Note: All available overnight camping spots have been filled and we are no longer accepting registrations for overnight camping. Anyone is still welcome to come out on Saturday and spend the day.

Please read everything below carefully to know what we are doing, how we are doing it, what the rules are, and what to expect:

Tampa Bay Camera Club is hosting another Photo Camp event. It will be a fun time to enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow photographers while camping in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The event will take place January 29-31, 2021. The location is the Tillis Hill Recreation Area. We have a block of 5 campsites reserved for the event. Each campsite has water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. The campground has multiple restrooms with shower facilities. There are a limited number of tents and hammocks that can deployed per site and a limited number of vehicles and people allowed per site so it is important that you fill out the form below accurately so that our organizers can calculate the logistics as the event fills up. There is no limit to the number of attendees that can come for the events on Saturday. Overnight camping will be limited to the first 30 people who sign up as overnight campers for the event. Each campsite has water and electricity.

We have lots of activities planned for attendees. This is the currently planned itinerary however be aware that any of it is subject to change at any time up until and during the event: Please try to arrive no later than 9:00 on Saturday morning to join in, earlier is better. For early arrivals there will be a morning photo hike in the forest area surrounding the campsite. Later, around mid-morning anyone who is interested can carpool to the area where a group of limestone caves and sinks exists in the forest for exploration and photography. When we return TBCC will host a lunch for attendees in the campsite. All food and drinks for lunch will be provided by the club. Donations of snacks and/or additional drinks will be appreciated however. Please bring your own food if you have special dietary needs. After lunch there will be time for campers to set up their camping gear on the campsites or explore the forest on their own for a while. Before sunset everyone can gather at our central campfire for a potluck dinner. Everyone that is staying for dinner should bring a food item to share with the group. TBCC will provide paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils for the pot luck dinner. There will be options to cook food on the fire or on camp stoves. After dinner Jim will lead any interested attendees in a night photography event provided that clouds don’t interfere. For the remainder of the night we will enjoy time at the campfire as late as anyone wants to stay up. Sunday morning everyone will pack equipment and leave by checkout time (1:00 pm).

Getting there: The correct location is 9231 South Trail 13, Inverness, FL 34452

GPS Coordinates: 82º 24.882’ W 28º 43.700’ N

Do not use any other address that you may find online. Make absolutely certain that you plan to access the site via Stage Coach Rd. and Trail 13. If you have a map or GPS directions that tell you otherwise do not follow them. Trail 13 is the main route and it is a maintained gravel/shell road. There are some minor potholes but any vehicle can traverse it fairly easily. You are at your own risk if you attempt to drive through the forest on any other route without a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. Travel north on Trail 13 from Stage Coach Rd. When you reach the paved fork in the road, take the right fork and drive up the hill to the site.

There is a limit of 2 vehicles per campsite. The first 10 vehicles that arrive will be allowed to park on our reserved campsites. Any vehicles arriving after that will be required to park in the day use parking field at the top of the hill on the right just before the campsite entrance gate. Please note that there is a $2 fee to park there each day. Payment instructions are posted on the sign in the parking area.

There is a limit to the number of people and tents per site. This means that some campers may be expected to be sharing sleeping accommodations with others. We will have to work out the specific details on the fly depending on how many tents get brought and how many people each tent will sleep. There are some options for setting up hammocks on our sites independently from any tents. If you have a camping hammock be sure to bring it as it may help. Jim will sleep in a hammock and will have an extra hammock available as well. Jim also has a spare tent available for others to make use of (sleeps 3 comfortably or 4 people who don’t mind being really cozy).

What to bring:

Sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, towel, etc

Folding camp chair or stool

Camera equipment including tripod if you plan on doing night photography

Flashlight or headlamp. Must have red light option if you plan doing night photography

Food to share at the potluck campfire dinner

Personal snacks and drinks

Firewood for your own campfire if desired. TBCC will provide for the group campfire

Attendees are expected to familiarize themselves with and abide by the rules of the State Forest and the recreation area while attending. Information may be found at the following link. Please be aware that the rules of the State Forest allow leashed pets however pets are prohibited within the boundaries of the recreation area itself.

https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Recreation/Fees-and-Information#rules

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR’S EVENT: