State Parks Near Bartow, Florida
18 state park units lie within 50 miles of Bartow. The closest is Paynes Creek Historic State Park, about 18 mi south of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park18 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 18 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 102 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 04 with free entry
State parks near Bartow, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Bartow; driving distance is usually longer.
Paynes Creek Historic State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Paynes Creek Historic State Park →Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: 2 campsites, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park →Alafia River State Park
The park supports horseback riding, biking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 32 campsites across 3 camping areas (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Alafia River State Park →Lake Kissimmee State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Kissimmee State Park →Hillsborough River State Park
The park supports historic sites, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool. For overnight stays there are 110 campsites across 3 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Hillsborough River State Park →South Fork State Park
South Fork State Park is a park in Manatee County, about 22 miles east of Palmetto.
Hours, fees and rules for South Fork State Park →Colt Creek State Park
The park supports horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, wildlife watching, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Colt Creek State Park →Highlands Hammock State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, wildlife watching, fishing, and biking. Camping is available: 158 campsites across 4 camping areas, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Highlands Hammock State Park →Wingate Creek State Park
In Manatee County, about 24 miles northwest of Arcadia, Wingate Creek State Park covers about 615 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Wingate Creek State Park →Little Manatee River State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, biking, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Manatee River State Park →Ybor City Museum State Park
Visitors come for historic sites and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ybor City Museum State Park →Lake Louisa State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Louisa State Park →Lake Manatee State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Manatee State Park →Withlacoochee State Trail
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, biking, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Withlacoochee State Trail →Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park →Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
Visitors come for fishing, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park →General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, wildlife watching, biking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for General James A. Van Fleet State Trail →Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Bartow
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park 18 mi south · Campground listed
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 21 mi east · 2 campsites
- Alafia River State Park 21 mi west · 32 campsites
- Lake Kissimmee State Park 28 mi east · 66 campsites
- Hillsborough River State Park 30 mi northwest · 110 campsites
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Bartow
- Highlands Hammock State Park 34 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lake Louisa State Park 40 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Bartow
- Hillsborough River State Park 30 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Louisa State Park 40 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Manatee State Park 43 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Bartow
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park 18 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 21 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Alafia River State Park 21 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Kissimmee State Park 28 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Hillsborough River State Park 30 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Fishing near Bartow
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park 18 mi south · Fishing listed
- Alafia River State Park 21 mi west · Fishing listed
- Lake Kissimmee State Park 28 mi east · Fishing listed
- Hillsborough River State Park 30 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Colt Creek State Park 32 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Free state parks near Bartow
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 21 mi east · No entrance fee listed
- Withlacoochee State Trail 45 mi northwest · No entrance fee listed
- Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park 45 mi west · No entrance fee listed
- General James A. Van Fleet State Trail 49 mi north · No entrance fee listed
Questions about state parks near Bartow
What is the closest state park to Bartow?
Paynes Creek Historic State Park is the closest, about 18 miles south of Bartow in a straight line. Next are Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park and Alafia River State Park.
How many state parks are near Bartow?
18 state park units are within 50 miles, and 3 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Bartow have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Paynes Creek Historic State Park, Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park and Alafia River State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Bartow?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Bartow?
4 parks list no entrance fee: Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Withlacoochee State Trail and Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park. Camping and some activities can still cost extra.
State parks near other cities
- Near Lake Wales, FL14 mi east
- Near Lakeland, FL14 mi northwest
- Near Plant City, FL20 mi northwest
- Near Zephyrhills, FL33 mi northwest
- Near Sebring, FL37 mi southeast
- Near Tampa, FL41 mi west
- Near Orlando, FL50 mi northeast
- Near St. Petersburg, FL51 mi west
Or see all Florida state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.