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Lakefront Sweet Spot, N Central FL

Hosted by Judith · Hawthorne, Florida
2 sites · RV, Tent, Lodging · 1 acre
93%
·
7 reviews
Avatar
LAKEFRONT RETREAT! Boondock parking/tent camping spot or bunkhouse accommodations located in north central Florida lake country with an 'old Florida' feel, at homeowner Host's parcel on a small lake (private, i.e., no public access) that offers fishing, swimming (sandy-bottomed), birdwatching, and plenty of outdoor seating. HipCamp listings provided by an experienced, highly rated Host on other lodgings platforms, and fellow van-life traveler. Lakefront property is located in between Hawthorne and Interlachen out in the wooded countryside (decidedly rural) on a dead-end road as it turns to dirt -- usually very peaceful and quiet. Central location serves as a good base camp for day trips to the ocean beaches at either the Atlantic or the Gulf Coast, the manatees at various springs, or Ocala horse country. Variety of shops and restaurants are located in Gainesville to the west or Palatka to the east, both an easy drive on S.R. 20. BOONDOCKING SITE: Must be self-contained and leave no trace. Accepting only one camping guest vehicle at a time. The homeowner property is fenced with drive-through wing gates, host will greet you upon arrival so you can choose your spot either in the shade or in the sun or somewhat in between as the sandy ground slopes gently to the private lake. Best for vans, SUVs, or those with car and tent. Please inquire regarding compact RVs -- due to overhanging branches of oak shade trees, and limited size of the 0..66 acre lot, cannot accommodate large RVs or travel trailers. Potable water available from the yard's garden hose, but cannot offer power, and there's no public restroom or dump station. Small bags of trash or two can go in our communal covered trash bin. BUNKHOUSE OPTION: Charming dry-camp lakefront cottage (no running water) with basic electrical (cannot handle high-draw electrical devices like heaters or A/C units) has a van-life type camp toilet (bag #2, collect urine/#1; proper disposals supported by Host), jug of local spring water for drinking, bed options include a new twin mattress in upper sleeping loft and a new cot-width padded chaise lounge below (clean fitted bottom sheet and pillowcase provided per stay). Guests provide their own towels and toiletries. Some basic camping kitchen/household items provided. Guests are welcome to use the homeowner Host's vintage rowboat, kayaks, communal firepit, and/or wooden dock. Or there's a small tire-rim firepit by the shorefront. Firewood bundle with kindling available for a small fee. Not best property for traveling with pets, may be negotiable on a case-by-case basis, due to homeowner's dog (communicate directly with Host prior to booking). Guest pets would have to remain on tether at all times while on premises. Also, why care with gates must be practiced, such as securely latched and closed after going in or out, due to homeowner Host's dog.

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RV/tent sites

1 site
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Lakefront Camper Van / Tent Site

100%
(1)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 2 · Vehicles under 16 ft
LAKEFRONT RETREAT! Can accommodate car camping, camper vans, and/or tent set-ups; but not larger RVs, and pulling a trailer into here doesn't work well within our small parcel (navigating overhead branches, trees, other vehicles, and fencing, lack of turn-around capability). Confer with Host upon arrival to select your preferred spot on the property, most options in partial shade, or no shade, closer to lake or not, more level or some slope, inside fencing or not. We aim to accommodate as long as guest camper does not block driveway for Host vehicles to come and go plus staying off of septic system on northside of the house. Recommend passing through our lakeside gate to park/set-up outside the fenced compound where Host-Homeowner's dog roams. FYIs: You'll have to bring along your own portable camping toilet -- onboard within your vehicle or to be contained within a tent. However, Host supports proper disposal of dry-potty method (bagged waste goes in shared trash can) and urine collection (Host would flush jugs of pee for you). Potable well water available for campers via garden hose. Recommend you bring along your preferred drinking water. If the Bunkhouse is already booked for the same timeframe, we'll likely have to decline campsite requests or schedule for other date(s).
No campfires
No toilet
Potable water
No pets
No electrical hookup
No water hookup

Lodging

1 site
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Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse

92%
(6)
Cabin · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 2 beds
The Bunkhouse is a dry camp set-up: bucket toilet, no running water; yet has basic electricity for lights and fans and to recharge your phone or run your laptop. Shared/limited WiFi internet access. BED OPTIONS: Include a new twin mattress in the sleeping loft (accessible for the able-bodied and agile via a step-ladder) and the cot-width recliner wooden chaise lounge laid flat with mattress pad below. Campers bring in their add'l bedding. CAMP TOILET: bucket camping toilet with snap-on seat and lid (aka "dry potty" methods) with all the necessary materials to double-bag No. 2, and containers for No. 1 urine collection; Host provides all toileting supplies and supports proper disposal of both No. 1 + 2, plus all toileting equipment is sanitized in between guests. WATER AVAILABLE: Host provides a gallon jug of our local spring water for drinking. There is a garden hose at corner of the house with potable water for cooking, hosing off/washing up. Campers can boat, swim and bathe in the lake in swimsuits and provide their own towels and toiletries. FURNISHINGS: See photos, the rustic Bunkhouse is fully furnished. Other than two single-person beds and camping toilet, also stocked with many camp kitchen basics. A dome charcoal grill for guests is by the porch (bring your own sack of charcoal briquets and lighter fluid). POWER: The bunkhouse offers only basic electrical power, not suitable for high-draw electrical devices, like typical space heaters, A/C units, or heavy-duty kitchen appliances; however, a single-coil 1000W hot plate provided. A low-watt personal space heater and powerful electric fan are included. So plan accordingly for Florida's seasonal temperature ranges. PORCH: Sit out on the front porch overlooking the lake with your coffee or drink and/or for birdwatching. Guests can use the metal mesh side table for their propane/butane camping stove out on the porch. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Accessing the twin bed up in the sleeping loft is only suitable for the agile and able-bodied, best for adolescent/small adult. No open-flame cooking, heating, lighting, or lit candles allowed inside the wooden cottage. All typical safety items included. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 -- as not child-proof. Longer-stays negotiable. Contact Host with any Qs or requests.
No campfires
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
Picnic table

Reviews

93% Recommend7 ratings · 7 reviews
Mixed feelings
· May 2025
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
The place was immaculant and very detail oriented. I'm sure it is very peaceful and a lovely place to rest and recharge. There were some personal issues going on during my stay that really interrupted any relaxing or recharging.
Recommends
· May 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
Judith was a great host. Daddy and (adult) son trip. Accommodating to no end. She had everything you could've ever forgotten. She made sure we had what we needed and was so nice to talk to. Dog was super sweet. You could fish on the lake which was the reason for the weekend. Her property was nice and we would stay again.
Recommends
· April 2025
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
Judith was very kind and accommodating. The bunk house was set up very nicely. The view was great we even got to see a Sandhill crane family with a chick! All in all had a great stay.
Recommends
· April 2025
Lakefront Camping
16 ft car ·
Lakefront Camper Van / Tent Site
This place was exactly what I needed! First time solo camping and felt completely safe and comfortable. This was such a great place to unwind and relax! I camped lakefront on this beautiful lake, which offered peaceful kayaking and wildlife. The camping area was clean, well maintained, and exactly as advertised. I plan to return again soon! No complaints at all!
Recommends
· January 2025
Lakeside bunkhouse
With kids ·
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
Judith was a great host. Went out of the way to make sure our stay was pleasant.
Recommends
· April 2024
Very Peaceful location
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
Great host and a great place to go if want peace and quiet and unplug. 5 out of 5 stars. Thanks again!
Recommends
· April 2024
An awesome stay on the lake
Rustic Lakefront Bunkhouse
I stayed here for a few nights with my partner and we had a amazing experience. Judith was a lovely host who was incredible hospitable; she went above and beyond to make sure we were completely comfortable tending to anything we needed, (which for us was lending us a Esky, very helpful), she offered us lunch for Easter Sunday which was completely unexpected but gladly enjoyed and she even had a bonfire for us that night too! The house has impeccable attention to detail that makes your stay so simple and easy meaning we could just enjoy our time in nature and watching the birds. Another pleasant surprise was the row boat and 2 single kayaks we were free to use on the lake. I cannot recommend this place enough if you don't care for a shower every night.

Location

Hawthorne, Putnam, Florida, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Judith W.

Joined in March 2024
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours

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