Clearwater, Florida is located in Pinellas County close to Tampa and St. Petersburg in the southwest part of the state. Interestingly, Clearwater is the smallest of the three principal cities in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area with a population of around 118,000. It is separated from Clearwater Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway. The Cleveland Street Historic District is on the opposite side of the Intracoastal Waterway from the beach and features restaurants, shops, hotels, and historic landmarks.
The city was initially called "Pocotopaug," a word that is literally translated as "clear water," because of the abundant freshwater springs located in the area. This area was initially settled in the 1830s and incorporated in 1915 after already enjoying a reputation as a resort destination. Today, Clearwater is home to many resort hotels and other great amenities.
While Clearwater is mostly known as a beach and resort city, there are other things to do in the area as well. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Plumb House Marina, private boat tours, incredible fishing spots, a 1,000-foot pier, and an international airport are all in or near Clearwater. This is a great place for a family vacation at the beach or a romantic getaway. There is always something new to do and explore.
Campgrounds Near Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater RV Resort is located close to downtown Clearwater and is a well-maintained family-style RV park. You can play shuffleboard and horseshoes, visit the beach, or walk to the park when you stay at Clearwater RV Resort. Some of the amenities include a swimming pool, planned social activities, high-speed internet, and clean bathrooms and showers. You get a resort-like experience from the comfort of your RV.
About 55 miles north of Clearwater is Three Lakes RV Resort, an RV community that provides full hookups, furnished cottages, and social activities for its guests. Three Lakes is close to the beach and nearby Hudson, Florida. There are plenty of shops and restaurants close to the resort. The community is gated and has amenities such as Wi-Fi, restroom and showers, a pet area, hiking, biking, a library, and a horseshoe pit.
Bay Bayou RV Resort is an RV campground located a little inland from Clearwater in Tampa, Florida. Bay Bayou is a well-maintained campground close to all of the amenities Tampa has to offer and the beautiful beaches of Clearwater. There is a spacious clubhouse, a heated swimming pool, and fishing docks. The campground features 300 full-hookup sites, and the facilities are cleaned every day.
State Parks Near Clearwater, Florida
Wimauma, Florida is the home of Little Manatee River State Park. It is known for paddling, hiking, picnicking, and a multitude of rare ecosystems scattered throughout the park. Little Manatee River flows for about 40 miles from Fort Lonesome to Tampa and about six of those miles are found inside the park. Little Manatee River has been designated an Outstanding Florida Water and is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. There are plenty of opportunities for RV camping or tent camping both in and around Little Manatee River State Park.
Lake Manatee State Park is about 60 miles southeast of Clearwater and extends along the shoreline of the park's namesake, Lake Manatee. There is a boat ramp in the park that gives visitors easy access to water sports, kayaking, canoeing, and boating. If you are using a motorized boat, the engine has to be less than 20 horsepower. There is also a beach for swimming and sunbathing with restroom facilities and a pavilion right next to the water. The park is located close to Tampa, Sarasota, and the Everglades so there is plenty to do in and around the park. Lake Manatee was formed when a dam was built on the Manatee River. Even though it is called Manatee Lake, you will not see manatees there because the dam blocks them from entering the water. There are camping opportunities both in and around Lake Manatee State Park with plenty of RV sites and primitive camping options.
About 40 miles northwest of Clearwater in Thonotosassa, Florida is Hillsborough River State Park. It is just minutes from downtown Tampa, but there are miles of hiking trails where wildlife viewing and sightseeing opportunities abound. There are camping opportunities, historic structures, and the Hillsborough River that make this park both unique and popular for the recreational activities offered.
National Sites Near Clearwater, Florida
Bradenton, Florida is home to the De Soto National Memorial, a site that commemorates a turning point in the history of Florida. The site is where Conquistador Hernando de Soto made landfall in May 1539 and was met with resistance from the natives of the land. It was one of the first explorations of Europeans into America and set the stage for many more. While de Soto eventually lost his ship, crew, and life, it set the stage for many expeditions to come. Today there are living history programs, guided tours, museums, and a lot of artifacts and historical memorabilia to see.
Canaveral National Seashore is on the east coast of Florida and represents the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Florida. This 25-mile stretch of untouched beaches is a sanctuary for thousands of plants and animals. It is also very close to Kennedy Space Center, so if you plan your trip around a rocket launch you will be in a great position to see and hear what a rocket launch is like. There are a lot of RV campgrounds close by, and a day trip to see this beautiful shore and learn about the history of the space program is definitely worth the drive.
Fort Matanzas National Monument is located in "America's oldest city," St. Augustine, Florida. Among other things, Fort Matanzas preserves the fortified coquina watchtower. This watchtower was pivotal in the defense of St. Augustine. It was built in 1742 and remains largely intact. St. Augustine is home to great restaurants, a lot of small shops, historical landmarks, and resort-style hotels and condos.
National Forests Near Clearwater, Florida
Ocala National Forest is northwest of Clearwater and in the center of the state. Nestled between popular theme parks and beautiful beaches, Ocala National Forest has become a tourist destination in its own right. Within its 387,000 acres, there are highlands, lowlands, swamps, and wetlands, and this biodiversity is home to some of the most beautiful natural sights in the state. There are more than 600 individual bodies of water within the park's borders, and hunting, fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking have become favorite activities of visitors. The wildlife inside the forest is something to behold and includes black bears, alligators, and bobcats. There are plenty of camping opportunities as well, including both RV campgrounds and primitive camping.
In proximity to Ocala National Forest is Osceola National Forest. This forest includes areas where the largest battles of the Civil War took place in the state. Today it is one of the quietest and most peaceful places you can go. People often come here to reconnect with the land and to fish, hunt, and camp in largely untouched nature. The Florida Scenic Trail runs through its borders, and the Great Bird Trail is a great spot for bird-watching. There are numerous places to camp in and around the forest.
Further west into the panhandle, you find Apalachicola National Forest. This forest is home to some of the most unique animals and plants in the world, including the largest diversity of freshwater fish in a state known for its fishing. Some of the most popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and kayaking. The tranquil scenery includes the Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway, Leon Sinks Geological Area, Silver Lake Recreation Area, and Prospect Bluff Historic Sites. There are a lot of camping opportunities throughout this 632,890-acre national forest.
