Loved it, stayed a week. Our site was right by the water so we could walk out the door and fish. The store had everything possible, Ft Desoto Park and beach is beautiful and includes shops, beaches, fishing pier, snack bar, tourist attractions. There is a dog park. We have finally gotten another RV and Ft Desoto is the first place we are going to use it. You will not be disappointed.
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.
Not much privacy at all in the campsites, it is an island. Great sea breeze, & stunningly beautiful beaches. The Fort is very interesting, great pictures & info. Rent a kayak to see more of the park, the water is great for paddling since you are protected by the island from strong currents.
really like it here. only thing to make it better would be if the had individual site sewer hook-ups.
Love the no dog section, the water view is gorgeous and privacy is perfect,we have been coming here for over 14yrs!
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
This park is on a super narrow strip of land into beautiful blue water. Bring snorkels, bikes, and kayaks. Tons of wildlife and sometimes manatees. Amazing sunset, beach walks, and lots to explore though it seems so small. Love the combination of mangroves and sand! Campsites are pretty small and close but it's worth it. People were quiet and respectful when I was there. Reserve long in advance! There are some other similar sites very close by. Some shade. Very clean, nice basic facilities.
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!
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!
