For those who want to get away from civilization for a weekend, but still want the comforts of home, consider renting a cabin for your Tampa camping trip. Cabin camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Each cabin offers quick access to one or more of Tampa's most popular destinations.
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this Hillsborough River State Park Camping offers a refuge from city life with its seven miles of nature trails and ample places to cool off in the water.
Except for occasional reenactments, the cannon and guns are now silent at Fort Foster. No longer do Seminole Indians have to fight to keep a foothold in Florida, and soldiers no longer guard a strategic river crossing. The reconstructed fort and its surroundings are now part of Hillsborough River State Park.
Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Tucked away, only a short distance from the bustling city of Tampa, camping is a popular activity at Hillsborough River State Park.
$24 / night
Welcome to St. Petersburg Madeira Beach KOA Holiday!
Take a look around St. Petersburg KOA with our virtual tour.
Camp minutes from the Gulf Coast's sugar white beaches, bordered by the lush mangrove-lined bayou and Pinellas Trail. Offering spacious Deluxe Patio RV sites, secluded back-in RV sites and full hookup, 50amp, pull through sites. No RV? No problem! Leave the packing to us and stay in one of our Deluxe Cabins. Deluxe Cabins allow you to enjoy all the amenities of home with private bath, patio with a grill, fresh linens and many with a fully stocked kitchen.
Participate in the campground's endless activities all year round! Summer campers love our outdoor movies, themed weekends and fishing right from the dock. Active snowbirds stay busy during the winter months with a wide array of classes, including water aerobics, yoga, quilting and painting.
Campground amenities include: TWO hot tubs(our newest edition is a private area just for adults!), a crystal clear outdoor pool, sandy volleyball court, pet-friendly play area, shuffleboard and more. Rent a kayak and paddle the peaceful Long Bayou inland waterway; alive with herons, egrets, dolphins and other wildlife. If you are looking for some healthy fun, jog, walk, or bike the popular 38-mile Pinellas County Fitness Trail. Come and visit us in paradise!
LMR1
$22 / night
Standing out from the relatively flat topography of Central Florida is Alafia River State Park, a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most radical elevation changes in the state. This makes it a hot spot for mountain bikers, who traverse the scenic and challenging International Mountain Bike Association trails.
Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
Canoeing and fishing opportunities are available along the South Prong of the Alafia River with some lakes scattered throughout the park.
The park also offers picnic pavilions, a playground, a full-facility campground and a full-service bike shop.
Family campground is suitable for RVers and tent campers. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground.
Equestrian campers have access to 12 sites with equestrian designation and tie-outs for horses. Equestrian campers can access the barn, which is a short walk from the campground. There are 12 stables and 6 paddocks available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Extra parking for trailers can be accessed near the barn area. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
$22 / night
The Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River is a private, small, family business in operation since 1978. We offer RV and tent camping, group camping area, and cabin rentals, in a rustic setting under many oak trees on six acres on the banks of the Little Manatee River adjacent to the Little Manatee River State Park. We are also a full service canoe and kayak outfitter.
$24 - $109 / night
Separate primitive camping areas available for individual and equestrian camping. Backcountry camping available. Campsites for cars and primitive cabins available. Groups can reserve tent site or cabins up to 90 days in advance. Reservation and fee are required and can be made up to 30 days in advance.
$25 / night
We are a 55+ Thonotosassa, FL RV Resort, but all ages are welcome to stay up to 14 days at management’s discretion. We are the closest RV Resort to Busch Gardens & Adventure Island, and a perfect short-term stay location for families.
Happy Traveler RV Resort is the perfect balance between the relaxing mature 55+ RV Campground vacation destination, and the proximity to major attractions in Tampa and Orlando, Florida!
We are the closest campground to Busch Gardens in Tampa, and only 78 miles to the heart of Orlando where you can visit Sea World, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or just take in the sights and sounds of the big city.
Guests younger than 55 years old are welcome to stay for up to 2 weeks, making our location perfect for a family looking to spend a few days at Busch Gardens, Adventure Island (Busch Garden’s Water Park), or visit nearby beaches like Clearwater Beach.
If you’re interested in a seasonal place to stay for a while or stay for a winter, our mature trees and relaxing atmosphere come in a perfectly centralized Florida location.
Happy Traveler RV Park is located in Thonotosassa, Florida just blocks from interstate 75 at Exit 265. We are the closest RV Park to Busch Gardens, and at just 4.5 miles away, you will be there in no time.
We have a gate attendant on duty after regular office hours to assist you with check in, and most of your other needs while staying at our park.
We have both sunny and shady sites are available, and all sites (back-in and pull through) are full hookup, with wifi access through the park.
Our park is suited for 55+ over, and younger travelers who are staying less than 2 weeks in any of our sites or cabins.
Escape to a Luxury RV Resort with a License to Chill. Located an hour southwest of Orlando and just outside of Lakeland, Florida, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale is your ideal spot to enjoy theme parks, attractions, and all that Central Florida has to offer. Whether you’re looking to relax or seek adventure in the beauty of Florida, you are in the middle of it all at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins Auburndale, Central Florida. Embrace the atmosphere surrounding our tiki bar, fire pits, resort pool, entertainment stage, playground, dog parks, and putting course, or plan a day with the crew hiking, biking, or sightseeing. Create Camping Memories that Last a Lifetime. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Auburndale, Central Florida offers 326 RV sites, including 11 Super Premium RV Sites along with 75 Cabana Cabins for those seeking the outdoor resort experience without an RV.
$75 - $343 / night
Scout
If I could give neg I would! The place is nothing but a bunch of trees, red ants, chickens and roosters! It’s surrounded by slaughter houses and one they found human bones. The husband was outside at night shooting the rats!!!! The owner was nasty to other guests while I was there! She acted crazy chasing and screaming a guest who was driving in the grass because there was no lighting. It’s like a junk yard. If you wanted a nice peaceful place to stay, this is not it! The roosters at 3 am and the pigs getting slaughtered and squealing! The place felt demonic! Very dark place. I didn’t feel safe at all and couldn’t wait til daylight to get out of there! Didn’t even stay the next night! Much better camping places in the area!
Scout
I recently had a wonderful experience at the St. Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and I’m excited to share my positive review! I’ve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed. The cabins were equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay—fresh linens, a full kitchen, and even a private patio with a grill and fire ring. And they had a great view of the lush mangrove lined Long Bayou.
They loved the blend of cozy and convenient, making their getaway truly enjoyable. At the end of the road driving out of this campground is a great restaurant called Doe Doe's that makes a delicious homestyle breakfast if you don't want to cook it yourself.
Wanting to be close to them I opted for one of the small tent sites at the end of the park where I car camped in my Subaru Outback. It was a peaceful and charming spot, perfect for a relaxing camping experience - and away from more of the centrally located activities that people camping with children enjoy.
Overall, the amenities were top-notch, including the heated outdoor pool, bike and kayak rentals, and clean and large facilities. They have something called KampK9 which is a fenced in dog park area. Less than a mile away is Bay Pines Park which is nice to jog or ride your bike through and there is also a super Walmart nearby so you can stock up for your drive to the next campground. You also have easy access to the Gulf Coast's stunning beaches and the scenic Pinellas Trail.
Driving on the main road, and seeing the somewhat industrial area you pass through on your way down the small side street to this campground, you wouldn't expect much - but this KOA has been there for decades and is one of the nicest family campgrounds in the middle of a city I have experienced.
Legend
Easy location to get to. The lots are pretty wide open with little shade, but we had a tiki, which was awesome. Pool was nice and warm. Kids loved the slide. Dog park and wash are a bonus. It was about $140 for a family of 6 to eat at the pool, but well above average food!
Scout
Stayed in spot #8, not as much shade as I had hoped for, would've been better in 10-14. Sites are plenty large and relatively well spaced out. There was a large anthill between the spot and where you park which made packing in and out an adventure (very active colony). Otherwise, the site was level and devoid of rocks & roots. A good night's sleep despite the racoon who pilfered my SunChips during the night.
Traveler
We were down for a funeral so we, unfortunately, didn’t spend any time in the park or campground. The park is absolutely gorgeous and we can’t wait to return in November for a week long stay. The roads in the campground are a little narrow so maneuvering a larger rig might take some time backing into sites but there were plenty of big rigs there so it is doable. The sites have picnic tables and a fire ring. As far as we could tell, all sites are sandy so I’m sure it would be a little messy after a rain with possible flooding. Our site was perfectly level with no side to side adjustments needed. Our loop was very shaded with gorgeous trees. The rangers were amazing and patrolled the campground on a regular basis. There is a huge pool but it was closed for renovations, opening sometime this summer. There is a small cafe with ice cream and you can rent kayaks or canoes to take a trip down a wonderfully, peaceful river. It was so clear that we could see fish swimming around. No swimming is allowed in the river because of gators but experienced paddle boarders would love the easy paddle. Lots of trails to hike as well.
Definitely a great place to stay right outside the Tampa area. Recommend highly.
Legend
We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 132 for 3 days in mid April. The CG is very clean, well maintained, but relatively expensive. The CG is a mixture of long-term and transient folks. The roads are paved, but the sites are sandy, shelly gravel. The staff is friendly and very helpful. They have beach chairs near the water and a fire pit that they lit every evening near sunset. In addition to the Bark Park area, there is a nice wooded area where you can walk your dog as well.
AT&T coverage was pretty good, with 3-4 bars of 5G service and speeds up to 11 MB/s. The CG has a lot of trees, but the sites in the front of the park are pretty open. We had no line-of-site to the DISH satellites, but did have an open view north, so Starlink usable, but the CG had WiFi and we were right across from the antenna, so we didn’t use Starlink. The CG WiFi achieved speeds up to 8 MB/s.
Traveler
Friendly people running the campground and it’s pretty spacious! 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. Nice facilities, but restrictive like another review says - we didn’t have our dog this time around but they don’t allow dogs so it may be hard for us to come back. We didn’t try the trails but everything else we saw was well-kept. We liked it!
ScoutWe had a great time. The camp sites and the whole resort area is very clean and safe. I felt comfortable with my kid running around on her scooter. They had a lot of activities for the kids during spring break. The only negative was that the pool area seemed a little small for the number of people there. Very crowded.
Scout
Good place but only bad thing is power connection on boxes they have melted plugs I wouldn’t connect to it but other than that’s it’s a very good place I would of stood longer if that issue was fixed but never fixed it
RangerLove it! Great campground with good shade and privacy between sites. Peaceful. Cool weather in February meant little to no bugs (yay!). Clean facilities, level site. Really nice hikes - but unfortunately it’s a bit of a walk from the campground to the trailheads. Worth it though! We will return!
LegendSite 71 back in and HC and paved Very long 50 amp and water only Restrooms and showers across from site and very clean. 2washers $2.50 and 2 dryers $2.25 Lots of trails for walking, hiking, and biking Store and pool. Pool currently closed.
Legend
Site 2 HC restroom directly next store 50 amp water only Paved Spacious site Partial shade Clean restrooms and showers with HC ones 2 washers and 2 dryers brand new $2.50 EACH Plenty of walking, hiking, and biking Clean cg
ScoutAwesome campground on the Anclote River! Beautiful sunsets and an amazing place to stay for extended periods.
TravelerThe campground is one of the cleanest I’ve been to, staff are always friendly, they have a bunch of family activities, and the Pizzas are delicious!
ScoutThis place is clean!, huge pool, lake out back and so much to do.
GuideNot organized sites just all over : no order or pattern Somewhat level sites with graveled surface Water and electric but no sewer or place close to dump tanks Small old toilet sink bathroom behind main building/residence Shower is outside and very primitive Not allowed in office : noting in there but private residence. Picture of front office is very deceiving as it looks like cosy building to hang out at: but no deal:not allowed there Not worth the $43 cost for what you get
Guide
The community here was very nice. We didn’t really explore the amenities as we were only in for a night but they looked nice from a distance. Bathrooms are ok. Wifi is a little wonky having to be redirected to a terms and agreement site, so - heads up - if you don’t have your own wifi your smart TV may not work. Great for what we needed.
TravelerWe tent camped here for two nights. I really enjoyed our stay and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
We stayed one of the premium tent sites, but unfortunately there is a very bright street light on all night right next to premium camping. The primitive campsites with no hookups are in a much more secluded area and not affected by lighting at night.
Other than that, everything else was great.
TravelerWe were able to get a site that had electric and water. We plugged in a fan for our tent and kept pretty dry overnight. The site we booked is a little bit of a walk to the bathrooms but if you are bringing an RV or camper then it would make it a little easier. The sites next to the bathrooms are pretty much all permanent “glamming” that are rented out so it may be hard to get closer. The trails on the other side of the river have not been accessible since the last big hurricane so campers interested in hiking across the river may want to choose a different park.
Legend
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!
Scout
Very clean park. Pool is also clean. Many activities in the park.
Scout
We camped in the wooded RV area Saturday - Monday late May and we had the place nearly to ourselves! Loved our site (10) it was big and wooded/shaded. Bathrooms were nice. Liked that you can get to all of the trails right from the campground. Employees were nice and helpful. Great quiet stay!
Guide
I read a lot of reviews before I came to stay here. Important to note that I was here for a few weeks in May. So a lot of snowbirds are packed up and gone. I can't say what it's like in January, but I've had no problems. The permanent residents are friendly. The amenities are plentiful. I haven't used their bathrooms much but from what I've seen they are clean. The hookups at my site are convenient and unlike another place I stayed, I'm not sharing a single water line with another space. Someone else said the spaces are tight. It really depends on the space. The roads are narrow - it's an older neighborhood, so no surprise - but pulling into my spot (pull-through) was very easy and I have way more room than other places that charge more for the same type of site. The clubhouse is pretty amazing. Clearly, they take pride in their facilities. In fact, the buildings were getting re-roofed while I was here. Impressive library, pool tables, games, huge collection of jigsaw puzzles, social events and the pool is clean. I've seen reviews about homeless people etc. Let's be clear - I've never seen anyone inside the park who doesn't belong here. Florida has a homeless population - that's sad, but if you want them to hide because they ruin your illusion that everyone lives your privileged life - you're the problem. I like to go for walks at night. I've never felt afraid. Never been bothered. And the large family of ducks bedding down are sweet to see! To anyone who says "this isn't a resort" I ask, what does that mean? The facilities are full of things to do and well maintained. If you want a gated community or a place that is entirely populated with shiny new rv's this isn't the place. There are mobile homes, there are all kinds of rv's. I've stayed at other parks in the area - so far this one is the best for reasonable money. If you want to spend 3 times as much - sure, you'll find newer parks. I'd come back again. No question.
GuideGreat place to stay bathrooms little dated but no big deal we have a 30ft rv and pulling a jeep plenty of room great outdoor activities
Guide
Very spacious camp sites with lots of room between sites. Very clean bath house.
Scout
Been here a while and it feels like home.
GuideThis park was close to home and was good for a quick trip. The roads can be a bit narrow depending on the size of your rig and some back in spot may be a challenge. This would be a good park to visit in the cooler months. Make sure you have plenty of mosquito repellent options, they don’t normally bother me too much, but I had welts after the 15 mins it took me to unhitch and set up. Overall, the park has some nice trails, with good wildlife viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Tampa, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Tampa, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 63 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Tampa, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 cabin camping locations near Tampa, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
