DH and I will be camping at Tropical Palms in Kissimmee for 5 nights in mid January and then would like to go to Florida, west coast, preferably within about an hour to 1.5 hours of Tampa/St Pete area for about another week. Any suggestions on where to stay? We are Good Sam and Passport America members. Would like to be able to see water from our RV, but not essential. Full hookups - definitely! Satellite access good but cable OK. Need decent WiFi as well. Also would appreciate a heads up on what to see and do. Have never camped in this area and looking forward to fun. We're history buffs and also enjoy brew pubs and wineries. Not big on anything too physical (DH has double knee replacements!) but don't mind touring! Thanks in advance.

There is much to see and do in the Tampa Bay Area - you'll have a blast! http://www.tampabaysnowbirder.com/

Crystal River Rock Crusher RV Resort if you can get it.

Most of the locations in/near Tampa are long stay "resorts" with some transient spaces. The state parks are more like campgrounds. Best bet is to use Woodalls.com or similar to find a specific location and ask for recommendations here.

We live in SW Florida and regularly go to Ramblers Rest in Venice. Yes there are a lot of park models, but the people have always been nice to us.We will be there again this Feb or March.Right on the Myakka river.

You could try Dunedin RV Resort. Nice park, good location.

Florida, central west coast in January | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Dave_s_Wife
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014
Is it Friday. the Tampa Bay area now has one of the biggest Micro Brewery areas in the country. You should have a great time We'll be in the area around Christmas. My daughter and son-in-law are big into the micro breweries. So we'll be visiting them I'm sure.
Microbreweris in Tampa Area
spoon059
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2014
Another vote for Buttonwood. It is GORGEOUS down in Anna Maria! Buttonwood is nice and clean, reasonably priced, especially given its proximity to the Gulf. Bring your bicycles and take a nice leisurely ride across the bridge to the island... you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place to stay. The Beach Café on Anna Maria up by the other bride has all you can eat pancakes for breakfast, and the rest of the food is great too. You literally sit ON THE BEACH and eat.

Water is clear and warm enough to go swimming in January. Close to Sarasota and Tampa. I love it!!!

We usually go down every February, but we will have a newborn this year and the drive is too long with a 2 month old.
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Nov 29, 2014
Big Katuna wrote:
If you want big sites at a private park, try Williston Crossings in Williston. Their drive thrus must be 80' long and angled such that you dont see your neighbor.

We will be staying at Williston Crossing for the month of Feb. If you go there it would be a best bet to get your reservation now. There is nothing available for Feb right now. I checked many parks and found that Florida is pretty busy this year. Last winter around here made everyone want to get out of town this year.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2014
If you want big sites at a private park, try Williston Crossings in Williston. Their drive thrus must be 80' long and angled such that you dont see your neighbor.
sher9570
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
majorgator wrote:
JoeH wrote:

Here's a couple pics of Buttonwood... first is a typical site, second is just a shot of some campers. This was taken in late October before the crowds came.

Dang, those RV sites look way closer together than I want to ever be. Are all the sites that tight? Sounds like a great place to be, but again, certainly want a little more privacy than that.

We are at Buttonwood now for the winter, looks like the pic could have been taken from our site.

Since the pic is taken at an angle it makes it look like they are packed in across the pond.

Of course some people want a huge pad and lots of privacy but I haven't been to anything other than a SP that gives that much room but to address that issue...NO we do not feel like we are packed in here.

It's a wonderful and friendly park and the area and the island offer so much, 5 mins to the most gorgeous beaches, restaurants, shopping and the whole Bradenton/Sarasota area gives you so many diverse choices of things to do.

Sher
majorgator
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
JoeH wrote:

Here's a couple pics of Buttonwood... first is a typical site, second is just a shot of some campers. This was taken in late October before the crowds came.

Dang, those RV sites look way closer together than I want to ever be. Are all the sites that tight? Sounds like a great place to be, but again, certainly want a little more privacy than that.
JoeH
Explorer III
Nov 25, 2014
Try Buttonwood RV in Cortez... they are passport America, good wifi ( free) has canals that lead to the intercostal and it's just a short walk across the bridge to Anna Maria Beaches. Sites are paved
Great restaurants nearby and about an hour to Tampa, maybe 30-45 minutes to St. Pete. Anyplace down here will be tough to get into during the winter months.
If you can live with water and electric and no wifi, check out E.G. Simmons county park in Ruskin. I'd say 90% plus of the sites are waterfront ( canals leading to Tampa Bay)
Here's a couple pics of Buttonwood... first is a typical site, second is just a shot of some campers. This was taken in late October before the crowds came.
jeb5
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Riversidervresort.com

This is located 4 mile East of I 75. It is between Ft. Myers and Tampa. You may be able to get a site during January. Quality Wifi and cable are in the middle area and the Lakes area.

Great location and a lot of activities.
is_it_friday_ye
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
I tried looking for some breweries in Florida a couple years ago and wasn't impressed. Hopefully that has changed as we will be going in a couple months. Maybe I'm just spoiled with our breweries in Michigan. They are popping up all over the place.
majorgator
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
You said 1.5 hours to Tampa/St. Pete....so....
Try Camp N Water RV Resort in Homosassa. This area of FL (referred to as the Nature Coast) is my favorite. That campground meets everything mentioned on your wish list.