Just 45 minute from Tampa/St. Pete, the beautiful river, state park and region is a natural haven that can keep you busy exploring for days. There’s an outfitter to make trip-planning easy, plus it offers cabins and camping.
Tampa Bay
Lithia Springs: Camp at this cool, secluded park near Tampa
Tucked into a corner of Hillsborough County is a quiet, well-shaded campground that packs a lot of nature into a small 160-acre preserve along the Alafia River.
Florida State Fair, Tampa, Feb. 11-22, 2021
TAMPA — The Florida State Fair marks its 114th year. Our annual guide includes campground and lodging links with a full menu of things to do nearby.
Florida Strawberry Festival: March 4-14, 2021
Reba, Neil McCoy, Patti LaBelle, Josh Turner, Lynyrd Skynyrd headline 2020 Florida Strawberry Festival
Honeymoon Island: A natural beach with comforts
Honeymoon Island is an unusual combo: It’s accessible, with first-rate concessions, and yet it’s a big, natural beach where you can get away from people and see wildlife. And you have to love how it got its name.
Alafia River: Kayaking through tame rapids a half hour from Tampa
This cypress-lined Alafia river has an unusual feature for Florida: Rocky shoals that create fun rapids to kayak. It’s near hiking trails, springs and a very nice paddling trail at Little Manatee River State Park.
The Chaz: Springs & wildlife make this river a special kayak trail
Kayaking the Chaz on the central Gulf Coast takes you over turquoise springs, down twisty creeks, and you might just see a manatee, otter or bald eagle. This is one of Florida’s premier kayaking rivers.
Gamble Mansion: Civil War history near Sarasota
The Gamble Mansion has white columns to rival Tara and was the site of a dramatic Civil War event. It’s the only antebellum mansion left in South Florida.
