State Parks near Tampa, FL

Located in central Florida, at the south prong of the Alafia River, is the small community of Lithia, Florida. Less than an hour from Sarasota, Zephyrhills, and Tampa, Lithia is home to Alafia River State Park.This park used to be a phosphate mine back in the day. Once abandoned, nature took hold and reclaimed the area. Due to the mining practices, the park’s terrain is unlike any other. Alafia has steep cliffs, man-made lakes, and thick forested areas.Whether you like to hike, swim, or mountain bike, Alafia River State Park has you covered. Get your RV rental all hooked up at one of their many beautiful sites and you're good to go. Rent an RV …

Just under a two-hour drive from Montgomery, Blue Springs State Park in Clio is the perfect place for a slower paced vacation. Search for an RV in Barbour County and head over to Blue Springs State Park for a restful weekend or a fun-filled week of hiking and swimming. This isn't just a park for summertime fun -- Alabama’s weather allows for camping with an RV most of the year, which gives you the opportunity to take in some of the festivals in nearby Eufaula.When most people think of Blue Springs State Park, they will usually think of the state park of the same name located in Florida. However, Blue Springs State Park in Clio is located …

Along the St. Johns River, centrally located at the epicenter between Ocala, Orlando, and Gainesville is Orange City, Florida. This city boasts a quaint, small-town atmosphere and the lovely Blue Spring State Park. This 2,600-acre park isn’t the largest one around, but it’ll make up for its size with its ever-warm swimming spots and its successful manatee refuge program.Wildlife thrives here in the subtropical climate. The warm river and acreage of mossy trees is the perfect habitat for alligators, turtles, fish, and birds. Birders, keep your eyes peeled, and you just might find a rare bald eagle or the Florida scrub-jay. RV camping at Blue Spring State Park will set you up for a nice, relaxing …

If you're searching for a pristine and peaceful camping destination in central Florida, Colt Creek State Park offers more than 5,000 acres to explore and enjoy. Located 16 miles north of Lakeland, the park is home to longleaf pine flatwoods, winding creeks, pretty lakes, and a diverse range of native wildlife. It's a destination that offers great hiking, fishing, paddling, and birding, not to mention tranquil surroundings for anyone just looking to escape the city for a while.Best of all, the Colt Creek State Park RV campground is clean, comfortable, and equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay. Keep reading to find out what to do and where to go to get the most out of …

Since the 1880s, people have been making their way to Devils Millhopper Geological State Park to explore the curiosities within. The state park is located in sandy terrain and palm forests in Florida and is made up of a bowl-shaped cavity that is 120 feet deep and leads down to a miniature rainforest.Devils Millhopper Geological State Park became a designated National Natural Landmark in 1976 and is an incredible example of the results of a collapsed sinkhole. When you see the rushing cascades of water and vibrant plant life, you’ll think you are in the Amazon or Hawaii rather than the state of Florida. The closest town to the park is Gainesville, although Alachua and Newberry are also close, …

With a diverse range of native flora and fauna, excellent hiking trails, and more wildlife watching opportunities than you can poke a stick at, Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the treasures of Florida's state parks system.Located less than five miles west of Sebring, this 9,251-acre park was created in 1931 to protect a unique and fragile ecosystem. It's home to more rare species than any other park in the state, and it's also well-known as the perfect destination for an RV camping getaway.Keep reading to find out what there is to do in Highlands Hammock State Park and how to plan the perfect camping trip.

Hillsborough River State Park is a prime destination for your summer holiday, offering easy access to the big city alongside the serene solitude of nature. The park is close to Thonotosassa (eight miles), Zephyrhills (ten miles), and Brandon (17 miles). This is particularly important for visitors looking to purchase camping supplies or rent an RV near Hillsborough River State Park. The bright lights of downtown Tampa are just over half an hour from the park.Most of the park's acreage is covered with oaks, pines, and saw palmettos, while other parts of the park are swampy. As far as fauna is concerned, some of the most common species include alligators, sandhill cranes, and red-shouldered hawks.Aside from observing the wildlife …

Honeymoon Island State Park is a large barrier island situated on Florida’s west coast. It was once connected to nearby Caladesi Island before a major hurricane split the land. The state park gets its name from the many honeymooners who would flock to the beach during the 1940s. However, this changed during World War II when many went off to war.Besides its stunning coastal views, Honeymoon Island State Park is filled with interesting flora and fauna that includes mangroves and bald eagles. The area is very warm year-round with occasional rain or thunderstorms.

Okeechobee County is in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie metropolitan area. The county has a humid subtropical climate, but it is at the warmest extreme of humid subtropical climates. The summers are very hot, and the winters are very mild. The average temperature in January is just barely low enough that the county is not classified as a rainforest or tropical monsoon climate.From Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee campers can drive to Port St. Lucie in about an hour. West Palm Beach is under two hours away, and Sarasota is about two hours. The closest big city, Tampa, is a little over two hours to the northwest. Outdoor enthusiasts who book an RV in Okeechobee County can reach …

If you want to experience a unique and fascinating slice of Florida history, not to mention enjoy plenty of outdoor recreational activities as well, you'll love camping in Koreshan State Park.Located in Estero on Florida's Gulf Coast, the park was once the site of a religious colony known as the Koreshan Unity. Eleven nationally registered historic buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries remain in the park to this day, while campers are also drawn to the park for its excellent fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching opportunities.And with a 60-site campground that boasts all the creature comforts, Koreshan State Park is a great place to camp in an RV rental.

Located in the state of Florida, Lake Griffin State Park is a short distance from the cities of Leesburg and Ocala, making it a convenient destination for a motorhome camping trip. While the park’s main claim to fame is a 400-year old live oak tree, there is so much more to explore on the 620-acre large state park that boasts of a range of outdoor activities. On the outskirts of Fruitland Park, the city serves as the gateway to this state park, and you’ll want to book an RV in Lake County to explore the park and its surrounding areas.Historically, Native Americans used the area occupied by the park for thousands of years for fishing and hunting, while …

Unlike what many believe, you don’t have to go west in search of some good old cowboy heritage. Located deep in the heart of Florida, Lake Kissimmee State Park is an off the beaten path gem that provides some of the best motorhome camping experiences near Lakeland. Despite being near a lot of parks including the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and the St Sebastian River State Park, Lake Kissimmee State Park is very popular among the camper community mainly because of the pristine lake and lots of activities to engage in. To have a look for yourself, search for an RV in Polk County and uncover Florida’s hidden secrets at your own pace.Sitting almost halfway between Tampa …

Central Florida is known for its world-class amusement parks, beautiful weather, and breathtaking state parks. Just thirty minutes west of Orlando, an hour and fifteen minutes east of Tampa, and an hour south of Ocala, you’ll find Lake Louisa State Park. This 4,500-acre park is flush with lakes, streams, and natural wildlife, and boasts over 100 acres of lakeshore. There are also 11 distinct plant ecosystems. If you’re looking to rent an RV, this would be the place to park it.In 1943, a large portion of the land now known as Lake Louisa State Park was purchased by the Bronson family, who used it to cultivate orange groves and rear cattle. Thirty years later, the state …

Picturesque Lake Manatee State Park is located in the sunny state of Florida, and home to its namesake, Lake Manatee. Located 15 miles east of Bradenton, off Highway 64, the park extends along the south shore of Lake Manatee. Making the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg easily accessible dhttps://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/florida/nokomisuring your motorhome camping.While the terrain of the park is made up of flatwoods, sand pine scrub, marshes, and hardwood forests and offers great recreational activities, the lake is the main attraction of this state park, and when you book an RV in Manatee County, the options to explore this park and its surrounding areas are endless.The area was once used for farming, cattle grazing, and timbering. …