Review with photos of FREE camping at KICCO WMA campsites managed by the South Florida Water Mgmt. Near River Ranch in Florida.
Free Camping at KICCO – At A Glance
- South Florida Management District – KICCO WMA.
- Free – Four camp areas to book, 3 Primitive Campsites, and 1 Equestrian Campsite.
- Tents ONLY in Chuck Wagon. Tents and Pop-Up Trailers ONLY in Rattlesnake Hammock. All types of RVs and tents in the Town of KICCO and Equestrian Spoil campgrounds. Generators are okay – 11 pm to 7 am quiet time.
- No Toilets. Potable water at the host site.
- Locked gate. 7 nights max. Book 4-6 months out. Book at least 24 hours before arrival – check-in is 3 pm meaning you must book by 3 pm the day prior.
- Spoil Camp Camp Area – 27.76241, -81.18088
- Chuck Wagon Camp Area – 27.75906, -81.18585
- Rattlesnake Hammock Camp Area – 27.69151, -81.15273
- Town of KICCO Camp Area – 27.66947, -81.1451
Location Map
Zoom into the area east of Frostproof. The campsite has a purple icon.
My Experience Free Camping at KICCO
Wonderful location if you want to get away from it all for a few days. The free camping at KICCO area is very remote – at least 30 minutes from the nearest stores (but you can buy basics at the camp store nearby at the Westgate River Ranch Resort).
NOTE – You have to drive into the River Ranch property to reach the KICCO camp areas. You simply show your reservation at the entrance gate and they will let you drive in. But be aware the gate personnel are River Ranch employees and they can not answer your KICCO questions! Ask the KICCO camp host once you reach the camping area.
Once you pass the gate, drive a short distance then turn right at the KICCO Trailhead sign. This is a 1-mile dirt road and you may have to open/close a gate or two (River Ranch property) before reaching the KICCO Entrance gate.
Open the complicated gate lock then stop at the Camp Host just a few hundred feet down the road. He/she will note your booking info and explain how to find your camping area.
Chuck Wagon Camp Area – about 1 mile from the host to the left.
Spoil Camp Area – follow the signs to Chuck Wagon then continue another 0.4 mile. The site is at the corner to the right.
Rattlesnake Hammock Camp Area is 7 miles from the camp host. Look for the sign and road to the right. The condition of this long road depends on recent rains and whether or not it was recently scraped. I’ve not had any problems but tall rigs may gather some Spanish moss from overhanging branches.
The Town of KICCO Camp Area is another 1.5 miles to the south – the entrance is to the left. It is not a problem to reach this campsite with large toy haulers or class A’s – if you do not mind bumpy dirt roads and low-hanging Spanish moss.
I booked the Spoil Equestrian Campsite which is an open field good for solar. Chuck Wagon has 100% tree cover and is not solar-friendly. The Town of KICCO site has some open areas and one can find some sunny areas at Rattlesnake Hammock. These last two sites were simply too far down a dirt road for me.
The camp areas were not large and the Spoil area had room for only a few trailers. The field was not mowed during my stay and prickly things stuck to my shoes and long pants whenever I ventured outside. Dogs may find it painful to play outside.
My stay at the Spoil site was very pleasant and quiet. A few airboats and bass boats could be heard in the nearby river but very few during the week. At night coyotes were loud at times and deer, turkeys and wild hogs ran around freely. Cows also came around to visit!
During the day there are many activities at nearby River Ranch as well as restaurants and pubs. I went horseback riding!
Mosquitoes were non-existent during all my stays in early December. Fire ants were present in the grass but I did not see nests.
Verizon’s cell service was interesting. Some days I had fast service all day followed by days with absolutely no service! Kind of strange – perhaps a hiccup with a nearby tower?
The presence of a camp host adds a sense of safety and loud noise management. I’ve never had a bad experience with other campers at this location. I trust you will experience the same!
The free camping at KICCO WMA is along the Florida Trail so you may see hikers during your stay.
Photos of Free Camping at KICCO
About the Florida Water Management Districts
Please read my article about the Florida Water Management Districts and the booking process BEFORE booking! It will save you time and frustration.