The 20 best camping spots within driving distance of Tampa Bay

Hillsborough River State Park

15402 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa
Each of the 112 campground sites at Hillsborough River State Park has water, a fire ring and a picnic table. Most of the sites also have electricity. The campground also has a half-acre swimming pool, multiple playgrounds and a café. The nearby Rapids Nature Trail takes visitors through oak hammocks to limestone rapids on the Hillsborough River. Camping will set you back $24 per night, plus tax and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee.

Photo via Hillsborough River State Park website

Shell Key Preserve

2187 Oceanview Dr., Tierra Verde
Practice a "leave no trace" camping ethic at the Shell Key Preserve, which is only accessible by watercraft. The 1,828-acre preserve is an important bird sanctuary and a popular fishing location. There are no facilities on the preserve and all Shell Key campers are required to obtain a free camping permit before setting up camp. Although it doesn’t cost anything to camp at the preserve, visitors will have to pay for a boat ramp and parking pass.

Photo via Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Lazydays RV Resort

6210 County Rd. 579, Seffner
The Lazydays RV Resort offers 300 RV sites with 50-amp electricity, complimentary coffee, WiFi and tennis courts. If you aren’t in the mood to roast hot dogs, there’s a Cracker Barrel at the resort. Fees start at $34.99 depending on when you plan on visiting.

Photo via Lazydays RV Resort/Facebook

Fort De Soto Campground

3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde
The Fort De Soto Campground has 238 family camping sites with water, electricity, a laundry station, restrooms, showers and picnic tables. Special campsites are available to people who want to bring their pets along. Visitors can hike along mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks and hardwoods, or visit the historic fort. Both tent and RV stations are available. Fees range from $33.90 to $45.77 depending on when and how you plan on staying at the campground.

Photo via Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook

Starkey Wilderness Preserve

10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey
Starkey Wilderness Preserve lets campers hike through pine flatwoods, cypress domes, freshwater marshes, stream and lake swamps, sandhill and scrubs. There are picnic tables, fire rings and grills at the equestrian and primitive campsites offered at Starkey Wilderness Preserve. Cabins are available to rent as well. Camping fees vary depending on where in the preserve you decide to stay.

Photo via Starkey Wilderness Preserve/Facebook

St. Petersburg KOA

5400 95th St. N, St. Petersburg
The St. Petersburg KOA in Madeira offers cabin, tent and RV campsites year-round. The sites amenities include WiFi, a pool & spa, mini golf and a laundry room. Prices vary depending on how you plan on camping, when you plan on staying there and which services you plan on using.

Photo via St. Petersburg KOA website

Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA

37061 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor
Set between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater, visitors at the Clearwater KOA campground can enjoy bocce ball, mini golf and a dog park. RV campers are able to make reservations with the KOA, but the site also has lodging. Prices vary depending on when and how you plan on camping.

Photo via Lake Tarpon KOA/Facebook

Hidden River RV Resort

12500 McMullen Loop Rd., Riverview
If you’re at least 55-years-old, Hidden River has a game room, boat house and WiFi access. Rates for the full-hookup, pull-thru RV sites change depending on when you plan on staying at the resort.

Photo via Hidden River RV Resort/Facebook

Alafia River State Park

14326 S. CR 39, Lithia
If you want to take your horse camping with you, Alafia might be the place for you. Otherwise, the site also offers RV and tent camping with electrical and water hookups or primitive camping sites. There are multiple mountain biking trails at the park, as well as playgrounds and fishing spots. No matter how you decide to camp, the park charges a rate of $22 a night. There is a $6.70 non-refundable reservation fee for people who make their reservations online or over the phone.

Photo via Alafia River State Park Website

Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Offshore, Tarpon Springs
If you want to get away from the mainland, Anclote Key Preserve State Park might be the campsite for you. Since the key is three miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs, you’ll need to hitch a ride on the ferry or use a private boat to get to your campsite. Primitive camping is confined to the northernmost end of the key, and although there’s a compostable toilet in the area, campers will need to bring their own amenities like food and water. Fishers have reported catching sea trout, redfish snook and sharks off the key. There is no fee to stay at the park.

Photo via Anclote Key Preserve State Park Facebook

Caladesi Island State Park

Offshore, Dunedin
If you’re interested in camping at an island but don’t want to hike to your campground, Caladesi Island State Park lets visitors stay in their boats with 30-amp electric service and water hookups. Reservations can be made at ReserveAmerica or at the marina on a first-come first-serve basis. Staying at the marina costs $24 per night, plus tax and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee.

Photo via Caladesi Island State Park Website

E.G. Simmons Conservation Park

2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
With 103 campsites, the E.G. Simmons Conservation Park offers sites with electricity, potable water, picnic tables, and fire pits. The park also offers public restrooms, hot and cold shower houses and two RV dump stations. There is an endangered bird sanctuary nearby, which houses Roseate Spoonbills and Bald Eagles, and canoes and kayaks can be rented on site at the park's entry station. If you and up to seven of your friends are interested in camping at the E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, be prepared to fork over $24 per night to stay in an RV or two tents.

Photo via E.G. Simmons Conservation Park website

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey
If you’re looking for something a little more natural, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers three remote primitive camping areas, or a large cabin that can house up to eight people. If you’re in the mood for something a little more accomodating, there are 16 tent camp sites with restrooms and showers. The park also offers 13 miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of equestrian trail, 7.3 miles of paved trails for bikes and roller bladers, and a connection to the 42-mile Suncoast Trail that runs through Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties. Tent camping is $15 a night, primitive camping is $10 a night and the cabin costs $50 a night.

Photo via Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Facebook

Bay Bayou

8492 Manatee Bay Dr., Tampa
If you want to get away from home but keep all the comforts, Bay Bayou has 300 RV sites with patios, picnic tables, sewer, water and electricity access, Wifi and digital cable with HBO. In terms of amenities, the site also has shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce ball and miles of waterway for kayaking. The resort’s clubhouse has a library, a billiard table and exercise equipment. Daily fees range from $48 to $91.

Photo via Bay Bayou/Facebook

Edward Medard Conservation Park

6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City
Edward Medard Conservation Park offers 42 RV, trailer or tent campsites on a first-come first-serve basis. Each of the campsites includes water, electricity, a fire ring and a picnic table. An RV dump station and public restrooms with showers are also available on site. The 700-acre reservoir at Edward Medard Conservation Park can be used for canoeing, boating or fishing. There is also a 3-mile trail at the park that takes visitors through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. Camping at the park will set you back $24 per night, plus tax and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee.

Photo via Edward Medard Conservation Park Facebook

Lithia Springs Conservation Park

3932 Lithia Springs Rd., Lithia
Lithia Springs houses 45 camping sites, which include water and electrical services, restrooms, picnic shelters and fire pits. Since the park does not take camping reservations, visitors who wish to stay at the campgrounds will need to register on a first-come first-serve basis from 8 a.m. until one hour before the park closes. Campers might enjoy the nearby trail that takes visitors through river cypress swamps and hardwood hammocks, but the parks main attraction is the natural spring that costs $2 to swim in. Up to eight people can stay in an RV or two tents for $24 per night.

Photo via Lithia Springs Conservation Park Facebook

Little Manatee River State Park

215 Lightfoot Road, Wimauma
Whether you’re in the mood to stay in an RV or tent with access to electricity and water, take your horse camping or try your hand at the old-school approach of primitive camping, Little Manatee River State Park has an option for you. During their trip, visitors are able to canoe and kayak under the shade of oaks, bays, ash and hickory. The park charges $22 per night, plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee for people who book their stay online or over the phone. If you decide to use a primitive campground, the park will only charge $5 for adults and $1 for children.

Photo via Little Manatee RIver State Park Website

Myakka River State Park

13208 State Rd. 72, Sarasota
Look out for alligators at Myakka State Park. The Civilian Conservation Corps built palm log cabins at the park between 1934 and 1941. There are 90 campsites distributed between three campgrounds at the park. The regular campgrounds, which can be used by RV or tent campers have access to water and electricity. The park charges $26 a night plus tax and a $6.70 non-refundable fee for the regular campsites. Staying in one of the cabins will set you back $70 plus tax and the $6.70 fee. Primitive camping costs $5 a night for adults and $1 for children.

Photo via Myakka River State Park website

Travel World RV Park

12400 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater
The Travel World RV Park is just for seniors, and has a clubhouse, pool & jacuzzi, WiFi and pool tables. The park also has lots for sale. Keep in mind, there are some pet restrictions at the park. Nightly rates are $50 in the winter and $45 in the summer.

Photo via Travel World RV Park/Facebook

Colt Creek State Park

16000 S.R. 471, Lakeland
Colt Creek State Park lets campers hike along longleaf pine flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks and thick cypress domes. Camping options range from RV sites to primitive tent and equestrian sites. The park charges $24 a night plus tax and a $6.70 non-refundable reservation fee, but primitive camping rates cost $5 a night for adults and $1 a night for children.

Photo via Colt Creek State Park website