Waterside camping near New Port Richey

Head to New Port Richey for sunny skies and horseback riding in lush, wild parks.

92% (1222 reviews)

United States
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Florida
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New Port Richey

92% (1222 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New Port Richey

2 top waterside campgrounds near New Port Richey

97%

(689)

By the Pond...

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Ruskin, FL

Stay by a lovely pond on 33 acre fruit and ornamental tree nursery property with great vibes. Located near I-75 just 20 miles South of Tampa, 35 miles east of Saint Petersburg, 35 miles North of Sarasota, 2 hours West of Orlando. This property is home to a farm/nursery operation and has a large pond on the west side. The pond is Spring-fed at the headwaters of Marsh Branch Creek which begins at our property and flows West about five miles in to Tampa Bay. Approximately 33 private acres allows for plenty of space between our campsites. Property is home to a farm with hundreds of fruit trees- Lychee, Mango, Starfruit, Papaya, Guava). Red Mombin, and thousands of banana plants. Fishing can be great, wildlife and bird watching too. Fenced and gated for safety, this old historic nursery property has good vibes and plenty to offer. Until you see it - you really may not understand. Parts of property are wide open, other areas are rugged and difficult to walk through including some wetland areas. The nursery has plenty of trees, and some fields -the large pond is surrounded by cattails and marsh/wetlands and has fish (Bass, Tilapia, Sunfish, Catfish). Several species of wildlife have been seen on the property. We think the property is lovely, and definitely want you to enjoy your camping experience!

97%

(92)

Honey Bunny’s Urban Oasis

3 sites · RVs1 acre · St Petersburg, FL

Send Van Type and Length with Request to Book 🐝 👀check out our EXTRAS👀 🐝 Elderberry Tonic/Tropic Spice Hot Sauce/Shoo Fly! Bug Spray 🦩WE ONLY HOST VANS/CLASS B vehicles/very small travel trailers🦩 If you need to book for longer VanLife stays just message me 🌈 Everyone Welcome 🌈 As a family who has towed campers across the US a couple times utilizing Hip Camp we know others will appreciate the ease of pulling into our little 1 acre urban oasis just a couple miles off the interstate in Floridas Coolest City. It’s an ideal location to explore St Pete as we are right between the beaches and downtown (5 miles to St Pete beach, 4 miles to downtown -$10 Uber ride), Sarasota and/or Tampa. Ours is an urban spot based on ease, safety and location, not a wilderness "experience" We have a paved circular driveway overlooking our beehives, henhouse and seasonal garden where you’ll find a table with chairs and plenty of space to cookout and enjoy a quiet evening with a great sunset by the blowing bamboo. This is one of South St Pete’s oldest neighborhoods- it surrounds an active former PGA golf course and lively country club. It’s a great place for safely biking or walking with green spaces, tennis courts, playgrounds and dog parks nearby. There are many owls, raptors, green parrots, purple martins and osprey overhead as we’re just a few blocks from the beautiful Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. - not to be missed! The Pinellas Trail is just a short bike ride away too and can lead you to downtown. It is a cyclists favorite! We love our city - happy to give recommendations.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterside camping near New Port Richey guide

Overview

The city of New Port Richey is flanked by incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico on the west and vibrant forests in the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park to the east. The metropolitan amenities of Tampa are only an hour's drive south, while nearby outdoor activities like hiking and horseback riding are available at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. Pull-through and back-in RV campgrounds with communal areas, wifi connections, electrical hookups, and dump stations are abundant in the area, while tent camping is also available with amenities like fire rings. Warm weather and sunny skies make New Port Richey a year-round destination for all kinds of campers.

Where to go

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

Only a 15-minute drive from New Port Richey’s city center, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers 8,300 acres of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Spend the day fishing in the Anclote and Pithlachascotee Rivers, or head to the Starkey Environmental Education Center to learn about the area’s natural habitats. Stay right in the park, and rent a cabin or pitch a tent at a primitive campsite equipped with picnic tables and firepits.

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve encompasses 110,000 acres of wetlands that are home to native carnivorous plants. It’s a popular spot for viewing local wildlife like armadillos and black bears, as well. Campers flock to Green Swamp for hiking, horseback riding, non-motorized boating, and hunting. RV campsites with dump stations and electrical hookups are available at Colt Creek State Park within the preserve. There are also primitive campsites and equestrian campsites with spaces for horse trailers.

Tampa

For urban activities and traditional Cuban sandwiches, head south to the area surrounding the city of Tampa. In town, campers can feel the energy while shopping, sipping cocktails at a rooftop bar, or laughing at a comedy club, but for a bit of nature, snag a spot at one of the many pet-friendly RV campgrounds nearby with pools, wifi connections, and full-service hookups. Then, head to Fort De Soto Beach for some more dog-friendly fun in the sun. (Clearwater Beach’s sandy shores are dog-free if that’s preferred.) Drive-in equestrian campgrounds are also popular and come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings.

When to go

March, April, and May are popular months to visit New Port Richey. Prepare for spring breakers at the tourist attractions during these months. Hurricane season runs from June until November with most rain occurring in July and August, and these summer months reach temperatures around 90°F. The winters in New Port Richey see temperatures as low as 50°F, but the skies are almost always sunny and accommodating for year-round camping trips.