Cabins near Durant, Florida offer camping access to the natural landscapes of central Florida's Hillsborough County. The region sits at an elevation of approximately 100 feet above sea level with predominantly sandy soil and pine flatwoods ecosystems. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-70°F, making it a popular destination during cooler months when humidity levels drop significantly compared to summer.
What to do
Water recreation at Hillsborough River State Park: Explore Florida's rare class II rapids by canoe or kayak. The park has rental services with helpful staff. "Nice trails, great river canoeing. Close to Tampa and Busch Gardens," notes Billie S.
Mountain biking at Alafia River State Park Campground: The park offers multiple mountain biking trails for different skill levels. "I loved that they had a ton of different trails to choose from, some just hiking or biking, and some mixed ones. Really well kept. Saw a few deer," reports Elizabeth G.
Wildlife viewing on Little Manatee River: Bring binoculars for spotting birds and small animals. "The River is really nice for canoeing as well as for fishing and nature views," according to Ronald H. at Little Manatee River State Park.
Hiking the trail system at Hardee Lakes Park: Explore the network of trails connecting four lakes. "Trail system is great from dirt paths to boardwalks to cut straight through the woods," says Joshua W.
What campers like
Shade options: Many cabins provide shelter from Florida sun. At Hardee Lakes Park, "trees have had time to mature. There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes," notes Jim W.
Clean facilities: Most parks maintain good standards for bathrooms and common areas. At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, "the bathrooms are well kept and clean. The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals," reports Rebecca A.
Evening atmosphere: Nighttime at the cabins offers a peaceful experience. "It's nice and dark at night," mentions Lorilee S. about Tampa East RV Resort.
Wildlife encounters: Campers often spot native animals. "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," shares Jason D. about Hillsborough River State Park.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially in summer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. at Hillsborough River State Park.
Water interruptions: Some facilities experience maintenance issues. At Spanish Main RV Resort, "Expect the water to just shut off on you early in the morning every other day due to maintenance," cautions Amy R.
Site flooding: During heavy rains, water management varies by location. "It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," notes Lorilee S. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Reservation requirements: Little Manatee River State Park Campground cabins book quickly. "This has been our first park Campground and couldn't ask for a better one to start with," reports Ronald H.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Kids enjoy water features at some resorts. At Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, "they've got a great splash pad and playground for the kids, a water slide, and two larger pools for kids and adults," says Danielle M.
Activity planning: Many parks offer organized events. "They had a lot of activities for the kids during spring break," notes Shannon S. about Camp Margaritaville.
Swimming options: Pools provide alternatives to natural water bodies. At Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River, "we enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night," reports Jolie H.
Noise considerations: Some locations are quieter than others. "We stayed here a couple of years ago and loved the piece and quiet!" states Karen & Terry S. about Hardee Lakes Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose cabins strategically for optimal experience. "Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," shares Lorilee S. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Connectivity options: Internet access varies significantly. At Hillsborough River State Park, Rick G. reports, "Good Verizon signal to allow for plenty of streaming."
Site layouts: Space between units differs by location. At Tampa East RV Resort, "Our site was by the office which was plenty large for our 42'. The roads going back to other units were tight," notes Douglas T.
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly. "The campground here is very nice with oak trees," shares Rebecca A. about Hillsborough River State Park.
