Review with photos of FREE camping at Washburn Equestrian Camp in the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve managed by the South West Florida Water Mgmt. Near Tampa in Florida.
At A Glance
- South West Florida Management District – Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve – Washburn.
- Free – Equestrian Campsite is primitive with 3 or 4 sites.
- All types of RVs. Generators are okay – 10 pm to 7 am quiet time.
- Porta Potti.
- Locked gate. 7 nights max up to 30 days before arrival. Book at least 24 hours before arrival – check-in is 3 pm meaning you must book by 3 pm the day prior.
- Camping Area -28.11973, -82.29433
Location Map
Zoom into the area north of Thonotosassa. The campsite has a purple icon.
My Experience at Washburn
Great location near East Tampa. A very short drive on a dirt road after the gate off busy Morris Bridge Road. There is road noise during the day but it was fine during the night.
I booked the Washburn Equestrian Campsite which is a small area with 3 fire rings and picnic tables. The sites are not numbered so the idea is to park near a fire ring if you can, otherwise, just pick a spot. Try and leave some room between you and the closest neighbor. I think four RVs are about the maximum before it will feel crowded.
The Washburn Primitive Campsite is mostly under large trees but I managed to grab a spot with some afternoon sun for the solar. There was a tent and a van parked overnight at the trailhead before the camp sign – I am pretty sure those were not approved sites!
My impression was that this campground could be pleasant if all the campers were respectful and careful with trash. Unfortunately, during my stay, this was not the case and Washburn quickly became my least favorite of the SWF Water Management sites I visited so far.
Upon arrival, I was the only one in the actual camping area. One of the sites was an abandoned encampment. Trash everywhere surrounding a large torn-up tent with blue tarps blowing in the wind. There were mattresses, coolers, cooking utensils, blankets, food, furniture, and clothes lying around. Some people lived there for much longer than a week it seemed before abandoning it all. Everything was very wet after the recent rains. Crows were fighting over the trash.
I was shocked, to say the least, and called in to report the incident. The next day a crew showed up and cleaned it up. It took them a while. I cleaned up the rest of the campground and filled 2 white bags with trash.
On night one, a single guy drove in at 11 pm and set up a tent. For two days I watched him dump his trash around his site. Then, on the 3rd day, he packed up his tent and drove away – leaving groceries on the table, broken glassware, trash on the ground, and a fire ring filled with more trash. I called in again to report it, but no one showed up so I left the next day after cleaning up some of his trash that were blowing away in the wind.
On night two, at 10 pm, someone started firing guns very near the campground. Shotguns, pistols, and semi-automatic fire for 20 minutes! I could hear trees getting hit! The next morning, I found his position on the entrance road just 120 yards away! Bullet casings and shells were everywhere and the nearby trees were torn up. He must’ve walked in past the gate and then started to fire into the forest. Very scary and dangerous.
I was uneasy at Washburn and won’t return.
Mosquitoes were absent during my stay. The Porta Potti was clean. Verizon worked OK but the LTE signal dropped a few times daily.
Photos
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.
Book Online
https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/lower-hillsborough-wilderness-preserve