Fort De Soto Campground provides elevated waterfront experiences 35 miles from Gibsonton, Florida. Sites are set among established trees that maintain privacy between campsites while offering natural shade. Water temperatures in the area remain suitable for swimming between April and October, with summer nights staying warm and humid.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At E.G. Simmons Regional Park, visitors can access numerous water trails through the mangroves. "Great place to paddle a kayak in the Mangrove canals. Right on Tampa Bay," notes one camper. The park offers kayak rentals for those without their own equipment.
Wildlife viewing: Animal spotters will find diverse wildlife throughout the parks near Gibsonton. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds," reports a camper at Fort De Soto Campground. Water-based trails provide the best opportunity for marine life viewing, especially during morning hours.
Fossil hunting: The Peace River area offers a distinctive activity for campers. "The highlight of this park was collecting shark and sting ray teeth along the river. You can get wire mesh baskets in the office to aid in your search," explains a visitor to Peace River RV Resort.
What campers like
Private campsites: At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, the natural setting provides separation between sites. "The campground here is very nice! The bathrooms are well kept and clean," writes one camper. Many sites feature mature trees and natural ground cover.
Clean facilities: Multiple parks maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bath house's are nice & kept very clean," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Peace River. Most parks offer shower facilities, with some providing laundry options as well.
Water access: Direct water frontage ranks among the most appreciated features. "Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks," comments a visitor about E.G. Simmons Regional Park. Waterfront sites typically cost more and require earlier reservations.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Insect activity increases significantly at dusk in many camping locations. "You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no see-ums," warns a camper at E.G. Simmons Regional Park. Screened enclosures provide the most effective protection.
Reservation systems: Each park operates with different booking rules. Fort De Soto Campground uses a unique system: "They do start booking 6 months out and open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each Friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky."
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings challenging conditions. "Hot, hot, hot. And not in a good way. Not a lot of shade," reports a camper about E.G. Simmons. Winter months offer more comfortable temperatures but higher demand for campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park has separate primitive tent, car-camping (tent) and cabin campgrounds near the entrance of the park along with over 50 miles of biking, hiking, nature as well as equestrian trails to enjoy," writes one visitor. Multiple playground areas throughout the park provide convenient options for families.
Beach options: Water access points vary significantly between locations. Fort De Soto offers "a public swim area and picnic area" with established beaches that typically have gentler slopes appropriate for younger children.
Space considerations: Site sizes vary dramatically between parks. At Quail Run RV Park, "the sites were huge. Everything worked perfectly," reports a camper. Larger sites accommodate multiple tents or play space for children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, select parks carefully. "We were in the pull thru sites which are a little tight and can be challenging to park on in big rigs. Roads are narrow with lots of turns," warns a camper at Horseshoe Cove RV Resort. Some parks offer specific large-rig sections with easier access.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites remain limited in many parks. "Not all hookups are full. Must enter lottery to get full hookup site," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Peace River. Most parks offer water and electric hookups at minimum, with some providing sewer connections at premium sites.
Electric reliability: Seasonal power fluctuations occur during peak usage. "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours dropped to 108v for a couple hours," advises a Peace River visitor who opted to run a generator during that period rather than risk appliance damage.
