Colt Creek State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Colt Creek State Park, located approximately 16 miles north of the city of Lakeland in Florida, encompasses more than 5,000 acres. People visit this park for opportunities like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, paddling, camping, wildlife viewing, and more. Some of the wildlife you can commonly see here includes bald eagles, white-tailed deer, bobcats, alligators, and wild turkey. Colt Creek State Park has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor and water activities, but it is also close enough to all of the Florida theme parks and resorts to take a day trip or two while you are visiting.
Nearby Cities:
Orlando, FL
Tampa, FL
Sarasota, FL
Ocala, FL
Spring 68-84 F
Summer 74-91 F
Fall 66-84 F
Winter 53-73 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Colt Creek State Park
Campground Accommodations
Colt Creek State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70 feet
Other amenities: Boat rental, picnic area, firewood, ADA accessible, group sites, restrooms
Lazydays RV Resort
Open between April and October, Lazydays RV Resort has well over 300 RV sites that can accommodate just about any size rig. The resort has a restaurant, gas station and laundry facility on-site. The family dog will have a blast on the doggie obstacle course and off-leash area. There's even a dog wash station as well.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Cable TV, heated pool, hot tub and playground
Sanlan RV Resort
Sanlan RV Resort is located near Banana Lake, making it the perfect spot for observing wildlife. You can relax by the heated pool or chill on the lounge chairs around the pool. All 500 camping sites are spacious enough to accommodate large RVs up to 80 feet long. There are also three distinctive nine-hole golf courses on-site.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Dump station, fitness center, ice and propane station
Hillsborough River State Park
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park accommodates 50-foot long RVs in all of their 112 RV sites. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic tables, and all of them are near hot showers and a laundry facility.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Swimming, nature trails and biking trails
What to Do at
Colt Creek State Park
Some of the most popular activities to take part in at Colt Creek State Park include horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, camping, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the park that weave themselves through pine flatwoods, cypress domes, and huge expanses of pasturelands. Three tributaries flow through the park which allow for paddling and fishing all year. Little Gator Creek, Gator Creek, and Colt Creek all flow with the Withlacoochee River. When paddling, hiking, picnicking, or biking, you may see wildlife including but not limited to Florida alligators, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, river otters, and maybe even bobcats. Picnic pavilions, campsites, and even canoes or kayaks can be rented within the park's borders.
Inside Colt Creek State Park
Colt Creek State Park offers 15 miles of multiple trails that are shared by bicyclists, hikers, and those riding horseback. As you travel through the natural creeks and wetlands, you’ll come across a wide variety of wildlife. Kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports are a great way to enjoy the lake. The 75-foot dock is the perfect place to cast a line.
Fishing
There are three lakes in Colt Creek State Park where you can fish. Freshwater bank fishing is available at all three, and there is a fishing dock at Mac Lake. Some of the fish you can expect to catch include bluegill, bream, catfish, shell cracker, and largemouth bass.
Geocaching
Experienced geocachers have hidden information and trinkets all over the park. Whether you are an experienced geocacher or you are doing it for the first time, there are a lot of opportunities for geocaching in Colt Creek State Park.
Nature Watching
Colt Creek State Park is a popular place for nature and wildlife viewing. With bald eagles, wading birds, different types of fish, alligators, and bobcats scattered throughout the park, wildlife viewing and nature watching is something every visitor should do.
Stargazing
The primitive and RV camping opportunities make stargazing a great activity for visitors of all ages. There are numerous areas of flat pasturelands with clear views of the sky and very little of the background lights you find in the city.
Hiking
There are more than 15 miles of marked trails throughout Colt Creek State Park. Visitors to the park can walk through wooded areas followed by large expanses of empty pastureland with the potential to see wildlife at every curve. Make sure to be prepared for whatever season you are visiting and bring lots of sunscreen for the sunny Florida days.
Boating
Boats with gas-powered motors are not allowed on the lakes within Colt Creek State Park. If you are interested in getting out on the water, you can take canoes, kayaks, or boats with trolling motors. Rentals are also available within the park.
Biking
The same trails that were built for hiking are available for biking as well. The trails within the park generally feature terrain that is packed hard enough to be great for biking, but some areas get soft and muddy after it rains. Florida law requires helmets for riders under 16, but helmets are suggested for everyone.
How to Get to
Colt Creek State Park
Colt Creek State Park is located about 16 miles north of Lakeland just off state road 471. From I-4, take exit 32 and travel north on U.S. Highway 98 for about 13 miles, and then turn right onto State Road 471. From I-75 take exit 301 and proceed east on State Road 50 for approximately 13 miles and then turn right onto State Road 471.
Entering Colt Creek State Park
The hours of the park for those who are not camping are from 8:00 am until sunset and the entrance fee is $4 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. There are two parking areas, marker 36 and the South Parking Area, within the park that are close to hiking, equestrian, and fishing opportunities.
Colt Creek State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 adults) : $4.0
Colt Creek State Park for Pedestrians : $2.0
With all of the outdoor activities and hiking trails in Colt Creek State Park, there are plenty of adventures to be had throughout the year. The combination of hiking trails, bodies of water, and reservable campsites make Colt Creek State Park a great place to take part in a variety of outdoor adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colt Creek State Park
The best time to visit Colt Creek State Park is during either the spring or fall. The summer heat in Florida can be unbearable for some, and winter in Florida can get colder than people realize. During the spring and fall, the weather is warm enough to be outside but cool enough to not be miserable. You can also see more wildlife when the weather is milder.
There are a wide variety of animals that can be found and seen at Colt Creek State Park. Some of the fish that you can find in the lakes and tributaries include bluegill, bream, catfish, shell cracker, and largemouth bass. Some of the wildlife you can find on land include bald eagles, white-tailed deer, bobcats, alligators, and wild turkey.
Yes. Colt Creek State Park Campground has 27 full-facility RV sites as well as primitive camping opportunities right in the middle of the park. There are also boat rentals, picnic tables, hookups, and public restrooms on-site.
Yes. Reservations are required to camp at the Colt Creek State Park Campground and can be made up to 11 months in advance. The cost is $25 per night.
Yes. Pets are allowed at Colt Creek State Park and in the campground areas. Visitors are asked to keep pets on a leash at all times and to not allow pets on the hiking and biking trails.
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