In this article, camping in Tampa Bay is defined as camping trips in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. I put in links to my relevant blog articles. At the end of each location I put a link(s) to the respective website so you can get more info.
Camping In Hillsborough County
⛺️ Hillsborough River State Park is my #1 pick for Hillsborough County camping. It has 112 campsites, most of them accommodate both tents and RVs and have electric, water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Best things to do are hiking, paddling the river (has class II rapids), and enjoying the beauty. Read my cutting edge Hillsborough River State Park Article. The Official Website!!! Hillsborough River State Park
⛺️ Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is my #2 pick and is better in many ways for people who don’t mind no electric/RV hookups and no shower facilities. Also, it’s free. Someday, I’ll write an in-depth article about it. For now, this camp on Florida Water Management Lands for free article will do the trick. My favorite at Lower Hillsborough is the 20 mile loop Main Trail.The Official Website!!! Lower Hillsborough
⛺️ Lithia Springs Conservation Park is Hillsborough County’s favorite local swimming hole. You won’t find this spot on any “best of” lists yet it is stunningly beautiful. 42 campsites available with water and electric. Most sites accommodate tent and RV. Swimming in the spring is the #1 activity. The spring often reaches capacity on the weekends. The Official Website!!! Lithia Springs
⛺️ Alafia River State Park is found in an out-of-the-way corner of Hillsborough County and is probably the best place in the state to–get this–mountain bike! It’s an old phosphate mining operation turned state park and mountain biking paradise. 30 tent/RV campsites plus 12 equestrian sites. Hiking the 20 miles of trails here is very good too. The Official Website!!! Alafia River State Park
⛺️ Little Manatee River State Park and Canoe Outpost – Little Manatee River offer camping for tent and RV along the Little Manatee River. Paddling the river is fun. My favorite though is the stacked, three loop hiking trail. Little Manatee River- Lower Tract offers one back country campsite. The Official Websites!!! State Park, Canoe Outpost, Lower Tract
⛺️ E.G. Simmons Conservation Park has 110 campsites. Most have water and electric and accommodate tent and RV. This looks like a good place but I haven’t been here yet because I’m focusing on visiting all 175 Florida State Parks. It has good reviews. The Official Website!!! E.G. Simmons Conservation Park
⛺️ Edward Medard Conservation Park has 42 campsites available on a first come first serve basis. Tent and RV. There is disc golf here. The Official Website!!! Edward Medard Conservation Park
⛺️ Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve (free) and Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park have primitive tent camping available. The Official Websites!!! Alafia River, Alderman’s Ford
⛺️ Alston Tract (free camping) is part of the Upper Hillsborough Preserve and has camping and hiking and even back country camping available certain times of year. The Official Website!!! Alston Tract
Camping In Pasco County
⛺️ Cypress Creek Preserve is a neat area near Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel that has tent camping. There is a decent hiking trail here too that follows the creek, and at one point, makes you feel like you are in the Everglades. The Official Website!!! Cypress Creek Preserve
⛺️ Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park is the centerpiece of camping (tent and cabin) in Pasco County. It’s composed of 8,300 acres of land, hiking trail, excellent tent and cabin camping, and more. The Official Website!!! Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
⛺️ Green Swamp West Tract has equestrians and primitive camping and is part of the larger Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. The Florida Trail runs through a portion of this section of Green Swamp. The Official Website!!! Green Swamp West Tract
⛺️ Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park – This beautiful state park is home to a number of bubbling springs along the ocean. Group camping is available. The Official Website!!! Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
⛺️ Crew Lakes Wilderness Park offers primitive camping and 113 acres. A bunch of activities are available. Baseball fields, nature trails, fishing pier, canoe access. The Official Website!!! Crew Lakes Wilderness Park
⛺️ Withlacoochee River Park has tent and RV campsites. The park is made up of 406 acres with the Withlachoochee River running through. Lots of wildlife. Their website claims Florida Panthers are on the property…maybe. There is a 3.5 mile nature trail. The Official Website!!! Withlacoochee River Park
⛺️ Upper Hillsborough Tract (free primitive) is part of the Upper Hillsborough Preserve and has camping, hiking, and back country camping certain times of year. The Official Website!!! Upper Hillsborough Tract
⛺️ Serenova Tract offers primitive camping, multi-use trails, and fishing at various lakes. The Official Website!!! Serenova Tract
Camping In Pinellas County
⛺️ Fort De Soto Park is my #1 recommendation for camping in Pinellas County. There are 236 campsites available, many of them right up against the water so you can shove off from your site with your kayak. The park is composed of five islands connected by road. North Beach is excellent. Popular place for fishing. The Official Website!!! Fort De Soto Park
⛺️ Anclote Key Preserve State Park – This is #1 on my wish list for Pinellas County Camping. This state park is an island only accessible by boat or ferry. Camping is free; however, you must have your own boat to be allowed to stay the night. The Official Website!!! Anclote Key Preserve State Park
⛺️ St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday – I’ve never stayed at this KOA campground or any KOA campground for that matter. I know tent camping is usually about double the price as camping at a state park. The Official Website!!! St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday
HAPPY CAMPING!!!
BONUS~Caladesi Island State Park – Possibly the most beautiful beach in all of Florida, secluded. Only catch is it is boat camping only. If you ain’t got a boat you can still go though. The Official Website!!! Caladesi Island State Park
