This state park is located just off U.S. Highway 301 next to the Little Manatee River. The park only has 30 campsites, an equestrian trail and small camping area and a primitive camping area next to the river. There is a nice new bathhouse in a separate area with a canoe and kayak launch area. They have a separate picnic area with a playground with a portable stage set-up for concerts. This parking area could use some work though. The Family campground has nice long sites with lots of vegetation between each one for privacy. They have water and electric but no sewer. The bathhouse is huge with three hot showers and very decent water pressure. They also have a utility building next to the bathhouse with two washers and dryers ($1.75 to wash and $1.50 to dry). You can get two or three bars on your cell phone throughout most of the park. We could not get any TV reception using just our outside antenna.
We liked camping there and roaming around the park. It’s not really very big and they were doing some changes to the canoe launch area. The new day use area is pretty nice and there is a long trail along the river with covered picnic pavilions with barbecue grills, a playground area, a very large parking lot for special events. I imagine they get a lot of visitors during the summer going down the river but maybe not so much in the camping area though. The family campground is separate from the equestrian camping area. That area didn’t have its own shower house though. These sites are long and shady underneath some pretty tall pine trees. We drove down to the group/primitive camping area but wasn’t really impressed with that one. That really could use some improving especially since it is also located along the river.
Little Manatee River State Park
215 Lightfoot Road
Wimauma, Florida 33598
(813) 671-5005
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Little-Manatee-River
Admission Fee:
$5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Camping Fees:
$22.00 per night, plus tax.
Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a social security disability award certificate or a 100 percent disability award certificate from the Federal Government are permitted to receive a 50 percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility
Youth Camping:
$1.00 per youth, plus tax
$5.00 per adult/chaperone, per night, plus tax.
Pavilion Fees:
$40.00 plus tax: Large Pavilion
$20.00 plus tax: Small Pavilion
Canoe Rental:
1 to 3 hours (half day) $15.00 per canoe
4 to 6 hours (whole day) $30.00 per canoe
31 Campsites (Laundry Facilities, Ice and Firewood at Ranger Station)
4 Horse sites:
47Ft Back-In/30Amp – 2
50Ft Back-In/30Amp – 1
55Ft Back-In/30Amp – 1
27 Family Camping:
38Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
39Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
40Ft Back-In/50Amp – 2
43Ft Back-In/50Amp – 3
45Ft Back-In/30Amp – 1
46Ft Back-In/50Amp – 3
47Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
49Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
50Ft Back-In/30Amp – 1
52Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
53Ft Back-In/50Amp – 2
54Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
55Ft Back-In/30Amp – 2
55Ft Back-In/50Amp – 2
58Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
59Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
62Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
69Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
75Ft Back-In/50Amp – 1
WHERE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED
GROCERIES
Publix Super Market at Kings Crossing
4854 Sun City Center Blvd
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-3440
Winn-Dixie
4445 Sun City Center Blvd
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 634-1191
Walmart Supercenter
4928 FL-674
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 633-1467
OPEN 24HRS
GAS
Murphy USA Gas Station
4920 FL-674
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 634-4532
Shell Gas/Convenience Store
5133 FL-674
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 634-2907
BP Gas/Convenience Store
5802 FL-674
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 633-3133
Shell Gas/Convenience Store
711 Cypress Village Blvd
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 634-6180
RESTAURANTS
Ana’s Restaurant
5705 FL-674
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 634-3721
Old Castle Restaurant (German Bites & Beer)
3830 Sun City Center Blvd Suite 107
Ruskin, FL 33573
(813) 633-3331
http://oldcastlerestaurant.com
Sonny’s BBQ
724 Cypress Village Blvd
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 642-0907
http://sonnysbbq.com
Bob Evans Restaurant
102 Commercial Center Dr
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 634-9940
http://bobevans.com
SUPPLIES
Camping World of Tampa
4811 McIntosh Rd
Dover, FL 33527
(888) 851-2832
http://campingworldoftampa.com
Tampa Bay Outfitters, LLC
701 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 254-8444
http://tampabayoutfitters.com
RV PROPANE
Hide-A-Way RV Resort (Sells LP Gas)
2206 Chaney Dr
Ruskin, FL 33570
(800) 607-2532
http://hide-a-wayrvresort.com
Hawaiian Isles RV Resort (Sells LP Gas)
4054 Aloha Blvd
Ruskin, FL 33570
(813) 645-1098
http://hawaiianisles.rvresorts.com/about.html
U-Haul Moving and Storage
377 W Brandon Blvd
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 689-8166
https://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Propane-near-Brandon-FL-33511/786067/
LAUNDROMAT
Soap Opera Laundromat
329 N US-41
Ruskin, FL 33570
(813) 645-9564
http://soapoperalaundromat.com
MEDICAL CARE
South Bay Hospital
4016 Sun City Center Blvd
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 634-3301
http://southbayhospital.com
MAP OF THE AREA
Our YouTube video from the pictures we took while we were there: