Guides · Hudson, Florida
RV Parks in Hudson, FL: Where to Stay & What to Know
Hudson never needed to impress anyone. It was a timber town until the mill failed in 1912, then a shrimping town until the water gave out, then a place that declared itself the gopher racing capital of the world and let it stand. If you arrive in an RV expecting polish, you've misread the map. Come for the water, the quiet, and the honest functionality of a town that has always been about work and patience.
What to Know About Hudson, FL Before You Visit
Isaac Hudson moved his family into the coastal brush of Pasco County in 1878 and let a post office run out of his house. That's the founding story—no grand plan, just a man and a mailbox. The settlement took his name, and the Fivay Company took the timber, shipping it by rail to Tampa until the company failed in 1912. The town stalled, and the water took over. From the 1930s through the 1950s, shrimping and fishing employed about half the working men.
Today, Hudson's median age is 64.4 years, and about 17 percent of its 7,632 housing units are held for seasonal or recreational use. The unemployment rate sits at 4.7 percent, the median household income at $49,063. This is not a resort town. It's a place where people come to slow down, fish, and not pretend otherwise.
RV Park Ratings in Hudson: What to Expect
The campgrounds here range from passable to decent, and the ratings reflect that. Three Lakes (4.4) is the top of the list, followed by Encore Barrington Hills (4.0), Lakewood Travel Park (3.6), Winter Paradise RV Resort (3.6), and Gulf Breeze RV Park (3.8). None of them are pretending to be anything they're not. They're bases—places to park, hook up, and head out to the water or the parks. If you're looking for a five-star resort with a swim-up bar, you're in the wrong county.
Choosing an RV Park in Hudson by Location
Location matters more than the star rating. Three Lakes sits on Smooth Water Drive, inland and quiet, a solid choice if you want to avoid the US-19 traffic. Encore Barrington Hills is off New York Avenue, a standard mid-range option. Winter Paradise RV Resort and Gulf Breeze RV Park are both on the US-19 corridor—convenient for getting around but closer to the road noise. Lakewood Travel Park is on State Road 52, east of the main drag, a decent middle ground.
Things to Do Near Hudson RV Parks
Once you're parked, Hudson's nature options are the draw. SunWest Park (4.5, from 3,958 reviews) is the big one—a county park with a beach and water access. Veterans Memorial Park (4.6) and Arthur F. Engle Memorial Park (4.6) are quieter, smaller spots. Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park (4.4) has been the community's beach since the 1960s and still serves that role. For something wilder, Aripeka Sandhills Preserve (4.6) offers a more natural setting. Canterbury Farms Nursery & Garden Center (4.7) is a pleasant stop if you want to look at plants. And yes, Tractor Supply Co. (4.4) is on the list—because sometimes you need a part, a bag of feed, or just a place to browse while your rig gets sorted.
Fishing and Beaches in Hudson, FL
Hudson's identity is water. The Port of Hudson neighborhood, carved out in 1950 when W.L. Hendry and his sons dug inlets from the coast around Hudson Springs, used the fill to raise dry ground for houses. Those inlets are still there, and they're where you'll find the working-water character of the town. Strickland Memorial Park is the beach—not a white-sand postcard, but a functional stretch of shore for a swim or a walk. Bring a rod, because the fishing is the point. About half the working men here once made their living on the water, and the water still shapes the place.
Day Trips from Hudson, FL: Festivals and Towns
Hudson works as a base for low-key excursions, but don't expect much to be close. Dade City is 34 miles away and hosts the Kumquat Festival. Cedar Key, 60 miles out, does the Seafood Festival. Clermont (68 miles) has Pig on the Pond, and Mount Dora (79 miles) runs an Arts Festival and a Craft Fair. Altamonte Springs (92 miles) has Red Hot & Boom. These are day trips, not quick hops. If you want to see a festival, budget the drive.
Hudson RV Parks at a Glance
| Park | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Three Lakes | 4.4 |
| Encore Barrington Hills | 4.0 |
| Gulf Breeze RV Park | 3.8 |
| Winter Paradise RV Resort | 3.6 |
| Lakewood Travel Park | 3.6 |
Hudson is what it is: a former timber and shrimping town with a gopher racing claim, a median age of 64.4, and a lot of water nearby. The RV parks are functional, the nature spots are solid, and the beaches are close enough to matter. Come with the right expectations—no frills, no fuss, just a quiet base near the Gulf—and you'll be fine. Come looking for luxury and you'll be checking out early.
Common questions
- Where can I park my RV in Hudson?
- You have a few options. Three Lakes (10354 Smooth Water Dr) and Encore Barrington Hills (9412 New York Ave) are the well-rated campgrounds. There's also Gulf Breeze RV Park and Lakewood Travel Park, but they score lower. Winter Paradise RV Resort is another choice.
- Is there a beach in Hudson?
- Yes. Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park on Clark Street, built in the 1960s, is the community's beach. It's rated 4.4 stars from 1452 reviews. You'll find it at 6345 Clark St.
- What is there to do outdoors near my RV?
- SunWest Park on Old Dixie Hwy is the big one, rated 4.5 from nearly 4,000 reviews. Veterans Memorial Park and Aripeka Sandhills Preserve are also solid. The Lift Adventure Park is at the same address as SunWest.
- How crowded does Hudson get with seasonal visitors?
- Quite a few. Of the 7,632 housing units here, 1,298 are held for seasonal or recreational use. The median age is 64.4, so you'll see a lot of snowbirds. It's a quiet town, not a party scene.
- Can I buy supplies or groceries near the RV parks?
- There's a Tractor Supply Co. at 9717 State Rd 52, rated 4.4 from 1,417 reviews. It's not a grocery store, but it covers hardware and farm supplies. For food, you'd likely head into the nearby towns.
- Is Hudson a good base for day trips?
- It's fine if you like driving. Dade City is 34 miles away for the Kumquat Festival, Cedar Key is 60 miles for seafood, and Mount Dora is 79 miles for art fairs. You're not in the middle of everything, but you can reach it.
Every business named above is one we hold a listing for, and every date traces to a source on our sources page. We do not describe menus, interiors or service we have not verified. Details change — confirm before you travel.