Sun Lake RV Resort
Sun Lake RV Resort has 47 sites for tents. There is also room for RVs at this campground. The best thing about staying here is that you've got a big lake on the site where you can fish--so bring your gear. If you've got a canoe or other watercraft you'll want to bring that with you because the lake is big enough for boating. Golfers can also appreciate this Tampa-St. Pete resort because of the on-site putting green and the proximity to nearby golf courses. The Little Manatee Loop is a six-mile-long hiking trail not far from the Ruskin location of Sun Lake RV and if you can stand hauling your canoe you can stop at the canoe launch and ride the water the rest of the way.
Sun Lake RV Resort
3006 14th Avenue SE.
Ruskin, FL
(813) 645-7860
no website
Little Manatee River State Park
Little Manatee River State Park is just across the bay from Tampa and provides 4.5 acres of riverfront property. This is a fine choice for those wanting to see the kind of wildlife that calls central Florida home, as you are likely to see raccoons, armadillos and even the occasional bobcat. The campground features 120 multipurpose sites and amenities that include showers, restrooms, laundry and a general store less than a mile away. There isn't anywhere to go swimming, but the Little Manatee River offers the chance to fish right from the bank or to drop in your canoe or kayak to take a ride. This park offers several nature programs including wildlife viewing and stargazing at night. Hiking and biking trails complete the recreational activities that make the Little Manatee River State Park a good choice for camping near Tampa.
Little Manatee River State Park
215 Lightfoot Rd.
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 671-5005
floridastateparks.org/littlemanateeriver
Encore Winter Quarters-Pasco RV Park
The Encore Winter Quarters-Pasco RV Park is located in Lutz, just north of Tampa. You'll find 255 sites--two for tent camping. This Tampa Bay area campground is open all year and offers facilities like a laundromat, patios and picnic tables. Recreation at Encore includes a swimming pool and hot tub as well as a shuffleboard court and horseshoes pit. Bring your fishing gear because there's a lake for fishing. The Lake Park Loop hiking trail is a two-mile trek that can present difficulty to some people due to the deep sand.
Encore Winter Quarters-Pasco RV Park
21632 State Road 54
Lutz, FL 33549
(800) 879-2131
no website
Article Written By Timothy Sexton
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
