Timberline Glamping at Hillsborough River — Hotel in Zephyrhills

Had a blast glamping! The tent was perfect. When we arrived to our camp site, we were welcomed with a personalized sign so we knew we were in the right place. The mini fridge and freezer were perfect for our family of 4 for the weekend. The weekend we went was the first cooler weekend and the heater inside the tent was exactly what we needed in the evening. The beds were so comfortable. We all got a great night sleep. The bathrooms were very close and clean. I happened to bring my essential oils to keep away the bugs and was pleasantly surprised to see a diffuser. I brought a lot of flashlights not knowing the lighting situation. None were really needed. I may just bring one next time. The trails were perfect for the kids. There were a couple of parks close by they enjoyed and the Park Rangers had set up cute arts and crafts that was a nice surprise at one of the parks. The concession store had some free printouts for the kids which again was unexpected and so nice for the kids to do at night while we prepped dinner. There is a washer and dryer attached to the bathroom location and a sink to wash dishes if needed. We did not use either of these, but nice it was there.

A couple things we will remember for next time. The maps are a tad tricky to read. We didn't know where we were on the map when we arrived. We followed the roads until we saw the sign for campers. It was farther out than we expected so we worried we were not going in the right direction for a few minutes. It was easy to find though once we got our bearings. Firewood for purchase has to be cash in exact change on location ($8). There is a new very clean Publix with larger bundles of wood a few miles away. We happened to have a fantastic group of people camping/ glamping all around. If they were not so great, it may have affected our weekend because the camp sites are relatively close to each other. I think this is the perfect setup for multiple groups going together.

We will definitely be back. It was a lovely first time glamping experience. They thought of everything to make it feel like camping...

The last time I went camping was in the 20th century, and I was an Eagle Scout. Wanting to ensure our first “camping” experience since then would be one to remember and inspire more, I chose glamping to reduce the heavy lifting. And boy, am I glad I did.

Not because of the:

Ice-cold AC that felt like a personal Arctic breeze

Mini fridge that perfectly held all our essentials (and a sneaky stash of chocolate for S’mores)

Keurig coffee maker that made mornings in the wild feel like a cozy café

Extremely comfy beds that cradled us like marshmallows

Strategically placed fan keeping the cool air flowing and the bugs away

All in a safe, clean, well-appointed tent and campsite that made us feel like nature royalty

But also for the pure joy of being able to immerse ourselves in nature with none of the hassle. In just five minutes, you could be on the river or fishing. We saw everything from alligators and turtles to amazing birds. The water was crystal clear, and the campers were extremely friendly and respectful. Even the shower water was hot with great pressure – a true luxury in the wild.

For novices and pros alike, this is the perfect way to introduce kids and adults to camping. You get the best of both worlds – the thrill of the great outdoors with the comforts of home.

However, a quick tip for fellow glampers: make sure the Velcro seams on your tent are sealed. Otherwise, you might wake up at 3 am to a raccoon staring at you eye to eye, munching on a bag of Cheetos. Trust me, nothing says "good morning" quite like a critter with a penchant for junk food and personal space invasion!

In the end, our glamping trip was the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a first-timer, this experience is bound to leave you with great memories and a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors – with the added bonus of a good night’s sleep and no backaches. Plus, you get to tell the tale of your midnight raccoon rendezvous – a true badge of...

We love tent camping and love going to Hillsborough River. This year we decided to try something new and book a glamping tent for a special treat. The tents look exactly as they do on the website- the interiors are well decorated and adorable. The lights strung out front are super cute and offer good light. Not having to set up camp, having a fridge, and the AC were the big benefits of glamping for us. The AC offered some nice “white noise” to drown out an extra rowdy group down the loop. The bed was super comfy and we slept like babies. Hillsborough River is a wonderful park and has some very beautiful hikes, and coming back to rest in our tent made the experience even better.

A couple things that it seems some other reviewers were unaware of- the pool at the campground has been closed for years. It is posted on the state park website. The bathrooms are stocked and maintained by volunteers, not by Timberline, so like most state park bathrooms, they are serviceable but not fancy. I’ve camped on multiple loops here, and the bathrooms on the loop with the glamping tents is one of the older/most in need of updating in the park.

Timberline was quick to respond to any questions I had and I would definitely recommend it if you wanted a...