Best Campgrounds near Bay Pines, FL

Several good camping areas sit within easy reach of Bay Pines, Florida. Fort De Soto Campground is about 13 miles away with waterfront spots and decent facilities for campers who want beach access, fishing, or kayaking. Little Manatee River State Park Campground, a 26-mile drive from Bay Pines, runs along the river and has hiking trails that wind through the woods. The park also has picnic spots and playgrounds that work well for families with kids. Hillsborough River State Park Campground gives campers over 13 miles of trails and has full bathrooms with showers. Roads to all these places are generally in good shape, though some might get muddy during Florida's rainy periods. St. Petersburg is close by if you need a break from camping to check out museums or grab a meal in town. Summer camping means dealing with heat that often hits the 90s, so bring extra water and sun protection. You'll likely see lots of birds and other wildlife around these campgrounds. Bay Pines has a local store where you can pick up camping supplies and other things you might need, making it convenient for both quick trips and longer stays in the area.

Best Camping Sites Near Bay Pines, Florida (164)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

    138 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 582-2100

    $38 - $48 / night

    "As an camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries. 

    I will start by saying that this campground is south of St."

    "Nice walking/bicycle path around the edge. Bike paths also throughout the park. Sites 1-8 or so have direct beach access, but swimming is not allowed. Mangroves surround the rest of the peninsula."

    2. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

    26 Reviews
    Bay Pines, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (727) 392-2233

    "Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and I’m excited to share my positive review! I’ve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed."

    "It has all of the amenities you would ever want and is so close to Florida beaches. Pool, hot tub, store, workout room, fishing and kayaking and lots more to do right in the park."

    3. Shell Key Preserve

    7 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 453-6900

    "One of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol."

    "Shell Key is one of the larger uninhabited islands off of the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg."

    4. Caladesi RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Palm Harbor, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 784-3622

    $45 - $75 / night

    "Decent size spot with stone drive and cement patio. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Nice laundry facilities with area to play cards if you wanted. Pool area is nice with shade spots."

    "We first came here a year ago and I was worried about it being so close to a main road, but after staying here I can tell you that it's very quiet and relaxing. "

    5. Encore Vacation Village

    4 Reviews
    Largo, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The park is small, parking is crammed, and there’s a lot of older trailers but overall it’s a great location. This is our go to location when we have appointments at Bay Pines VA!"

    6. E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-7655

    $24 / night

    "Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."

    "Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying. Has picnic pavilions and several fishing docks"

    7. Indian Rocks Travel Park

    3 Reviews
    Indian Rocks Beach, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 595-2228

    8. Terry Tomalin Campground

    3 Reviews
    Gulfport, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 893-7441

    $30 / night

    "The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren’t to close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost."

    "It’s in an awesome location, too - we had other plans but made last-minute plans to stay here for a night and they were pretty empty on a Friday night."

    9. Avalon RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Largo, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 531-6124

    "The sites are a little tight but that's normal for most of Florida, specially in a heavy populated are like Clearwater. It's unbelievably quiet although it's right off of US 19. Staff is so great."

    "Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities."

    10. Clearwater RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Clearwater, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 831-1204

    "Off a very busy road hidden behind a hotel and a restaurant. Very clean and tidy park with RV sites and park models. Huge laundry room and very nice bath houses. Customer service is good."

    "Best location for moving around the area.  Use Drew not Gulf to Bay to move across the city.

    Great customer service Suzy and the crew are very helpful. "

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Recent Reviews near Bay Pines, FL

780 Reviews of 164 Bay Pines Campgrounds



Guide to Bay Pines

Camping near Bay Pines, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore Nature: Visit Fort De Soto Campground for its stunning beaches and wildlife. One camper mentioned, "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."
  • Kayaking and Fishing: At Hillsborough River State Park Campground, you can rent kayaks and enjoy fishing. A visitor shared, "You can rent kayaks or canoes to take a trip down a wonderfully peaceful river."
  • Wildlife Watching: Myakka River State Park is great for spotting alligators and various birds. One camper noted, "It’s quiet, and there’s plenty of wildlife to be seen: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review from Oscar Scherer State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms were clean and plenty of them throughout the campground."
  • Privacy Between Sites: Many campers enjoy the spaciousness and privacy of sites. One visitor at Colt Creek State Park Campground said, "We stayed in site 26, which was tucked back and fairly private."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A review from Hillsborough River State Park Campground highlighted, "The rangers were amazing and patrolled the campground on a regular basis."

What you should know

  • Bugs Can Be a Problem: Some campers have reported issues with bugs, especially at Fort De Soto Campground. One camper lamented, "The bugs were so bad... it was absolutely miserable."
  • Limited Amenities at Some Parks: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A visitor at Lake Manatee State Park Campground mentioned, "The only downside and a potentially big one for some people, is the commercial drag strip not far from the park."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Blue Spring State Park Campground advised, "A reservation will guarantee you access to the spring, which sometimes gets full."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers plenty of activities, and one reviewer said, "There are so many sites and yes there are people around but there’s serious vegetation between all the sites that you have plenty of privacy."
  • Plan for Outdoor Fun: Bring bikes or kayaks for family adventures. A camper at Hillsborough River State Park Campground noted, "There are lots of trails for walking, hiking, and biking."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A visitor at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground mentioned, "The location of this campground is right in the middle of at least 4 different beaches."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Colt Creek State Park Campground said, "Spacious and open sites that are very big rig friendly."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Some campgrounds offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A camper at Hillsborough River State Park Campground noted, "Most campsites have electric and good water hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Manatee Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "You’ll get 1 bar to tease you and think you can do something."

Camping around Bay Pines, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be prepared for the bugs and plan ahead for a great experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bay Pines, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bay Pines, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Bay Pines, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bay Pines, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bay Pines, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 138 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bay Pines, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Bay Pines, FL.

What parks are near Bay Pines, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Bay Pines, FL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.