Fort de Soto Park is about 30 minutes drive from Busch Gardens on a small island and TripAdvisor named it America's top beach for 2009. The park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five inter-connected islands. Park amenities include seven miles of waterfront and three miles of white sand beach. It has an 800-foot-long boat-launching facility with 11 floating docks, a 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, grills, water, electricity, showers, modern restrooms, play areas, and a camp store. It also has a dog park, where dogs are allowed on the beach in a designated area. Nightly rates start at $30 for tents (as of 2010).
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715
727-893-9185
pinellascounty.org
About 20 minutes from Busch Gardens, in Zephyrhills, Florida, Palm View Gardens has a stocked fishing lake, two recreation halls and proximity to the resorts of Orlando, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens and downtown Tampa. Shuffle board courts, a pool and daily activities are also available. Palm View Gardens is an RV camp and welcomes pets. Daily rates start at $29 and weekly from $174 (as of 2010).
Palm View Gardens
3331 Gall Blvd.
Zephyrhills, FL 33541
813-782-8685
palmviewgardensrvresort.com
Raccoon Creek Recreation Area at McDill Air Force Base, Tampa, is a private military campground. There are 346 full hook-up RV sites available and 36 "dry" camp sites, including a tent camping area. Authorized users are active duty, retirees, reserves, National Guard, 100% disabled veterans and Defense Department civilians They can have up to two pets. Outdoor recreation and amenities include paddle boats, pig roasters, bouncy castles, as well as a pool, lake and marina. Camping gear, including tents and sleeping bags is for hire.
Raccoon Creek Recreation Area,
9909 Marina Bay Drive,
MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5000
(800) 821-4982
macdillfss.com/mainmenusub-rc.aspx?SectionID=436
