1 campground with availability next weekend
Hillsborough River State Park Campground houses elegant glamping accommodations amid shaded oak groves just outside Thonotosassa, while Lake Louisa State Park offers stylish yurts nestled in nature about an hour from Mulberry. These upscale outdoor retreats provide comfortable beds with linens, climate-controlled interiors, and private outdoor spaces for relaxing under the stars. One visitor noted, "This place is brand new and very clean. The owners/operators are extremely friendly and helpful. The have glamping tents that are very cool." The safari-style tents at Peace River Oaks deliver premium camping experiences with raised wooden platforms, quality furnishings, and proximity to the peaceful river setting. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground combines rustic luxury with convenient access to theme parks, offering glamping options with electricity, comfortable bedding, and resort amenities.
Hiking trails wind through pine flatwoods and along river edges at these glamping destinations, providing opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature photography. The Hillsborough River features Class 2 rapids where glampers can enjoy kayaking adventures or leisurely paddles between tranquil camping sessions. According to a recent visitor, "We stayed here for a few nights but our reservations were cut short due to flooding. Small enclosed area for tent and RV camping. Shaded pavilion and a few fire rings." Guests appreciate the swimming opportunities at Lake Louisa State Park's glamping sites, where yurts provide quick access to water activities. Most luxury camping accommodations require reservations and are available year-round, though seasonal factors affect availability. The parks maintain clean facilities with modern bathrooms and showers near the glamping units, enhancing the upscale outdoor experience while preserving the natural setting.
"The park was so lush and green it felt like a jungle safari. There are so many alligators just hanging around near the water so watch out while hiking!"
"During busy season you can really be packed in but the primitive camping site is another option - hike out and camp away from the crowds!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"Very clean bath house."
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
"Colt Creek State Park is one of the newer parks in the Florida State Park System. We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient."
"We arrived to check in only to fine we were to get the last remaining campsite available. After checking in we drove to our campsite. The campsites are large and well spaced."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"Big park so lots of walking if you don’t have the cart (or you can bring your own and/or bikes). Our grandsons loved the golf cart!"
"We stayed in a tent loop right across from the swimming pool, walking distance to the pool and Bike Barn (where you rent everything and play)."
from $56 - $201 / night
"Some campsites on the water have a small water view and a way to walk a kayak to the water directly. Most water front campsites are blocked by mangroves so look at the photos online when booking."
"This is our go to place for a close to home weekend when we are lucky enough to get a reservation. If you are a visiting from Miami or out of state you won’t be disappointed if you can get in. "
from $38 - $48 / night
"This was our second Thousand Trails stay. Unlike The Oaks at Point South you have to find your own spot. It's a little unnerving. Fortunately, we had a few to choose from as soon as we arrived."
"Huge sites, fire pits, kayaking and trails and nature galore!!"
"Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida."
"These (this) equestrian and primitive campsite(s) have several of your standard picnic tables under a nice large covered pavilion, fire rings and multiple grills."
"Has shower houses and clean bathrooms Not full hookups but has a dumpstation in the west campground. Busy on holidays No alcohol allowed Firepits. Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying."
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
from $24 / night
"Lake Louisa is located on the edge of the Orlando metropolitan region. Close to Disney but accessible to other area attractions and communities, if that's what you are lookimg to do."
"Lake Louisa is located in Clermont Florida and is only 20 miles from Disney in Orlando. It is a newer park and the facilities were really nice."
Available next weekend
from $24 - $120 / night
"The have glamping tents that are very cool. This isn’t the ordinary crunched in resort camping. All of the sites are spacious with large cement pads. The overall feel is laid back and quiet."
"If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61."
from $85 - $95 / night
ScoutTim and Leisha were the best! Great campsite close to Disney is what we wanted.. clean and well organized. They make you feel at home and they even invited us to dinner at the pool and provided all the food. I will definitely be going back when I’m in town. They loved our kiddos too!
LegendOn my never-ending pursuit of finding the most perfect campground on earth ... I may have just landed it! Fort DeSoto State Park Campground, which rests at the southernmost edge of Pinellas County, reached by crossing a series of causeways from St. Petersburg until the land simply runs out and the Gulf of Mexico (as my friend John Cougar Mellencamp recently point out - not Gulf of ‘Merika) takes over. First impressions are pure Florida magic with palm-lined roads, sweeping water views of translucent aqua blue shimmering in the sun all accompanied by a salty breeze that makes you feel like vacation has officially begun. The campground itself is spread across a low-lying coastal landscape with mangroves, dunes and open skies punctuated by cotton candy clouds, and despite its popularity, this tri-loop campground haven manages to feel relaxed and unhurried if you pick your timing right.
This archipelago is shaped like a boomerang with 3 distinct campground loops – each with its own vibe, layout, amenities and overall character (more on this later) – leaving one with the impression that Fort DeSoto is both incredibly spacious as well as incredibly well-organized, offering a mix of waterfront and interior sites with paved pads, picnic tables, stand-up grills and access to modern bathhouses that are generally clean and well maintained. Many sites offer electric and water hookups, with a dump station available for RV travelers. Navigation through the one-way loops is straightforward, pets are welcome and the overall layout feels intentionally designed to handle high traffic without feeling chaotic. While there’s but just a modest playground on-site, there are much more amenities for the kids on North Beach, but throughout the campground area, the sheer amount of open space, bike paths, beach side access to inlets that will allow you to make the most out of being this close to the Gulf more than compensates for families.
What truly sets Fort DeSoto apart is everything just outside your campsite. Miles of white sand beaches wrap around the park, including North Beach which is frequently ranked among the best beaches in the country (note: not county ... country). Kayaking trails wind through calm mangrove tunnels, fishing piers stretch into Tampa Bay, and biking loops circle the entire park. History lovers can explore the restored fort and military ruins, while birders will find plenty to admire along the shoreline. For supplies, you’re about 15 minutes from Tierra Verde Market, Publix and a Walmart Supercenter on Pinellas Bayway as well as a handful of casual eateries like Billy’s Stone Crab and Sea Hags if cooking feels optional.
Trying to find out which 1 of the 3 loops might be best for you? I’ll try to break this down. First, of all, my brother and I stayed in Area #1, so let me begin there, not only because numerically that’s where we should begin, but also because I’m the most familiar with this loop, which consists of sites numbered #1-85. If you’re looking not just for ocean views with Gulf access – because like me, you’ve brought a kayak / canoe – then Area #1 for this solo reason is why you want to book here. And while it’s true that you likely could access water in Area #2, you’ll have to go the long way around to access the Gulf. Back to Area #1, I found this simple, single loop offering sites excellent in size, with TONS of shade (no need to bring your shelter to blot out the sun, although not a bad idea to have it handy in case of rain) and decent length long ‘driveways’ with which to pull in and set up camp, whether you’re packing tents (like me) or pulling in with your RV or sprinter van. Seriously, the scenery alone here in Area #1(at least sites #1-34) cannot be beaten with direct views of the Gulf, which you can access in less than 20 paces from where you’ve pitched your tent or parked for the night.
Each site is equipped with electric and water and for RVs needing sewage, there’s a spot as you exit prior to arriving at the ranger station that will accommodate you. The restroom and shower facilities in Area#1 are the best that I’ve ever seen in the state of Florida (which is saying something as I’ve camped in more than 100 spots here in the Sunshine state) – and wonder if this is because CG Hosts (versus FL state employees) are charged with keeping the CG clean?! – with very hot water (sometimes TOO hot) and lots of pressure would be an accurate description. Area #2 IMHO is somewhat cramped, very RV populated, with sites that are fairly crowded, yet heavily shaded with amenities that are similar to Area #1, albeit slightly more outdated; however, if you come with pets in tow, this is the ONLY area that will welcome you here at Fort DeSoto CG. Lastly, Area #3 has AMAZING water views, but given the seawall that surrounds this portion of the island, you won’t be able to actually access the water unless you dock your boat somehow to the wall and don’t mind jumping up 4-6 feet down to access your vessel. I found the sites here to be fine, although like Area #2, somewhat crowded, but yet still offering very good shade with restroom and shower facilities to be on par with the rest of the park. The best sites over here would be those from #197– 233 that look northernly towards the Gulf offering nothing short of AMAZING sunsets on the water.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) Waterfront sites in Loop 2 and Loop 3 are the most coveted for sunset views and breezes, but they book fast; (2) Bring bikes as this park is tailor-made for cruising on two wheels with flat, scenic loops in and around the campground area, but the best biking will be had once heading out past the ranger station to explore the larger areas of the island, where East Beach is worth a glide by (especially to watch the kite surfers where wind is at its strongest), but it’s North Beach that will have you stopping for a longer spell; (3) Kayaking through the mangroves on a calm morning is a must, especially for wildlife sightings; however, our absolute favorite moment of the entire trip was crossing the strong currents of shipping lanes to make it all the way to Shell Key, which apart from a few pensioners getting sunburnt in their beach chairs and an errant fishing boat or two, we had the entire island to ourselves … EASTER EGG: I’m a fairly solid kayaker and love oaring and with these strong currents, it IS manageable to cross, but you’ll want to plan on at least 1 hour of non-stop, albeit scenic oaring to make it to Shell Key; (4) Afternoon storms roll through quickly in summer, so plan beach time early and camp dinners later; (5) North Beach on the northernmost edge tends to be quieter and more family-friendly than the busier east-facing beaches near the fort; (6) If you’re visiting during peak season, weekday stays are noticeably calmer than weekends; and (7) When heading to the restroom facilities you will come across what is likely the largest sign I have ever seen in any campground WARNING YOU OF RACCOONS and, trust me, you want to HEED THIS SIGN as these black-eyed bandits are EVERYWHERE and not afraid to come right up to your tent and look in or right up to you sitting next to your campfire while looking for something to eat or steal, so be incredibly careful and PACK UP EVERYTHING whenever it’s not being used EVEN IN DAYLIGHT HOURS.
In sum, I absolutely loved this campground and will now be comparing every single one I visit to Fort DeSoto Campground.
Happy Camping!
ScoutShowers and bathrooms are closed
ScoutBeautiful 😁
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
ScoutClose to beaches, beach parking is paid via campground fees. Quiet this time of year, fairly good size sites.
ScoutEverything went pretty well except for one hiccup. Our first night staying there our bathroom drain got backed up with sewage that came back up from the drain which caused a terrible smell of The shower then also clogged and had to shower in puddle of water that got gross from our feet being all dirty because of the mud. I had mistakingly booked the stay without adding the hot tub.. so when we mentioned the issue to Dan(main guy in charge) we asked about the hot tub for the second day since it says it needs to be booked for a 2 night minimum. He said it would be taken care of.. so in our minds of a server and bartender and having worked in the service industry for a long time, we figured that the hot tub would be taken care of for us, considering that it's simply a$30 charge. So l then later get a text message from him asking if the card that I had on file was Ok to charge for the hot tub, and I asked if there would be any sort of compensation for the bathroom situation, he said being charged for one night instead of 2 was the compensation.. which made no sense to me since we only were getting it for one night. To top it off the hot tub was not even hot.. Was def not very impressed by that.
TravelerIf you like peace and quietness this is a place for you. I’m sure it is busier during the winter months. Plenty of shade with a new pool. You can rent canoes, play putt putt or paddle along the Peace river. If you’re into nature just walk the meandering trails through the woods. New concrete pads with a fire pit and picnic table. Everyone was polite and the WiFi was excellent. We stayed in lot 61. It overlooks the pasture with plenty of shade. Lot 60 and 59 also have total coverage and will be one of my next next choices. Plenty of space between your neighbors even make it better
ScoutThe place is very big and spread out , always sites available full hook ups or just water and electric (always alot of these open 20 or more) we have a pass to stay at these sites so we were put in a not so great site ,but talking with front desk (Morgan) she was more than happy to switch us to another site which we were pleased with . Pools clean ,clean bath houses and close to stores (grocery) always love going here . We have a blast . Also its centrally located a hr to coasts ( Venice beach) . Hr and 20 mins from warm mineral springs . River was nice to watch onsite also . Boat ramp also onsite
Several campgrounds near Mulberry, Florida offer distinctive camping experiences within 30-45 minutes of town. The region's subtropical climate provides year-round camping opportunities with mild winters and humid summers. Camping elevations range from 100-200 feet above sea level, with most sites situated among oak hammocks and pine flatwoods that characterize central Florida's landscape.
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract offers 16 miles of trails through pine flatwoods and floodplain swamps. One camper noted, "On a short hike, one can travel through three different counties." The tract includes dozens of geocache locations for treasure hunters.
Fossil hunting along riverbanks: Peace River RV and Camping Resort provides access to the Peace River where visitors search for prehistoric shark teeth. "I found a ton of shark teeth," one camper mentioned. The park office offers wire mesh baskets to assist with the search.
Wildlife observation: Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" one visitor reported. Another camper shared, "Wild turkeys visited us daily to hang out by a fallen tree near our site. Deer passed by every evening."
Stargazing: Withlacoochee River Park hosts astronomy events in their field during new moon nights. As one visitor described, "This place is quiet and dark at night!" The park includes an observation tower for daytime views of the surrounding wilderness.
Spacious, private sites: Lake Louisa State Park Campground offers well-separated camping areas. A camper remarked, "This park has very spacious sites with beautiful views and an exceptionally clean property." The park's multiple lake views create peaceful settings for overnight stays.
Clean facilities: Fort De Soto Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms were clean. They clean them daily, so they are not bad," noted one visitor. Another mentioned, "The bath house is pretty central and literally across the road from our site. We had expected a much further walk based on the map, but it was just a 1 minute walk."
Waterfront access: E.G. Simmons Regional Park features sites directly on the water. "Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions," one camper observed. Another mentioned, "We had site # 65 on the water with water and electric hook up & there is a dump station onsite."
Nature immersion: Withlacoochee River Park provides a secluded natural experience. A visitor stated, "This lovely county run park you will find at the end of a 15 min drive down a back country road. The campsites are well shaded."
Bugs can be intense: Most campsites experience seasonal insect activity. At Fort De Soto, a camper advised, "Bring good bug spray lol." At E.G. Simmons, another warned, "You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no see-ums."
Weather considerations: Florida's subtropical climate affects camping conditions. "We stayed here for a few nights but our reservations were cut short due to flooding," reported a visitor at Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance planning while others operate differently. At Peace River RV and Camping Resort, a camper explained their lottery system: "Lots are not first come first served the do a lottery no matter what time you arrive, first it was at noon, then moved to 1, then to 2."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies across parks. One Lake Kissimmee visitor noted, "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park."
Playground access: Withlacoochee River Park offers family-friendly amenities. "Next to campground you will find a historic church, a large and small cabin available for rent, 2 playgrounds, shelters, large pavilion with grill/fire pit, fishing dock, canoe launch," shared one visitor.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming areas for children. Fort De Soto has "a public swim area and picnic area," while Lake Louisa features multiple lakes with swimming access.
Educational opportunities: Lake Kissimmee provides historical learning experiences. The park's cow camp demonstrates Florida's ranching heritage, though one camper noted, "Cow camp is only open Oct-May."
Wildlife viewing with kids: Hillsborough River State Park offers safe wildlife observation opportunities. "The nature trails are amazing," reported one family, while another mentioned seeing "green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy."
Site access challenges: Hillsborough River State Park can present maneuvering difficulties. One RVer explained, "There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot."
Hookup considerations: Not all parks offer full hookups. At Peace River, a camper advised, "There are some sewer available sites but there is a strange lottery system. Every day about 1pm you go sign up for the lottery system to shuffle your RV to a sewer site if you're lucky enough to get it."
Electrical reliability: Power fluctuations can occur during peak usage periods. One camper at Peace River observed, "Watch the electricity during high usage the voltage drop, ours droped to 108v for a couple hours, i choose to run the gen during that time."
Low clearance warnings: Several parks have overhanging branches. At Lake Kissimmee, a visitor cautioned, "If you have a tall rv low hanging branches in the camp area might be an issue."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Mulberry, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Mulberry, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Mulberry, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 glamping camping locations near Mulberry, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
