Cabin camping options near Riverview, Florida span across rural and suburban settings within a 30-minute drive radius. Most cabin rentals in this region offer access to water activities on the Little Manatee River, Alafia River, and Hillsborough River systems. Winter temperatures typically range from 50-75°F, making December through March the peak reservation period when availability becomes limited.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Little Manatee River provides calm waters ideal for beginners and families. "We rented canoes and kayaks, and had a fun day on the river. Employees were very nice and helpful!" notes one visitor to Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River.
Bike trails: Alafia River State Park Campground features mountain biking trails suitable for various skill levels. A camper explains: "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here."
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts numerous bird species and smaller wildlife. "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 a visitor at Little Manatee River State Park Campground.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural dividers between sites at several parks. "Natural trees providing privacy between lots. A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater," writes one camper about their experience at Little Manatee River State Park.
Water access: Proximity to rivers enhances the cabin camping experience. A visitor at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River shares, "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."
Clean facilities: Many parks maintain quality facilities despite high usage. "Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It's nice and dark at night," notes a camper at Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Mosquitoes can be problematic during warmer months. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns a Hillsborough River State Park visitor.
Noise factors: Some cabin locations experience road noise. A Canoe Outpost visitor notes, "PROS: lots of trees and shade, near river. CONS: right next to a highway/large road with TONS of traffic noise."
Reservation timing: Winter is peak season requiring advance planning. "We needed a campsite near Tampa FL for a few days to meet friends visiting the area from up north. Being a Floridian, we've experienced FL's state parks and found them to offer privacy between sites," explains a camper at Hillsborough River State Park.
Varying cabin standards: Cabin amenities differ significantly between parks. "Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night," reports a visitor to Hardee Lakes Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some resorts offer swimming pools for children. "Great heated pool and hot tubs. Staff is excellent. Lots of beaches and places to visit and explore nearby," shares a visitor at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday.
Recreation options: Beyond water activities, some parks provide additional entertainment. A St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA camper explains, "Great inner city spot. Friendly staff and the grounds are bigger then expected. Full hook ups for RVs and separate tent area. Has a small shallow marina. Great for Kayaks, canoeing... etc. They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run."
Safety considerations: Some parks have water features requiring supervision. "Trails are amazing. Also, don't come expecting the pool to be open, just consider it a lucky bonus if it happens to be. They look for any reason possible to close it," advises a Hillsborough River State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning: RV cabin sites vary in privacy and access. A visitor at Tampa East RV Resort notes, "Office management were very nice. We left early due to hurricane Nicole. They gave us a voucher to stay there again or at any Sun Outdoor Resort. It's a huge park with 2 pools."
Hookup access: Electrical connections vary between cabin locations. "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," reports a Tampa East RV Resort guest.
Extended stay options: Several parks accommodate longer-term cabin rentals. "Excellent accommodations include a large clubhouse for socializing, playing games and 2 pool tables. Large laundry room and bathrooms/showers, all very clean and in good repair," notes a visitor describing cabin facilities at Southern Aire RV Resort.
