Campgrounds near Tarpon Springs offer sandy pads, water activities, and proximity to nature trails. The region sits on Florida's Gulf Coast with access to the Anclote River and several state parks within a 45-minute drive. Camping options range from waterfront RV sites to tent camping and cabins, with many parks connecting to the Pinellas Trail for cycling or walking.
What to do
Kayaking on the Anclote River: Hickory Point RV Park provides direct river access with a boat launch and waterfront community areas. "We had a waterfront site, great campground. Spendy but worth it. Has boat launch, waterfront community area, volleyball, small beach, dock, etc. Short drive from downtown Tarpon Springs and several beaches," notes Elgin S.
Explore hiking trails: Hillsborough River State Park offers multiple hiking paths through Florida ecosystems. "The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do. The campground is also not far from some big cities, such as Tampa and st pete, which is convenient," shares Rebecca A.
Visit the only Class 2 rapids in Florida: Located at Hillsborough River State Park, these rapids provide a unique Florida experience. "Several short trails to see the only class 2 rapids in Florida. Pretty wild," reports Joe R.
Access Pinellas Trail: Caladesi RV Park connects directly to this popular paved trail. "The Pinellas bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground. It is Quiet with lots to do and has a friendly staff!" shares Diana M.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as important. "The restroom/shower house is ALWAYS clean. We don't always want to shower in our rv so this is important to us," writes Ron D. about Caladesi RV Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Fort De Soto Campground offers diverse wildlife encounters. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" explains Brennan H.
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds provide more room between sites than others. "The sites are spaced out far from each other which was great! I have travelled to a lot of parks That have sites right on top of one another. I was pleasantly surprised to have additional space from my neighboring travelers," Diana M. notes about Caladesi RV Park.
Waterfront views: At Hickory Point RV Park, sunset views are a highlight. "They have beach chairs near the water and a fire pit that they lit every evening near sunset," explains Ray & Terri F.
What you should know
Pet policies vary: While most campgrounds welcome pets, rules differ. At Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA, "Big area for dogs it seemed. We don't have one but area looked nice," reports Nancy I.
Reserve early for popular parks: Fort De Soto Campground requires advance planning. "Book in advanced, especially if you want to stay more than a night or two," advises Taylor T.
Insect protection essential: Florida's climate means mosquitoes are abundant. "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," warns Jake H. about Hillsborough River State Park.
Site surfaces vary: Different campgrounds use different surfaces for RV pads. "The sites are sandy, shelly gravel," describes Ray & Terri F. about Hickory Point RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Dunedin RV Resort offers swimming options for families. "It has piscina y un parque para que jueguen los niños" (pool and a park for children to play), shares Mina G.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds include play areas. Fort De Soto Campground has "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," notes Joe R.
Mini-golf entertainment: Family-friendly activities are available at some parks. "Puttputt golf and playground near pool. Was an ok stay but over priced for tiny site," reports Tammy P. about the St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA.
Wildlife viewing for kids: Fort De Soto Campground offers educational opportunities. "We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," one camper mentions about their water experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Bay Bayou RV Resort, location within the park matters. "We're currently on our maiden voyage with our new to us fifth wheel and couldn't be happier with our experience here! The staff is friendly, the pool is huge, the park is very clean and it's convenient to a variety of shopping," shares Ashley C.
Hookup access: When choosing a site, consider utilities placement. "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," explains Joe R. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Connectivity options: Many campgrounds provide WiFi, but quality varies. "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," notes Ray & Terri F. about Hickory Point RV Park.
Road access challenges: Some parks have tight roads that require careful navigation. "Roads are really narrow. We were told they didn't pick up trash at the site and the only dumpster was at the opposite end of the park, which was a bit inconvenient," explains Tina about Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA.
