RV Rental Tampa, FL

Best RV Rental Tampa: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals FL

Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Tampa is heavily influenced by Cuban and Spanish cultures. It has a bustling business area as well as a variety of museums, waterways, theme parks, and historic neighborhoods, which make it a great place to work as well as play. 

Visitors are drawn to its sunny warm weather, blue skies, and cultural diversity. No matter what your interests, Tampa, Florida, has something to offer.

Tampa RV Rentals

Tampa RV rentals are popular because they're a great way to explore the Gulf Coast as well as other parts of the state. Many visitors enjoy the dining and nightlife in Tampa's historic Ybor City, while families flock to Busch Gardens for its thrill rides and to interact with its cheetahs, gorillas, elephants, and other animals.

Tampa is also a great home base if you plan on taking a day trip to Disney World, Universal Studios, or the Kennedy Space Center. Even more, the beautiful beaches of St. Petersburg are less than 30 minutes away, so there are a lot of entertainment options both near and not too far if you're considering RV rentals in Tampa.

Popular RV Destinations in Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Whether you prefer thrill rides or hand-feeding flamingos, Busch Gardens lets you do both. People of all ages love visiting this theme park because it's two attractions in one. It has a variety of roller coasters and other exciting rides alongside a zoo full of over 200 species of animals.

You can get up close and personal with sloths, snakes, and aardvarks and a few minutes later take a refreshing ride down the park's Congo River Rapids. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also features the state's tallest launch coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster on earth. It also has a variety of live shows involving dancing, singing, and more.

Florida Aquarium

You can see more than 7,000 animals and aquatic plants in Downtown Tampa at the Florida Aquarium. Designed to educate as well as entertain, the aquarium has sharks, sea turtles, river otters, and even lemurs for guests to check out. Visitors have the opportunity to embark on a Wild Dolphin Cruise, interact with the African penguins, and take a behind-the-scenes tour with aquarium experts.

Even more exciting, you can swim or dive with the animals, including sea turtles, moray eels, and sand sharks. The aquarium also has a splash pad to keep kids cool on hot summer days, as well as a 4-D theater that shows 3-D films with sensory effects that make the experience more immersive.

Ybor City

Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District with a variety of boutiques and unique shopping experiences. Seventh Avenue has been designated one of America's greatest streets, and the area is full of Cuban and Latin American dining experiences as well as bars, clubs, and coffee shops.

The Ybor State Museum features an exhibit on cigars, while the GaYBOR district caters to the LGBT community. Foodies, shoppers, java lovers, and cigar enthusiasts find a lot to love in this Tampa neighborhood, which has a rich cultural history and attracts a large number of residents and tourists throughout the year.

Tampa Riverwalk

A great way to explore Tampa is by strolling the 2.6-mile Riverwalk, a pedestrian trail alongside the Hillsborough River. It has a variety of restaurants, retail shops, playgrounds, and more for the whole family to enjoy.

You can visit Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which has two splash pads for children, or check out the Sail Pavilion, which provides nice views of the Tampa waterfront, where you can relax with a refreshing beverage.

Restaurants include the Columbia Cafe with outdoor waterfront seating; Armature Works, a public market with several food options; Brew Bus Brewing with a tasting room; and Sparkman Wharf's dining garden, which features food from 10 of the city's top restaurants.

Events and Entertainment in Tampa

Gasparilla Pirate Festival

Tampa has been hosting the Gasparilla Pirate Festival for 115 years. It runs from mid-January to mid-March and has a Mardi Gras-like atmosphere. During the Gasparilla Parade, the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirate ship and hundreds of other boats sail into Tampa and demand the key of the city from the mayor. Then the buccaneers host a victory parade and celebrate on the Tampa Riverwalk.

Other events include a children's parade and the Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade in Ybor City. Festival goers wear pirate costumes and try to catch as many beads as possible from the floats. The Gasparilla Film Festival, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, and the Gasparilla Distance Classic are also held in conjunction with the pirate festivities.

Tampa Bay Margarita Festival

Held every Memorial Day Weekend at Curtis Hixon Park on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival centers on the popular Mexican cocktail, both frozen and on the rocks. Professional bartenders create all the drinks by hand with fresh ingredients and premium tequila, so alcohol aficionados have no problem enjoying the festivities.

The event features tequila tastings, live music performances, and several food vendors. Acts such as Nelly, Soul Asylum, and Cold War Kids perform for ticket holders. There's also a Grand Mariner VIP experience and fireworks. Only those aged 21 and older can get in, and pets are welcome.

Sports

Tampa has several sports teams, including the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And while the football team hasn't won the Super Bowl since 2002, it recently signed former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his retired teammate Rob Gronkowski. Other top teams include the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and the MLB's Tampa Bay Rays.

Several minor league franchises also call Tampa their home, such as the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers and the United Soccer League's Tampa Bay Rowdies. Six MLB teams also convene their spring training camps in the Tampa Bay area. So if you're a sports fan, you're bound to come across a game or two to attend, depending on the time of year.

Campgrounds and Parks in Tampa

Bay Bayou RV Resort

Bay Bayou RV Resort is located just minutes from Tampa's most popular attractions as well as the beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. It has one of the region's cleanest shower facilities and has been recognized nationally for its beautiful landscaping. Amenities include Wi-Fi, sewer, water, 30- and 50-amp electric service, and cable TV.

On-site activities include docks for fishing on Double Branch Creek, kayaking, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce ball. The park features both a large and small dog park, a clubhouse, a lending library, a heated swimming pool, and a tiki hut. Guests have the option of playing bingo, attending dinner dances, or going line dancing at events hosted by the campground.

Happy Traveler RV Park

Happy Traveler RV Resort in Thonotosassa is just minutes from Tampa and is the closest campground to Busch Gardens. It's a 55+ RV campground community, but younger guests are allowed to stay for up to two weeks. 

There are full hookup pull-through and back-in sites with 30- and 50-amp service. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a heated swimming pool, pickleball court, shuffleboard, horseshoes, laundry rooms, and newly renovated bathrooms and showers.

Local attractions include Hard Rock Casino, Adventure Island Water Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Topgolf entertainment venue, Dinosaur World, and Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park. There's also the Big Top Flea Market for those who like a good bargain.

Hillsborough River State Park

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Tampa, which has a population of nearly 400,000 people, consider spending the day (or a few nights) at Hillsborough River State Park, which is located just a few minutes from the downtown area. It has seven miles of nature trails and several swimming spots to help you cool down on hot summer days.

The park features Class II river rapids for kayaking and canoeing, which is unusual in Florida. Visitors also enjoy biking, birding, picnicking, fishing, and horseback riding. And if you’re a history buff, the park has the Fort Foster Historic Site, a reconstructed Second Seminole War Fort. The best part about Hillsborough? It has camping accommodations for RVers.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Tampa

If you need a place to store your RV while you're traveling in the Tampa area, there are several facilities that can accommodate your needs. For extra security, look for storage facilities that are gated and feature 24-hour surveillance. Some options are:

• Racetrack Road RV & Boat Storage
• Big Rig Vehicle Storage
• Sentry Self Storage
• Interbay Self Storage

Hygiene is important when you're traveling in a motorhome, so it's critical that you dispose of your waste water on a regular basis. Check out the following dump stations in the Tampa area:

• Abbey's WigWam RV Park
• Bay Bayou RV Resort
• Camp Nebraska RV Park
• Tampa RV Sani-Dump Station
• Hickory Point Mobile Home & RV Park

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

RV rentals allow you to enjoy a road trip with the comforts of home at your disposal. You have a lot of flexibility, and you don't have to worry about finding the perfect hotel because you sleep in the camper itself.

2. How much are RV rentals?

RV rental costs vary, depending on the size of the motorhome. Smaller campers can cost between $75 and $150 per night, while bigger rigs can cost as much as $250 per night. The good news is you can save money if you rent for longer periods of time. 

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Tampa?

You typically need to be 25 years old to rent an RV in Tampa. However, you may be able to find some owners or businesses that will rent to younger individuals. There will likely be an extra fee tacked on.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. Regardless of what type of vehicle you rent, you need insurance coverage in case there is an accident.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Not all owners require a full tank when you return the RV, but it's a good idea to check the policy in advance so you know the procedure and aren't charged extra at the end of your trip.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Tampa?

Many companies let guests take their pets with them in their rental RVs. Check to see if you have to pay a deposit or an extra fee.

7. Are there RV rentals with unlimited mileage?

Yes, some owners and businesses offer unlimited mileage on their rentals. Others have a base rate, and you pay extra depending on the number of miles you travel.

8. How many people can sleep in an RV?

Big rigs can sleep as many as 12 people, depending on their size and configuration. Mid-size motorhomes typically accommodate four to eight people, while smaller campers can fit between two and four people.