Campgrounds around Tampa, Fl

[JamesBeale]

Hi everyone,

Do you have a favorite campgrounds around Tampa, Florida area?

We are new to popup camping and are looking for a campgrounds to spend a long
weekend at. We are looking for something that has water & electric but we would
prefer something like a state park or national forest. We don't care for the RV
/ MH park setting (if you know what I mean) ;-)

We would also love to know of some places with paved bike trails for the kids.

PS. We have been to Hillsborough State Park and it was OK, just looking for
different places to explore.

Thanks

Jim

For Email - Take out " takeout "

[EdJ]

A large part of RVing is seeing lots of new places. For that reason
we always try to stay at someplace different all the time. Take a look
at the Fl State Park web page, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/ and
try out all of them within a reasonable driving range. Since everyone
is different, what is one persons favorite camp, you might hate. The
only way to find your 'favorites', is for you to go to them all. All
of the State Parks are nice. Remember, the parks can be crowded
on the weekends. If you want to stay at a paricular place, you should
probably call to reserve or verify lots of sites are available.

--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ed J e...@ibm.net
On my retirement adventure from the rolling hills of
the Southern Tier in New York State.....

[L&J]

Jim,

Try the Ft Desoto Park in southern Pinellas County. Has great sites &
hot water showers. Lots of walking/biking trails. Watch out for the
racoons - they will get into any food available & can open coolers.
Waterfront sites available but could be too cool if windy at this time
of year.
--
Larry - St Pete, FL
(Change 'bigfeet' to 'bigfoot' to reply)

[muttnjef]

Oscar Schere is nice and allows pets, they have full hookups and are just down I-75
in Osprey, FL (between Sarasota and Venice)...

Have fun!
Sandy in North Port, FL
to reply, remove the SPAMa

[GHPARCH]

>Do you have a favorite campgrounds around Tampa, Florida area

Check this message board for my Trip Report - Florida State Park that I posted
on 1/3/99 for Oscar Scherer State Park. I highly recommend this place. Let me
know if you have any questions. Of course, the other fun camping area near you
is Fort Wilderness in DisneyWorld. We like both places, and you can take dogs
in certain camping sites. Like you, we do not care for the RV/MH setting with
long-term campers, no vegation for privacy, sites jammed together, etc.

[LWIANT]

I highly recommend Myakka River State Park near Sarasota. It is the largest FL
State Park. The are app. 40 miles of hiking trails,
park road to ride bikes on, and phenomenal canoeing/kayaking. If you're able
to, I recommed you paddle in the preserve on the south side of the park. We
went kayaking the week of Easter last year and saw 120 gators not to mention
the birds. We have seen Roseate Spoonbills, red shouldered hawks, little blue
herons, great blue herons, ibis, osprey, kingfishers, wood storks, glossy ibis,
etc. For an entertaining time go to the main lake after dark with a fairly
powerful flashlight and you'll likely see the red eyes of more gators than you
can count. If you're not so adventuresome you can go to the boardwalk on the
lake and still see a great deal of birds.

Regards,
Lee

[mister...@webtv.net]

we really enjoy fort desoto in st. petersburg. it is a county run park
and very well maintained. it has just about everything one would look
for in florida. the only problem it has is, it will not take phone
reservtaions, reservation must be made in person.
PAUL

[Hubbahub]

Try Fort DeSoto Campground.