The Tides RV Resort | Palmetto, Florida
55 + Luxury with upscale comfort, resort amenities, and an ideal location for Tampa + Sarasota getaways.
If you’re looking for a polished, well-maintained RV resort with true resort-style amenities, The Tides RV Resort in Palmetto, Florida is a fantastic choice—especially if you appreciate comfort, cleanliness, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
With tropical palm trees, spacious paved sites, and multiple pools and hot tubs, this is the kind of place that feels like a vacation the moment you arrive.
They have a sister property called The Wave close by which is not 55+ and very nice too.
Spacious Big-Rig Friendly Sites
One of the biggest highlights of The Tides is how easy it is to pull in, set up, and truly relax—especially if you’re traveling in a larger rig.
The sites are large, paved, and beautifully laid out, with concrete driveways and generous pads that make arrival smooth and stress-free.
We’re traveling in a 45-foot RV, and we fit comfortably with room to spare.
Resort Amenities You’ll Actually Use
The Tides offers a great balance of relaxation and recreation, including:
Two pools
Hot tubs + spa-style pool areas
Pickleball courts
Fitness center
Clubhouse with activities & events
Pool tables + clubhouse bar
Pet-friendly atmosphere + dog park
The guests here were genuinely friendly and welcoming. Many are passing through, but it also has a seasonal community feel—our best guess is around 30% stay for the winter.
Impeccably Clean Facilities
Details matter, and this resort delivers. The bathhouses and showers are in excellent condition, and the laundry facilities are clean, modern, and easy to use.
It’s one of those resorts where you can tell the property is cared for—and it shows everywhere.
Things to Do Near The Tides RV Resort
The Tides is more of a “relax at the resort and drive out to explore” location—meaning there isn’t much right outside the gates for walking or biking into town.
But the good news is you’re positioned perfectly for easy day trips.
🚗 Bradenton Riverwalk (Great for Scenic Exploring)
We checked out the Bradenton Riverwalk, and it’s a nice option for a gentle bike ride or a casual stroll with water views. It’s more about enjoying the scenery than getting a serious workout in—but still worth doing if you want a relaxing outing.
🚗 Tampa (About 30 Minutes North)
Tampa is an easy drive, and this resort makes a great home base if you have plans in the city.
We stayed here to attend the Tampa RV SuperShow, and it was the perfect stop—comfortable, convenient, and such a nice place to unwind after a full day out.
🚗 Sarasota (About 30 Minutes South)
Sarasota is also close and makes a great day trip for dining, shopping, and a more coastal-chic vibe.
⭐ Local Favorite: Woody’s River Roo (A MUST Visit!)
If you want a fun night out nearby, don’t miss Woody’s River Roo — it was easily one of our favorite finds.
It’s an open-air sports bar right on the river, with great live music, a fun crowd, and classic bar food that hits the spot after a travel day (or pool day). The vibe is upbeat, relaxed, and exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve found a true local hangout. We went for the football game found a bar spot pretty easily but, it was crowded so go early.
Woody’s is a must.
Our Honest Take
We’ve stayed at The Tides RV Resort three times and truly loved it. The park is beautiful, manicured, and feels very upscale—from the landscaping and palm trees to how clean and well-kept everything is. It’s the kind of resort that feels polished, relaxing, and easy the moment you arrive.
If you’re into pickleball, you’ll love it here—there’s pickleball going regularly, and a big group usually shows up, which makes it fun whether you’re a serious player or just jumping in for laughs and a little exercise. The Tides has a friendly, inviting crowd and a real community feel.
If you love biking like we do, just know you’ll likely need to drive to trails or biking destinations, rather than ride straight from the resort.
But as an upscale RV resort with big-rig friendly sites, a beautiful tropical setting, and excellent amenities, The Tides RV Resort is an amazing Florida stop—especially if you want to be near both Tampa and Sarasota.
One thing to note: The Tides offers daily, monthly, and annual rates, and it does seem like more guests are choosing longer stays. The people are very friendly and inviting. And if you’re looking for something similar nearby, they also have a sister property called The Surf.