Best Local Campgrounds
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Summer in Florida calls for sunshine, warm weather, and free time for the kiddos. These days it’s so hard to unplug from work, school, and just everyday life. Kids are accustomed to iPads, tablets, TVs, and mindless entertainment. By setting aside a weekend or two to unplug and go camping, kids can learn the value of hard work, family, and outdoor fun!

Pick one of the Best local Campgrounds/RV Resorts, pack up the RV or book a Deluxe Suite, and enjoy a weekend full of nature and togetherness—you won’t regret it and your kiddos will remember it forever!

Camping is a great way for the whole family to spend quality time together outdoors while doing all of the classic camping activities such as sleeping in an RV or tent, roasting marshmallows, or fishing. It’s a great way to get the kids away from the screens and teach them about nature and also learn a bit more about one another. Check out the Best Local Campgrounds and RV Resorts in the Tampa Bay Area where you can unplug this summer!

Fort De Soto Campground

3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Open: All Year Round
One of the best beaches in the Bay Area also doubles as a campground. This 236-site family camping area is designed for tents, vans, pop-up campers, and RVs. All sites have a water and electrical hookup, picnic table, and charcoal grill. Other campsite amenities include picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play area, and a campground store. There are even special sites for camping with pets!

There are trails to the beach and picnic areas that you can walk or bike to for a beach day or to catch the sunset in the evening.\

Image Credit: Pinellas County

St. Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA

5400 95th Street North, St. Pete, FL
Open: All Year Round
No need to go too far for your camping trip this summer! Head over to St. Pete for an awesome camping experience. This KOA location is minutes from the beautiful beaches and mangroves of the Gulf and has multiple trails and amenities to make the most of your outdoor experience. This great spot offers Deluxe Patio RV sites or Deluxe Cabins for your convenience!

During the summers, the campsite offers outdoor movies, themed weekends, and fishing! Other on-site amenities include hot tubs, an outdoor pool, beach volleyball, miniature golf, pet-friendly areas, shuffleboard, beach and kayak rentals, and a 47-mile Pinellas County Fitness Trail!

Photo Credit: KOA.com

Clearwater/Lake Tarpon KOA

37061 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL
Open: All Year Round
Clearwater/Lake Tarpon KOA is another, super local spot for a weekend of camping! Although owned and operated by the same company as St.Pete/Madeira Beach, the Clearwater/Lake Tarpon location has a totally different outdoor experience for your family to enjoy. Due to the location, the site is close to the Greek Sponge Docks as well as beaches, perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and more.

The site offers a close distance to Innisbrook Golf Resort for all of the golf lovers, too! You can book RV sites and tent sites for that perfect outdoor experience. Be sure to enjoy their pool and tropical cabana area as well. There are onsite bathrooms with showers, as well as WIFI, and pet parks and miniature golf!

Photo Credit: Visit St.Pete/Clearwater

Alafia River State Park

14326 Co Rd 39, Lithia, FL
Open: All Year Round
Another spot on the list of Best Local Campgrounds/RV Resorts this summer is a stay at Alafia River State Park. The park is open every single day from 8 a.m. to sundown with overnight reservations available a day ahead all the way to 11 months ahead—totally convenient! Campers can enjoy biking, boating, birding, and anything else a camper could desire!

This site is perhaps the most versatile with its multitude of camping options: tent camping, cabin camping, RV camping, boat camping, primitive camping, equestrian camping and now offers glamping! Guests can rent comfy glamping rentals in luxury bell tents on large, shelled sites. Each glamping site features queen size memory foam mattress, cooler, kitchen station, lights, fans, solar power, potable water and more. 

Best Local Campgrounds
Photo Credit: Florida State Parks

 

Related: We Went Glamping at Timberline Tampa – Here’s What to Expect

Canoe Outpost at Little Manatee River

18001 US Hwy 301 S, Wimauma, FL
Open: Camping-All Year Round, Paddling-Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Row on over to the Canoe Outpost at Little Manatee River for a great outdoor experience for those who love to paddle! The Outpost is located on the Gulf coast and is high on the list of Best Campgrounds/RV Resorts. The spot offers tubing, canoe and kayak rentals with both guided and self-guided trips down the Manatee River, Cockroach Bay, and the Braden River.

The site offers RV and tent camping, as well as deluxe cabin rentals! Right now, they are offering 1- and 2-bedroom cabins from only $119 a night! You can’t beat that! Plus, they’re offering a “Get-A-Way Special” which includes two nights stay including a canoe or kayak trip for under $350! Summer is truly the best time to visit the Canoe Outpost, you won’t regret it!

Photo Credit: The Observer News

Lithia Springs Conservation Park

3932 Lithia Springs Rd, Lithia, FL
Open: All Year Round-Times vary
Hop in the car and head over to Lithia Springs Conservation Park for a weekend of outdoor fun! The park is a natural spring which flows cool, clear water year-round into the Alafia River. Aside from the spring, there are trails, swamps, hammocks, and more! The water’s temperature is always a refreshing 72 degrees, perfect for swimming anytime of the year.

Campers can enjoy fishing and volleyball, picnics, and playgrounds—perfect for everyone! The park is home to 45 camping sites, most are perfect for RVs. Campers can access picnic spots, restrooms, and fire pits. Be sure to arrive first, though, because everything is first-come-first serve! This is by far one of the best options, price wise! The regular rate is only $24 per night per one RV or 2 tents (up to 8 people).

Best Local Campgrounds
Photo Credit: Trover

 

Featured Best Local Campgrounds Image Credit: Florida State Parks

For more outdoor fun, check out Best Kayaking Spots in Tampa or Fun Things to do at Busch Gardens Summer Nights!