Sitting at the southern tip of the Pinellas Peninsula, Fort De Soto Campground occupies some of the most water-adjacent county park land on Florida's Gulf Coast, where Tampa Bay meets the open Gulf on multiple sides. The campground divides into three distinct loops, and site selection matters here more than at most Florida campgrounds. Reviewers consistently point to sites in the low 30s as the most desirable for open bay views and sunset sightlines, while sites above 40 often back up against mangroves rather than open water. Loop 2 is designated for campers with dogs, which is worth knowing in either direction.
Wildlife is constant and visible. Dolphins, manatees, and a rotating cast of shorebirds are regular sights from waterfront sites, and cormorants have been known to follow kayakers to catch fish stirred up by paddle strokes. The raccoons, however, are the campground's most persistent wildlife story. They operate in daylight, work cooler latches, and have been observed cracking eggs on picnic tables. Anything edible left unattended, even briefly, is fair game. "Nice sunsets and love watching a good storm roll in off the gulf," notes B M., which captures the bay-facing atmosphere well.
The surrounding park gives campers a lot to do beyond the sites themselves. Two fishing piers, a dedicated dog beach with rinse stations, paved bike trails, kayak and bike rentals, and ferry service to Shell Key and Fort De Soto Park are all accessible from camp. No swimming is permitted directly at the campground, but the park's white sand beach is a short drive or bike ride away. A camp store near the entrance stocks ice, wood, fishing supplies, and basic groceries. Note that alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park.
Reservations are essential. The campground runs at capacity most weekends year-round, and campsites near Tierra Verde in this corridor are limited. Pinellas County residents get an earlier booking window, and a small number of held-back sites are released each Friday at 7 a.m. and go within minutes. Summer camping means heat, mosquitoes, and afternoon thunderstorms, and tent sites drain toward the water, so site orientation matters after heavy rain. Sites accommodate RVs up to 50 feet, and most have water and electric hookups. The campground gates close at 9 p.m. with a code. This setup works best for campers who want direct water access, paddling from their site, and proximity to a full-service county park.
Description
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFort De Soto Campground is located in Florida near Tierra Verde
Directions
Located on St. Jean Key along the Mullet Key Bayou in Fort DeSoto Park. Take I-275/Hwy 19, Exit 17 Pinellas Bayway/54th Avenue So./Hwy 682. Turn left on Pinellas Bayway/Hwy 679 and follow to Fort DeSoto Park. The campground will be on your right.
Address
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Saint Petersburg, FL 33715
Coordinates
27.63517193 N
82.719832 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/14/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 7/14/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/14/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/14/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 7/14/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/14/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
