Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 09:10 am
Each of the seven Florida state parks with camping near Tampa Bay is unique, yet extraordinary as a group, especially given their proximity to Florida’s second largest metropolitan area.
From tent-only beach camping on undeveloped islands to campgrounds on rivers that wind through dense forests on their way into Tampa Bay.
Whether you are visiting the Tampa Bay area or live here, these Florida state parks with camping near Tampa Bay will make your stay an experience to remember.
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
5th in a Series
Table of Contents
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Alafia River State Park
RV and tent camping
Alafia River State Park’s varied topography is a magnet for mountain bikers, offering some of the most challenging off-road bike trails in Florida.
The entire park is a former phosphate mine, which is why it is full of steep hills and valleys — unusual contours for Florida. Despite its former life, it is full of beautiful mature trees.
There is a hilly one-mile loop trail specifically for hikers, where bikes are prohibited. The park also has equestrian trails, and equestrian camping is available.
Kayakers also find the park to be an attractive base. While the Alafia River doesn’t flow through the main section of the park, there is river access less than a mile south (on Thatcher Road, off State Road 39).
The two campgrounds are in a comparatively flat corner of the park around a pretty little lake. There are mature trees and shade, but the open landscape, while spacious, offers little privacy between sites. Each of the 30 campsites has electric, water, picnic tables and a fire ring.
ALAFIA RIVER STATE PARK, 14326 S. County Road 39, Lithia FL 33547. Camping fee: $22 plus a $7 daily utilities fee, taxes and a booking fee of $6.70. Utility fee does not apply to tent camping. Reservations: Book online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call (800) 326-3521 up to 11 months in advance for Florida residents, 10 months in advance for non-residents.
Related story: Kayak tame rapids on the Alafia River
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Primitive tent camping — private boat access only
For the hard-core camper, it doesn’t get much better than camping on a tropical island with nothing but a beach campfire, stars twinkling from an unobstructed sky, quiet and calm, the occasional ripple of a wave.
We’re talking about Anclote Key Preserve State Park in the Gulf of Mexico, three miles over open water from Tarpon Springs and accessible only by boat. The four-mile-long island is popular with weekend kayakers and boaters.
There is a ferry service for day visitors but not campers. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on taking the ferry to Anclote Key.
The 400-acre island is the site of a historic 1887 lighthouse, five miles of pristine beaches and a friendly habitat for 43 species of birds, including the American oystercatcher, bald eagle and piping plover.
Camping is permitted only in the primitive campground area on the north end of the island. Beach camping is OK, as are campfires, but do not cut down any trees. Fuel your campfire with dead limbs.
The campground has a composting toilet, but that’s about it. There is no water, no grills and no waste receptacles. Bring everything you need with you and take everything out.
Anclote Key Preserve State Park, Offshore Tarpon Springs FL 34689. Phone: 727-241-6106. Camping is free, and reservations are not required. Primitive camping is permitted on the north end of Anclote Key. Getting there: Launch your boat at Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs. Parking fee is $5 daily. Easy launch into St. Joseph Sound from the beach. GPS for paddlers: N 2810.020 W 08250.687 (The lighthouse)
Read more about Camping on Anclote Key
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Caladesi Island State Park
Boat camping in the marina
Caladesi Island is the wild and natural Florida beach of your dreams — isolated, uncrowded and unspoiled.
Often rated as having one of the best beaches in America, powdery fine white sand extends for miles along the island’s wild western shore without roads or buildings to spoil its beauty.
You cannot camp on the beach here, as you can on Anclote Key (see above), but you can camp aboard your boat in the island’s marina. Day trippers can kayak here, but that’s another story.
Camping here is limited to boat camping at the 108-slip marina with shore power and water. You must be able to sleep on your boat.
Caladesi Island State Park, Offshore Dunedin FL 34698. Camping fee: $24 per night plus a $7 daily utilities fee, taxes and a booking fee of $6.70. Non-reservable sites are $1 per foot plus tax. T-docks are non-reservable and rent for $2 per foot plus tax. Reservations: Book online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call (800) 326-3521 up to 11 months in advance for Florida residents, 10 months in advance for non-residents.
To access by boat from Marker 14 on the Dunedin Causeway Channel, which runs parallel to the causeway between Hurricane Pass and the Intracoastal Waterway, follow a compass heading of 212 degrees for approximately one mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park marina.
Read more about Caladesi Island: Wild paradise, pristine beach
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Hillsborough River State Park
RVs, tents and Glamping
Kayaking on the scenic Hillsborough River and seven miles of hiking trails have always been the big draw for me to this state park, but it’s popularity can largely be attributed to its proximity to all things Tampa.
Like the Gasparilla Festival in January, the Florida State Fair in February, the Florida Strawberry Festival in March, New York Yankees spring training, and the year-around attraction of Busch Gardens and historic Ybor City — all within 20 miles.
There are three kayak/canoe launches into the Hillsborough River, including one in the campground, and there is additional river access downstream at three county parks, John B. Sargeant Park, Morris Bridge Park, and Trout Creek Park.
Each of the 112 campsites has water and electric hookups, picnic tables and fire ring. No hookups for sewer, but there is a dump station. The sites are spacious and shady, although ground vegetation is sparse between some sites. Maximum RV length is 50 feet.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK. 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassas, FL 33592. Camping fees are $24 per night, plus a $7 daily utility fee, taxes and a $6.70 booking fee per reservation. Reservations: Book online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call (800) 326-3521 up to 11 months in advance for Florida residents, 10 months in advance for non-residents.
Read more about Hillsborough River State Park
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Little Manatee River State Park
RV and primitive tent camping
There is nothing “little” about Little Manatee River State Park. This is a big state park — 2,416 acres — full of great recreation opportunities and home to a secluded campground shaded by live oaks and pines in a mature forest.
A pristine river with clear water, a white sandy bottom and shaded banks, the Little Manatee River flows 4.5 miles through the park. Rent kayaks inside the park for short out-and-back paddles, or you can use the services of an outfitter adjacent to the park, who will provide livery service for more challenging paddles.
A popular 6.5-mile trail in the park’s northside wilderness area guides hikers through a shady forest habitat with occasional river views, and there are more than 15 miles of multi-use trails shared with equestrians.
The campground has 30 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, water and electrical hookups with 20, 30 and 50 amp connections. A bathhouse with hot water showers and laundry facilities is in the center of the camping loop.
There are also equestrian campsites available and a primitive backpacking campsite ($5 per person), which entails a 2.5-mile hike. The primitive site has a picnic table and fire ring.
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER STATE PARK, 215 Lightfoot Rd., Wimauma, FL 33598 (813) 671-5005. Camping fee: $22 per night, plus $7 daily utility fee, tax and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee. For reservations up to 11 months advance for Florida residents, 10 months in advance for non-residents, go to reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521.
Related story: Little Manatee River: Great for kayakers, hikers, campers
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Myakka River State Park
RVs, tents and glamping
Nature is the main attraction at Myakka River State Park.
A deer nursing her fawns in a meadow, wild boar churning up roots lakeside, a red-shouldered hawk perched in a tree at roadside, an alligator slumped in a mudhole awaiting dinner — all within an hour on my morning bike ride along the main park road.
There are seven miles of paved park roads for cycling, and a vast network off-road trails for cycling, hiking and horseback riding in one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks.
No visit would be complete without kayaking on the wild and scenic Myakka River.
Myakka River State Park has three campgrounds with a total of 90 sites. Every site has water hookups and 50-amp electric service, and the 38 sites in the new Palmetto Ridge campground have sewer hookups. A dump station is available for everybody else. All campsites have fire rings and picnic tables.
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK, 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241. Camping fee: $26 per night plus a daily $7 utility fee for RVs, taxes and a $6.70 booking fee. For reservations up to 11 months advance for Florida residents, 10 months in advance for non-residents, go to reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521.
Read more about Myakka River State Park
Florida State Parks with Camping / Tampa Bay
Oscar Scherer State Park
RV, tent and Glamping
Tucked into Sarasota’s suburban sprawl is this 1400-acre wilderness with paddle trails for canoe and kayak, a freshwater swimming lake and 15 miles of off-road trails for hikers and mountain bikes.
Oscar Scherer is also at the core of the paved, multi-use Legacy Trail system that extends from Sarasota to Venice and beyond.
The park is also known for its resident population of Florida scrub jay and as a nesting ground for the American bald eagle.
Half of Oscar Scherer’s 104 campsites (Nos. 1 through 20 and 68 through 98) are on the banks of South Creek, which spills into the Intracoastal Waterway. There are seven ADA accessible sites. Maximum RV length is 36 feet.
Four campsites are set up for Glamping with ready-to-camp, fully equipped safari tents that sleep four.
Launching kayaks and canoes from waterfront campsites is discouraged but possible. Campers are encouraged to use a nearby launch ramp. Canoe and kayak rentals are no longer available in the park, so bring your own.
Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey FL 34229. Phone: 941-483-5956. Camping rate: $26 per night plus 7 nightly utility fee for RVs, tax, and a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee. Glamping: $150 and up. For campground reservations, book online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521. To book a glamping tent, go to resnexus.com
Related story: Oscar Scherer State Park: Coastal oasis with camping, paddling and top-rated 20-mile bike trail
Other stories in this series:
- 1st in this Series: Florida state parks with camping in the Panhandle
- 2nd in this Series: 14 Central Florida state parks with camping
- 3rd in this Series: Paradise found at 9 South Florida state parks with camping
- 4th in this Series: 14 North Florida State Parks with camping
Florida State Parks camping FAQ
These frequently asked questions apply only to Florida State Parks camping, not campgrounds managed by other agencies, such as Florida State Forests or water management district recreation areas. Nor do they apply to federal and county campgrounds.
Is daily park admission included in state park camping rates?
Yes. Park admission is included in the base camping rate.
Do Florida residents have any benefits when reserving campsites in state parks?
Yes. As of January 1, 2024, Florida residents can book campsites at Florida State Parks up to 11 months in advance, a 30-day head start over non-residents.
Are Florida residents entitled to discounts?
Yes. Florida residents 65 and older are entitled to a 50% discount off the base camping fee. The discount does not apply to utility or booking fees, which are additional.
A 50% discount on the base camping fee is also available to families from a Florida-licensed foster home and to Florida residents with a Social Security disability award certificate or a 100% disability award certificate from the federal government.
Can an individual reserve more than one campsite?
No, at least not for the same dates in the same park. Some parks have group camping areas with some restrictions and qualifications, such as youth groups or non-profits. Contact the individual parks directly.
Can I reserve a campsite for someone else?
No. Registered campers must produce identification to rangers upon arrival at the campground, and the picture ID of the camper must match the name on the reservation.
Is there a limit on how long I can stay?
Yes. There is a two-week limit for a reservation at any one state park, and there is a waiting period between bookings at the same park. Reservations are matched in the database to ensure compliance.
Are pets allowed in state park campgrounds?
Yes. Pets are allowed in all Florida State Park campgrounds, but restrictions may apply to other areas of the park, such as beaches or trails.
Are eBikes allowed to use the trails in Florida state parks?
Electric bicycles are allowed on any trail that permits traditional bicycles, per Florida state law, although some restrictions may apply to specially groomed mountain bike trails.
Is alcohol allowed in state park campgrounds?
Yes. Registered campers are permitted to use alcohol within the boundaries of their campsite but not in other areas of the park.
More related stories
- Dunedin: Delightful biking, breweries, beaches and historic downtown
- J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park: Vast refuge for tent campers with rustic cabins and no RVs
- Fort De Soto Park is Tampa Bay treasure
- Arts & Brew walk: Explore St. Petersburg brewpubs and galleries
Florida Rambler co-founder Bonnie Gross contributed to this article.
