Florida ATV Trails That Allow Camping Overnight
Florida offers several ways to pair ATV or UTV riding with an overnight stay, but “camping near a trail” and “camping where you can ride from camp” are not always the same thing. That distinction matters: public lands may limit camping to designated sites, while private parks set their own rules. This guide explains where to start planning and what to check before you load up.
Florida ATV trails with nearby overnight camping
The easiest trips are usually the ones where the campground and riding area are part of the same property or connected by an approved route. Even then, access can depend on your machine, the campground’s rules, trail closures, and whether you have the required permits.
| Riding area | Overnight option to investigate | Best fit | Important planning check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croom Motorcycle Area | Buttgenbach Mine Campground | Riders who want a forest campground close to an established OHV area | Confirm that your machine is allowed and check trail access and camping arrangements |
| Ocala National Forest | Big Scrub Campground and other designated camping areas | Riders planning a forest trail trip | Confirm which routes are open to your vehicle and whether the campground has suitable access |
| Hog Waller, near Palatka | On-site camping or cabin options | Riders looking for a private park stay with riding nearby | Ask the park about overnight arrangements, machine rules, and event schedules |
| Tate’s Hell State Forest | Nearby designated campgrounds or other lawful lodging | Riders combining a forest visit with camping in the region | Verify that your chosen campsite permits your intended vehicle access |
| Redneck Mud Park, near Punta Gorda | Event-based camping options may be available | Riders attending a scheduled riding event | Check the specific event’s camping and vehicle rules before traveling |
Treat the table as a shortlist, not a guarantee of current access. A campground may be open when a trail is closed, or a trail may permit one class of vehicle but not another. For a broader look at sites and route planning, see [Florida ATV Camping With Trail Access] and [Florida OHV Campgrounds With Hookups].
Croom and Buttgenbach Mine Campground
Croom Motorcycle Area in Withlacoochee State Forest is a familiar destination for riders who want a large managed riding area and camping in the same general setting. Buttgenbach Mine Campground is associated with the Croom area, making it a natural place to investigate when you want to spend more than one day riding rather than packing up and driving to a separate hotel each night. Review [Buttgenbach Mine Campground at Croom] before choosing dates.
One important detail: Croom’s name does not mean every kind of off-highway vehicle can use every part of the area. Width and vehicle-class rules can matter, particularly for side-by-sides. Don’t assume that a machine that fits on a trailer or a county road will pass the riding area’s gate requirements. Check the current machine restrictions, access points, and trail information before you make the drive. These related guides can help you think through the issue: [Croom's 55-Inch Width Check at the Gate] and [Florida ATV Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides].
Camping logistics deserve the same attention as trail rules. Confirm whether your reservation or campsite arrangement covers the people and vehicles in your group, where you’re allowed to park or stage machines, and how campers reach the riding area. If your group includes both narrow ATVs and a wider UTV, ask specifically about the UTV rather than relying on a general answer about “ATVs.”
Ocala National Forest and Big Scrub
The Ocala National Forest offers a different kind of overnight trip: riding on designated OHV routes within a large public forest, with camping at established sites such as Big Scrub. That can make it possible to combine a campsite stay with a trail-focused visit, but you still need to match your route, machine, and campsite to the applicable forest rules. Start with [Big Scrub Campground and Its OHV Corrals] and [Ocala National Forest ATV Trails in Florida].
A forest campground is not permission to ride wherever you like. Stay on routes open to your vehicle, obey signs and closures, and use only lawful connections between camp and trail. If the campground and a route appear close together on a map, that alone does not establish that riding directly between them is allowed. The official forest information and trailhead signage should guide the final decision.
Plan for public-land requirements as well as camping. Depending on the riding area and rider, those may include an OHV pass, safety-course documentation, proof of ownership, or other applicable paperwork. The details can differ by location and situation, so review [Florida OHV Permits: What You Need Before You Ride] and [Florida National Forest OHV Pass: 3-Day, 7-Day or Annual] before leaving home.
Private riding parks with overnight options
Private parks can be a practical choice for groups that want riding and lodging on one property. They may offer a more event-focused experience than a forest campground, and their rules may differ from public-land rules. That flexibility does not mean you can assume a particular campsite, trail, or machine is available: the park’s own instructions control.
Hog Waller near Palatka
Hog Waller ATV Resort, near Palatka, is one option to explore if you want a private riding area with camping or cabin possibilities. Its appeal for an overnight trip is straightforward: less back-and-forth driving can mean more time for riding, relaxing, and getting gear ready for the next day. For planning background, see [Hog Waller ATV Resort in Palatka, Florida] and [Hog Waller Camping and Cabins].
Before booking, ask what “camping” means for your group. Are you bringing an RV, a tent, or a trailer? Are there specific areas where machines may be parked? Does the lodging arrangement include riding access, or are passes and entry handled separately? These questions can prevent the awkward surprise of arriving with a full campsite setup only to learn that your planned arrangement is not permitted.
It is also worth checking whether the park has an event or operating schedule that affects your stay. A quieter weekend and a busy event weekend can feel like very different trips, especially if you are bringing children, first-time riders, or a large group. Read the park’s current rules, understand its waiver and safety requirements, and ask about any restrictions on passengers, age, pets, alcohol, or noise.
Redneck Mud Park and event-based camping
Redneck Mud Park near Punta Gorda is a private riding destination known for event-oriented weekends. That format can suit riders who want a lively group trip, but it also means that overnight arrangements may depend on the particular event. Do not assume that camping is available on every date, or that the same rules apply to a regular visit and a major event. See [Redneck Mud Park Near Punta Gorda, Florida] and [Redneck Mud Park's Event-Weekend Model] as starting points.
Ask the park or event organizer what your overnight setup can include, where vehicles and trailers may be left, and whether your campsite is close to the riding area. Clarify whether the same admission or access arrangement covers both camping and riding, and whether there are separate requirements for passengers or different machine types. If the event is popular, confirming these details early can be much less stressful than trying to sort them out at the gate.
Event weekends also call for more deliberate planning around noise, fuel, water, food, and recovery equipment. A muddy ride can leave machines and gear needing a wash before you pack up, while a crowded site may make it harder to improvise. Bring only what the park permits, secure your belongings, and plan a safe place to store helmets and riding equipment overnight.
How to choose a campsite for an ATV or UTV trip
A good campsite is not simply the closest one to the trail on a map. It should work with your machine, your group, and the rules of the land. A few minutes spent checking those details can save hours of rerouting or a disappointing arrival.
Confirm camping and riding are both permitted
First, identify the land manager. A private park, state forest, national forest, and nearby commercial campground can all have different rules. Permission to camp does not automatically mean permission to ride, and permission to ride in one area does not necessarily allow you to drive a machine to a separate campsite.
For public land, check the specific trail system and campground guidance, not just a general page about the forest. Look for designated routes, temporary closures, seasonal restrictions, permit information, and instructions about where machines may be parked. If you are planning around a national forest, [Florida National Forest Riding vs State Forest Riding] can help you understand why rules may differ between land types.
For private property, contact the operator directly and ask your questions in concrete terms. “Can we camp there?” is less useful than “Can we bring a travel trailer, park our UTV at the site, and ride from that location to the open trail?” That phrasing makes it easier to catch restrictions on vehicle type, campsite location, or access route.
Match your machine and group to the rules
Machine size can make or break an overnight plan. Some areas are primarily set up for ATVs or motorcycles, while others may accommodate side-by-sides subject to width, weight, or route restrictions. Confirm the classification and dimensions that matter for your machine before planning around a trailhead or campground.
If you ride a UTV, bring the model name and measured width when you contact the operator. Don’t rely only on a sales brochure or a general label like “compact.” Accessories such as wider wheels, tires, or other modifications can affect the machine’s dimensions. For background on the distinctions, review [Florida UTV Title Rules]—or, if you are planning around the trail gate specifically, verify the riding area’s own measurement procedure and rules.
The group itself also affects the choice. A family with young riders may need nearby restrooms, a less demanding route, or a campground with enough room to unwind between rides. Friends bringing multiple machines may need more trailer parking and a clear plan for fueling and unloading. For children riding on public land, review [Florida ATV Safety Course Requirements for Riders Under 16] and check the requirements that apply to the land and riders in your group.
Check maps, but verify on the ground
Digital maps can be useful for planning distances, finding access roads, and keeping a group oriented. onX Offroad can help you review routes and terrain before a trip, especially when you are comparing a campground location with nearby riding areas. Use it as a planning aid rather than proof that a route is open or legal: land boundaries, access permissions, and closures need to be confirmed with the relevant land manager.
Before you travel, compare your planned route against official maps and written land rules. Look for whether the trail is intended for your type of machine, whether a connector crosses private property, and whether the route is open during your dates. A line on a map can be tempting when camp is only a short distance away, but crossing a closed route, gate, or private parcel can create real problems.
Save the information you need for offline use if you expect poor cell service. onX Offroad may help you keep a map available on your device, but keep official documents and directions accessible too. A downloaded map does not replace posted signs, a ranger’s instructions, or a land manager’s current closure notice. For additional preparation ideas, see [Florida ATV Trail Map Downloads] and [Florida Trail Closures You Should Check First].
A practical overnight trip checklist
A smooth ATV camping trip usually comes down to small details handled before departure. Build the plan around the campground’s actual rules, then organize your gear and paperwork so you are not trying to find a confirmation email in a parking area with weak service.
Before you book
- Confirm the dates and overnight arrangement. Ask whether the campground or park is open for your intended dates and whether your chosen setup—tent, RV, cabin, or trailer—is permitted.
- Verify machine access. Give the operator your ATV or UTV type, dimensions, and any relevant modifications. Ask whether your group can reach the riding area from camp by an approved route.
- Check trail status and land rules. Look for closures, permitted vehicle classes, pass requirements, and any seasonal restrictions. Recheck shortly before departure.
- Clarify the full cost structure. Camping, riding access, vehicle passes, and optional facilities may be handled separately. Check the provider’s own information for the amounts and what each charge covers.
- Ask about practical facilities. Confirm where you can park a trailer, whether water or electrical hookups are available, where fuel can be obtained, and what restroom or washdown arrangements exist.
Before you leave home
Keep reservation details, directions, proof of ownership, and any required permits or safety-course documentation together. If you are riding public land, review [What to Carry Into a Florida State Forest] and make sure each rider knows what needs to be available at the trailhead. Carrying the right paperwork is much easier than trying to retrieve it when you are already unloaded.
Pack for the ride and the campsite separately. Riding gear, helmets, eye protection, gloves, closed-toe footwear, drinking water, basic first aid, and a way to communicate should be easy to reach. For camp, think about lighting, rain protection, insect control, food storage, and a secure place for keys and personal items. Florida heat, sudden rain, and muddy conditions can make a “quick overnight” feel a lot longer when you are underprepared.
Finally, agree on a plan if your group gets separated. Identify the meeting point, decide who carries the map, and make sure everyone understands the route and any boundaries. Keep machines on authorized trails, respect quiet hours, and leave the site as you found it. With the campsite, riding access, and vehicle rules confirmed ahead of time, an overnight trip can feel like a real getaway instead of a series of last-minute fixes.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
