Cabin camping near Dover, Florida offers access to several state parks with river recreation and trails within a 30-mile radius. The area features a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making it suitable for year-round camping with peak season running from October through April. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-70°F while summer can exceed 90°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
River activities: Hillsborough River State Park Campground features the only Class II rapids in Florida where visitors can canoe, kayak or swim. "Nice trails, great river canoeing. Close to Tampa and Busch Gardens," notes Billie S. The park offers canoe rentals managed by "amazing" staff according to Bryan.
Hiking and trails: Little Manatee River State Park Campground provides walking trails for various skill levels with options for both people and horses. "A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater," writes Patti D. The park is somewhat removed from urban areas while still providing access to nearby cities.
Mountain biking: Alafia River State Park Campground offers exceptional mountain biking trails that attract enthusiasts. "I go here every year to see all of the various birds that migrate here, as well as to enjoy a little bit of mountain biking," says Jill R. The park features constantly changing trails that keep regular visitors engaged. Jennifer T. notes, "The MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here."
Wildlife viewing: The parks around Dover support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Jason D. from Hillsborough River describes "green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy" during evening hours. Birdwatching is particularly good during migration seasons, with multiple species visiting the area's lakes and rivers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Hillsborough River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night," reports Lorilee S. The campground bathrooms feature well-kept shower facilities that several reviewers specifically mentioned.
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the quieter environment at certain parks. Rick G. notes Hillsborough River provided "privacy between sites. Weather was cool in February that allowed for comfortable hiking and biking." Gail W. adds that "as it got dark which happens early this time of year things settle down pretty quickly and never had a problem at night."
Proximity to attractions: Many parks offer convenient access to nearby attractions while maintaining a natural setting. Rebecca A. appreciates that Hillsborough River State Park "is also not far from some big cities, such as Tampa and St. Pete, which is convenient." The campground serves as a good base for exploring the region while enjoying nature.
Water activities: Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River offers excellent water recreation options. "We enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night," writes Jolie H. Armando F. recommends "Canoeing to your camp site is the way to go. We did the 8-mile trek which wasn't too bad for a group of 30 year old guys that are out of shape."
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly during summer months. Jake H. from Hillsborough River warns, "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog." Jason D. shares a similar experience: "Unfortunately, the fireflies aren't the only bugs. The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June."
Weather considerations: Florida's climate affects camping conditions year-round. Several campgrounds suffered hurricane damage in recent years that required recovery time. Joe R. noted that Hillsborough River "just reopened a couple of weeks ago from the hurricanes. They are slowly bringing the sites back up to par."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to their location. At Happy Traveler RV Resort, some sites are positioned closer to roads. Canoe Outpost experiences similar issues with Miranda V. noting, "You hear the nearby road" and Kathy L. adding it's "right next to a highway/large road with TONS of traffic noise."
Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during winter months when northern visitors arrive. Rick G. mentions his February visit to Hillsborough River was planned "to meet friends visiting the area from up north," which is typical during peak season when advanced booking becomes necessary.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale offers excellent water facilities for children. "They've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," shares Danielle M. Amanda W. adds "one geared toward kids with a fountain and very fun twisty slide."
Entertainment options: Several parks provide organized activities for children. Samantha O. describes Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort where "Chip and Dale walk around to everyone. They ask that you don't leave your spot and they will come to you and really they do. They stopped at every spot to take pictures."
Safety considerations: Quieter campgrounds offer better environments for younger children. Shannon S. describes Camp Margaritaville as "very clean and safe. I felt comfortable with my kid running around on her scooter." Phil adds that sites "come with a turf pad which the pup loved."
Cabin accessibility: Some parks offer cabin options that require less equipment for families. Tampa East RV Resort provides immediate access to the Dover area with cabin rentals that eliminate the need for tent setup. Little Manatee River State Park's cabins offer comfort for families not prepared for full tent camping.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation: RV campers should research site access before arrival. At Hillsborough River, Gail W. describes the campground as good for "boondockers" but notes it can be "a bit peoply" for those seeking seclusion. She adds, "There was 30 amp as well as 50 amp water there's a dump station."
Hookup options: Spanish Main RV Resort offers full hookups but requires awareness of maintenance schedules. Amy R. warns, "Expect the water to just shut off on you early in the morning every other day due to maintenance." Sites may also "flood pretty bad" during heavy rain.
Big rig considerations: Larger RVs face challenges at some parks. AJ G. notes that Alafia River State Park sites are "decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all." Lawrence P. found Happy Traveler RV Resort offered "very friendly and helpful staff! Lot's of shade!" making it better for those seeking covered sites.
