Tampa East is easily the largest RV park we have ever stayed at. It has three entrances, each with their own clubhouse and pool. It neither has a lot to recommend it, nor any fatal flaws.

We Paid: $48 per night for 5 nights
Discounts Used: None
Address (GPS Link): 4630 McIntosh  Dover, FL 33527
Website: www.sunrvresorts.com/Community/TAM
Amenities List: Power, Water, Sewer, Camp Store, Games Room, Rec Room, Pool, Jacuzzi, Playground, Shuffleboard, Miniature Golf,  Pickleball, Dog Run, Wireless, Cable TV, Fishing, Bathrooms, Showers, Cabins, Tent Camping, Propane, Exercise Room, Fishing

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Best Features

• Lots of space
• Lots of amenities
• Affordable by Florida Standards

Worst Features

• Limited Wireless

One of the three pools in the park. All were pretty nice, some larger than others.

The Details

Beyond its sheer size, what I found most unusual about East Tampa RV were the residents. This park seems to cater to full-time residents who convert their trailers into stationary homes. Unlike typical trailer homes, these are actual RVs that have add-on rooms attached to them to create a kind of hybrid RV/house. Many look like they are never likely to move again. In the back areas of the park, there are actual permanent homes on the property as well. Overall, I thin there are more long-term residents than short term ones.

East Tampa RV Resort has a goodly number of amenities and most are in decent condition. They show their age but are largely well maintained. The men’s bathroom near our spot was an exception, with a good amount of graffiti and broken faucets. The showers were nearly as small as the one in our trailer. Trail reports the women’s bathroom in the same building is much nicer, better maintained, and featuring spacious showers.

Here is one of the converted trailers. There were tons of these at East Tampa. I’ve not seen the like before.

While the park does provide free wireless, a rarity in Florida so far, it is not broadcast across the whole park and is limited to areas around the clubhouses. There are three of these and they do provide plenty of space to sit down and plug in. Because there are multiples of nearly every amenity this park is almost like three parks joined together, and thus despite its size, what you need is typically close at hand.

The grounds are not especially lovely, and some of the trailers themselves are a bit of an eyesore, but neither is it ugly. There are many large trees and three lakes on the property. We saw a lot of lizards and other wildlife while exploring the park including sandhill cranes and aquatic turtles. Its size and heavy forestation also make for a quiet park with only a hint of road noise unless your site abuts the nearby drives.

Again, the prices here are high, but not by Florida standards. Considering the market, they seem fair.

The short term pull through spots were fairly empty when we visited so we had lots of room.