Campsites near Elkton, Florida offer access to diverse ecosystems beyond the main subtropical landscape. The area features a mix of freshwater springs, coastal access points, and former phosphate mines transformed into recreation areas. Seasonal weather impacts extend beyond temperature, with hurricane season (June-November) occasionally affecting accessibility to certain trails and waterfront areas.
What to do
Mountain biking at Alafia River State Park: The park features constantly changing mountain bike trails built on former phosphate mines with varied terrain. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," notes Jennifer T. about Alafia River State Park Campground.
Paddling at Little Manatee River: Multiple access points for canoe and kayak exploration along gentle river currents. "Great place to take your RV to be pampered. There onsite RV services are incredible, they can do just about everything on your RV while set up on the pad," says Michael M. about his stay at Lazydays RV Resort.
Horseback trails at Little Manatee River: Equestrian-friendly camping with dedicated stalls and trails. "Very nice facilities. Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" shares Donna H. from her experience at Alafia River State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing at E.G. Simmons Park: Observe osprey nests, manatees, and coastal birds from kayak trails through mangrove tunnels. "When you kayak down the channel into Tampa Bay what a great view of Tampa, St. Petersburg and the Skyway bridge. Beautiful sunsets from the beach and boat ramp or out in the kayak," notes B.M. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between campsites with natural vegetation for privacy. "The sites are nice and spacious, have really excellent tree coverage, which is a must during Florida summers," reports Elliott B. about his stay at Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Waterfront accessibility: Direct water access from campsites for fishing and launching small craft. "We had site 28 on the water with water and electric hook up & there is a dump station onsite. This is a nice campground with a beach, little island you can wade to we always see Manatees there and lots of great areas to Kayak or paddle board," shares B.M. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom and shower facilities receive consistent praise across campgrounds. "We stayed for 3 nights over Memorial Day weekend. Campground was quiet & restrooms were clean. We rented canoes & kayaks, and had a fun day on the river. Employees were very nice & helpful!" mentions Annabelle about her experience at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River.
Military-focused options: Dedicated facilities for service members and veterans. "I absolutely loved the MacDill FamCamp. It's right by the beach and marina. There's a small dog beach and two dog parks. Laundry facilities are centrally located. Cable is included," Richard explains about his stay at MacDill AFB FamCamp.
What you should know
First-come availability: Several county parks operate without reservations. "Edward Medard is first come, first serve type campground. Very pretty and wooded for Florida. Great to bike around and see everything," notes Jeff G. about Edward Medard Park.
Insect management: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be intense, particularly at dusk near water. "Okay so maybe the title isn't very nice but that is what stands out to me when I think of this campground. You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no-see-ums," Christy C. warns about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds are located near highways with resulting noise impacts. "PROS: lots of trees and shade, near river. CONS: right next to a highway/large road with TONS of traffic noise," reports Kathy L. about Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River.
Accessibility limitations: Some natural areas have restricted entry points. "Note that the gates to the area did close a little earlier than I would like. On the bright side it is a large area," mentions Nick P. about Edward Medard Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Fort De Soto offers family-friendly beaches with amenities. "Fort Desoto is hands-down the go-to spot in my local area. The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of secret trails, a dog beach, general store, historic walks, boat ramps, kayak access, and much more!" recommends Alyssa D. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Playground access: Several parks feature modern play equipment for younger children. "This park is small, but never too crowded. The water is easily accessible. The beach area is small. There is a playground for children," notes Judy B. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Educational opportunities: Historic fort structures and nature programs available for learning. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds!" shares Brennan H. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Wildlife safety: Take precautions with food storage to deter raccoons and other wildlife. "Honestly probably the best campground in Tampa Bay Area, they have your basic essentials; water, electricity, showers. Only bad thing is how bad the raccoons are, I wouldn't recommend leaving food out because they'll take everything," warns Witchy.Riverz about Edward Medard Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Campgrounds vary in site size and shade coverage. "We checked in at the gate, not the registration building. Sites sit 90 degrees to the narrow street, so backing can be tricky, especially with all the vehicles parked along the road perpendicular to the pad entrance," advises MickandKarla W. about their stay at Lazydays RV Resort.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management access points, especially at first-come sites. "We were in site 55 of the East CG which was right on the water where we launched our kayaks to paddle the canals amongst the Mangroves. Great place to paddle a kayak in the Mangrove canals. Right on Tampa Bay," shares Bran P. about their RV experience at E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Hurricane impacts: Seasonal closures may affect availability. "This park just reopened a couple of weeks ago from the hurricanes. They are slowly bringing the sites back up to par, but it is still an awesome place. Everything is kept up, and several short trails to see The only class 2 rapids in Florida," reports Joe R. about his stay at Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
