Explore Brandon, Florida

Brandon, Florida is located just east of Tampa and is a part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of Brandon is around 115,000, which makes it the largest unincorporated community in Florida and one of the 25 largest cities in Florida. As an unincorporated community, Brandon does not have a local government or elected officials on the town level. 

With its proximity to Tampa, many residents of Brandon commute into the city for work each day. It's also close to Tampa Bay and the beach, making it a popular tourist destination. 

Brandon was founded in the late 19th century and was named after John Brandon, who was the first landowner. He purchased about 200 acres in what would later become Brandon, Florida. The area grew very slowly at first, and in 1960 there were only about 8,000 people living in Brandon. By the late 1980s however, the city had grown to almost 100,000 people with more than 2,500 shops and stores popping up throughout.

Today, Brandon is known as a bedroom community for nearby Tampa, and the combination of small-town living and close access to big-city life appeals to many. Brandon is close to such attractions as Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the beach. It is also the home of NFL, NHL, and MLB franchises. Parks like Alafia River Park and the Hillsborough River State Park are great attractions to the area as well.

Campgrounds Near Brandon, Florida

Bickley RV Park is located very close to the Gulf of Mexico, about 30 miles west of Brandon in Seminole, Florida. It is a 55+ adult RV park that gives you the choice between short-term, long-term, or permanent stays. Bickley RV Park offers full hookups, large spaces, hot showers, a heated swimming pool, a dog park, and shuffleboard, and, most importantly, it also offers proximity to the beach.

Also on the beach just a little north of Bickley RV Park, you will find Sun Retreats Dunedin, formerly known as Dunedin RV Resort. The amenities include a heated outdoor pool, pickle ball and shuffleboard courts, restroom and shower facilities, a clubhouse, a playground, and a pet-friendly park. There are pull-through and back-in sites with picnic tables and a gravel pad. You'll find over 200 sites to choose from at this RV park. 

About an hour's drive east from Brandon toward the Gulf of Mexico sits Caladesi RV Park. The park is only about a 15-minute walk to the closest beach, but there are numerous beaches within driving distance, including Clearwater Beach, Crystal Beach, Caladesi Island, the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island, and more. When you stay at Caladesi RV Park, almost everything is within walking distance, including grocery stores, a fruit stand, a pizza parlor, and more. 

National Parks Near Brandon, Florida

Everglades National Park is just a three-hour drive from Brandon, and it is one of the most popular national parks in America. The Everglades is known for its wildlife, including a lot of alligators and some rare and endangered species like the Florida panther, American crocodile, and manatee. At over 1.5 million acres, the park is the largest sub-tropical wilderness in America and one of the largest national parks as well. The best way to explore the park is by water, but there are hiking trails there as well. There are a couple of RV parks in Everglades National Park and many more in the surrounding area.

Just east of the Everglades and about a four-hour drive from Brandon, you can visit Biscayne National Park. At over 172,000 acres of mostly untouched beauty, Biscayne National Park offers visitors a unique chance to explore a tropical landscape that looks similar to what it did thousands of years ago. It is said that around 10,000 years of human history is preserved at the park, making it a great place for history buffs and beachgoers alike. Biscayne National Park is a great boating, fishing, and diving destination, but it is also a great place to camp and relax on the beach. There are only two campgrounds inside the park, both of which are only accessible by boat, but there are plenty of RV sites nearby.

Dry Tortugas National Park is around 400 miles south of Brandon off the west coast of Key West. It is an island that is only accessible by boat or seaplane that encompasses 100 square miles of mostly open water and seven small islands. Other than the solitude and beaches, one of the major draws to Dry Tortugas National Park is Fort Jefferson. Located on Garden Key, Fort Jefferson is one of the largest 19th-century forts in the U.S. and was an important advance post for the U.S. military for many years. There is no RV access on or near Dry Tortugas National Park, but you can find some in the Florida Keys and close to the ferry and plane service.

State Parks Near Brandon, Florida

Alafia River State Park is just south of Brandon in Lithia, Florida and is a great place for recreational activities like hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. On the banks of the Alafia River, you can visit the park on a canoe, kayak, or boat while enjoying the boardwalks and trails for which the park is known. Alafia River State Park Campground has about 30 RV sites in the park itself, and there are numerous other RV campsites close by.

Hillsborough River State Park is just north of Brandon and is another state park with a river running through it. The Hillsborough River is a great place to raft or kayak down the class II river rapids, and you can visit historic Fort Foster while you are there. There are a lot of hiking trails and mountain biking areas as well. The Hillsborough River State Park Campground offers more than 100 RV sites, and there are plenty of other campgrounds nearby.

Little Manatee River State Park is just southwest of Brandon and sits on the Little Manatee River. The river begins at Fort Lonesome and empties into Tampa Bay. Little Manatee River is one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in Florida and is known as a great place to paddle through scenic shallow waters. There are also two of the best hiking trails in Florida within the park's borders as well as opportunities for camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

National Sites Near Brandon, Florida

De Soto National Memorial is about an hour's drive southwest of Brandon, and the park features white sandy beaches, boat ramps, hiking trails, and more. De Soto National Memorial commemorates Conquistador Hernando de Soto and his army of soldiers, mercenaries, and clergy that made landfall in Tampa Bay in 1539. His arrival marked a turning point in both the history of Florida and the United States, and this site brings that to life.

Fort Matanzas National Monument is a little over 150 miles from Brandon in historic St. Augustine, Florida. This monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower that defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement in St. Augustine and can be viewed in tandem with Castillo De San Marcos which is also located in St. Augustine. Fort Matanzas, built in 1742, now stands to protect approximately 300 acres of the coastal environment.

Canaveral National Seashore is northeast of Brandon on the East Coast in Titusville, Florida. Known as the "Space Coast" because of the nearby Kennedy Space Center, Canaveral National Seashore is a great place to visit to learn about the U.S. space program and spend time on the beach while you are doing it. If you plan your trip right, you could even catch a rocket launch while you are there.

National Forests Near Brandon, Florida

Ocala National Forest is located in the middle of the state, about a two-hour drive northeast of Brandon. Ocala National Forest features more than 600 lakes and rivers which are perfect for swimming, fishing, and any type of water recreation you can imagine. The park consists of almost 400,000 acres of land and good wildlife-viewing opportunities that include black bears, alligators, foxes, otters, and bobcats. It is also a great place for RV camping.

Osceola National Forest is the youngest of the three national forests in Florida, and it was the most affected by the timber industry prior to being turned into a national forest. Osceola is just west of Jacksonville and is a great place for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and swimming. Both the Great Bird Trail and the Florida National Scenic Trail run through Osceola as well.

Apalachicola National Forest is further west than the other two national forests and is located in the panhandle. Apalachicola National Forest is easily the largest of the national forests in Florida, encompassing more than 600,000 acres. There are two wilderness areas, numerous lakes, and plenty of campgrounds both in and around Apalachicola. Fishing and hunting are the two most popular recreational activities, but hiking, camping, and water sports are readily available as well.