State Parks Near Lakeland, Florida
20 state park units lie within 50 miles of Lakeland. The closest is Hillsborough River State Park, about 18 mi west of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Hillsborough River State Park18 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 20 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 123 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 05 with free entry
State parks near Lakeland, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Lakeland; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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 →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 →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 →Ybor City Museum State Park
Visitors come for historic sites and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ybor City Museum State Park →Withlacoochee State Trail
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, biking, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Withlacoochee State Trail →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 →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 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 →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 →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 →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 →Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
The park supports historic sites, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Dade Battlefield Historic 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 →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 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 →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 →Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
Popular activities here are boating, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park →Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Weeki Wachee Springs State Park →Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Terra Ceia Preserve State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Lakeland
- Hillsborough River State Park 18 mi west · 110 campsites
- Colt Creek State Park 18 mi north · 39 campsites
- Alafia River State Park 22 mi southwest · 32 campsites
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 28 mi east · 2 campsites
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park 31 mi south · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Lakeland
- Lake Louisa State Park 31 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Dade Battlefield Historic State Park 43 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Highlands Hammock State Park 48 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Lakeland
- Hillsborough River State Park 18 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Louisa State Park 31 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Manatee State Park 47 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 49 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Lakeland
- Hillsborough River State Park 18 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Colt Creek State Park 18 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Alafia River State Park 22 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 28 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Withlacoochee State Trail 31 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 10 more in the list above
Fishing near Lakeland
- Hillsborough River State Park 18 mi west · Fishing listed
- Colt Creek State Park 18 mi north · Fishing listed
- Alafia River State Park 22 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Paynes Creek Historic State Park 31 mi south · Fishing listed
- Lake Louisa State Park 31 mi northeast · Fishing listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Free state parks near Lakeland
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 28 mi east · No entrance fee listed
- Withlacoochee State Trail 31 mi northwest · No entrance fee listed
- General James A. Van Fleet State Trail 36 mi north · No entrance fee listed
- Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park 43 mi southwest · No entrance fee listed
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park 50 mi southwest · No entrance fee listed
Questions about state parks near Lakeland
What is the closest state park to Lakeland?
Hillsborough River State Park is the closest, about 18 miles west of Lakeland in a straight line. Next are Colt Creek State Park and Alafia River State Park.
How many state parks are near Lakeland?
20 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 Lakeland have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Hillsborough River State Park, Colt Creek 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 Lakeland?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Lakeland?
5 parks list no entrance fee: Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Withlacoochee State Trail and General James A. Van Fleet State Trail. Camping and some activities can still cost extra.
State parks near other cities
- Near Plant City, FL10 mi west
- Near Bartow, FL14 mi southeast
- Near Zephyrhills, FL19 mi northwest
- Near Lake Wales, FL24 mi southeast
- Near Tampa, FL33 mi west
- Near Leesburg, FL46 mi north
- Near St. Petersburg, FL47 mi southwest
- Near New Port Richey, FL48 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.