Guides · Port Richey, Florida
RV in Port Richey, FL: Parks, River Access & Tips
Port Richey started at the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River. The town still moves at that river's pace—slow, tidal, unhurried.
Why Choose Port Richey for RVing?
Aaron M. Richey arrived from St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1883. He opened a post office near the river mouth on 9 July 1884. The city incorporated in 1925, after New Port Richey did the year before. The river made the place; the motto still reads On the Beautiful Pithlachascotee River. Johnny Cash kept a house on the river here from 1979 until 2002. A fact, not a theme.
RVing fits because Port Richey doesn't try to be grander than it is: a small, river-born community of 3,229 people with a median age of 49.4. No beachfront boardwalk. No high-rise condos. There are parks, launch points, and campgrounds within minutes of the water. That's the draw.
Top RV Parks in Port Richey: From Basic to Resort
Eight RV parks scatter across Port Richey, from the US-19 corridor to quieter lanes near the water. Ratings come from visitor reviews—treat them as a starting point, not gospel.
| Park | Rating | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Suncoast RV Resort | 4.0 | Convenient, highway-adjacent |
| Sundance Lakes RV Resort | 4.2 | Lake-side, established |
| Tropic Breeze RV and Mobile Home Park | 3.6 | Mixed residential, basic |
| Ja-Mar North Travel Park | 4.4 | Quiet, near the river |
| Ja-Mar South RV Resort | 4.1 | US-19 access, solid amenities |
| Jasmine Lakes Travel Park | 3.9 | Hammock Road, wooded feel |
| Senate Manor Estates | 4.3 | Residential, calm |
| Suncoast Gateway | 4.2 | Ridge Road, straightforward |
For a quiet, nature-focused stay, Ja-Mar North Travel Park leads—4.4 rating, and a spot on San Marco Drive that puts you closer to the river than most. Sundance Lakes RV Resort is the other water-adjacent option, though its lake isn't the Pithlachascotee itself. Want easy highway access and don't mind traffic noise? Suncoast RV Resort and Ja-Mar South RV Resort sit right on US-19.
River Access and Parks: Where to Launch and Paddle
The best of Port Richey's nature isn't at the RV parks—it's a short drive away. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park (4.5, 1,468 reviews) is the headline act, with salt springs and kayak access along the Gulf. It's on US-19, about ten minutes from most parks. Port Richey Waterfront Park (4.5, 682 reviews) sits on Old Post Road at the river's edge, with fishing and a launch. Oelsner Park (4.4, 225 reviews) on Miller Bayou Drive offers another quiet water access point.
From Ja-Mar North, you're maybe five minutes to the river. From Sundance Lakes, a bit more. From the US-19 parks, plan on ten to fifteen minutes in the car. None of this is a hassle—the town's small enough that nothing is far.
A Day on the Pithlachascotee: From Salt Springs to the Gulf
Start early at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs, where the springs feed brackish water into the shallows. Paddle or kayak through the mangroves; this is the closest thing to wild you'll find here. By midday, work your way down to Port Richey Waterfront Park for lunch on a bench and some fishing off the pier. Still have daylight? Brasher Park (4.5, 163 reviews) on Koons Drive is a lesser-visited patch of green near Miller Bayou.
The river is the spine of the day. Everything else—the parks, the springs, the launch points—is just a way to get on it.
Practicalities: Costs, Seasons, and Local Eats
Typical RV site rates run about $35 to $60 per night, depending on the park, hookups, and season. This isn't resort territory. It's functional, clean, and reasonably priced.
Local dining is scattered along US-19—seafood shacks, diners, and fast food. Nothing worth a special trip, but nothing that will disappoint. For groceries and supplies, the basics are all within a few miles.
Beyond the River: Day Trips to Nearby Festivals
Port Richey works best as a quiet base. Want a festival? You'll have to drive: Dade City (37 miles) hosts the Kumquat Festival, Cedar Key (64 miles) has its Seafood Festival, and Mount Dora (84 miles) runs an Arts Festival and Craft Fair. Arcadia (94 miles) holds the All-Florida Championship Rodeo. These are day trips, not reasons to stay elsewhere.
The median home value here is $256,500; the median gross rent is $982; the unemployment rate sits at 7.4 percent. This is a working town, not a tourist one. That's the point.
Bring the RV, park near the river, and let the Pithlachascotee set the schedule.
Common questions
- Where can I park my RV in Port Richey?
- You've got several options. Suncoast RV Resort, Sundance Lakes RV Resort, Ja-Mar North Travel Park, and Ja-Mar South RV Resort are all rated 4.0 or better. Tropic Breeze RV and Mobile Home Park and Jasmine Lakes Travel Park are also available, with slightly lower ratings.
- What's there to do outdoors near the RV parks?
- Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is the top pick, rated 4.5 from 1468 reviews. Lake Lisa Park, Port Richey Waterfront Park, and Brasher Park are also solid choices. Pinehill Park has the highest rating at 4.6, though with fewer reviews.
- Is Port Richey a good base for day trips?
- Yes, it's centrally located. Dade City is 37 miles away for the Kumquat Festival, Cedar Key is 64 miles for the Seafood Festival, and Mount Dora is 84 miles for arts and craft fairs. Clermont and Arcadia are also within 94 miles.
- What's the town like for a longer RV stay?
- It's a quiet, river-paced town. The median age is 49.4, and about 265 of 1857 housing units are seasonal or recreational. The unemployment rate is 7.4 percent, and the median home value is $256,500, so it's not a bustling tourist hub.
- Are there any parks right on the water?
- Port Richey Waterfront Park is on the Pithlachascotee River, rated 4.5. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park also offers salt marsh and spring views. The river is the town's original reason for being, so water access is a given at several spots.
- Can I visit the Johnny Cash house?
- Johnny Cash lived on the Pithlachascotee from 1979 to 2002, but the house isn't a public attraction. You can see the river from parks like Port Richey Waterfront Park, but don't expect a museum or tours.
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