Deep Creek Preserve

What could you ask for in free camping? Fire ring, picnic table, even water for your horses if you have pets that big.

Set aside to protect the natural aquifers, SoFlo WMD encourages camping. great trails, nice creek, plenty of wildlife, huge oak trees and about 5 sites. We were here in January 2016, we were the only ones except for some maintenance workers one day.

Campground area to drive-in traffic is locked, you must get the codes from SFWMD in an email, felt very scure as well. Came in my 44" Class A Dutch Star, no problem with ground or trees, but it had not rained in a while, don't know if it will get muddy.

I try to go to Deep Creek as often as I can....I love this place. Very private and serene!!
You won't be disappointed!

First of all, free camping is amazing and we're so thankful this option exists! Plus, this area was very pretty with the mossy trees and palmettos. There were just a few drawbacks for us though: the grass hadn't been cut in several weeks and it was nearly as tall as our little dogs -- which wasn't ideal for walking them. It was extremely buggy at night so we didn't spend much time outside after dark, which in November is basically 5:30p. There is non-potable water here, which we thought we might use for washing dishes or bathing, but it smelled terribly of sulphur. Like, really strong. We didn't find a good place to fill our water before arriving, so we struggled just a little on that side of things. There was a port-o-potty on site.
We would definitely stay here again...I'm sure they cut the grass fairly regularly...we just were there on an off week or something.
Good internet speeds without a booster.
It was difficult to navigate after dark...so try to arrive with some daylight!
Like the other reviewers said, you'll need to request a reservation via their website, and you'll be emailed a gate code for the padlock. You need to enter the code and then kind of push up on the bottom of the lock for it to release...we couldn't figure that out at first!
This area was pretty quiet. There was one other camper there when we arrived, but they left the next day. And another camper arrived just two days before we left.
The only big rig camping area seems to be right near the front gate (about 4-5 sites, with picnic tables. Some have fire rings or a grill). The equine/backcountry site seems to be for hikers/riders only...it would be several slow miles on a bumpy grass "road". We originally thought that was where we were supposed to camp until we realized the only real sites were right near the entrance.
All in all though, a nice experience and a pretty location with shade.

You must submit an online reservation request and allow at least 5 days to get the email confirmation. The email will give you the gate padlock code. Without this, you can't take an RV in, but there is a 24 hour walk in space if you are carrying your tent and supplies. Hiking trails, access to the Peace River (a few miles). Total peace and quiet!

We enjoyed this place for a dew days. We did not like the road noise at this place. We would stay again as a stopover but not as a destination spot.

The camping area is just inside the front gate and has several options for being in the sun or shade. You should walk your route if you are going to drive around the trees since there are plenty of low hanging branches. There are picnic tables and fire rings in the camp areas. Non-potable water is located in the camp area and intended for use with horses. The camping area looks like it supports about 5 campsites. There is a porta potty in the camp area. The porta potty was pumped during our stay. As a Southwest Florida Water Management District location you can reserve for 7 days (6 nights).

The are trails to hike, bike, or ride horseback. The camp area is fine for tent, travel trailer, 5th wheel, and class A. All of these were found at the camp area during our stay.

The location is less than 4 miles from exit 170 of I75. At the exit is a Walmart and several options for fuel. If you prefer truck stops for fuel, 9 miles south at exit 161 there is a Pilot.

Overall the camp area is clean. There was trash in one camp ring. While the cellular signal was about 2 bars, I had good internet speed on my hotspot.

well maintained area with easy drive in access for a 38 CDS, good firm set up for MH (dry ground, no rain previously) camp was full during our stay but enough space for privacy. Minimal road noise form highway. Excellent boondock retreat!

Deep Creek is a primitive camping area with lots of space, and shade. The Spanish moss hangs over the campsites and provides a very nice view!

There are normal chain shopping areas nearby which makes reprovisionig very easy.

Cell service on TMobile was not as great but AT&T was better, we did not have Verizon while here.

Great place to relax and have some peace!

Big rig friendly with picnic tables and fire rings scattered throughout the camping area. One portable toilet was on-site and was serviceable. Verizon cell service was 25.1 Mbps download and 1.77 Mbps upload. AT&T cell service was 2.44 Mbps download and 0.00 upload. The campground has a mix of open sun sites, partial shade, and shade.

This was our first "Dry Camping" experience. Really enjoyed the SWFMA property and the other campers that were there (about 4-5 other rigs). The reservation permit process was easy...
Telling stories around the fire was a great way to make friends.
The Nav-A-Gator Grill is a fun restaurant/bar just down the road on the Peace River