Wander Woman

There are places you don’t arrive at so much as disappear into, and Oak Ridge Equestrian Primitive Campground is one of them. Tucked deep in the forest, far from amenities and campground chatter, it offers the kind of quiet that feels almost forgotten—where mornings begin with birds instead of alarms and nights end under a sky thick with stars. This isn’t the kind of place for amenities or schedules; it’s a place for slowing down, listening closely, and remembering what it feels like to be surrounded by nothing but nature.

Primitive camping—often called dispersed camping, boondocking, or dry camping—is the simplest, most stripped-down way to experience the outdoors. Instead of staying in developed campgrounds with marked sites, hookups, and amenities, you set up camp outside of designated areas, relying on what you bring and what nature provides. Some dispersed campsites are frontcountry and accessible by car, while others are tucked deep in the backcountry and reached only by hiking in. Either way, primitive camping trades convenience for quiet, solitude, and a deeper connection to the land.

Tucked away in the rural outskirts of Hillsborough County, Florida, the Oak Ridge Equestrian Area offers a rare pocket of quiet in a landscape slowly giving way to suburban sprawl. Despite the changes happening around it, this hidden sanctuary has held onto its wild character, drawing visitors into a mix of forested wetlands and wide-open pine flatwoods that feel worlds away from modern life.

The campground offers both equestrian and primitive camping, giving riders and outdoor enthusiasts the chance to experience Florida’s countryside in its raw, untamed state. Most of the campsites are simple but thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills—just enough comfort to settle in without distracting from the surrounding wilderness. There is no drinking water supply in the preserve, but non-potable water is available. The campground also has a porta-potty on site—but fair warning, it’s in rough shape. Seeing it made me very glad I came prepared with my own toilet, because this one is definitely not winning any awards for cleanliness.

Spanning nearly 1,000 acres in Thonotosassa, Florida, Oak Ridge is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve and provides a rare opportunity for FREE, back-to-basics camping, hiking, and horseback riding. The preserve features multi-use trails that wind through wetlands and pine flatwoods, inviting visitors to slow down and explore. While it’s an incredible recreational resource, the land’s primary role is water storage, supply, and natural conservation—a purpose that has shaped its history for centuries. Long before the woods were logged in the 1800s, Native Americans lived and worked on this land, harvesting flint from the nearby rivers.

Oak Ridge is open for both day use and overnight stays, with FREE admission, parking, and camping available by reservation only. Access is managed through a locked gate, and campers receive an entry code after booking online through WaterMatters.org/recreation. This is true primitive camping—visitors must bring their own water and supplies, and equestrians must provide portable corrals for their horses. From camp, more than 18 miles of multi-use trails stretch through a diverse mix of Florida ecosystems, offering endless opportunities for hiking and horseback riding.

While researching this campground, I found myself wishing someone had shared a video of the entire drive-in—something simple that showed what the access road actually looks like and whether a 2WD vehicle could make it in without trouble. So I’ve included a short video of the drive for anyone wondering the same thing. Fair warning: there’s a brief curse word when a low-hanging branch smacks the side of my van, and you can also hear my pup’s unfiltered excitement through his panting and snorting as we roll in.

While I stayed in January, flooding wasn’t an issue—the road does have a lot of big potholes, but I just took it slow and steady, and was able to make it in without problems.

The main entrance to the area is located off Morris Bridge Road, roughly 0.4 miles north of Cross Creek Boulevard (BEWARE of the huge pothole right at the entrance). An alternate access point is available via the Washburn Gate, about 2.5 miles south of the main entrance; however, this gate does not provide access to restrooms or water.

If you need to stock up before heading into the campground, you’re in luck—about 10 minutes up the road, you’ll find plenty of shops, stores, gas stations, and fast-food options. It’s the perfect last stop to grab snacks, drinks, or any gear you might have forgotten before disappearing into the quiet of the forest.

Oak Ridge is raw, untamed, and entirely its own world—a place where the quiet of the woods is broken by birdsong, rustling leaves, or the occasional glimpse of deer, turtles, or other wildlife going about their day. It’s beautiful, but it’s not pampered; this is true primitive camping, where you need to come prepared for anything. Pack carefully, embrace the unpredictability, and you’ll be rewarded with solitude, wide-open trails, and an unforgettable connection to Florida’s wild heart.

(I have Boost Mobile, and the service stayed around 2 bars. I was able to stream and surf if I wanted.)