Best Campgrounds near Apollo Beach, FL
Camping options around Apollo Beach, Florida range from waterfront sites with kayak access to forested campgrounds with full hookups. Within a 20-mile radius, several established campgrounds serve visitors seeking Gulf Coast recreation, including E.G. Simmons Regional Park in Ruskin and Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg. Most campgrounds accommodate tents and RVs, while Little Manatee River State Park, Canoe Outpost, and Alafia River State Park also offer cabin accommodations. The region includes both county-managed parks and state recreation areas, with varying levels of development and proximity to Tampa Bay waters.
Access to campgrounds typically requires no special vehicle clearance, with most sites featuring paved roads suitable for RVs and passenger vehicles. Weather significantly impacts camping comfort, with hot, humid conditions prevailing much of the year. No-see-ums and mosquitoes present consistent challenges, particularly at dusk and dawn near water. Many waterfront campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservation systems, including E.G. Simmons Park, which has a 14-day maximum stay limit. Hillsborough and Pinellas county parks maintain separate regulations from state-managed facilities. According to one visitor, "The no-see-ums could have carried us away but nothing you can do about that! Nice size lots on most sites."
Water access represents the primary attraction for many campers visiting the Apollo Beach region. Tampa Bay and its associated waterways provide opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, with several campgrounds offering direct water access from individual sites. Campgrounds near mangrove areas allow exploration of coastal ecosystems where visitors frequently report manatee and dolphin sightings. While waterfront sites receive higher ratings overall, they typically offer less shade and privacy than inland locations. A camper noted: "We had site #65 on the water with water and electric hookup. This is a nice campground with a beach, little island you can wade to, and we always see Manatees there with lots of great areas to Kayak or paddle board." Site spacing varies considerably between facilities, with some private RV resorts described as having very tight spacing compared to more generous layouts at county and state parks.
