Q: I'm looking for campsites in a 1-1/2-hour-drive radius from Tampa -- any great ideas? Near or on a beach would be nice, but not the only option. Thanks.

A: OK, I'm going to guess about the drive time, but here are some ideas. Maybe even "great ideas," as you request:

• On Mullet Key south of St. Petersburg Beach, try Fort DeSoto County Park. That's definitely within your drive-time requirements. And it's got a beach.
  
  
• North of you around Brooksville is Withlacoochee State Forest. No beach here, but there's a lot to explore. You can drive or bike the backcountry dirt roads, paddle the Withlacoochee River and go fishing.
  
  
• One of my favorite state parks is Myakka River State Park near Sarasota. Again, no beach, but you can do just about everything else.
  
  
• Another great all-around state park is Lake Kissimmee State Park east of you off Highway 60 near Lake Wales.
  
  
• Perhaps a bit farther than an hour and a half is Sanibel Island off the coast of Ft. Myers. The only campground there is Periwinkle Park (941-472-1433), and it's a walk to the beach. (And to Dairy Queen.)
  
  
• Another beach camping area that may be farther than your desired drive is north of you near Chiefland, Shell Mound County Park (352-543-6153), which is close to a state park and 2 wildlife refuges near where the Suwannee River empties in the Gulf of Mexico.
  
  
• I can't forget to mention Hillsborough River State Park near Zephyrhills in the next county. There's no beach, but it's close to Tampa. The photo of the river flowing over rocks you see at the top of this page was taken here.

I hope this list gives you plenty of ideas for your camping trip.

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