Serenova Tract Campsites

Got out late at night on a Friday and pulled into a offshoot. The next day found a very nice campsite spot to set up at. Very private, great views and the neighboring campers were very respectful! Not much in terms of single track for mountain biking, however we had fun exploring the dirt roads in our Forester. Be mindful of going after/during a good rain, it floods pretty easily. Port-a-potty was alittle run down and needed refreshing. Overall, a great little spot to camp!

After a simple on-line reservation and finding someone at the Publix, across the road, to show me where the entrance was, I couldn’t believe how nice it was for a free camp spot. I stayed in the primitive side, where there was only 3 sites and I had so much privacy. It was so quiet, I only heard an owl one night, during my 6 night stay. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings. It was perfect!

My wife and I decided to take a little overnight camping trip here. The weather was perfect and we had a very relaxing time.

The gate on the drive in stays locked at all times and you get the combination when you make your reservation. Other than a picnic table and fire ring at each site there's not much more so you'll need to bring your own water and pack out your trash.

We will definitely camp here again!

Nice place to spend a couple days. Food shopping right across the street, Publix. Also a couple take out places. Campground itself was clean, quiet, a little road noise, oh well. Otherwise, peaceful. Bring your own water. No electricity. Vault toilet. That wasn't cleaned for a while, it stunk pretty bad. #2, Publix across the street. I'd stay again. 15 minutes from Hudson Beach ⛱. I love the beach. Tarpon Springs, half hour away. Oh yeah, gas is right next door, Racetrack. Everything else 10 minutes away.

Need a reservation, there are just a handful of sites. Each has a fire ring and a table. Locked gate (you need a code they give you in your reservation confirmation) dirt road, easily accessible by motorcycle/car. Supermarket and several restaurants just across the main road. There is a bathroom, but we never went in. There is also equestrian camping across the road. Lots and lots of hiking options in this huge area White tee, on the map, shows where campground is, the rest is hiking trails. 4 instead of 5 only because there is no potable water.

This campground is very peaceful and clean. It has 1 vault toilet that is decent but never had any TP for the 5 days I stayed so I assume it’s not checked regularly. You do have to apply for a permit to camp here through the SW Florida water management site. The campground is gated so you need a code to get in, which is a nice safety feature. There’s A primitive side & an equestrian side but during my stay it was all regular campers and nobody with any horses. There’s non potable water and 2 really nice shelters for picnics or gatherings. There’s at least 15 spots here, all a mixture of sun and shade. Most sites feel pretty secluded and never got full during my visit. Watch out for wild hogs during any hikes or trail rides as they are very active in this area. There’s a Publix just across the street and a gas station not even half a mile down the road. Super easy to get to and short drive down a dirt road. I’d definitely stay here again! No trash services so pack it out! Had 2-3 bars of 5G through AT&T.

During our journeys we came across this small, out of the way park that was quite a delight!

Serenova tract is part of the larger Jay B. Starkey wilderness park and can be accessed off of Route 52 in Land O' Lakes, Fl. The park offers free camping with a reservation which needs to be made with the Southwest Florida Wildlife Management District. The campsites are primitive, but each site has a picnic table and fire ring which doubles as a grill - you must provide your own firewood. Potable water is not available, so bring your own plus, directly across Route 52 is a Publix shopping center where you can get your water, groceries and ice!. The campsites are very well maintained, shaded by oak trees and separated enough to allow everyone to enjoy their peace while not disturbing their neighbors.

Hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing are the staples of the park, including approx. 20 miles of trails along with a spring fed lake accessible after about a 2 1/2 mile hike. There is even a hand pump well and cast-iron bathtub used as a watering trough for the horses!

For the history buffs, the remains of a decaying chimney near the lake has long been rumored to be the remains of a hideout used by Al Capone.