Best Glamping near Boca Grande, FL

I was planning on having my wedding here. I have had my spots reserved for 9 months. They called me TODAY, LESS THAN TWO MONTHS FROM MY WEDDING To tell me they double booked me with a 3rd party service that rents out the sites at a higher rate for glamping and are telling ME that I HAVE TO GIVE UP MY SITES. They have offered no help other than"move sites, get a refund, or re-reserve through that third party site at a more expensive rate."

Evidently the sites I reserved are no longer owned by the state, they're owned by the third party site through a contract. they're made into glamping sites and you cannot rent the site through anyone but the glamping company. They removed what was once a beautiful campsite from the general public and turn it into a"galmp site". How many other sites are going to be bought out like this? All the prime sites that were tent only in North loop are now EXCLUSIVELY glamping sites. If you like doing your own camping, you no longer have that option on the best spots in the park no matter how early you book.

I and my entire wedding party are beyond disappointed in how this has been handled. We are being turned away from over half of our reservations. This is so unprofessional and honestly should be illegal. They waited 9 months to notify me of THEIR MISTAKES and now, less than two months from my wedding, I have to scramble to notify my guests of the changes. I may even have to cancel my wedding because the sites seem to have already been rented through the 3rd party site and I don't want some random people in the CENTER OF MY WEDDING AND ALL ITS PHOTOS. And to top it off, they don't seem at all apologetic about ruining my wedding.

This place is special.  Best beach oriented camping in Florida.  The shelling is amazing and you truly feel like you have traveled back in time.  We have camped there in a tent site three times in the last year.  The campground closed for several months in summer 2021 to eradicated the rodents.  It worked!  We did not see or hear one rodent when we stayed for three nights in November 2021.  If campers / visitors will keep a clean camp site and not leave food and garbage out, the rodents should stay under control.

  No problem with bugs in the dry season, but you still need some bug spray at dawn and dusk.

I've visited Cayo Costa about 8 times now. I have tent camped and rented cabins. The island setting presents both positives and negatives. The biggest thing to consider is how much gear you want to have to carry. Access to the island is by ferry ( Tropic Star of Pine Island) although it is possible to kayak to it from Pine Island. This would involve some open water crossing and about a 7 mile total one way trip. Another way to access via kayak would be from the southern end of Boca Grande but this passing is across a deep channel with strong current. When you arrive via ferry you will unload all your gear at the docks and move it to the tram stop area on the island. There is a check in process and the opportunity to buy ice and wood from the camp store. The camp store is small but also offers soda, candy bars, some snacks, and some basic first aid items. They use a tram to shuttle campers from the arrival area to the camping area which is on the western ( gulf side) of the island. The tram ride is about 5-10 minutes with a stop at the tent camping area and then at each cabin. Given the tram and ferry loading and unloading processes you may want to travel as lightly as you can. The tent sites are a mixed bag, some larger than others and some with decent privacy although on the whole the separation between them is not great. Teh tent sites I liked most are 11,12,and 13 primarily because they are away from the main area and have some separation. Cabin camping is a different scenario, It's easier as it demands less equipment. The cabins have three sets of bunks, each bunk has two mattress pads. So technically they sleep 6 although i'd say 4 will be much more comfortable. Each cabin has a picnic table inside it and outside. My two cabin picks would be 5 and 7. 5 has a very large "yard area" 7 is somewhat set off from the rest of the cabins. Find more details on camp sites, cabins, pricing and booking at reserve america which is the site used to book Cayo Costa camping.

Camping on the island is wonderful. You have miles of beach with very few people and the nighttime skies are truly cosmic. The island also rents bicycles and I highly recommend doing so. There is a series of trails that run through the wooded sections of the island to explore. There are some truly great views to take in as well as an island cemetery which provides some historical contest to waht Cayo Costa was used for

The Dyrt or inside information:

Cayo Costa can book out as much as 6 months in advance. Plan your trip accordingly.

Cayo Costa in January is not like Cayo Costa in July. This may seem obvious but do not underestimate bugs,particularly noseeums on this island.

Travel light if you can. Ice & Firewood is available at the camp store.

Tropic Star Ferry typically travels to the island every day. They will upon request bring you beer from the very limited selection at the Tropic Star marina store. The Ferry also makes a trip to nearby Cabbage Key Inn and you can get a ride there too.

Want to avoid the crowds and have a heavenly beach camping experience? Cayo Costa is absolutely the best place for getting away from everything civilized!. They offer primitive camping only, bring your tent and good stakes as the wind is steady there) or rent a cabin (there are 12 of them - no a/c - no sleeps 6 - single stacked wooden bunks - no padding) and reachable only by ferry (must reserve ahead) or private boat. There are showers and restrooms but no sinks for washing dishes and you are asked to take everything you bring on the island off with you.

Can you say dark... make sure you bring flashlights and headlamps because this place is DARK at night!

No phone signals and no electricity so leave your cell phones at home unless you have a charging block and want to use to take photos. Easiest way to get there is by ferry, they will haul your camping gear and even your kayak if you reserve in advance.There are carts available to load your gear in to get it off the dock from the ferry (but you may have to wait in line to use), and a golf cart/tram or truck will take you back to the camping area.During the day the beach is busy during summer break, but many folks come out for the day only. The island is fun to explore - "At one time approximately 20 fishing families lived on Cayo Costa in the early 1900s, where they established a school, a post office and a grocery store." per the state park website

The 9 miles of beach is great! Nice and shallow for a bit (on parts of the beach) but the shelling is awesome. Lots of different shells and sharks teeth from many varieties of sharks . Usually you are able to purchase wood for fires at the ranger station. Bring all of your food and WATER. Also pack lots of bug spray for no-see-ums and mosquitos, Sunblock, Sunglasses and a hat - you will be glad you did as the reflection off the water can be brutal..You are pretty much on your own out there after the last ferry leaves for the day, enjoy a moonlit walk on the beach or an amazing sunset.

One of our top 5 favorite camps in Florida!

While this state park is one of the prettiest I've seen in Florida, it's the historic details, unusual plants on the trails, and restored town that make it truly fascinating.

Big campground in a beautiful park that really shows you natural Florida. Not enough privacy on each campsite, personally, but still nice. The hiking trails & the boardwalk are awesome, love the long views over the prairie and canopy.

I’m pretty sure this was the first campground I ever went to as a kid, and then every spring break following. Only recently stopped going with my family. As far as Florida camping goes though, this is probably my favorite.

Unfortunately, I went as a little kid so I don't have any amazing pictures to share. But I have FOND memories of this experience, and I couldn't get over the canopy walkway. This place is unlike any other, and teeming with interesting, diverse wildlife. If you're in Florida, you have to make your way out here.

Though Cayo Costa State Park is located in SW Florida...a bustling madhouse of northerners from Oct through May...you can still find peace and quiet.

Most folks prefer to pay the $45 to take the ferry across the waterway between Pine Island and Cayo Costa...but I say save a few bucks...brave the power boaters, stuff your gear in dry bags, cram them into the kayak and paddle to/from the island. (The only downside is you have to leave your kayaks up on storage racks at the Cayo Costa Ranger Station).

Take the time to plan your paddle around, between and through the barrier islands to Cayo Costa. There is some big water, that might put your panties in a bunch if you aren't use to it. With all the skirting, figure about 5 water miles...give or take. We left Pineland Marina (overnight parking was $8 for your vehicle)...paddled across to Black Key, down through Orange Pass, around Coon Key, pass between the southern point of Useppa island and Terrassee Island and stop for lunch on Cabbage Key...at none other than Cabbage Key Restaurant (where Jimmy Buffet wrote/sang of "cheeseburger in paradise"...for real!). We are talking Old Florida here. Then weave your way north a couple mles to the Cayo Costa State Park Ranger Station/Camp Store. You'll get a rickshaw type hauler to pull all your gear the nearly one mile to the other west side of the island where the tent sites and primitive cabins are.

Remember, if you do take the ferry...know the times of arrival and departure...or you'll be staying another day.

If you paddle...know the upcoming forecast. If weather turns poorly...you'll be nervously paddling back singing the Gilligan's Island theme song.

Caveat: This is SW Florida...we are talking below the tropics line folks. It's hot. If you rent one of the primitive cabins (do so long in advance...) there is no electricity, so there is no AC, fans or what-have-you. If you are in a tent...its hot...suck it up and love it! Being SW Florida...on the Gulf...sand and all...you get skeeters and no-see-ums or chiggers. If there is no wind off the Gulf, sometimes you'll get small biting flies. I only add this, so you come prepared. Sawyer Permithrin Clothing spray works great...I spray it on my clothes and tent.

Also know, that from June through October, it'll ordinarily rain for a short duration in the afternoon. Nothing to worry about and it cools things down (just kidding...it cranks up the humidity). You'll be in your swimsuit anyways...

It seems as though you are marooned on your own little island. You'll enjoy a myriad of water birds (herons, egrets, diver ducks, anhinga, spoonbills, pelicans, sea gulls) along with osprey, bald eagles, kingfisher and kites. The beach is awesome...and sunsets like you've never enjoyed before! Stargazing is to die for...no ambient light to wash out the blackness of the night sky.

Swim, shell, explore, fish (get a free shoreline fishing license first..ya, I know...if its free why bother...but it is the law)...it doesn't get much better than this.

If you want to see 'Old Florida', you can't get much better than this - we spent the weekend kayaking along the myakka river and saw more wildlife than we could of imagined. Campgrounds are quiet with lush overgrowth between sites, clean restrooms and plenty to see and do within the park.

Only callout is the need to be mindful making reservations and staying at the park during the rainy season as some roads are awash and difficult to drive.

We arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected. After driving back to the parking area, we realized we had the 600 acres to ourselves. We then hiked to the deep hole. There we saw tons of alligators birds and wildlife! A great piece of raw Florida!

We camp Koreshan because it is literally less than 10 minutes from our house. We can set up camp and stay throughput the week even if the kids have school. It’s hard to book a weekend at any Florida campground in season so plan ahead if you want a Florida State park. This campground has short trails to hike through beautiful bamboo forests. A ramp for putting in your kayaks or SUPs as well as kayak rental. Locations to fish the river. You are a 20 minute drive to the beach from here. Very centrally located to shopping and farmers markets. Koreshan has a farmers market there at the park I believe on Sundays. The campsites have a fire pit and wood is sold at the entrance. It is a historic site of the early settlers of the area from the late 1800’s so there are historical buildings on site to tour. It is a pet friendly campground. The only reason I give this campground 4* rather than 5 is because of the road noise from Hwy 41 that it is off. It’s quite peaceful until you get a motorcycle racing up and down the highway at 2am. They do have specific sites if you wish to camp in hammocks. If you google the campground you should be able to find out which sites those are.

Excellent for wildlife viewing in the surprisingly beautiful prairie and tropical Florida area. You can rent bikes or kayaks nearby and make sure to take a tour on the famous fan boats. Pros: wildlife, cabin option, close to towns, clean, pretty large sites, modern amenities like laundry, restaurant, gift/grocery shop on site, very shady campsites, great trails (many boardwalks), huge park, easy to get to from 75. Good mix of locals and tourists to give you more ideas of what to do while visiting. Cons: just the bugs and heat...

Myakka River State Park is a not to miss Florida State Park. Don't let the proximity to Sarasota Fool You! It is very close to Sarasota which makes it a good stop if you are visiting the area or an outstanding stop if you are from out of town as you can enjoy a little bit of Surf and Turf. 

As a Sarasota local who loves the outdoors, I've visited most of Florida's State Parks and this is one of my favorites for sure. We tend to neglect what we can do and see everyday and this is no exception. I'm always amazed. 

This time we camped out for the weekend even though we live about 10 miles away and we have never felt so far from home while being so close. Probably my first"staycation". 

You can paddle, hike, ride or just chill in this really large state park. Super clean and well run. All the staff are really nice and you can tell they enjoy being there. 

This park is the real deal and you will feel you are in another world. Get out and explore! 

Sidebar: A lot of people ask me why I share my favorite"secret" places with total strangers and the answer is that the very best places everywhere are under tremendous pressure from growth, development and environmental pressure. Once you see a place like this you will forever be changed and hopefully become an advocate for preserving them wherever you may be.

Not far from the mainland, this island has a wonderful state park on its northern tip. You can get there by ferry, private boat(there are slips) or kayak(about 8 miles 1 way). A trolley takes you the 1/2 from the docks to the gulf side of the island where the campground is. The sites are very spacious with fire pits, picnic table and at some sites a place to hang a hammock. There are also cabins to rent. There is a bathroom with outdoor showers. Once there you can go to the beach, collect shells, hike, fish, kayak, geocache and watch the stars at night. We were there during a meteor shower and had a fantastic show on the beach that night. I highly recommend this little spot of paradise off the Florida coast.

If you want to see Florida Wildlife this is the place to go! From birds to gators, wild hogs and lots of raccoons! wildlife is everywhere. Protect your cooler in the campground and DO NOT LEAVE FOOD IN THE TENTS! The trails are full of amazing sights and there is so many opportunities to see wild things everywhere - you can see turkey and deer form the road (drive slow) and watch for people pulled over - that usually means they are looking at something (and bikes share the road to so be safe!) Air boat tours will get you out on the river where a ranger will tell you all about the local plants, animals and history. Great shops and Cantina! Everything from a hot lunch to beer and ice cream! Rent bicycles and canoes, hike the 36+ miles of trails and bird watch all day! The tower Canopy Bridge is something to see! The campground is almost always sold out in advance on weekends and they pack you in tight! Reserve early and prepare to have a wild time!

This is a true gem in South Florida, a remote island paradise. Miles of beaches with very few people and great hiking/biking trails through the scrub. Pack lightly as you will need to load and unload all of your stuff on the ferry and then the tram and then carry it to the campsite. There is no electricity but cell service with AT&T was great (not that I wanted to use it much). The camp store sells souvenirs and necessities (snacks, cold drinks, firewood, ice, more insect repellant). Restrooms are clean and there is potable water available there, so no need to bring your own and waste plastic. I was glad I didn’t bring my kayak, as it would have been a lot to haul with me, and I rented one for $20 for a half day on the island. Although bikes are also available for rent, I would probably bring my own bike next time as it would be helpful to get around during the 4 days I was there and find more remote locations.

Insects are a serious issue, even in the fall and winter. Hope for a breeze to deter the no-see-ums. I used DEET spray and a thermacell and a permethrin-treated tent and still left with dozens of bites, and that was in November. Next time I would wear pants and long-sleeve shirts in the evenings. Fortunately I didn’t see any rats while I was there  

My campsite was #13 and it was one of the smaller ones but well-shaded and apart from the louder cabins. Some campsites have hammock posts and otherwise you are not allowed to hang hammocks on the trees, so plan accordingly.

One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping. There are 6 primitive campgrounds; group camping and Cabins too! We stayed at the Palmetto Ridge campground which were gravel and had the full hook ups. The old prairie and big flats were regular ground surface electric/water (no sewer) . These also had a little less privacy. You will have 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road. We were here in July. Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees and this kept things cooler during in the summer. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall. You will enjoy biking the 7 miles of paved (flat) roads in Park. There are Rivers and lakes for kayaking/canoe and we enjoyed the fishing and paddling. Great gift shop and cafe area near boat launch on lake. There is even a flat bottom boat tour on the Upper Myakka lake. The visitor center offers a lot of rentals too... from kayaks to tandem bikes. (For the die hard road bikers it is only 12.5 miles to Legacy Rail to trail). We had a blast and our video goes into more detail about the park. Be sure to visit the nearby Crowley Nature Center less than 5 miles away. (Crowley nature center is a separate video located on our YouTube channel and website)

   Let me start by saying that I live very close to Myakka River Sate Park and it has been a place that four generations of my family have been enjoying for over 40 years. It is very large for a state park. You can spends days hiking the trails and paddling the river and lakes. The wildlife is everywhere! What would you like to see? Deer, wild hogs, alligators, birds of all kinds? You will probably see these and more at just about any time of year.

   There is a nice interpretive center, picnic grounds, boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals, and a tram tour through the park. Don't miss the canopy walk. It's a great way to see a part of the park's ecosystem that we normally only see from below. You also get a great view of the park in all directions from the top of the tower. Florida is flat and views like these are hard to come by. There is also a restaurant and store where you can get pretty good food with a view of the lake. My wife wants to make sure you know you can also get ice cream at the restaurant. 

    There are three camping areas for tents and RVs. The two older areas are called Big Flats and Old Prairie. The sites in these areas are close to each other and there is little or no under story between them. There is water and electric at each site with clean but older bathroom facilities. Both of the campgrounds are also close to the main road with some sites backing up to the road. There is a convenient dump station inside the park but no sewer hookups in these two campgrounds.

  The third and newest campground is called Palmetto Ridge. This one was obviously built primarily for large RVs with water, electric and sewer connections at every site. The bathroom facilities are more up to date and very nice. They are also not used as much by the campers because this area is mostly filled with huge motor coaches and fifth wheels that all have their own facilities and do not need to worry about their holding tanks because they have full hookups. The sites are pretty roomy and there is plenty of under story in between to keep you from feeling like you are right on top of your neighbors. There are quite a few pull trough sites in this area. They are improved gravel sites and most are very level. The sewer hookups are a little higher than you would expect. It will take some supports to keep a positive flow. If you know how much it rains here in the Summertime you will know why these must be kept above the flood stage level.

   A note about rain: Florida gets a lot of rain in the Summertime. It is not uncommon to get multiple inches of rain in a very short time and this can happen almost any day between June and the end of September. The river and lake do flood and large parts of the park are in their flood plain. the Big Flats campground can be shut down because it is the closest to the lake. This is not a reason to avoid Myakka in the Summertime. We have camped there in June and August and if you find someplace cool to hangout during the day you will be rewarded with very pleasant walks and paddles with lots of wildlife to see in the mornings and evenings. Pro tip: If you are staying in the park, get up really early to see the sunrise from the top of the canopy walk.

    There are two other ways to spend the night in Myakka River State Park. There are cabins available to rent and primitive camp sites in the hiking areas. The cabins have recently been rebuilt and I must admit I have not seen the new ones. We did stay in the original cabins before we got our RV and they were very nice for a family getaway. With a kitchen, bathroom and air conditioning they are a very comfortable way to spend some time in the park. The original cabins were built with palm logs by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). The CCC was a program to create jobs and improve public facilities during and after the Great Depression. Some of that construction can still be seen at one of the picnic areas in the park. There is also a monument to the CCC inside the park. Backpackers can spend a few days hiking the trails and camping at the primitive sites. Haven't done that myself since I was a kid back in the 70s but they were great trips. No noise or light pollution. On a cool, clear night the star gazing in fantastic. My wife wants me to make sure you know that she won't be at the primitive campsites but hopes you enjoy yourself and not to forget about the ice cream.

   For native Sarasotans, Myakka River State Park is a beloved point of pride. Most people never leave the beach when they come here for a visit and miss what the rest of Florida looks like. It is well worth your time to spend a few nights away from the beach and see what else makes this such a special place. This is a very popular spot and the campsites and cabins book up early especially for the Winter months. Reservations can be made 11 months in advance on the reserve America website.

Koreshan, as its referred to by locals…is a little gem neatly tucked away between U.S. 41, Corkscrew Rd. and the Estero River. The last decade or so has seen building and development at a ridiculous rate. Yet, when you pull into Koreshan Historic State Park…time slows down.

For its location, the park system was able to masterfully squeeze quite 60 sites in. There is plenty of scrub between you and your neighbor…you may hear them, but you won't see them. There is a centrally located showerhouse/bathroom that is more than adequate and well-maintained.

The park is only 135 acres, and a large percentage is taken by the small historic city built there at the turn of the 1900's. The buildings are pretty interesting, as is the beliefs these unusual folks held. History is, well…history…sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.

The trails are long, but interesting…especially through the various exotic and oriental vegetation.

Its the closest campground for me…so its a regular go-to when the itch comes. The big draw…the Estero River. Though built up on the north side with a trailer park…parts of the Estero feel remote and jungle-like. There are gators that populate the river…but if you don't mess with them…they won't mess with you. The river empties into the back bay…a short distance to the Gulf of Mexico through New Pass, Big Hickory Pall or Big Carlos Pass…all of which are stunning. Another historic site is close to the mouth of the Estero…Indian Mound Key. Check your tide charts, as the Estero is a tidal river…and fighting the current both directions doesn't make for a fun day. Kayaks don't really feel the effects, but canoes sure do. You can drop your boat in at the park, or rent one. Fishing is fantastic…and the aquatic wildlife is amazing! Manatee make their rounds (especially in cooler months).

If you forget supplies…don't sweat it…there is more shopping within a mile or two that would spin your head.

The only real negative for tent campers…other than the heat (which I love), is the traffic noise from U.S. 41. Its not obnoxious, but you do hear it.

Its a great stopping point in SW Florida!

Cayo Costa is truly getting away from everything. Primitive camping only, and reachable only by ferry (must reserve ahead) or private boat. There are a few cabins to rent, but very basic shelter with only a wood platform for sleeping. There are showers and restrooms - but bring a flashlight if its dark. No electricity. There are carts to load your gear in to get it off the dock from the ferry, and a golf cart/tram or truck will take you back to the camping area. Lots of areas to explore - don't forget to find the old cemetary. The beach is great, and the shelling is awesome. You can purchase wood for fires at the ranger station. Bring all of your food and water. There is nothing out there once the last ferry leaves for the day with the daytime beach goers you are alone! No seeums and mosquitos are plenty, especially on the beach, so bring spray. This is by far our favorite place to go camp and get away from it all. And there is no phone service ;)

One of the best beach camping experiences I've ever had. The campsites have a windblock of trees, so you cannot directly see the beach, but you can hear it. It is also only a 3 min walk to remote beach. Showers are cold and it is primative since you are on an island. Bring everything you need. They do sell ice. They have a nice tram/trolley dude that transports you and your stuff from the boat dock to the campground.

A group of us went down for the weekend in September. There were very few people camping and we had the tent section all to ourselves. We were 1 min from the beach with easy access to bathrooms and running water. Some of us also slept on the beach which was quite a treat. Great fishing as well. There were miles of trails and it was easy to get to and from the island. Even when we took a wrong turn getting back to the ferry, the ferry man waited for us and picked us up on a golf cart. The only thing was that the sea was a little "dirty" that time of year, but it was after a big storm.

There is so much to do ...or you can do nothing at all. Folks have mentioned a lot in the reviews I have read, so I'll just tell you my favorite "don't miss" thing to enjoy. When you are on the beach near the camp sites, and facing the water, go left and walk along the coast about a half hour + or -. You will come to a most spectacular beach spot. You'll know it when you get there. We had kayaked the other side of the island all morning going along the coast to mangroves where we shared the water with manatee and an alligator so we got a late start to the beach. It was 4:00 pm. We stayed till sunset, 8:00pm. I won't tell you everything so you can discover it for yourselves but don't miss it . It made the trip for us. Bring your head lap for the walk back. The camp site beach can be very populated but here we had it all to our selves. Spectacular! Btw we each had our own thermacell bug repelent device. Works great and is a must have. We were bug free but other campers were eaten alive, hundreds of bites.

Options to get to this camp ground is only by boat, ferry, or kayak. We kayaked out here for a night. Some sites have designated hammock posts which is helpful. And all sites are a short walk to the beach, ocean side. The docking station does provide transportation to the campsites otherwise it would be a long walk. So many no-see-ums!! Pack lots of bug spray and reapply often!

Bring your own boat or ride Tropic Star launch to the ranger station where a tram can take you 1 mile across the island to the beach front campsites. Fish, hike, swim and enjoy this primitive campsite area.