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 Getaways
This channel features more than 40 articles about things to do in the Tampa Bay region, including state and county parks, wilderness areas and beaches near St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Ruskin and Bradenton.
Withlacoochee River Park, Green Swamp & dark skies
Withlacoochee River Park is a base camp for hiking and bicycling in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve with one special characteristic — it’s also a “dark sky” park favored by amateur astronomers.
7 State Parks with camping near Tampa Bay
From beach camping on a tropical island to camping on rivers in dense forests, you might be surprised by these Florida state parks with camping in the state’s second largest metropolitan area. (5th in a series)
Tarpon Springs: Visit dazzling island of Anclote Key on boat from Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs is best known for its Greek sponge docks. But a boat trip to Anclote Key, one of Florida’s most remote state parks, is even better. Anclote Key is a perfect island beach, perhaps more tantalizing because it’s not easy to visit.
Backcountry camping on trails in Colt Creek State Park. Welcome to the Green Swamp.
Colt Creek State Park is one of Florida’s newest parks, part of the massive Green Swamp Wilderness near Tampa, with RV and tent camping, backpacking, kayaking, fishing, hiking and off-road bicycling.
Best camping near Tampa Bay: 9 choice campgrounds
We’ve selected nine public campgrounds near Tampa Bay for their scenic beauty, low prices and prime opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing. We think you’ll like these choices.
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.
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.
Frog Creek: Little-known Tampa Bay kayak trail
Frog Creek is a scenic kayak trail near Tampa Bay that begins in a shady Old Florida river and flows into open salt water and mangrove tunnels. “Paddles in Paradise” authors Ed and Deb Higgins share their story.
Selby Gardens: Sarasota’s signature orchid collection
Selby Gardens contains the most diverse collection of orchids and bromeliads in the world. Thousands of species are represented.