Camping cabins near Elkton, Florida offer year-round access with temperatures averaging 82°F in summer and 63°F in winter. The area sits at a low elevation of less than 20 feet above sea level, creating unique wetland ecosystems around cabin sites. Most cabins require advance reservations, with winter booking windows often opening 11 months ahead due to seasonal demand.
What to do
Kayak the river systems: The Little Manatee River provides calm waters ideal for paddlers of all skill levels. At Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River, rentals include delivery to your cabin. "We rented canoes & kayaks, and had a fun day on the river. Employees were very nice & helpful!" notes Annabelle.
Mountain biking: Alafia River State Park Campground maintains over 20 miles of rated mountain bike trails ranging from beginner to advanced. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," explains Jennifer T.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning walks yield the best wildlife sightings near cabin areas. "Extremely helpful rangers who warned that some of the trails were still not cleared from Hurricane Irma. Even with the down trees, it was a wonderful hike filled with Black Swallowtail butterflies," reports Elizabeth G. about Little Manatee River State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas feature natural vegetation barriers. At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, the campground is "completely shaded by oak trees. At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," according to Jason D.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. "Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night," notes Lorilee S. at Hardee Lakes Park.
Water access: Direct water access from cabin sites proves popular with guests. Jolie H. at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River mentions, "We enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night. We honestly didn't want to leave. Very relaxing place, shaded sites."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Little Manatee River State Park Campground, Patti D. recommends: "We chose site #10, which was very private, with electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. Natural trees providing privacy between lots."
Seasonal factors: Insect activity increases dramatically during summer months. "Unfortunately, the fireflies aren't the only bugs. The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June. We practically had to anchor our toddler to the picnic table so he wasn't carried away by them," warns Jason D.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some cabins. Miranda V. notes about Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River: "Very nice staff, the showers and toilets are simple. You hear the nearby road."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for pool closures: At Hardee Lakes Park, family amenities remain open consistently. Joshua W. shares, "Bath house was clean and in good working order. Overall a great quiet place to visit for a connection with nature."
Book equestrian sites: Even without horses, these sites often provide more space. Kathy L. explains, "We stayed in an 'equestrian' site and most people didn't have horses (neither did we). While much of the park isn't shaded, most sites do seem to have at least some trees providing partial shade."
Bring entertainment: Cabin areas offer varying levels of scheduled activities. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, Doug E. reports, "They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run. There are the typical bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers varied site sizes. Tammy P. cautions, "Site was small, couldn't even put awning out all the way because we were so close to next site. They escort you to site when you arrive."
Hookup locations: Check electrical box placement before booking. At Tampa East RV Resort, Douglas T. notes, "Our electric box was a bit tricky to plug in since somehow it was almost on the ground. The roads going back to other units were tight and we could have never made it through."
Level site availability: Many older cabin camping areas have uneven sites. Ronald H. shares at Little Manatee River State Park, "Our spot was 10 and we loved the privacy of the nature between every campsite along those areas for bigger rigs."
