270 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several camping areas near Tampa give you options between beach settings and wooded retreats. Fort De Soto Campground sits by the shores in Tierra Verde, with both tent and RV sites close to beaches and walking paths. Hillsborough River State Park Campground has sites among the trees where you can hike or take a canoe out on the water. Watch out for wildlife like raccoons and alligators - proper food storage is important in these parts. The drive into Tampa is quick if you want to check out city attractions between camping days. Roads to these campgrounds are usually in good shape, though they can get muddy during rainy periods. Both campgrounds have bathrooms and showers, making longer stays more comfortable. Fishing is good along the river and in nearby lakes if you bring your gear. Hiking trails run throughout the natural areas surrounding both campgrounds. Tampa's campgrounds offer easy access with clear signs posted on main roads. The contrast between beach camping at Fort De Soto and forest camping at Hillsborough River gives you completely different experiences close to the same city. Tampa area campgrounds provide diverse outdoor recreation opportunities while keeping you within a short drive of urban conveniences. Make sure to follow the posted rules about wildlife and camping practices while you're there.
"What a neat park :) This park is only a ½ hour from Tampa and I checked it out while in town on business."
"Fantastic Campground not far from Tampa. This could be a good park to stay at if you want to do Busch Gardens which is just 16 miles away."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Very good option in the Tampa Bay"
"Ft.DeSoto sits at the mouth of Tampa bay and The Gulf of Mexico. The campground is open year around with 236 sites. They have a tent area and a separate pet area. Water sites are available."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Great location just outside Tampa, Fl. Wonderful facilities and friendly staff. nearby RV dealership is largest in America with huge service department and camping/RV store."
"This campground is close to Busch Gardens Tampa. We stayed here in a motor home."
from $61 - $83 / night
Check Availability"Right on Tampa Bay. Public swim area and picnic area. Lots of paved roads which was great for biking. Several Osprey nests and other birds to watch on the water."
"When you kayak down the channel into Tamp 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."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"you have to drive to the main side for those. Not a big deal.
For long-terming, you're responsible for your yard. The FamCamp officer loans them out from the office."
"PX and commissary near the security gate. Campground check-in quick and efficient. Pick your site from what's available. $26/night with full hook-ups. Right on the Gulf, beautiful beach."
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"There’s a place to fish, a place to chill on the dock and not fish, trees are everywhere and lots of random wildlife roaming around. Staff has been super friendly too."
"Lots of shaded spots, 3 laundry facilities around the park (2 w/bathhouses). Large fenced in swimming pool, clubhouse with pool table, games, movies, kitchen, activities almost daily."
"I live in an adjacent neighborhood (2 years) and walk this park daily with my doggos. I’ve biked all the trails and been here from sunrise to sunset."
"This park has a really great walking trail around a lake with exercise stations. I’ve seen some horses on the trails also. There’s a cool BMX and rc car track too!"
"Tampa is not too far away, but the park is kind of removed."
"This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."
from $22 / night
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GuideTook the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
GuideGreat views! Most sites have water-access backyards. Gravel pads are long enough and grassy area behind them goes to waters edge. Room for kiddos to play and adults to wade fish for seatrout on the flats
GuideGreat lil place. Nice private bathrooms, mini splits in these and in tent, comfortable for family of 5. Fun turfed play area near main office. Shark tooth sifting, trail hike, river fishing was a bust. Owner/manager was a jack of all trades and seemed to do it all.
GuideGreat little spot. Seemed to rain every 5 minutes where they had to shut everything down but had good contingency plans. Golf carts galore with some sites a little more rowdy than the next, but plenty of room. Kids loved the pools and crafts, adults loved the tiki bars and live music.
Scoutthis place is nice they have their own private island can go fishing over there with no license nice Pier to walk across take your dog there and enjoy on the river
ScoutI have been trying for weeks to get someone to answer the phone. Numerous requests for a call back have got me nowhere!!!
ScoutThe host Nor treated me like trash. He mandates you leave a lock off of your hitch so he can move your Rv around as needed. Mind you I was going to be paying for a reserved spot on the property paying a monthly rate. When I inquired more about their policy to see if they damaged my Rv while moving it would it be covered by them for the repairs of damages. My reservation was then automatically canceled for no reason and Nor only gave me a partial refund for my booking. He is very rude and unprofessional. There are also other reviews in the neighbor app stating damages happened while moving someone's rv and he refused to take accountability or finance the repairs for that customer. Hints the reason I was wanting clarification on the matter. Instead of providing it he decided to cancel my reservation and tried to beat me out of my deposit. Dont bring your RV here for storage it is a huge risk!
ScoutGood clean site.
LegendWe had a wonderful experience at the 4-year-old Terry Tomalin Campground! The tent sites are spacious and nicely spread out, giving you plenty of room to set up camp without feeling crowded by your neighbors. The campground has a peaceful, natural atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and enjoy being outdoors. There are 6 cabins also available with electric– no ac.
One of the things that really impressed us was the bathroom facilities. The restrooms and showers were very clean and well-maintained, which makes a huge difference when you’re tent camping. It was great to be able to enjoy a more primitive camping experience without giving up the convenience of a nice bathroom and shower.
The location next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is what really makes this campground special. Campers have access to the preserve’s pedestrian trails, making it easy to spend time exploring nature and then return to your campsite to relax.
Overall, Terry Tomalin Campground is a hidden gem in St. Petersburg and a fantastic place for anyone who enjoys tent camping and being surrounded by nature. We would definitely stay here again!
Notes: Only open on weekends, no pets, strict rules against vaping and alcoholic beverages. This location is very busy in the summertime as there are not many camping options in the area. Large group fire pits (not at each site)
Tampa camping options extend beyond beach and forest settings to include riverfront sites, bayou retreats, and conservation areas. The region contains Florida's only class 2 rapids at Hillsborough River State Park, where visitors can experience a rare glimpse of Florida's geological features. Camping near Tampa combines subtropical climate conditions with diverse ecosystems, creating distinct camping experiences throughout the year.
Kayaking and canoeing on-site: Lithia Springs Conservation Park offers multiple water recreation options where you can launch directly from camp. "The spring area so nice the sound of the breeze through the trees, just wow!" says Holy O. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Explore Tampa Bay by water: Launch from E.G. Simmons Regional Park for views of the Tampa skyline. "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.
Wildlife viewing year-round: Many parks offer opportunities to spot native Florida species. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of tons of Birds!" reports Brennan H. about Fort De Soto Campground. Early morning and dusk provide optimal viewing times at most Tampa area parks.
Cycling on extensive trails: The Pinellas Trail connects directly to some camping areas. "Plenty of paved roads which was great for biking," mentions Bran P. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park. Several campgrounds rent bikes on-site for day use.
Waterfront camping options: Many Tampa area campsites offer direct water access. "We had site 28 (mostly because it was one of the only ones available and best of the litter). We had neighbors on both sides and across (this places always sells out) and it was still fairly secluded," reports Joe R. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Spring-fed swimming: Natural springs offer clear, cool water year-round. "Nice spring to swim in for 2.00 a person. Most campsites are very shaded. Bathhouse are clean. Has dumpstations," writes Nate D. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Security and maintenance: Campgrounds near Tampa maintain high standards. "The park rangers constantly ensured our safety and were very friendly and helpful. They made sure to keep us up to date regarding changes in weather and flooding," shares Cat A. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Military facilities: Active and retired military personnel have access to premium waterfront camping. "I absolutely loved the MacDill FamCamp. It's right by the beach and marina. There's a small dog beach and two dog parks," notes Richard about MacDill AFB FamCamp.
Reservation challenges: Popular sites book months in advance. "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," advises Joe R. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Insect considerations: Bugs can be intense, especially during summer months. "The mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. about Hillsborough River State Park Campground. Bug spray with DEET is essential year-round.
Seasonal population shifts: Winter months bring increased competition for sites. "The winter season is October-April and the campground gets extremely full, going over capacity from December to February or March," explains William C. about MacDill AFB FamCamp.
Wildlife safety protocols: Alligators inhabit many water bodies. "I've seen gators in several of them," reports James A. about Lake Park. Never feed wildlife and maintain a safe distance from all animals.
Kid-friendly activities: Many parks offer dedicated recreation areas. "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. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent," shares Joe R. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites carefully for family comfort. "The sites are nice and spacious, have really excellent tree coverage (this is a MUST during Florida 'summers'). I felt that the spaces in the back loop were a little more secluded and were really nice because they were closer to the water," recommends Elliott B. about Lithia Springs Conservation Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer wildlife viewing platforms and nature programs. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit!" notes Brennan H. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Weather preparation: Sudden rain storms occur frequently. "It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," mentions Lorilee S. about Hillsborough River State Park Campground, highlighting the importance of site drainage.
Site dimensions and positioning: Large rigs require strategic site selection. "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. Site 244 was a good choice as the entrance road/Everglades runs straight into the site," advises MickandKarla W. about Lazydays RV Resort.
Utility placement awareness: Water and electric hookup locations vary by campground. "Water and electric were located in the middle of the pad. The sewer was at the end of the pad, and we needed right at 20 feet of hose," notes MickandKarla W. about Lazydays RV Resort.
Urban convenience considerations: Many Tampa area campgrounds provide easy access to services. "Well maintained. Good amenities. Very clean. Lots of full timers. Older crowd," reports Steve D. about Lazydays RV Resort.
Water pressure management: Come prepared with regulators. "Water pressure was above 60 psi, so we needed a reducer," cautions MickandKarla W. about Lazydays RV Resort. Most Tampa area campgrounds maintain higher-than-average water pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is beach camping available near Tampa Bay?
Yes, beach camping is available near Tampa Bay with several excellent options. Shell Key Preserve offers a premier beach camping experience accessible only by water. This pristine location features amazing wildlife viewing including stingrays and various bird species, though reservations are required and there are restrictions (no pets or alcohol). E.G. Simmons Regional Park near Ruskin provides waterfront camping with boat access to Tampa Bay. For those seeking amenities with beach proximity, St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers full facilities within easy reach of Gulf beaches.
Where are the best campgrounds in Tampa, Florida?
Tampa offers several outstanding campgrounds within easy reach of the city. Hillsborough River State Park Campground stands out just 30 minutes from Tampa, featuring class 2 rapids (rare in Florida), a swimming pool, kayak rentals, and over 13 miles of hiking trails. For RV enthusiasts, Lazydays RV Resort provides excellent facilities, friendly staff, and convenient access to America's largest RV dealership with a comprehensive service department. Other notable options include Edward Medard Park with full RV services and water activities, and Alafia River State Park for budget-conscious campers seeking a well-maintained facility with a small lake.
What tent camping sites are available in the Tampa area?
The Tampa area offers diverse tent camping options. Oak Ridge Primitive Campground provides an excellently maintained primitive camping experience through the Southwest Florida Water Management District. For a more developed experience, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park features shaded tent sites with fire pits perfect for stargazing, though occasional air traffic from Tampa International is noticeable. Additional options include Alafia River State Park with affordable sites around a small lake, and Little Manatee River State Park Campground offering riverside tent camping. Most sites require reservations, and facilities range from basic (pit toilets, no showers) to full-service campgrounds with bathhouses.
What are the closest camping options near Busch Gardens Tampa?
Hillsborough River State Park Campground is just 16 miles from Busch Gardens Tampa, making it an ideal base for visiting the theme park. The campground offers comprehensive amenities including hiking trails, a swimming pool, and kayak rentals. Another convenient option is Edward Medard Park, located a short drive from Tampa with full RV hookups, clean bathroom facilities, and recreational activities like kayaking. For those willing to stay a bit further out, Bay Bayou RV Resort and MacDill AFB FamCamp (military access required) also provide good access to Busch Gardens while offering full hookups and resort amenities.
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