Located off the St. Petersburg coast, near the mouth of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the tiny islands that make up Fort De Soto County Park have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the islands were home to the Tocobaga peoples, who sustained themselves on local plants and seafood. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors began exploring Florida’s barrier islands and mainland, among them, Hernando de Soto. From the Civil War in the 1860s until the conclusion of World War II in the 1940s, the islands were used as military emplacements, first as a Union blockade, then as coastal defensive batteries. The islands finally became a state park in 1963 as an effort to preserve their long history, and provide a recreation area for locals and visitors. The park was designated America’s Top Beach in 2009, and sees more than 2.7 million annual visitors.

 Fort DeSoto County Park reservations offer 238 sites for tent and RV campers. It is located on the St. Christopher and St. Jean Keys, approximately 10 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. The campground is mostly wooded, and divided up into three areas: Area 1 for tents, vans, and small campers, and Areas 2 and 3 for larger RVs. All sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. Comfort stations with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are located in each area; a dump station is located near Area 2. The campground also features a small store, dayroom, two playgrounds, and Wifi service; bike and kayak rentals are available. Dogs are permitted in Area 2 and the designated dog park only. Alcoholic beverages and gas-powered generators are not permitted in the park. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance; seven months for locals. Campsite rates are $36–$42/night.

 There are plenty of activities to enjoy on a visit to Fort DeSoto County Park, including visiting Fort DeSoto. Located on the southernmost point of Mullet Key, the historic military emplacement is open to the public for self-guided tours. Explore officers’ quarters, the bakery, the hospital and various other facilities. Look out across the Gulf of Mexico for the lighthouse, constructed in 1858, on neighboring Egmont Key. The park also features more than 7 miles of sparkling, white sand beaches, including East Beach and North Beach, for sunning and swimming. These can be reached via a paved, multi-use path from the campground. There are also boat launches, a fishing pier and a snack bar. As part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, bird watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.

A 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets.

Fort De Soto Campground

Stayed two nights here. Arrived in the afternoon and found site number (38) easily. The tent sites on the outer side of the loops are bedded in sand, and the ones on the inner side are bedded in crushed shells and are nearer the restrooms and facilities. The back side of number 38 leads to a grassy area lined by trees on the far side that block the sunset. Recommend site 30 or below so that the back side of your site leads to the water and beautiful sunsets. Be prepared to deal with mosquitoes and raccoons. On the first night, a raccoon approached the table without regard and tried to open the portable trash can! They're active and large, and can be seen at night throughout the campground raiding the trash bins. Went on a bike ride the following day, and upon returning saw that a raccoon had opened the Coleman 52-gallon cooler, taken out the carton of eggs, cracked all six eggs, and eaten each egg yolk, leaving the whites and the shells strewn about the picnic table and ground nearby. Thankful that it had not touched the Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Resolved to put the cooler inside the car when absent henceforth. There is a campground store near the entrance with everything from ice to wood to tuna, milk, fishing supplies... it's a mini-market. There is a souvenir shop and food shop near the fort part. Didn't go to the fort or museum. Had a delicious fish and chips meal at the food shop. The bike paths are wide along the main vehicular roads. The highlight of the site is the North Beach. It's ample and clean. White sands. Shallow shores. Pleasant, perfect.

Breathtaking beaches, get the low, tent-site numbers.

We stayed here last month for the 1st time even though we only live an hour away. The water sites are awesome. you can put your canoe or kayak in at the back of your site. The only drawback to this place is how hard it is to get a site. The only way we were able to get in was through the Friday lottery when 10 percent of their sites are released for the weekend. In short, plan well in advance or take the chance of wrecking your weekend plans. On the upside, the views are incredible!  There is a store with basic necessities like ICE CREAM and bait. There are bike rentals, etc. to get you around the park. I have tried to get in every weekend since with no luck. The water and the sunset keep me wanting more of this place!

Why did it take us so long to camp here?

One night in the designated campground here. Quiet, comfortable, all the hook-ups. Basically right on the water which was pleasant. If you have a kayak or canoe, this is perfect. BOOK AHEAD OF TIME. Unfortunately no swimming but we did rent a kayak and explore the remote islands nearby! 

Fort Desoto, FL

We've stayed at Ft. Desoto on several occasions; the most recent was an overnight to support a Sea Turtle habitat cleanup in the park and nearby Shell Key.   As other's have mentioned, there is quite a waiting list for a camp site, whether for RV, trailer or tenting, but recently the park has started making 10% of the campsites available every Friday morning at 7 a.m. - both online and and in person at the park.   

Great for water activities, nature trails, trips to nearby keys as well as just kicking your feet up and catching the amazing views..

Great camping

We are fairly new to camping and could not wait to camp outside of TN and Fort De Soto State Park in FL was that perfect place. The campgrounds are on an inlet just outside of St. Pete Beach. The campgrounds are like no other I have seen before, it's almost like a jungle feel. Each camp area is surrounded with trees that almost hang over & hug you. That enclose you where you are shaded and have privacy from your neighbors. Besides the camping we were able to take our kayaks out each day and have a relaxing kayak trip or take our fishing poles & try and catch dinner for that night. If you do not have your own kayak you can rent one and even fishing equipment. Something else we loved was the bike path throughout the campgrounds, so we could explore without having to drive the car. Now we did have to drive a very short distance to the beach, less than 5 miles. But that was ok, esp when we saw that beautiful emerald green water. The beach was beautiful and very relaxing, extremely family friendly. Last but not least is the big fishing pier when you enter the park but also the Fort De Soto musuem. This trip to Fort De Soto had to be one of the best camping trips we have had and can not wait to go back. 

Peaceful, Beautiful, and Amazing

The name "boutique camping"  springs to mind at the Ft de Soto campground. I stayed at the dog-friendly waterfront site and it was very charming, with mostly upscale RVs outfitted with lanterns and cute garden furniture. The lots were tiny and cramped next to each other, though. My neighbors inadvertently encroached onto my lot and I could see and hear them the entire time so it's definitely not private. Many campers had loud parties but quieted down around 9pm. It really feels more like a communal outdoor living than camping. Camping with dogs is limited to one area and spots have to be reserved months ahead. Despite this, or maybe because of this, one in three spots at the campground was unoccupied even though the check-in office had a "no vacancy" sign. Go figure. 
Bottom line, the campground would be more suitable for families or elder campers. At $40/night it fell short of expectations.   

Cute but cramped 

This is an awesome florida camp spot.  Well cared for sites, clean bath houses.  If there is a campsite that embodies "glamping" this might be it.  Tons to do, from fishing and kayaking to miles of bike paths.  And of course one of the most highly rated beaches in the country.  Definitely worth a stay.  

Sun and fun

We stayed here numerous times as it is close to our house. It is right on the water and very peaceful. Sites are spacious and there are loops/sites for pets. Not full hookups but they do have a dump station that you can hit up at anytime. 

Great place to stay

Make a reservation online in advance (_as far in advance as you are certain you'll be there_) at [**https://public.co.pinellas.fl.us/parks/ParksMain.jsp**](https://public.co.pinellas.fl.us/parks/ParksMain.jsp)

   Although, good luck. These sites are almost always booked up months in advance (I mean months) since Pinellas County residents can book 7 months in advance, but they are changing up the reservation and cancellation fees and process up which will hopefully make it easier to get a site. (I was able to stay with a friend whom is a resident). 

The waterfront sites are awesome, especially if you have a kayak or canoe. I personally like the tent, popup, van only sites more (we didn't have an RV and I don't like the noise they generate). Instead of heading to the main beach areas is you can get the even numbered sites 30-40 where the beach meet the mangroves you’ll have a much better time as you won't have many people around and right out in front of your site you’ll have great beach access. All the sites are all nicely tucked away under the trees providing great shade and excellent flat spots.

All of the sites have water and electrical hook-up (30-50 amp service), an like normal picnic table and a grill. The campground also has a small camp store, dump stations and pretty nice modern restrooms with showers and laundry facilities.

The Park itself is awesome, great beaches, the fort is really cool. There are miles of nice paved paths for biking around and really just lots of space.

Nice shaded sites in a great area

Fort Desoto campsites are nice because there are trees or brush separating all the campsites creating privacy. Some campsites on the water have a small water view and a way to walk a kayak to the water directly. Most water front campsites are blocked by mangroves so look at the photos online when booking. In the fall or winter you must book at least 3 months in advance. There is a separate dog friendly campsite that allows 2 dogs per campsite. There are less raccoons in the dog site camping. Keep all food locked up or in your car. The raccoons are very smart and can undo many ties. The only thing I don't like about the campsite is that they close the bathrooms in the morning to clean them at 9am. Seems like they should until wait until check out time at 11am before closing them down.

All campsites have a picnic table, charcoal grill, most sites have running water and electricity. Some have a lantern holder too. Fire pits are available for rent as you cannot dig a hole for a fire pit. You can also rent bikes or kayaks as well. There is an off lesh dog beach nearby that is great too. My dogs love to swim there and then the fenced in dog park has a wash station for dogs, you just aren't allowed to use soap.

Most private campsites near the ocean

We had an excellent mini camping vacation down in florida with a hole bunch of friends celebrating a 30th birthday. Fort desoto is perfect for hammocking and the weather is ideal. There trees everywhere, picnic tables and fire pits.

Do watch out for those sneaky raccoons. They literally went into our cooler and drank a bunch of out beers. I get it when every one is wasted beers are fair game..but seriously the crushed some beers. People were friendly at the campground and it seemed like there were a bunch of other people partying.

This is also a great place to camp if you looking to do water activities. There are jet skis, boat tours, fishing tours, all kinds of things near by. Have fun and don't drink to much.

Cheers!

Excellent camping right on the beaches of florida.

Let me just start by saying this was my first trip to Florida, so my opinions are obviously limited. Location; perfect. Near a big city but I felt far enough away. The sites are perfect sized, not too much space yet you don’t feel like you are hanging out with everyone else. It looks like a few sites may be closer together than others. I was in site 49\. Back corner with no one to one side and palm trees blocking the other. Love the environment and feel of the campground. Felt almost like a resort. Bathrooms were clean enough. Camp store was slightly overpriced but when you are in a pinch they did have some options. He sites have a water spout and an actual standard home outlet (was surprised). Spent most of the beach time at the south beach. On the last day we did go to the north beach and were not impressed. South beach was quieter and actually a closer bike ride. About 2.5 miles from our campsite. The negative is that the park is alcohol free, with that being said it did make for a quieter night scene. We would walk the entire campground after dark with our kids and things seemed peaceful. Will be keeping this place in our go to list.

Perfection

really like it here. only thing to make it better would be if the had individual site sewer hook-ups.

awesome

Great location! Beautiful beach. Campsites has grills water and electric. Kids loved kayaking the area, they were excited to see dolphins really close! Has a camp store too.

Beautiful Beach!

close to the breweries in art district of St Pete Florida, Fort Desoto Campground has everything you could want for a long weekend or quick getaway. There's a general store if you want to stock up on snacks, fishing tackle, pool floats, or ice cream, or just catch a little air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The General Store also has a nice balcony overlooking the water and some oyster beds.

The campsites are suitable for car camping, hammock camping, tent camping, or RVs. Be sure to bring your rain gear and rain flies, as Florida thunderstorms are brief but no joke. You can rent bicycles down closer to the actual Old Fort where there's also a huge fishing pier and plenty of old military installations to explore. However don't rely on using the bikes to get back to the campground as there's no drop-off on the other side. 

It can be a bit of a long walk from the campground itself to the Old Fort, which shouldn't be a problem unless you didn't pack the right clothes or shoes. If, like me, you find yourself a little under-prepared, there is Lyft and Uber in the area and in a pinch you can use that to get back and forth between the campground and the fort.

Our neighbors at the next campsite over we're, unfortunately, a bit of a party crowd, which made for a loud night and very little sleep. That said the restrooms were nice and easy to reach and all of the amenities or what you would expect at a bigger busy or campground.

Busy Campground With Nice Ammenities

Not waterfront but close enough! Hike to the beach, or stay at your spacious site and enjoy the Florida nature! Roads are tight, but spots are clean and easily accessible

dog friendly too! Dog beach closer than the people beach!!

Beachin’ it!

This is a fun campground lots to do. There are biking/hiking trails nearby. Also a Fort that was built during the Spanish American Era, this has some unique history behind how it was used in different time periods.This campground also offers miles of white sugar sand beaches with beautiful views! You can bring your fur babies over to the dog beach for a day of fun. There’s also the option to kayak or canoe out into the ocean on the bayside, check the weather ahead of time, also know when tides going out or in this makes a huge difference in trying to get back.  There is also a playground area for the kids at the front of the park. At the campground they offer electric and rv sites, some even on the beach. There’s a small shop in the office to buy your last minute items, the staff was very helpful and friendly. You do want to make reservations ahead of time, as they fill up quite fast. There are clean showers and restrooms to wash up after a day in the sand. Overall this is nice clean campground with plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Great Family Campground

I loved** Fort De Soto State Park**, Florida! My favorite for this trip as far as location and atmosphere . But this may be because I seldom visit the beach type campgrounds and it’s something unique to me. If you don’t like sand in everything you may not pick this as your favorite;)

In the campground there are two loops. Most of the outer sites in each area had access to the water, some had direct access where people parked their watercraft for their visit.

In the first loop all the middle sites were long and pull through with a screen of foliage between each site. Suited for the bigger rigs. The second loop had smaller sites and the road was a little “skinnier” more for pop ups and tents. It was a little more crowded in the middle sites and less of a foliage screen between sites.

Overall both areas were very Gilligan’s Island homey if you were on a cruise ship that ran aground and everyone made their “homes” in the same area ;) It is a well maintained area with centrally located facilities. There is an inlet for fishing and short trail within easy walking distance or you can strike out on the long paved trail.

Recreationally speaking aside from the water sports there was a hike/ bike trail the entire length of the park with access to several beach areas and fishing piers. Then there is the Fort to explore if you like your history and a ferry service within the park. Another thing was a triathlon going on while we visited at the far end of the park, the swim portion would have been a definite challenge, the bike was on flat roads and I didn’t see the run portion but if it was on the sand that would be a workout!

I saved the best for last (in my opinion) there is a TOTALLY AWESOME DOG BEACH which was definitely the main reason I picked the park to visit. A nice stretch of beach where my dogs had an excellent time playing in the water, weeds and sand. There are two fenced dog parks with seats, shade and dog wash areas to rinse off the sand before heading back out. All of this is very close to a touristy area with coffee shops, fuel and other necessities. But you would never know it if you just stay in the park, it just feels very .....detached from the city.

_A thumb and three paws up for this park!_

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

We have stayed many times here and it is absolutely beautiful.

My happy place

Ft. Desoto campground is very nice and off the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a nice place to fish or take your dogs to the dog beach. There can be a lot of small sharks in this area, so be aware. I've also seen many manatees in the colder months. There is even a secret, secluded Island about a 45 min canoe ride out where you can camp as well. That is my favorite spot!

Secret Island off the Coast

Ft. Desoto Park is a must see when you visit Florida. Its one of the most well preserved areas that feature Florida as it used to be, wild and beautiful. The camp ground is nice and has all of the amenities. Keep your food locked up though as the raccoons are brazen!

Beautiful Wild Florida

if you can get a site with ocean view. we loved ours, a bit pricey for camping but was still worth it (50. a night). has lots to do and the whole park is included with camp fees.

great park with lots to do

Reserve well in advance for this popular and lovely campground. Nice bathrooms, lots of bike trails, private sites(some right on the water), wonderful beaches. Lots to do and close to St Pete.

Beautiful. Tons to do. 

Some sights are waterfront. Beaches nearby. West coast of Florida.

Great camping and kayaking spot

Beautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park. 

Beautiful park 

March escape  to Florida. Great camp ground! Includes parking at Fort Desoto  beaches. Seven miles of beach, great bike trails. Bikes and kayaks to rent. Nice bathhouses. Large  lush mostly level gravel sites. Trees and shrubs  provide  shade  and privacy from neighboring sites. No fire ring. Favorite  sites 200-230 3-30 all
 waterfront. Lots of other great waterfront  sites available. Interior sites hard to back into.


Palm tree paradise 

Long sites mostly waterfront. A dog friendly section and a no dog area. A nice little store. The park includes access to miles of beaches, a top 10 in the USA dog park, a dog beach, free fishing piers. Bicycle, hiking and exercise trails. A washer and dryer at every restroom. A playground. This park has it all. Every Friday they release 10% of their sites for the next week. It is a very popular park for good reason. There are low branches to watch for and some curbs that are a parking nuisance.

Wonderful Park!



**Campground Review: Fort Desoto**

I camped with my family Fort Desoto – a Pinellas  County park over memorial day 2019. While I’ve been to the beach at Fort Desoto may times over the years, this was my first time camping at the campground (my family who lives in Florida camps here every year).

I booked the site well in advance of the trip, and must have lucked out with a cancellation because I got a site on the water side in the camping loop over the holiday weekend. When I arrived I learned that some of the water side sites are actually against the mangroves, while others have an open view of the bay and are perfect for watching the sunset form your campground. Unfortunately, our site looked at the mangroves, not the sunset, but It was just a short walk to the open area. We were at site 40. If I were going again, I’d book even further in advance and aim to get a site in the lower 30s for the view. Residents can book further in advance.

All of the sites in the tent area are equipped with a picnic table and grill and an electrical hookup. There is a water point at each site.

When my sister showed up with her camping gear, I was surprised that they’d brought two giant fans to plug in – they are very experienced Florida campers. It kept the site cool, mosquitos away, and most importantly it blocked out the noise from the very large group celebrating at the site next to us.

There are lots of trees in each site, and we were easily able to hang up 3 hammocks. The view of the neighbors on each side was blocked about 80% which is great for a FL campground in my experience.

Fires are permitted, but you have to bring your own firepit if you want to build one. There is a small campstore on site, and a grocery and convenience store in Tierra Verde just a mile or so up the road outside the park (there is a toll bridge that you have to pass going in and out).

The campground is gated and locked after 9pm with a code. There is a limit to 2 cars per campsite. If you park outside of the campsite, there is a 5$ parking fee per car at Fort Desoto. You’ll need your camping pass in your car in order to drive down to the beach to park.

There were bathrooms and showers in the loop as well as a day use “house” with a fireplace and chairs and some books. Trash receptacles were a short walk away and we used them often to keep the trash out of the campground because the campground is notorious for racoons.

We brought out kayaks and fishing poles and spent most of the day in the water near the campsite. This is a no swimming area, however, so if you want to swim you have to head to the beach. There are lots of bike trails here as well if you’re camping with bikes.

Check out is at 11am and check in is at 1pm. This is strictly enforced. The office is at the entrance.

**Product Review: The Rovr RollR 60 Quart Cooler**

As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get to test and evaluate quality products from amazing sponsors. On this campgin trip, we put the Rovr Roller 60 cooler to the test. [https://rovrproducts.com/product/505229344820/6841244385332](https://rovrproducts.com/product/505229344820/6841244385332)

When I read about the Rovr cooler’s claim to keep things cold for up to 11 days, I decided that FL camping in Memorial Day temperatures of 95+ was the perfect place to give this cooler a real test.  Plus my family in Florida runs a brewery, so I had access to an unlimited supply of beverages and ice for the experiment.

Three days before the camping trip I filled up the cooler with 55 cans and ice. The cans were from the warehouse (not cold) and the cooler had been driving around in the 100 degree car – so the cooler had some hard work to do in the beginning. After one day, the ice had melted, but the inside of the cooler and the drinks were cold. I emptied the water and then left in my car for 2 more days until the trip – the drinks were still cold. I added more ice before the camping trip. The cooler won’t keep your ice frozen for 11 days, but I can say for a fact it will keep your drinks cold for at least 5 or 6 (and cool for more beyond that– 7 das was all the time I had to experiment).

**PROS:**

**Capacity**: I was able to easily fit 55 cans and 10 pounds of ice in the cooler without even trying to Tetris pack the Rovr.

**Racoon Proof:** We didn’t have any bears in Fort Desoto to test that it’s bear proof, but we did have raccoons. The cooler my family camped with at Fort Desoto the last time was destroyed by raccoons, but the Rovr wasn’t even bothered.

**Durability:** The cooler is really incredibly durable, we tested it by standing on it to hang the hammocks as high as possible in the trees.

**Smooth:** Despite its weight (see cons below), the Rovr is really smooth and easy to roll with it’s big wheels even when it’s full. We rolled it through parking lots, over beach, and through grass down a trail. The double handle is great – but full of cans, it was still easy to roll with just one person.

**Responsive:** In shipping my box got a bit banged up and the cooler arrived with one of its Velcro straps missing. I sent a quick email to support and they responded immediately with instructions on how to get a replacement through the product warranty. This could have easily been a con for a $400 cooler,  but the customer service was great and fast and conveyed the attitude that they want me to love my Rovr.

**Color**: the cooler comes in several color choices including orange which is my favorite color. The top bin comes in white or can be upgraded to a printed color I like the way the white looks but it gets dirty pretty quickly)

**Keeps things cool:**  The Rovr totally  passed my extreme heat test and really did what a cooler is meant to do – keep things really cold.

**Cons:**

**Weight:** Because the  Rovr 60 is heavy duty, it’s also HEAVY. Without anything food or drink in it the cooler is heavy -- yet manageable. Full of beer, I could barely get the thing in and out of my car. If you fill it up, the average person will need to have help lifting it up. (Thankfully with the wheels, you don’t have to lift it often – just in and out of the car.)

Until you get used to the size and capacity it’s easy to overstuff – for me, this meant that the ice kept overflowing into the dry area where there is no drainage. This is more operator error than a negative about the product. If you don't need the capacity of the larger cooler, the 45 would be a good choice.

**Extra Cost of Accessories:** I love that this cooler has a lot of extra accessories that you can add on, but I didn’t opt to get any of them for the test since they’re all around 20-40$ a piece and I wasn’t sure how much I’d like the cooler. If you want the accessories, you can easily add another $100 on top of the $400 the cooler price.  After testing the cooler I think that the cutting board or the bike pull accessories would be fun to have, but with the weight of the cooler already, I think I’ll skip adding anything to it for the future.

Overall, the Rovr is a really impressive cooler. It’s perfect for car camping, a short hike in camping trip, and day trips when you’re on the go – and it looks really fun as a bonus! The Rovr definitely passed the test. The next test for my Rovr is going to be flying back to Oregon with me (although my family in Florida is begging me to leave it here with them—at least until after their next camping trip).

Ranger Review: Rovr RollR 60 Cooler & Sunsets at Fort Desoto Campground

This is one of the best parks anywhere.   It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be.   The park has three loops.  All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites.  One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers.  One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets.  There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons.   A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America.   It’s a truly gorgeous park.  Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins...   hard to get reservations but well worth it.  
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.   

Never gets old

Fort De Soto is a beautiful campground. Many sites are right on the water. The sites are very well maintained and mostly separated from others by trees. The bathhouses are good. I absolutely love the general store, it has everything that you may need. I have camped here over 5 times and will certainly continue going.

wonderful, large, well maintained

Fort De Soto Park is amazing. It offers something for everyone whether you are there camping or simply for the day. The beaches are amazing with TONS and TONS of parking. Great cycling, paddling, walking, exploring, fishing, kiting, or anything you want to do. It can get busy in season but the area is designed to accommodate the crowds except for the one lane road to and from so plan your visit according to your threshold for traffic and crowds. 

  

I'm a Florida local from Sarasota and have visited many times but never to camp. We came with a small travel trailer and were lucky enough to get a site right on the water as many are which by itself is rare. Great weekend and honestly one of the nicest parks I have ever been to. 

  

Its great that possibly the most valuable real estate in all of Florida's Gulf Coast was reserved for a county park in lieu of private condos and resorts. The park has a no alcohol policy which honestly is fine. Being such an urban destination I could imagine things getting way out of hand there to the detriment of more chill folks without the ban. Even though I like a cocktail as much as the next guy, i'll take the pleasant environment over the beer any day. 

  

Thanks Pinellas Parks for such a great place for locals and guests to visit.

Simply a great campground!

This park/campground is beautiful. The grounds are kept immaculate. The camp sites are large and most provide shade and privacy. What I love about this park is the pristine beaches. There is a fort which is very impressive. If you like to bike, this park has plenty of area to ride.

Beautiful Beach Park!!

Ft.DeSoto sits at the mouth of Tampa bay and The Gulf of Mexico. The campground is open year around with 236 sites. They have a tent area and a separate pet area. Water sites are available. Large Class A may have trouble due to low limbs. All sites have electric and water (30 to 50amp) No sewers but 2 dump stations an site. 

  

There is also a park office and camp store. A boat ramp is just down the road less than a mile away. Wonderful salt water fishing. Historical Ft. DeSoto is at the end of island. Entry fees are $5 to fort and beach area.

Absolutely beautiful 

We can’t wait to go back again. Loved staying here and loved being able to have access to one of the best dog beaches in country. We def went here for our girl who loves chilling on the beach. Each campsite ticks away from each other. Plenty of room here. But book in advance. 

So peaceful and quiet

Haven’t had the chance to camp here yet but love taking the dogs to the dog beach while we are in the area.  There’s an old fort and tons of areas to walk or bike.  The water is super clear with lots of wildlife and nice shells.

Nice large county park with access to the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida.

de soto is best kept secret.  private clean sites, well maintained lots bike walking trails nearby.  no concrete pads but dirt is level

best place to camp in florida

Ft Desoto is hands-down the go-to spot in my local area.  The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of secret trails, a dog beach, general store, historic walks, boat ramps, kayak access, and much more!

I tend to go to Ft De Soto as my primary beach even when I am not camping - it's that fantastic :)

Great spot near by for a quick camping trip by the beach!

This is a great place to camp with many great waterfront sites. We camp there a lot all year round. Sit your chair in the water and kick back, kayak, fish, watch the shore bird catch fish. It's a short drive to the one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches Fort De Soto Beach. It's free to get on the beach it's included in your campsite fee.  Nice sunsets and love watching a good storm roll in off the gulf. 

Book in advance it's hard to get in this campground. Every Friday at 7 am they list 10 or 20 sites they hold back but you have to grab it quick they are gone within minutes. 

There are so many shore birds, Dolphins, Manatees especially if you Kayak or Canoe and yes there are Racoon's so don't leave anything out even in the daytime. Saw a guy setting up a tent with the back of his SUV open and guess what was in there checking out his food. 

We love to kayak and watch the manatee play they are curious and will come itch their backs and bellies in your kayak. While paddling along the cormorants will follow you to catch small fish when the the paddles dig in the water it stirs up the fish. The Raccoons eat dead horseshoe crabs and dig for fiddler crabs. It’s all fun to watch. For anyone that believes Raccoons only come out at night you will learn that's not true.

The restrooms are nice,  the only problem they clean them around 8 or 9 am they close them so you may have to go to another one in the campground. There are 2 dump stations and a little  camp store, you can rent a fire pit or bring your own. A big boat ramp close less than a 5 minute drive. 

Several restaurants with in a 5 minute drive, Tony and Nello's, Billy's stone crab, Island Grill, Marco's Pizza (Marcos Pizza delivers to the campsite), and Sushi Rock grill maybe 10 minute drive.

Ft De Soto beach is beautiful white soft sand, 2 fishing piers, concession stands, great views and an old fort free to tour. Egmont key is off the tip of the beach well worth taking the ferry over to spend the day. Pack a cooler there isn’t anywhere on Egmont to buy anything. St. Petersburg beach, Treasure Island beach and others close by. Down town St Pete fun times and good eats, shopping and museums.

Heading towards the beach after the pay station there's a building where the big American Flag is that has some neat artifacts that were found out there along with  different shells to look at &amp; sometimes a photo contest is up on the wall. As you drive towards the fort there is a fishing pier there off the same parking lot as the Fort that has a little museum (looks like a little house) has some great things in it. It's free to walk through and enjoy.

Amazing campground

Quite possible the best county park in the USA. This park is incredibly well run and has so much to do. This is our go to place for a close to home weekend when we are lucky enough to get a reservation. If you are a visiting from Miami or out of state you won’t be disappointed if you can get in. 

  

What makes this park special for us is that many of the camping sites are coveted waterfront sites. The campground portion of the park is divided into three parts, one camping area that is pet friendly, one no pets and one predominantly for tents and pop ups with smaller sites. 

  

Another bonus of Fort DeSoto in addition to the old fort is the fishing peer, great beach, cycling path and absolutely enormous parking lots so unlike many Florida locations, especially in season, parking is never really an issue. 

  

Fort De Soto County Park is a very special place. We are lucky to have it so close to us.

Best County Park in the USA

Ft Desoto is hands-down the go-to spot in my local area. The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of secret trails, a dog beach, general store, historic walks, boat ramps, kayak access, and much more! I tend to go to Ft Desoto as my primary beach even when I am not camping- it's that fantastic:)

Ft Desoto is hands-down the go-to spot in my local area. The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of secret trails, a dog beach, general store, historic walks, boat ramps, kayak access, and much more! I tend to go to Ft De Soto as my primary beach even when I am not camping- it's that fantastic:)

Great spot for relaxing by the water. Highly recommend. Bring good bug spray lol. 

This place is amazing

We’ve been here a few times now and it never disappoints. Great water access for kayaking/fishing/boating. Have tent camper and RV camped. All sites are clean and well kept. Campground is kid friendly with playgrounds and paths for them to ride bikes. 
Facilities always clean. Close to beautiful beaches. Has a camp store at entrance for any last minute needs. 

Great Camping/Kayaking Spot! 

It can be difficult to get reservations here, but it’s worth it. The sites are private due to the foliage between them. I had Site 43 which was long and spacious. Watch out for raccoons who will steal any food. Restrooms are clean. Bring your bike to get to the beach and fort, as parking there is limited. Great kayaking nearby. Next time I would get a site that I can launch from, as the sea wall was between me and the water. Be aware that Area 1 can be tricky to back into if you have a camper or van. My site was easy since I had room in front of the facilities to pull forward. Good cell service with Verizon.

Private sites, perfect beach

Many  activities to do. Fishing, swimming,   boat ramp. Nice store, and the best beaches, white sand and perfect for kids

Favorite place to camp

If you want to camp by the water, then Fort De Soto may be the best spot on the west coast of Florida south of the Panhandle. Having said that, if you want the best experience at Fort De Soto there are a few things you should know before booking your site.

  

Fort De Soto Campground is extremely popular making it difficult to get reservations. Plan way ahead to get a decent selection of sites. Weekends, as you might imagine, are packed. So, if you can camp during the week it will increase your chances of getting reservations within a month or two.  

  

Be prepared for rain especially in the summer months, and know that the rain will drain toward the water. 

  

There are 3 distinct areas for camping at Fort De Soto. All 3 are beautiful and have great campsite but #1 (sites 1-85) is the least desirable. Area #2 is pet friendly. If you're bringing your dog this is where you'll need to camp. However, if you don't have a dog you may want to avoid this area as the barking is non-stop. Area #3 is the most beautiful and most quiet of the 3 areas. 

  

There is no alcohol allowed so prepare accordingly.

  

Spend time at Fort De Soto Park a few miles down the road. Bring your bikes or rent them at the campground and take the paved bike path along the highway into the Park. There are 2 fishing piers, a dog beach, a long humans-only beach, the Historic Fort De Soto, kayaking, beautiful views, and more.  

  

You can also take a ferry to Shell Key Island or Egmont Key State Park. If you bring your tent and gear onto the ferry, you can camp at Shell Key with a permit. Egmont has a large population of Gopher Tortoise. You can't touch them as they are endangered, but you can get great photos. 

  

See our more detailed review at https://lifestyleover50.com/fort-de-soto-campground-review-and-tips/. You'll also be able to see articles on other Florida Road Trips and more! Happy road trippin' and camping!

Gorgeous camping spot. But we've got some tips for you before you reserve

This is a great campground near the beach and bay. Many sites are right on the water which is beautiful. This campground is kept super clean. They don’t allow alcohol and you have to have a bin to have a fire. There’s a great little store and snack shop where you can rent bins if you don’t have one. It’s great for birdwatching and nature. The raccoons are around, so don’t leave food out. We went in Feb 2019 on a last minute reservation. Otherwise it’s next to impossible to get a site here on the weekends. The bathrooms are old, but clean. Overall, a great Florida campground! 

Beautiful campground

Great Campsite for the Family. Nice Clean campsite. North Beach is beautiful and clean. Very spacious and quite after dark. Dumb site was clean and roomy. Playground was right across from us and had great shade. I highly recommend going to Crabby Bills for a great evening dinner on the beach about 7 miles away. We stayed in a pull through 234 which was great to get in and out without backing in. Can’t wait to go again. 

Beautiful and Clean

I've been camping here for 30 years. Never needed a reservation. Now, it seems people plant roots down at the waterfront sites and never leave goving anyone else a chance to enjoy this beautiful campground. We were lucky enough to get a reservation during the week &amp; had to split the qeek between 2 different sites. Packing up &amp; moving across the campground is annoying but we did what we had to do to be able to stay here. Absolutely love this campground. Will always be my 2nd home. 

Best campground in Florida 

Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons oftons of Birds! 

Great camping! 

We had a great weekend even though it rained most of it our site was higher so we didn’t flood plenty of shade trees the facilities are clean with the beaches close by we will be looking to go camping there again 

Very nice and relaxing

Love to camp here

Really beautiful area. Sites w/grills that can fit 2 cars. Foliage between sites so they are visually private but can get loud depending on your neighbors. Plenty of space for hammocks.

Camp store on site has firewood, bug spray, sunscreen, all the basics.

We tent camped in July and it was truly the hottest I've ever been. Character building.

Nice sites, crammed in wall to wall

Fort De Soto will forever be one of my favorite camp grounds. The beautiful weather, the critters, the terrain...all of it.  Expect a nice, calming breeze rustling through the trees whisking you off to sleep. It’s totally zen.  

All sites are pretty spacious, but I highly recommend riverside if you can snag one (a tad bit pricier). Note that the dog friendly site has great spots, but a little less privacy. 

The best part about this spot, hands down, is the people you’ll run into there. People from all over the US travel just to spend a few nights there, and you’ll find yourself making new acquaintances every time. 

The camp store just a short walk away has all the necessities you could ask for (even a snack bar a full Icecream shop!) should you forget anything, but most things are a bit pricier as to be expected. Should you need anything, I highly suggest running down to the 711 just a few miles away from the campground. They have firewood year round, and it’s 7 dollars as compared to 10 dollars a bag at the camp shop. 

**CRITTER WARNING**

Be mindful of the raccoons at this campground. They are absolutely everywhere (most likely due to people feeding them in the past) and will have their hands in your cooler the moment the sun goes down. I highly suggest keeping food in your vehicle. 



Favorite spot, but be weary of raccoons!

We enjoyed our one night stay here outside of St. Petersburg! Secluded from town but not too far! The waterfront sites looked beautiful, especially if you have a kayak or paddle board to use! 
We stayed on the other side where the trail wraps all the way around for biking or walking. 
I do have to mention there seems to be a big critter problem here, raccoons kept us up for a good part of the night. I usually don’t mind wildlife but they seemed a bit rabid and aggressive, I was afraid to use the community garbages they had placed every 30 feet! 

Nice campground but RACOONS EVERYWHERE

If you want a very clean park, lots to do like kayaking, sandy beaches, short island excursions with picturesque views, then this is the place! It’s very hard to get a reservation for a reason. It’s more expensive for a reason. Just wat h out for the raccoons as they will steal the food out of your hands if you let them, they are not scared of anything. 

Beautiful views!

Beautiful site very close to bathrooms/showers and gorgeous views. 

However, be super weary of rats and raccoons (possibly rabid). PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM. 

Site 82

We came in the beginning of February (8-11th) which seems to be a popular time due to the rarity of available spaces, but we were able to reserve online right after Christmas and got a block for three nights. Good time of year to come - not yet too humid, no bugs at all, warm days. We were pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was in our area. No parties going on or crazy loud families which seem to be our camping destiny of late (people don’t seem to know how to behave when they are camping). Seemed to be a more adult crowd, retirees, couples and friends who enjoy being outside. If you like to fish, kayak, or just hang out on the beach, this is a perfect place to relax. Our site was spacious, deep, and lots of privacy as there was a good amount of foliage between us and the neighbors. One warning, however, we noticed poison ivy in the wooded areas, just beware if you have kids or are susceptible yourself. Gave it four stars instead of five due to that and the outdated bathrooms. They suffice, but have a bad layout. The showers are okay, but there is no private changing area. You step out of the shower into a common changing area. Not much space to put your stuff in the shower. They are cleaned often, but there is no humidity control so it’s always damp and slippery in there. There are two washers and dryers at each bathroom location, $1.75 each and do a good job. If you need quarters, go to the camp store as there are no change machines near the laundry areas. Overall a nice place, easy to get to, not too far from other stuff, great beaches.

We loved it!

There are tolls to get to Fort De Soto Campground, but worth it.

I camped here for 1 night, and loved it so much. I hope to stay at least 2 nights next time.

Easy check in and out. Such a beautiful, waterfront campsite. Very clean campground, campsite, &amp; bathhouse. The bathhouse was walking distance to my campsite.

I explored North Beach &amp; took a ferry to Egmont Key during my stay. A must do for both places. 

I explored the area in mid February. It was warm and in the high 70s, but two 1 hour storms rolled through during the night. No big deal for me though. I want to go back in a couple months for warmer and not as breezy weather to enjoy North Beach a bit more. 

Will definitely go back

We were lucky to get a last-minute reservation. The site (#45) was spacious, level, and clean. Easy to back a van into, but I'm not sure about a larger RV or a trailer. We could see the neighbors on either side, but the vegetation helps to provide some privacy. The bathrooms were clean, and the showers looked decent (we didn't use them). There's a wide lawn and path separating the site from the water, and the view of the water was limited, but there was a nice breeze. Surprisingly, we saw no mosquitoes. Be careful of the raccoons, though. They're pretty fearless and active in the daytime. We came back from biking and found one checking out our water hose. At night I saw some rats in the bushes, but they stayed away from us. Just make sure your food is inaccessible. Will definitely go back.


Large campsite with privacy. Very good option in the Tampa Bay

Large camping / great location

Es super lindo ver el atardecer  y disfrutar de las estrellas en la noche junto al fuego. Tiene un área de playa muy buena para los niños. Tu mascota también es bien recibida. Puedes traer baras para pescar, bote o kayak o simplemente rentarlos en el lugar. La reservacion se hace online y con tiempo de antelación siempre está lleno. Sin dudas volveremos pronto

Translation by Dyrt Staff:
It is super nice to watch the sunset and enjoy the stars at night by the fire. It has a very good beach area for children. Your pet is also well received. You can bring rods to fish, boat or kayak or simply rent them on the spot. The reservation is made online and in advance it is always full. We will definitely be back soon

Mi lugar favorito 

Such a great place to camp with the family. Water front sites so we could take 10 steps out the camper and be in the water with the kayak. The park also has some of the best natural beaches in FL. The store is great and employees were super friendly. Only drawbacks was dust from roadways as it was windy and had not rained in a bit. No fire rings you have to bring an acceptable one or rent one from them. And the raccoons are everywhere so keep your trash put away. 

One of our favorites so far 

My favorite spot to camp because the spots are secluded from one another with trees and brush. This campground is well maintained.

Private Paradise

If you like quiet camping, fishing from your site, biking, kayaking from your site, and great beaches, then reserve your spot now. The spots are hard to book, so book well in advance.

Excellent Quiet Camping with Lots to do

Lots of day visitors to this park so mornings and evenings are nice and quiet. Have to drive to beach but it is close. Nice "space ship" pavilions...must have been built in the 50s. Everything you could want, including water taxis, is close and convenient. Kayak and canoe rental onsite. TMobile service works too!

Great beaches, fun fort, patriotic crowd

Really nice campground, beautiful area with many hikes and easy walks, the beach, historic sites, really nice camp store and well maintained sites! But so many raccoons!! Oh my gosh like they are not afraid of people and will come and take the s’mores right off your plate! Late while our family was asleep, the raccoons broke into their tent and took all our marshmallows &amp; hot dog buns! So warning  ⚠︎︎ the raccoons run that place!!  
It’s still a really nice campground! 

RACCOONS BROKE INTO TENT!

Every morning I drank coffee and watched dolphins play 10-15 feet away from me. Waterfront campsites are amazing. Tons of fish and Manatees. All the amenities you need plus spectacular scenario. Make a trip to Sandollar island, hike the fort or just find your own stretch of private beach. 4 days of lifetime memories...can't wait to go back

Best Campground in Florida

Fort Desoto

This place is beautiful and mildly wild. Geckos, cranes, various sea birds and manatees Grace this location. The sugar sand beaches are  1 or 3 miles down the road depending on your choice of beach. The waterside beaches are the best. 
The bath houses are simple and clean. The washer and dryer work but bring your quarters. Our visit was in September and the weather was unusually mild and friendly for the latter hurricane season. The camp store is decent which is good because most shopping supplies are several miles away.  I will be returning to this campground and bringing my cellular booster as the signal strength for VZ is ok…AT&amp;T is very weak. 

Put this on your ‘must visit’ list

This is a great place to camp, beach, kayak, fish, bike, hike trails, sight-seeing historic fort, etc.

Campsites are nice, especially waterfront. However beware that some campsites that are designated as "waterfront" don't really have a water view from the site due to trees.

One of the downsides of camping here is everytime you leave the campground to go to Walmart or grocery store you have to go through two (!) tolls to get back.

The campground does have raccoons so be sure to secure food in cooler with lock or vehicle when unattended. They're smart and experienced so if you leave food in the tent they know how to open zippers to get inside.

If visiting outside of cold months be sure to bring mosquito/insect repellent. Also bring a fire pit/bin otherwise you will have to burn wood in the BBQ grill (not as nice) or rent a bin.

Bathrooms were clean during my visit and in close proximity to campsites.

All in all, this is an above average campground and park. I recommend it.

Great Park - Lots to Do

This is a great place to stay if you’re not local. It felt like I was sleeping in my own backyard for the most part. 

I made reservations for a waterfront site just to end up far back from the water and the view being mostly blocked by trees and bushes. 

The site was slightly flooded from rain days prior but thankfully not many people were there and I was able to call and move sites to a better one. 

The best part was the historical fort a few miles down the road and seeing many dolphins up close on the pier. 

Beach camping 

Like the area but just a little far from the beach. Like the little privacy you get from the vegetation separating the camp sites

Beautiful and Close to the Water

We stayed here for a week and loved it. Almost every morning dolphins would swim in to the cove feeding. Also keep your food stored and trash put away because the raccoons are very crafty. Park had good power and water pressure. They also have a nice large dump site. Park staff were outstanding. Bathrooms were very clean. Area B is if you have pets with you and can be fairly tight for large RV'S, we were able to get our 43' 5th wheel in OK but took a bit. I think the best water front sites were 105, 107 &amp;  109 since they had views right out the back of your site, we could watch the dolphins swim from inside the trailer. Fishing is also really good in the cove. This is probably are favorite park we have stayed at. 

Amazing County Park 

Amazing campground 

I’m a HUGE fan of state parks for camping . They are always my first choice.  I saw the high ratings for this campground on various sites and thought we had a winner.  

We reserved two nights through their website (which was a pain on our phones).  Site 96 is in the pet area and is not waterfront.  Even if it was waterfront, those sites are not for swimming.

We did not tow a vehicle behind our class c and have had zero issues this far on our trek across the US.  However, the beach is not at all within walking distance.  Sites are crowded and really tight.  You have to pay $0.75 every time you go into the park.  Campsite office was closed at 2 pm and we could not check in until noon.  

So disappointed with this campground.  If you bring a tow vehicle, I do not think you will have an issue…just tight spots and no fire rings (you can rent them by the night).

No Good With Pet & No Tow

The wife and I are using this as our first test run for full time RVing. Packed up a small class c rental and got a waterfront site. It’s hot. Very hot. But it’s Florida in the summer. Camping is great here. Raccoons are very smart and arent scared of people. Keep your stuff locked up. The att service is terrible but T-Mobile is very good. Wi-Fi available but only at the office and camp store. Might be better if you have a Wi-Fi booster? We don’t have that. The park is quiet and clean. Plenty of non gross garbage cans. Electricity and water no problems. The park is beautiful. Side note: watched a guy empty his black tank into the sewage area without a hose so that’s pretty gross 


Beautiful time at the local state park

We really enjoyed our stay at this campground.
Pros:
Campsite was quite, fairly private, and had a decent water view.
Bathhouse was nearby and clean.
Plenty of activities to do like biking, fishing, kayaking/paddle boarding, and relaxing at the beach.
Cell phone service was good.
Cons: 
lots of bugs.
Our campsite was a bit tight when backing in…we have a 30 ft TT and had some trouble fitting it around some trees.
As mentioned in other reviews, water view is mostly obstructed by mangroves, and not allowed to swim in it.
Beach was a bit far from campground. We attempted to rent a paddle board to use on the beach but it was not allowed.
Some of the staff at the beach side shops were rude…we experienced this on a few occasions.

Overall, really enjoyed our visit.

One of the best 

Fort De Soto is an excellent place for beach camping. You can bring your kayaks, boats and paddle boards for an enhanced experience. We stayed two nights in the summer, tent camping (it was hot!). The bathrooms are a bit dated BUT kept very clean! The market at the entrance is very convenient. The only reason I did not give this location a 5 star rating was because of the massive amount of raccoons! They are NOT shy and are not bothered by humans one bit. It was almost impossible to fall asleep due the all the noises they were making throughout the night by digging into the campsite dumpsters or fighting each other. If you can get past that, you’ll have a great time.

Had a great time with the kids

I absolutely love this campground. Hard to book but worth the trouble. Spots are super private and so beautiful. 

This one is our favorite!

Great camping, great trails and kayaking 

Great beautiful views

Overall, this place is for those who love fishing &amp; kayaking. 5 stars for that. Some of the spots are realllly tight to get into especially for larger rigs. The road is one way, narrow &amp; lots of low limbs. Tough for solo travelers to keep eyes on all of the hazards. BUT, once you’re in, it’s nice. No sewer but there is a dump station. Pets ok in area 2. No wildlife problems during my visit. Noseeums come out at night. The bathrooms weren’t sparking but were clean &amp; the showers have good hot water &amp; decent pressure. Staff was very friendly. Great beach &amp; pier access. Close to kayak and bike rentals. ￼

Great acces to water

Very beautiful and short drive to a great Florida beach. Bugs suck though. 

Beautiful camp spot 

I spent 1day/night here. Made a late lunch with an ocean view. The sites were clean, each one like it’s own little oasis. Restrooms were nearby with a shower I could’ve used. I took the seg out to the old fort and an open pier. The mosquitoes are gnarly, be prepared for those. Mothasuckers are black AND yellow and are slap resistant. I hit one, picked it off my shoulder thinking it was dead, and it was like it regained consciousness and flew off out of my hands. My Segway can only go 10mph and they were keeping up and latching onto me as I fled to my van like I was running from zombies. Now it makes sense why I was the only one not wearing a shirt. Fort De Soto mosquitos are different from Georgia mosquitoes. Staff was friendly, and I had a raccoon visitor. 

Jurassic Park Mosquitoes

Great place to camp! Keep your boat in the water right behind you site! Kayaks and bicycles for sent at the campground store. Very clean restrooms and showers. Top notch campground in every aspect!




Ft Desoto, FL

I love coming here when I am in St. Pete! They have a dog beach too! It’s wonderful to have a natural beach without all the noise and crowds. Make sure to bring shoes because there are a lot of sticker burrs!

The Perfect Natural Beach

Fort De Soto county park is a fantastic park for the nature adventurer. With a huge variety of activities available it’s perfect for the whole family. 

Dog friendly it has a huge dog beach and separate dog run. 

Bike and kayak rentals are available as well as additional fee ferries to Shell and Edmont islands. 

The campground area is huge with a separate area for those campers with dogs and kid friendly. 

The restrooms are clean with hot water and have washer/dryer available for $1.75 per load. 

Most campsites have electric and good water hookups. A pump out station is available near the entrance. ￼

The camp store and park gift shop are fully stocked with any thing you could need. 

One negative is the loop I stayed on the loop road itself is full of potholes and really need to be dragged. 