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