RV parks near Thonotosassa, Florida offer a range of accommodations for motorhome travelers with varying amenities and restrictions. The area sits in central Florida's lowlands, experiencing hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and mild winters that attract seasonal visitors. Access to these parks often requires navigation of busy roads and highways, with most destinations concentrated within a 30-minute drive of Tampa.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Hidden River RV Resort, guests can enjoy river access for fishing. "This area also has mature trees so there is some shade in areas," notes one visitor who stayed in the lower area by the river and pool.
Swimming options: Most RV parks in the area maintain heated pools for year-round swimming. At Encore Winter Quarters Pasco, "The bathrooms are clean and pool and Whirlpool are also well maintained," according to Edwin V., who found the cement slabs at most sites helpful for keeping everything clean.
Golf and activities: For golf enthusiasts, Encore Silver Dollar combines camping with golfing opportunities. One guest who stays there frequently notes, "We stay there four times over a couple of years. We have not see much of the park because we only arrive at night, plug in for ac, and in the morning we leave."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Thonotosassa area RV parks generally maintain clean facilities. A visitor to Lazydays RV Resort appreciated that "Trash was collected multiple times a day from our campsite. Security at night was friendly and helped us feel safe. Our spot had a nice light at the power pole which made it easy when loading up at night."
Convenient locations: Many campgrounds provide quick access to local attractions. "Located minutes from Tarpon Springs, about :30 minutes to Tampa Bay downtown," reports a camper about Encore Holiday Travel Park, adding "Casino :50, Shops near!"
Level sites: Properly leveled concrete pads make setup easier for RVers. One camper at Winter Quarters Pasco noted, "The site itself was great, and was basically new. Very level and great hookups." However, they added that sites were "Just small."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several RV parks experience noise from nearby highways and railways. At Forest Lake Village RV Resort, "The back fence is right next to the train tracks and the trains are very active sometimes blowing through every half hour all hours of the night."
Site spacing: Most Thonotosassa area RV parks feature closely spaced sites. A reviewer at Lazydays notes: "The sites are ontop of each other, you are a block off of I4 and 100 yards from a Flying J and TA gas station, if you are looking for quiet and serenity this is not the place."
Fire restrictions: Fire prohibitions are common at RV parks in the Thonotosassa region. Bring alternate cooking methods since most parks don't allow open fires due to site proximity. "No Camping in this resort. It was a nice spot to park the camper, and visit family in town," commented one Winter Quarters Pasco visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers: Seek parks with recreational facilities for children. Encore Topics offers good amenities for families, with one guest noting, "Very nice campground conveniently located right off of 589 (Suncoast Parkway) 38 miles north of TPA. FRIENDLY neighbors, pet friendly. Nice amenities."
Neighborhood feel: Some parks have resident communities that may not be accustomed to children. A Winter Quarters Pasco visitor cautioned, "The kids were in our small site throwing the football, but being stared at by neighbors to ensure we did not exceed the perceived fun level that must have been an unwritten rule."
Pool screening: Florida insects can be problematic, so screened pool areas provide relief. At Lazydays, "The screened in pool was heated and nice," according to one reviewer, making it more comfortable for family swimming sessions.
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: Book well ahead for winter months at RV parks near Thonotosassa. "We stayed Dec '21 to March '22. This campground has 2 new camping areas with concrete pads and fire rings," mentioned a Hidden River RV Resort visitor, highlighting the popularity during snowbird season.
Site selection: Request specific areas within parks when booking. As one Hidden River camper advised, "The middle section is a large group of permanent trailers and some are a bit if an eye sore... I would not want to camp in that area... the best area, in my opinion, is the lower area by the river and pool."
Entrance challenges: Many parks have tight entrances requiring careful navigation. At Encore Vacation Village, visitors warn to "Be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns," noting the difficulty with larger RVs.
