A beach paradise and an RV rental in Tampa, Florida is a winning combination. Tampa is one of those places that offer a great time no matter which direction you choose to travel. It is a paradise for those who love the beach and those who are up for theme park adventures.
There is a myriad of RV parks in Tampa, FL where you can station your Cruise America rental RV. The Bay Bayou RV Resort, for example, is one of the most well-reviewed RV parks in the Tampa Bay Area that offers all the amenities you could wish for while enjoying your Cruise America Florida trip. In fact, this RV camping site in Tampa is so luxurious and well-equipped that it's almost a travesty to even call it camping.
With so many things to do and places to explore in Tampa, there’s no better way to get there and go around than in a fully-equipped RV. Let's look at some of the best RV campgrounds in Tampa, fun facts about this awesome city, and some activity suggestions for leisure lovers.
Fun Tampa Facts for Visitors
Tampa is rich in culture and activities to delight visitors of all ages. Here are some quick Tampa facts to make your RV camping vacation more interesting.
- Lightning activity gets rather rough in the summer season in Tampa, which is why its local hockey team is called Tampa Bay Lightning. The city's name also means "Sticks of Fire" in Calusa.
- Metalheads, rejoice! In the 80s, Tampa was dubbed the "Death Metal Capital" of the music world.
- The world's longest sidewalk at 4.5 miles long — Bayshore Boulevard — is in Tampa.
- The MacDill Air Force Base, where the US Central Command is stationed, is here too.
- "Pirates" from around the world head to Tampa annually for the Gasparilla Pirate Festival.
Best Tampa RV Parks and Campgrounds
While you’re at any of the Tampa area campgrounds, Cruise America customers can take part in the many activities and adventures on every corner. One of the best experiences you can have while RV camping in Tampa, FL is taking in the breathtaking views of the Tampa Bay Area's beach parks. Some of the most visited Tampa area campgrounds by the beach include the following:
Archibald Beach Park
Amenities: This beach park doesn’t have parking slots for RVs, but you can certainly drop by to enjoy the seaside experience for the day. Archibald offers beach chair rentals, restaurants, a pavilion, volleyball courts, and restrooms.
More information: Archibald Beach Park
Clearwater Beach
Amenities: Clearwater is a great Tampa RV site for individual travelers and families alike. It is just a short drive away from Universal Studios, Disney World, and Busch Gardens. Staying in also brings plenty of enjoyment as it has a fitness room, a heated pool, a playground, a dog park, and a community center to host various activities. It also has laundry facilities and phone and cable connections.
Capacity: 154 sites
More information: Clearwater Beach
River Vista RV Village
Amenities: River Vista is a great Tampa RV camping option for those who love fishing. Previously known as Hide-A-Way RV Resort, it has hundreds of full hookup sites and over 50 premium sites. River Vista offers a full resort experience with its picnic areas and fire pits, docks, a heated swimming pool, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. It is also pet-friendly.
Capacity: 400 sites
More information: River Vista RV Village
Fort De Soto Park
Amenities: RV camping at Tampa’s Fort De Soto Park is equipped with water, electricity, laundry facilities, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, and a play area — making this RV park perfect for families. It also has special sites that are suitable for travelers with pets.
Capacity: 236 sites
More information: Fort De Soto Park
Hickory Point RV Park
Amenities: This campground near Fred Howard Park and Anclote Park and Beach is wonderful for swimming, wind-surfing, kayaking, sailing, and strolling along the gorgeous shores. It is pet-friendly and has full hookup and pull-through sites for RVs. The local community is also bustling with Greek restaurants and shops.
Capacity: 33 sites
More information: Hickory Point RV Park
Indian Rocks Travel Park
Amenities: Indian Rocks is a full-service camp located between St. Petersburg and Clearwater. This RV camping spot near Tampa has full hookups, free Wi-Fi, picnic areas, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, and cable TV (just bring your own digital box). It doesn’t allow pets, though.
Capacity: 175 sites
More information: Indian Rocks Travel Park
Best Time to Visit Tampa
Tampa attractions are open all year round, though some seasons can get more tourist-heavy than others. Read on for information on the best times to go RV camping in Tampa.
Winter
When it's wintertime where you are, it's bright and sunny in Tampa. This is why it's a popular destination for winter getaways. The weather is mixed in this part of the state, with temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But you should anticipate some cold snaps every now and then. With 246 days of sunshine, expect a Tampa RV camping vacation to involve plenty of beach excursions and outdoor adventures.
Spring
As the weather doesn't really go to extremes in Tampa, you can enjoy just about any activity you want during this season. Residents even call it a "mini-spring." Spring starts in March in Tampa, and temperatures tend to stay between 60 and 70 degrees — warmer toward April. Expect this season to be packed with tourists, especially spring breakers getting loud and rowdy.
Summer
Summer is a wonderful time for water sports and fishing. You'll find plenty of options for equipment rentals, beach experiences, and the like. Summer happens from May to September, with temperatures moving from 70 to 90 degrees. Expect to have the sun blazing, so pack some really light clothes and don't even bother trying to battle the humidity. Get your flip-flops and sunscreen ready! However, it can get rainy toward the middle of the season.
Fall
Even in the fall, it's all warm and sunshiny in Tampa Bay, with temperatures averaging 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy dining outdoors day or night in any of the waterside spots along the Bay. Many travelers say the fall season is the best time to visit Tampa because you get to enjoy everything that the area can possibly offer.
Things To Do in Tampa in Your Rental RV
Cruise America has many
RV rental locations throughout the Sunshine State, including Tampa. With 246 days of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, your Cruise America RV trip will lead you to a plethora of outdoor activities that are unique to the area. Things to do in Tampa include ocean, lake, and river water sports, golf, beach adventures, and theme parks.
In addition to the many local dining and party cruises, boat tours, and charters, there are a number of major cruise lines that depart from Tampa, Florida. If you're looking for a Tampa cruise experience, you can jump off from this point in a Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Millions of visitors travel to Tampa Bay annually — and it's no wonder! With its robust cultural arts display, annual celebrations, sporting events, and amazing attractions, it's hard to find a more fun-dense area to enjoy your next RV trip.
Because you're traveling in a
rental RV, it's easy to leave the Tampa area and take short one-day excursions to nearby attractions, like Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and Orlando. Enjoy the numerous theme parks located just a short drive away, including Adventure Island, Gatorland, Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios. If you're staying in one of the RV parks in Tampa, FL, with the family, you'll be delighted to know that the area offers many
activities for all ages to enjoy.
Tips For Visiting Tampa, Florida
To really enjoy your rental RV vacation in Tampa, take note of these tips.
- Even in winter, it is still rather hot and humid in Tampa, so don't even bother bringing thick clothes and boots on your trip. For what the place classifies as cold nights, you'll do with a jacket and leg warmers.
- Your Tampa rental RV is perfect for seeing the sights around town because the best tourist locations are quite spread out.
- If you're planning to visit all the attractions, you can speed up admissions by getting a Tampa City Pass, which costs around $122 for adults and $109 for kids. This pass will allow you to enter the Florida Aquarium, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Busch Gardens, the Chihuly Collection, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
- We cannot emphasize this enough: take the sun seriously in Tampa. Apply a high-SPF sunscreen and wear protective accessories.
- Florida is the lightning capital of the US (arguably, Oklahoma, too), so when it starts raining, it's best to take refuge indoors until it's over.
Make the Most of Your Tampa Vacation with Cruise America
Skip the
hotels! To learn more about how much fun you and the family can have in your Cruise America
rental RV and which of the Tampa RV parks are nearest to your chosen adventures, drop by at any of our rental centers. You can also
contact us online for inquiries about the RV parks and rentals in Tampa, FL, and everything that will make your next Cruise America RV experience one for the books.