Glamping experiences close to Riverview, Florida exist beyond the premium canvas accommodations found at popular waterfront parks. Located on the eastern side of Tampa Bay, this area sits at just 4 feet above sea level, creating unique wetland camping environments. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can dip into the 50s, creating distinct seasonal camping considerations across the region's preserves and parks.
What to do
Kayaking through mangroves: At E.G. Simmons Regional Park, visitors can launch kayaks directly from their sites to paddle through mangrove canals. "When you kayak down the channel into Tampa Bay what a great view of Tampa, St. Petersburg and the Skyway bridge," notes one camper. Multiple visitors report spotting marine wildlife during paddles.
Hiking unique terrain: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers over 50 miles of trails across varied ecosystems. "The 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," explains one reviewer. The park maintains both paved and natural surface paths.
Fossil hunting adventures: Several campsites provide opportunities to search for prehistoric shark teeth in riverbed sediment. "We ended up enjoying shark teeth hunting in the river," reports a visitor to Peace River. Many campgrounds offer sifting equipment rentals or sales for better fossil-finding success rates.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Fort De Soto Campground provides secluded waterfront camping areas with natural barriers. "There are three loops, and we were in the 1-86 loop. There are no pets and no RV's allowed, which was perfect for us. Most of the outer side of the loop has some sort of water," explains a camper. The park maintains vegetation between sites for privacy.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cypress Creek Preserve offers primitive camping surrounded by natural Florida habitats. "We are in a 24' class C and found a nice private area that was surprisingly level," notes a visitor. The preserve's primitive setting attracts various wildlife species viewable from campsites.
Clean facilities: Multiple reviewers praise the maintained bathrooms at several area campgrounds. "The bath house's are nice & kept very clean," states one E.G. Simmons camper. At Hillsborough River State Park, a visitor reports, "The bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Florida's rapid weather changes affect camping experiences year-round. "We had torrential downpours for a few hours one night. Bathhouse was clean," explains a Hillsborough River camper. Sites at E.G. Simmons offer little shade, making summer heat particularly intense.
Insect considerations: Multiple reviewers mention persistent insects, particularly in warmer months. "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," shares a Hillsborough River State Park visitor. Another camper notes, "The bugs can be bad this time they were bad last year no problem."
Reservation systems vary: Each park maintains different booking protocols. "A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground," notes a reviewer of Upper Hillsborough Preserve. Fort De Soto operates on a rolling six-month reservation window with limited walk-up availability.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety planning: Parks with water access require extra vigilance with children. "There is a public swim area and picnic area. Lots of paved roads which was great for biking," explains an E.G. Simmons visitor. Designated swimming areas provide safer alternatives to open waterways.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs specifically for younger campers. "Nature education center for children. Playgrounds and pavilions for get togethers," notes a Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park visitor. Ranger-led activities often occur on weekends during peak seasons.
Playground accessibility: Myakka River State Park provides multiple recreation areas beyond camping. "There is a playground with good swings and also a sturdy playground that offered plenty of opportunity for my four year old to blow off some steam," reports a visitor. The ground surface uses recycled rubber for safety.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For larger rigs, certain campgrounds offer more suitable accommodations. "The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic. I would say the vegetation gives semi privacy but they aren't on top of each other," explains a Myakka River visitor. Inquiring about site dimensions before booking prevents arrival complications.
Electrical considerations: Power fluctuations occur at some parks during peak usage times. "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours dropped to 108v for a couple hours, i choose to run the gen during that time," advises a Peace River RV Resort camper. Bringing a voltage monitor helps protect sensitive electronics.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly between glamping locations near Riverview. "We are in a 24' class C and found a nice private area that was surprisingly level," reports a Cypress Creek visitor. Some parks have designated areas with reinforced pads for heavier vehicles, while others recommend specific loops for larger rigs.
