Florida's historic State Park System started with the founding of Hillsborough River State Park in the 1930s -- just four miles west of Zephyrhills. Split by the Class II tumult of the Hillsborough River, this scenic wetlands restoration area offers plenty of hiking, fishing, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking. Kids and adults can both explore Fort Foster, a reconstructed structure from the Second Seminole War that's located close to the main campground. An on-park commissary serves breakfast and lunch, camping supplies and souvenirs. The park offers both established and primitive camping: the former, RV-inclusive; the latter, accessible down a secret-feeling footpath.
Another great camping option, Colt Creek State Park, lies in the fragrant cypress woodlands just 10 miles from northern Zephyrhills. As it's tucked into the wildlife-rich Green Swamp Wilderness Area, the nature-viewing is choice: From your campsite, you might see the American bald eagle, Sherman's fox squirrel, a gopher tortoise or a bobcat. The campground's primitive, pack-in-pack-out backpacking campsites -- which include fire rings and cleared tent areas but no restrooms or RV slots -- put campers within gazing distance of the furry and feathered residents.
Fans of National Parks, rejoice: There are seven separate NPS campsites within 70 miles of Zephyrhills. The closest of these are in the Ocala Forests, where the coastal sites have extensive amenities and plenty of watery entertainment options on tap. In fact, Ocala boasts more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs in which to boat, water ski, jet ski, fish and just plain splash around. All campgrounds offer both tent camping and RV pull-ins. Most offer cabins, too, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thousands of people visit Zephyrhills every year with barely a second thought to what's on the ground: They're headed for Skydive City. The Skydive City "drop zone" has been a Zephyrhills fixture since the 1960s. If you're in town to jump -- or just to spectate -- then you're welcome to pop your tent in the designated camping area, free of charge. Skydive City also maintains more than 50 RV slots and several rentable trailers. The latter generally require a reservation, especially during the crowds of the late-year "boogie" season.
