This is the real Florida, and since there's no better way to embrace everything our subtropical peninsula has to offer, here are a few of the best state parks within driving distance of Tampa.
24 beautiful Florida state parks within driving distance of Tampa
By CL Staff on Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 7:54 pm
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Hillsborough River State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 30 minutes
This state park’s Class 2 rapids are perfect for those seeking a little thrill along with their camping trip. You can also take a guided tour of Fort Foster, the only standing replica of a Second Seminole War fort in the United States. But arguably the best part of this park is the half-acre swimming pool, which costs a few bucks per head and features a poolside cafe that serves booze.
Photo by Colin Wolf
Estimated drive from Tampa: 30 minutes
This state park’s Class 2 rapids are perfect for those seeking a little thrill along with their camping trip. You can also take a guided tour of Fort Foster, the only standing replica of a Second Seminole War fort in the United States. But arguably the best part of this park is the half-acre swimming pool, which costs a few bucks per head and features a poolside cafe that serves booze.
Photo by Colin Wolf
Honeymoon Island State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 50 minutes
Honeymoon Island State Park is Florida's most visited state park, and for good reason. The park features miles of white sands, plenty of wildlife and a cafe that sells booze. The park also has ferry terminal for access to nearby Caladesi Island.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 50 minutes
Honeymoon Island State Park is Florida's most visited state park, and for good reason. The park features miles of white sands, plenty of wildlife and a cafe that sells booze. The park also has ferry terminal for access to nearby Caladesi Island.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Alafia River State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 45 minutes
This state park has 30 family campsites, and if you camp here you’ll be able to see a phosphate mine, watch birds, go boating or fish virtually anywhere. All the camp sites are equipped with electricity hookups, water and campground restrooms.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook/
Estimated drive from Tampa: 45 minutes
This state park has 30 family campsites, and if you camp here you’ll be able to see a phosphate mine, watch birds, go boating or fish virtually anywhere. All the camp sites are equipped with electricity hookups, water and campground restrooms.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook/
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Old hunting cabins at this park have been turned into “primitive camping sites.” Fun activities include kayaking, horseback riding and hiking. If you get lucky, you can catch a glimpse of a bear cub at rest from a distance.
Photo via Florida State Parks
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Old hunting cabins at this park have been turned into “primitive camping sites.” Fun activities include kayaking, horseback riding and hiking. If you get lucky, you can catch a glimpse of a bear cub at rest from a distance.
Photo via Florida State Parks
Little Manatee River State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 40 minutes
Rare fauna and ecosystems set Little Manatee apart as a spot for nature lovers. A full-facility campground and 15 miles of multi-use equestrian trails add to the stay-and-enjoy atmosphere of this park, whose river has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water.
Photo via Little Manatee River State ParkFacebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 40 minutes
Rare fauna and ecosystems set Little Manatee apart as a spot for nature lovers. A full-facility campground and 15 miles of multi-use equestrian trails add to the stay-and-enjoy atmosphere of this park, whose river has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water.
Photo via Little Manatee River State ParkFacebook
Manatee Springs State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
This spring is a haven for manatees, so if you don't see one, that would be a first here. This state park boasts 86 campsites in three loops, each with its own hot shower restroom.
Photo via Adobe Images
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
This spring is a haven for manatees, so if you don't see one, that would be a first here. This state park boasts 86 campsites in three loops, each with its own hot shower restroom.
Photo via Adobe Images
Lake Louisa State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Twenty cabins overlooking Dixie Lake (one of the the most accessible of the 13 lakes in the chain that includes Lake Louisa) offer full accommodations and amenities, and they’re bound to be less booked than Blue Springs.
Photo via Adobe Images
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Twenty cabins overlooking Dixie Lake (one of the the most accessible of the 13 lakes in the chain that includes Lake Louisa) offer full accommodations and amenities, and they’re bound to be less booked than Blue Springs.
Photo via Adobe Images
Lake Manatee State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour
Fifteen miles east of Bradenton, freshwater fishing and a swimming beach attract daily visitors to this park where, contrary to the name, you can’t actually see manatees.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour
Fifteen miles east of Bradenton, freshwater fishing and a swimming beach attract daily visitors to this park where, contrary to the name, you can’t actually see manatees.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Lake Griffin State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Campers here can visit Florida’s second-largest oak tree and Florida’s eighth-largest lake, as well as hike on a nature trail and see a variety of threatened and endangered wildlife. The campsites themselves are in the shade of oak trees.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Campers here can visit Florida’s second-largest oak tree and Florida’s eighth-largest lake, as well as hike on a nature trail and see a variety of threatened and endangered wildlife. The campsites themselves are in the shade of oak trees.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Highlands Hammock State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Highland Hammock is one of Florida’s oldest state parks. Camping here is pretty standard, with hookups and RV and tent sites. Campers can hike, walk or bike around a variety of trails, and they have special equestrian campsites for those who want to bring their horse along.
Photo via Florida Hikes/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Highland Hammock is one of Florida’s oldest state parks. Camping here is pretty standard, with hookups and RV and tent sites. Campers can hike, walk or bike around a variety of trails, and they have special equestrian campsites for those who want to bring their horse along.
Photo via Florida Hikes/Facebook
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Three full-facility campgrounds are hidden under the trees in this 2,000-acre park developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can swim, fish, canoe, star-gaze and even get married here.
Photo via MyFWC/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Three full-facility campgrounds are hidden under the trees in this 2,000-acre park developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can swim, fish, canoe, star-gaze and even get married here.
Photo via MyFWC/Facebook
Rainbow Springs State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 45 minutes
The crisp cerulean water here has been in use for close to 10,000 years, according to archeological studies. You can swim, snorkel and kayak your way to leisure in this spring, which is Florida’s fourth largest.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 45 minutes
The crisp cerulean water here has been in use for close to 10,000 years, according to archeological studies. You can swim, snorkel and kayak your way to leisure in this spring, which is Florida’s fourth largest.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
The campgrounds here have both fully equipped and primitive sites, and those who stay in it can kayak, hike, fish, or just take in the beautiful view of the beach.
Photo via Adobe images
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
The campgrounds here have both fully equipped and primitive sites, and those who stay in it can kayak, hike, fish, or just take in the beautiful view of the beach.
Photo via Adobe images
Anastasia State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
Campsites here come with a hammock, water and electricity for your convenience. There's library of picture books for kids and bathrooms with showers when you get extra dirty. This is a great location to hunt for shells along the beach, as well as kayak, canoe, fish, hike, picnic and swim.
Photo via Adobe Images
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
Campsites here come with a hammock, water and electricity for your convenience. There's library of picture books for kids and bathrooms with showers when you get extra dirty. This is a great location to hunt for shells along the beach, as well as kayak, canoe, fish, hike, picnic and swim.
Photo via Adobe Images
Fort Clinch State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 4 hours
This state park has 69 full-facility campsites with beach areas and lush gardens. The most popular activity for campers here is to visit the historical site of the fort itself, but you can also visit a museum or go mountain biking.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 4 hours
This state park has 69 full-facility campsites with beach areas and lush gardens. The most popular activity for campers here is to visit the historical site of the fort itself, but you can also visit a museum or go mountain biking.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Faver-Dykes State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Both primitive and RV camping are available at this spot known for its tranquility. It has four hiking nature trails of varying length with tons of wildlife for campers to check out.
Photo via Floridastateparks.org
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Both primitive and RV camping are available at this spot known for its tranquility. It has four hiking nature trails of varying length with tons of wildlife for campers to check out.
Photo via Floridastateparks.org
Collier-Seminole State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
This park offers both a primitive campground and a campground with electricity and water hookups. Campers can go on hiking trails ranging from 0.9 to 6.5 miles long, take a guided canoe trip, or ride on their off-road bicycle course.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
This park offers both a primitive campground and a campground with electricity and water hookups. Campers can go on hiking trails ranging from 0.9 to 6.5 miles long, take a guided canoe trip, or ride on their off-road bicycle course.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Blue Spring State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours
Blue Spring is a manatee refugee that comes equipped with cabins as well as sites for RVs and tents. Manatee viewing is of course the main activity, but you can also scuba dive (with certification), snorkel, or go on a boat tour of the St. Johns River.
Photo via Blue Spring State Park/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours
Blue Spring is a manatee refugee that comes equipped with cabins as well as sites for RVs and tents. Manatee viewing is of course the main activity, but you can also scuba dive (with certification), snorkel, or go on a boat tour of the St. Johns River.
Photo via Blue Spring State Park/Facebook
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Those camping here will be surrounded by the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, reminiscent of the Great Plains. You'll also be able to view endangered animals and plants during your visit.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Those camping here will be surrounded by the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, reminiscent of the Great Plains. You'll also be able to view endangered animals and plants during your visit.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
Two museums tell the history of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet and of the area’s fishing industry, but Sebastian Inlet is best known as the best saltwater fishing spot on Florida's east coast.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours
Two museums tell the history of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet and of the area’s fishing industry, but Sebastian Inlet is best known as the best saltwater fishing spot on Florida's east coast.
Photo via Florida State Parks/Facebook
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