Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground maintains two dedicated dog parks and pet-friendly trails throughout its expansive property. Pets are welcome at most campsites with proper leash control, though some areas remain restricted. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort features both a dog park and dog washing station, making it particularly convenient for travelers with furry companions. Hillsborough River State Park Campground, Colt Creek State Park, and Lakeland RV Resort all accommodate pets with varying amenities. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated off-leash areas. The dog park at Fort Wilderness provides separate areas for small and large dogs, with waste stations and water fountains available. Sites typically allow 2-3 pets per reservation with some parks charging additional pet fees ranging from $2-10 per night.
Hiking trails throughout the Lakeland area offer varying degrees of pet accessibility, with Hillsborough River State Park's riverside paths particularly popular among dog owners. The trails run alongside the river where visitors occasionally spot wildlife, making proper leash control essential. Edward Medard Park provides pet-friendly hiking and fishing opportunities with multiple trails accessible to leashed dogs. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid heat stress on pets' paws. Most campgrounds provide designated pet relief areas with waste disposal stations. Several campgrounds feature fenced dog parks where pets can socialize off-leash, though supervision remains required. The dog park at Terra Ceia RV Resort includes a dedicated walking path surrounding the play area. Veterinary services are available within 15-30 minutes of most Lakeland area campgrounds, with several 24-hour emergency clinics in the greater Tampa region.
$24 / night
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."
$78 - $389 / night
"Easy location to get to. The lots are pretty wide open with little shade, but we had a tiki, which was awesome. Pool was nice and warm. Kids loved the slide. Dog park and wash are a bonus."
"They are pet friendly & have dog poo stations along the roads. Very close to a long biking trail & there’s a gas station near the entrance. Beautifully landscaped & friendly staff."
$24 / night
"A gravel back in drive area that contained a fire pit a grill, electric and water. A short walk to the bathrooms that were well laid out, large and exceptionally clean."
"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"
$56 - $201 / night
"Pet friendly with dog parks and trails."
"Super dog friendly with an amazing dog park. Great location and so many wonderful things to do here."
$40 - $75 / night
"Great privately owned campsite for those wanting to get away from crowds and overly-popular sites."
"Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals ( steer and goats )."
$24 / night
"What a beautiful well kept facility near suburbia. Just a short drive from Tampa and Lakeland areas this first come first served facility is a favorite of locals."
"Camping is first come first serve but gives you access to the park after hours. Camp sites are bit close to one another but overall amazing experience."
$10 - $20 / night
"Thrift and bait shop nearby."
"This park is conveniently located to Publix grocery store, Cracker Barrel, and many other great restaurants. It is mainly full time mobile homes but welcomes RVs as well."
"Located just south of Lakeland this park offers multiple amenities for group gatherings including a large firepit and stage area."
TravelerPricey but it's Disney. Lots of activities to do at the campground without going to the parks. Clean and well maintained campsites and bathrooms. The roads are narrow in the loops and the sites can be difficult to get into. Pet friendly with dog parks and trails.
LegendWhat a beautiful well kept facility near suburbia. Just a short drive from Tampa and Lakeland areas this first come first served facility is a favorite of locals. Full service for RV's (even a dump station. Clean, monitored bathroom facilities close to lots of additional activities! Kayaking and fishing on the lake is a blast! Frisbee Golf (this is an advanced course) equestrian and hiking trails, picnic and playground areas. Pet friendly but there were more than a few stray cats when we were there (a problem the rangers are trying to address). Midweek is best time to visit as weekends fill fast (usually by Thursday night)
LegendIt’s not common to find a spot that you can plant your RV on and go out to hit the links for the day all in the same location, but here at Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort you can hit par on both fronts. Located right off Route 27 just due west of Lake Apopka in central Florida, Clerbrook offers nearly 300 acres of prime landscape that posits 1200+ RV slots for your parking and vacationing pleasure. Here you’ll be able to perfectly blend a golfing oasis that blends its RV offering complete with lush vegetation, interconnecting ponds and narrow canals all surrounded by ancient Oaks draped with Spanish Moss.
As far as amenities goes, Clerbrook does not disappoint. Here’s just a small list of all the great amenities you’ll find: Welcome Center, Heated Swimming Pools, BBQ and Picnic tables, Planned Activities, Clubhouses, Billiard Room, Card Rooms, Post Office, Fishing Area, 18 Hole Golf Course with Pro Shop (note: first 9 holes are complimentary with a visit to the Pro Shop), Exercise & Fitness Center, Horseshoe Pits, Recreation Hall, Laundry, Shuffleboard Courts, Library, Nature Walks, Pets Welcome, Picnic Pavilion, Driving Range, Dog Park, Wood Shop, Basketball Court, Playground, Restrooms & Showers, Softball Field, Hot Tub, RV Storage, complimentary WiFi, Arts and Craft Classes as well as Live Entertainment on the weekends. Of course, for RV’ers you can expect both back-in and pull-through slots with all of the traditional water, sewage and electric (30 / 50 amp) hook-ups.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’ve got wine on your mind (and why wouldn’t you when on holiday?!), just meander a few miles south of Clerbrook and you’ll discover a fairly respectable winery called Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards offering tours and tastings featuring Muscadine grapes (apparently a prominent grape varietal down in these parts known for their antioxidant qualities; (2) When you get tired of fixing every meal from your mini-fridge or cooler, then you’ll have to head south to Clermont where you’ll find PeruRican Ceviche, which for these parts is pretty outstanding and if you are still longing for pizza, check out Mamma Rita’s Pizzeria for some good pies and pasta; and (3) If nature is calling and you want to get out for a good hike, then head due south to Hiawatha Preserve that has a few dog parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking paths, and of course, access to Lake Hiawatha, in case you want to drop your kayak or canoe in the water.
Happy Camping!
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
RangerThis is probably the largest park we have ever stayed in. We normally go for the smaller quaint parks but we decided to try it out. We went along the outside rim in site Mako 7. The sites are large enough and have most have full hook ups. Not many trees for shade, but it is in Florida so that is to be expected. We were fortunate to have a couple of grassy areas around close to walk the dog. There is a dog park but it was on the other end of the campground. We did go one day and the park is nice. It’s sand and has poop bags. But no water for drinking so take your own. This side of the park had more trees and was nice for walking around with the dog. No WiFi in the area closest to the dog park. Sites seemed mostly level but only the new section has nice concrete pads. The older sections are hit and miss as to what the site looks like. All in all it’s a great location for visiting all the local attractions... (but we didn’t do that).
GuideLithia 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!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
LegendThe Hog Island Recreation Area is located on the eastern bank of the Withlacoochee river close to the small town of Nobleton. Part of the recreation area includes the Hog Island Nature Trail, part of the Trailwalker Program and officially certified as part of the longer Florida National Scenic Trail. The Hog Island Campground (fl-dof.com) provides nicely shaded and dry campsites for tent and RV campers with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. These sites are amazingly screened from each other with natural understory vegetation and access to the Withlacoochee River. Restroom with showers (which could use a little love and care), water spigots and a dump station are located nearby. Campers arriving by canoe can stay at a riverside campsite that includes access to drinking water.
This is a good campground with pretty decent warm/hot showers and electric hookups, so you aren't going to really be spending a few days completely off the grid. Although, cellular service is spotty, but mostly usable. The camp hosts were really nice and supposedly no pets are allowed, but I definitely heard some dogs at night. Just a few steps away is the Hog Island boat ramp, nature trail and a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail leaving you with lots to do.
You get your standard nice campground features
· Large shared picnic area
· Good fishing
· Canoe and boat launch
· No pets allowed.
*I heard some dogs and there were basically no one around, so maybe the host let some people get away with it…
· 2-mile loop Nature Trail.
· Hiking trails:
· Equestrian trails:
GuideNice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!
Camping near Lakeland, Florida offers outdoor recreation opportunities within a 30-mile radius of the city center. The Lakeland area sits at an elevation of around 200 feet above sea level with several freshwater lakes and conservation areas dotting the landscape. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-90s with high humidity, making spring and fall months more comfortable for tent campers.
Hiking the trails: At Edward Medard Park, visitors can explore multiple hiking trails that showcase Florida wildlife. "Beautiful park with a lot of wild life. The campground had bathrooms and showers available at a short walking distance," shares Mackenzie O. about Edward Medard Park.
Kayaking opportunities: Colt Creek State Park offers paddling experiences on its lakes where campers can spot local wildlife. "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life, we saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports Barbara A. from her stay at Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Parks like Edward Medard feature complete disc golf courses for recreation. As Hampton B. notes, "I have had fun at Medard no matter the situation camping, grilling, family time, or disc golf."
Nature viewing: Early morning offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities at Wilderness Shores. "Hike along the water on trails, off road biking, and up close viewing of the beautiful ranch animals (steer and goats)," explains patty about her experience at the property.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals!" says Rebecca A. about Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room between sites at many locations. "Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night. Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus!" writes Lorilee S. about her stay at Hillsborough River.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools and water amenities. "They've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," notes Danielle M. about her family's experience at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale.
Short-term accessibility: Many Lakeland area campgrounds provide convenient bases for exploring central Florida. "The campground is also not far from some big cities, such as Tampa and St Pete, which is convenient," Rebecca A. points out about Hillsborough River State Park.
Insect preparation: Florida's humid climate supports substantial mosquito populations. "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," warns Jason D. from his visit to Hillsborough River State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall provide the most comfortable camping temperatures. "Weather was cool in February that allowed for comfortable hiking and biking. Good Verizon signal to allow for plenty of streaming," shares Rick G. about his winter experience at Hillsborough River.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Lakeland: Most campgrounds welcome dogs but with specific restrictions beyond what's mentioned in the existing description. "They are pet friendly & have dog poo stations along the roads," notes Amanda W. about Wilderness Shores Ranch & RV/Tent Campground.
Reservation strategies: Some parks operate on first-come, first-served systems. "Midweek is best time to visit as weekends fill fast (usually by Thursday night)," advises Jeanene A. regarding Edward Medard Park.
Pool activities: Campgrounds with water features provide built-in entertainment. "The kids played for four hours straight and went back for more after dinner!" shares Janel P. about her experience at Camp Margaritaville.
Wildlife education: Turn wildlife sightings into learning opportunities. "We were invited on a cattle run, gator search and also an SUV tour of this amazingly beautiful property; which is surrounded by 3/4 water," explains patty about her family's experience at Wilderness Shores.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "Great for kids and pets. Wifi was amazing. Staff was super friendly. Huge lots with tons of stuff to do," says Erik P. about the amenities at Camp Margaritaville.
Pet-friendly campground options near Lakeland: When traveling with both children and pets, look for campgrounds with dedicated pet areas. "Great privately owned campsite for those wanting to get away from crowds and overly-popular sites. This campsite also has cattle and goats and the owner allows you to pet the goats (great for little kids)," notes Nestor A. from Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Site selection: At some parks, certain loops accommodate larger rigs better. "Short hike in to site. Nice open and quiet area. Firewood was available for $5 for 6 pieces," reports Backpacker76 about the primitive sites at Colt Creek State Park.
Power requirements: Most campgrounds offer 30/50 amp service, but availability varies. "We stayed in our 45' RV. It was tight but we loved this park. The views of the water are amazing and the people we awesome," shares Philip C. about his stay at Sun n Fun Campground.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or facilities. "The location is near main highways and a railroad so if you're a light sleeper, bring ear plugs," advises Nestor A. about Wilderness Shores.
Seasonal RV camping: Winter months bring seasonal residents. "This park is conveniently located to Publix grocery store, Cracker Barrel, and many other great restaurants. It is mainly full time mobile homes but welcomes RVs as well," explains Roxane W. about the environment at Lakeland RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lakeland, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lakeland, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lakeland, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 266 dog-friendly camping locations near Lakeland, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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