have solar for our electricity and there were probably only 1-2 areas we could get any use out of it," notes Meandering Life about Hampton Tract.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly between pet-friendly camping sites near Zephyrhills. "We had 2-3 bars of AT&T and Verizon, but the internet was almost unusable most of time we were there," reports Meandering Life, suggesting working campers may need alternative arrangements.
