Best Glamping near Ruskin, FL

E.G. Simmons Regional Park and Terry Tomalin Campground both accommodate glamping stays near the Tampa Bay shoreline, with waterfront sites that provide easy access for water activities. These glamping locations combine the natural surroundings of Florida's coast with comfortable accommodations featuring picnic tables, water hookups, and electric connections. The Terry Tomalin facilities include newly renovated sites with proper spacing between camping areas, clean showers, and toilet facilities. "The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren't too close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost," noted one visitor about Terry Tomalin's layout.

Kayaking and fishing opportunities abound at these glamping destinations, with E.G. Simmons offering multiple boat docks and launch points directly from the glamping areas. Guests can observe manatees, dolphins, and various bird species while paddling through the mangrove canals that wind through the park. The proximity to Tampa Bay provides spectacular sunset views, especially from waterfront sites. Hiking trails and biking paths connect various areas of both parks, with paved routes ideal for family cycling adventures. According to one camper, "Amazing water access and dog friendly! The staff and rangers are kind and helpful." Note that Terry Tomalin enforces stricter policies, prohibiting dogs, alcohol, and smoking/vaping on the premises, while E.G. Simmons welcomes pets at their glamping sites.

Best Glamping Sites Near Ruskin, Florida (22)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 582-2100

    $38 - $48 / 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. "

    2. E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-7655

    $24 / night

    "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."

    3. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 987-6771

    $24 / night

    "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!"

    4. Terry Tomalin Campground

    3 Reviews
    Gulfport, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 893-7441

    $30 / night

    "The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren’t to close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost."

    "It’s in an awesome location, too - we had other plans but made last-minute plans to stay here for a night and they were pretty empty on a Friday night."

    5. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 361-6511

    $26 / night

    "Excellent for wildlife viewing in the surprisingly beautiful prairie and tropical Florida area. You can rent bikes or kayaks nearby and make sure to take a tour on the famous fan boats."

    "You can spends days hiking the trails and paddling the river and lakes. The wildlife is everywhere! What would you like to see? Deer, wild hogs, alligators, birds of all kinds?"

    6. Horseshoe Cove RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Bradenton, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 758-5335

    "Laundry facilities and bathrooms are fine too. Dryers dry a full load of towels in one cycle, was pretty impressive! Also plenty of area to ride a bike a couple times around the park."

    "Great park awesome amenities Pet Friendly and ok pricing! They have everything you can think of for a RV park and more! We will definitely be back! ♥️"

    7. Thousand Trails Peace River

    21 Reviews
    Ona, FL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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!!"

    8. Peace River Campground

    25 Reviews
    Arcadia, FL
    47 miles
    Website

    $16 - $80 / night

    "This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."

    "ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."

    9. Cypress Creek Preserve

    4 Reviews
    Lutz, FL
    30 miles
    Website

    "There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse."

    10. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

    13 Reviews
    New Port Richey, FL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 834-3247

    "Part of the Starkey Wilderness Preservethis location is full of multi use trails, has primitive cabin rentals (no electric"

    "Large, beautiful campground with miles of trails, natural and paved for cycling. Nature education center for children. Playgrounds and pavilions for get togethers."

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Glamping Reviews near Ruskin, FL

375 Reviews of 22 Ruskin Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 25, 2022

    Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    Great Hiking

    This was one of our favorite campgrounds. 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! There are so many great hiking trails and places to explore in this park.

    Laundry on site at the bath houses, as well as free hot showers. I didn't like the shower set up as much, because the area for your clothes and stuff and whatnot is in a communal space with other shower-ers.

    Campground hosts sell firewood and ice.

    We were here in January and the weather was perfect, not too humid, and it wasn't too buggy.

  • Meghan O.
    Jul. 4, 2018

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Busy Campground With Nice Ammenities

    close to the breweries in art district of St Pete Florida, Fort Desoto Campground has everything you could want for a long weekend or quick getaway. There's a general store if you want to stock up on snacks, fishing tackle, pool floats, or ice cream, or just catch a little air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The General Store also has a nice balcony overlooking the water and some oyster beds.

    The campsites are suitable for car camping, hammock camping, tent camping, or RVs. Be sure to bring your rain gear and rain flies, as Florida thunderstorms are brief but no joke. You can rent bicycles down closer to the actual Old Fort where there's also a huge fishing pier and plenty of old military installations to explore. However don't rely on using the bikes to get back to the campground as there's no drop-off on the other side.

    It can be a bit of a long walk from the campground itself to the Old Fort, which shouldn't be a problem unless you didn't pack the right clothes or shoes. If, like me, you find yourself a little under-prepared, there is Lyft and Uber in the area and in a pinch you can use that to get back and forth between the campground and the fort.

    Our neighbors at the next campsite over we're, unfortunately, a bit of a party crowd, which made for a loud night and very little sleep. That said the restrooms were nice and easy to reach and all of the amenities or what you would expect at a bigger busy or campground.

  • Ashleigh C.
    Jul. 4, 2017

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Most private campsites near the ocean

    Fort Desoto campsites are nice because there are trees or brush separating all the campsites creating privacy. 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. In the fall or winter you must book at least 3 months in advance. There is a separate dog friendly campsite that allows 2 dogs per campsite. There are less raccoons in the dog site camping. Keep all food locked up or in your car. The raccoons are very smart and can undo many ties. The only thing I don't like about the campsite is that they close the bathrooms in the morning to clean them at 9am. Seems like they should until wait until check out time at 11am before closing them down.

    All campsites have a picnic table, charcoal grill, most sites have running water and electricity. Some have a lantern holder too. Fire pits are available for rent as you cannot dig a hole for a fire pit. You can also rent bikes or kayaks as well. There is an off lesh dog beach nearby that is great too. My dogs love to swim there and then the fenced in dog park has a wash station for dogs, you just aren't allowed to use soap.

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2016

    Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    Gold Medal Camping at it's finest

    One of the most awarded State Parks! This park has everything! 3 full service camping loops full of sites - lots of space for RV's and Tents - 2 designated hammock camping spots. 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! Pools and Cantina are very popular in the summer with the locals so be prepared! Canoe rentals to tour the river, fishing spots along the shore. Canoes and bicycles are available for rent at the Pool Side Café. The café also provides food, beverages, picnic/camping supplies and souvenirs. Pool lounge chairs for rent. Park visitors can stay connected with FREE Wi-Fi service within an approximate 150 foot range of the pool area (weather and signal permitting). Golf carts are available daily.

    Hiking trails are wonderful but if rainy season some could be closed to flooding. Take bug protection during warm months! Spend some time enjoying the wildlife along the trails. There is also a 2 mile paved loop bicyclers enjoy shared with cars so drive carefully. You can hike to the neighboring Dead River Park for even more of an adventure! Picnic area is wonderful - nice large pavilions and grills. They do have a air conditioned building with kitchen great for weddings and special events.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2023

    Sherwood Forest RV Resort

    Megalopolis RV Circus

    Allow me to begin by saying I have never been to a large RV campground… ever! This place is so huge that you won’t be surprised if you get lost in this place at least a couple of times before you find your slotted RV destination for the night. Also, I was amazed by how close to the concrete jungle you are at this place, but once you turn on the winding little lane that will bring you to this megalopolis RV circus – fitting given your proximity to all of themed amusement parks! – after crossing through the entry gates, you immediately lose sight of all the traffic, noise and business as you are swallowed up by the lush verdant trees of pines, palms and Ancient oaks. 

    As for the campground itself, you’ll enter off the very busy 192 and head south on Scott Boulevard, where you’ll pass 3 intersecting lanes before arriving to Sherwood Forest RV Resort. There will be plenty of signage, so you shouldn’t get lost arriving here – it's another story once inside this massive compound. To navigate yourself to the proper location you have been assigned of the 514 potential overnight possibilities that exist, you’ll first want to stop off at the administration building, where they should give you a map – and if they don’t, be sure to ask for you, because you’re going to need it! Basically, this entire place is back-to-back RV’s parked at a diagonal with very little to no privacy whatsoever and given that Sherwood Forest is so heavily populated, you are going to encounter both a decent amount of traffic (the golf cart kind) and noise. And while I would normally encourage folks to get as close to the pool area as possible, I found this main congregating place to be quite jam packed and noisy. 

    Amenities: Clubhouse / lounge, mini-golf, basketball, dog park, RV storage, restroom / shower facilities, horseshoe pit, WiFi (at a cost away from the main building), shuffleboard, darts, fitness center, in-ground heated swimming pool, nearby Tiki bar, LP gas refill station, laundr-O-mat, ballroom, mail room, library, banquet hall, catch-and-release lake fishing, marketplace store, playground, game room, billiards, whirlpool / spa / hot tub, picnic tables, pavilion areas, fire pits, BBQ grill, designated trash receptacles, trash compactor, cable TV / satellite and back-in / pull-through sites with full hook-ups (30/ 50 amp electric, water and sewage). In addition to all of the amenities, there’s also a ton of activities, including live music concerts, potluck dinners, BBQ cookouts, dance lessons, ice cream socials, craft-making classes, outdoor chess, mini-golf tournaments, church services, aerobic dancing, exercise classes, line dancing (yeehaw!), board game nights, Bingo, card playing as well as formal holiday dinners around Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The best sites, in general, are all of the ones that are completely on the perimeter of Sherwood Forest RV Resort, specifically sites #1– 137 (you will note that there are a handful of cottages and cabins for rent in these slots as well); (2) When you get done staring down the inside of your cooler or mini-fridge and are looking for a place to sit down and eat for a change, then there are no shortage of food joints to have a look at, including: Krispy Kreme (my personal favorite), Cracker Barrel (my personal least favorite restaurant in the universe), Longhorn Steakhouse, Ichiban Buffet, Martin’s BBQ, Olive Garden and 192 Crab & Lobster Juicy Seafood & Bar;(3) If by chance you have forgotten anything, avoid paying double or triple the price at the on-site market by going to either Walmart or Publix, which are both about a mile and half away; and (4) If you would actually like to enjoy a bit of the outdoors while staying at this RV amusement park, go for a day trip to Lake Tohopekaliga, which has some pretty amazing bass fishing as well as a few choice places to drop your boat into, like Twin Oaks or Cherokee Point Conservation Areas (and if you don’t have your own kayak, canoe or boat, contact Wild Willys Airboat Tours and they’ll show you around). 

    Happy Camping!

  • Perry J.
    May. 30, 2020

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Best County Park in the USA

    Quite possible the best county park in the USA. This park is incredibly well run and has so much to do. 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. 

    What makes this park special for us is that many of the camping sites are coveted waterfront sites. The campground portion of the park is divided into three parts, one camping area that is pet friendly, one no pets and one predominantly for tents and pop ups with smaller sites. 

    Another bonus of Fort DeSoto in addition to the old fort is the fishing peer, great beach, cycling path and absolutely enormous parking lots so unlike many Florida locations, especially in season, parking is never really an issue. 

    Fort De Soto County Park is a very special place. We are lucky to have it so close to us.

  • Michael L.
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Camp Venice Retreat

    maiden voyage

    friendly staff on site. very nice sites on river inlet with perfectly placed utilities. bet clean restrooms and showers within a brief walk from every site. didn’t use pool but looked very clean and well maintained. look forward to visiting again when county wide recreational burn ban is lifted. a friendly baby gator was a frequent visitor to the water by our site which was cool too. walking distance to Snook Haven Restaurant which has great bbq and beer selection with frequent entertainment. i’m a chef in the area so i can attest to the quality. i will be visiting this campground soon for sure.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 7, 2025

    Peace River Oaks

    Fantastic

    This place is brand new and very clean. The owners/operators are extremely friendly and helpful. 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. There are many activities and games if you choose to participate.

  • Joe R.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Tropical Oasis for the Family

    I find myself torn between four and five stars on this campground. It turned out being everything we expected and more. As an camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries. 

    I will start by saying that this campground is south of St. Pete and north of Ana Maria Island. We drove down from Orlando and it took us under two hours. We hit some traffic on 275 and the Parkway, but it is expected. There are two tolls (1.00 and .75) before you hit the park. One thing we learned and a good pointer is that if you intend on going into the park (which you probably will), you should go in and register BEFORE you go to the beach, even if before check in time. By paying for your site, they provide you a beach pass for two vehicles, which saves $5 each on parking. 

    The check in process was very simple. We arrived about an hour early and got everything set up. We were told to stop back between 12:30 and 1 (Advise that check in is at 1pm, so getting in early is not a guaranteed or expected result). The parking lot is a bit awkward, as the camper/trailer line blocks views and actual spots for cars..but it is trivial. 

    We had rented site 28 (mostly because it was one of the only ones available and best of the litter). 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. Water does not mean access. It seemed that the higher numbers (40+) had less access to water and more of a mangrove area. Depths of sites also varied widely. We must have done the camping gods some good, because we hit the site karma. Our site was nice and deep, with a weird little island (former tree/stump) in the middle. This actually made us divide the tent area up into two sides, which worked out well. The site has plenty of options for both clothes lines and hammocks. We opted to put the "kitchen" towards the back of the site with the water view, and fire bin (rented for $3 from the campground office). We had neighbors on both sides and across (this places always sells out) and it was still fairly secluded. They did a great job at keeping a lot of natural growth to maintain privacy and a true tropical feel. There was plenty of shade, but also plenty of sunshine when you wanted it. This site also gets direct sunlight after about 9am (based on mid october), so plan accordingly. It gets toasty :) We have an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees. 

    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. They were ample, but nothing to write home about. They clean them daily, so they are not bad. The showers leave a lot to be desired with water pressure and privacy. They share a common area with stalls and cheap liners that offer little privacy. Again, it is camping so this isn't a complaint, but a warning. Also, bring your own toilet paper. 

    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. 

    The campground store is nice and good for essentials if you don't want to take the 15/20 minute drive to publix or 7 minute drive to 7-11. Firewood is a bit overpriced at $9 per bundle and the fire buckets are cheap at $3 per night. They also have basic food and camping supplies. Note that there is no alcohol allowed in the park, including the campground. All I can say is that you should use common sense. This is a family friendly place. They also rent bikes and kayaks. 

    The site was just a 10 minute drive to north beach, which is our favorite. There is plenty to do in the area. Overall, I love this place and look forward to coming back many times in the future. Note that 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.


Guide to Ruskin

Ruskin's subtropical climate produces consistently warm temperatures with summertime humidity reaching 90% and average rainfall of 51 inches annually. The Tampa Bay area's flat terrain sits at just 8 feet above sea level, making waterfront access a primary feature for glamping in Ruskin, Florida. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with winter (December through March) being the most popular season due to milder temperatures.

What to do

Kayak through mangroves: Fort De Soto Campground offers multiple launching points for paddling adventures. "We had neighbors on both sides and across (this places always sells out) and it was still fairly secluded. They did a great job at keeping a lot of natural growth to maintain privacy and a true tropical feel. We had an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," notes one camper about their experience.

Search for fossils: Peace River Campground provides access to prehistoric treasures. "You can spend the day paddeling down the river, fishing or sifting through the sediment looking for fossils from all different time periods. The campground is located right off of the river so you can bring your own canoe or kayak," explains a visitor who enjoyed the hunting experience.

Hiking trails: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park maintains over 50 miles of trails through Florida landscapes. "We come out to Starkey all the time, for the hiking and for the on and off road biking. The trails are well marked until you get to the 4 mile mark, then the signage is poor and you need to use maps or a GPS route," advises one regular visitor about navigation challenges.

What campers like

Waterfront proximity: E.G. Simmons Regional Park features sites directly on Tampa Bay. "We have stayed here many times the last time we had site # 65 on the water with water and electric hook up & there is a dump station onsite. 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," shares one frequent visitor.

Wildlife viewing: Hillsborough River State Park Campground offers opportunities to spot native Florida species. "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy. Unfortunately, the fireflies aren't the only bugs. The mosquitoes were ridiculous in June," warns one camper about the balance between beautiful natural sightings and practical challenges.

Spacious sites: Many luxury glamping sites in Ruskin provide adequate space between campsites. At Fort De Soto, a visitor noted, "Most of the outer side of the loop has some sort of water. Water does not mean access. Depths of sites also varied widely. Our site was nice and deep, with a weird little island (former tree/stump) in the middle."

What you should know

Bug preparation: Several campgrounds report significant insect activity, especially during warm months. One camper at E.G. Simmons shared: "Hot, hot, hot. And not in a good way. Not a lot of shade. Lots of no-see-ums so bring a bug repellent and apply religiously, or else." Plan to pack screens, fans, and effective repellent.

Seasonal crowding: Peace River Campground experiences significant variations in visitor numbers. "Great spot for relaxing by the water. Highly recommend. Bring good bug spray lol," advises one straightforward visitor who appreciated the location despite its challenges.

Reservation systems: Many parks have unique reservation procedures or requirements. At Hillsborough River, a visitor notes: "Reservations can be made for camping up to 90 days in advance either online or at the park." Some parks operate on first-come, first-served basis while others require advance booking.

Wildlife awareness: Alligator sightings are common at waterfront glamping locations. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," warns a camper at Palmetto Ridge about necessary wildlife precautions.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Terry Tomalin Campground offers well-maintained facilities for children. "Starkey Park campground is clean, rustic, and has lots of firewood for campers. There are many hiking, bike trails, and 2 playgrounds within mere steps of your tent or cabin," notes a parent who found the facilities suitable for young campers.

Educational opportunities: Many glamping sites near Ruskin include nature programming. "We enjoyed a party at the pool and the bathrooms were nice," reports a tent camper at Peace River, which also offers fossil hunting opportunities for children.

Heat management: Florida temperatures require special planning for family comfort. "Be prepared for sun exposure, with sunblock and lots of water recommended as you will be hiking under open sky in the Florida heat," advises a camper from Jay B. Starkey about necessary precautions, especially important when glamping with children.

Security considerations: Several parks have gates and specific hours. A Cypress Creek visitor noted: "First of all, locked gate. You have to make a free reservation to get the combination." Check specific access requirements when planning family arrival times.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Horseshoe Cove RV Resort provides specialized accommodations for larger vehicles. "I am 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. If you have a big rig with a toad I suggest dropping the toad by the office to park rig and have your partner drive to site with you," suggests an experienced RVer.

Flooding awareness: Low elevation means water management issues at some sites. "We have seen Class As sink, so if you have a heavy diesel pusher, make sure you find a spot safe for your RV," cautions a visitor to Peace River RV Resort about terrain challenges.

Electrical reliability: Power fluctuations can affect equipment. 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." Having backup power options may be necessary at certain glamping locations near Ruskin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ruskin, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ruskin, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 140 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ruskin, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 glamping camping locations near Ruskin, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.