Fort De Soto Campground and E.G. Simmons Regional Park allow dogs with specific policies for campers traveling with pets near Apollo Beach. Both campgrounds offer water-adjacent sites where pets can stay in tents, RVs, or cabins with their owners, though leash requirements are strictly enforced throughout all camping areas. Little Manatee River State Park Campground provides designated pet-friendly campsites with electric hookups and water access, making it suitable for extended stays with dogs. The campgrounds maintain clean grounds with sanitary stations, which helps ensure a comfortable experience for pet owners. Sites at E.G. Simmons are frequently waterfront, providing easy water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, though the park does experience issues with raccoons that can disturb pet food.
Hillsborough County E.G. Simmons Regional Park offers extensive saltwater access surrounded by mangroves, creating ideal exploration opportunities for pet owners with kayaks or boats. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park's trail system, with most paths providing paved surfaces excellent for daily walks. The no-see-ums can be particularly bothersome to both pets and owners during early mornings and at dusk, requiring appropriate pest protection for comfortable camping. Lake Manatee State Park Campground provides additional pet-friendly options with thirty-amp hookups and accessible water for swimming. Owners should be prepared for wildlife encounters as raccoons at E.G. Simmons are particularly persistent and not afraid of people or pets. The parks enforce quiet hours to minimize disturbances from barking, with nearby veterinary services available in Ruskin and Apollo Beach for emergency pet care.
$38 - $48 / night
"Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."
"It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites."
$22 / night
"Pet friendly and there is a trailhead about a half a mile outside of the campground. We didnt see a single person in this 7 mile loop hike and were very pleased with that."
"A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again."
$24 / night
"Amazing water access and dog friendly! The staff and rangers are kind and helpful. During our stay, there was E. coli in water which means water activities and fishing were restricted."
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
$24 - $109 / night
"Beautiful scenery and trails. Canoe and kayak outpost. The Outpost peacock named Elvis hung around with us! Dog park for my pup was fantastic and well maintained."
"It’s also located right off the highway, so you get all the noise. All day and all night. Now, for canoe and kayak trips, I guess it’s a good spot. There’s a lot of folk that come just for that."
"There’s a small dog beach and two dog parks. Laundry facilities are centrally located. Cable is included."
"Close to a small beach and marina with a restaurant walking distance. Several dog parks but muddy/dirt. Laundry available for fee. Bath houses clean and large. Good amenities on base."
$22 / night
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"
$22 / night
"Was bordered by the camp road and the bike/walking path so often noisy with no sense of privacy. Bad mosquitoes, but to be expected."
"The sites are private and there’s playground and a beautiful lake for boating/ no swimming! Nice walking paths, dog friendly."
$24 / night
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
"Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."
$24 / night
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."
"Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting."
"Most every one has a dog or two. Everyone obeys the dog rules, not one dog barks excessively. All the campers are courteous about each other and are quiet."
ScoutBeautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.
LegendOne 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.
We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.
Amazing views.
Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
GuideThis is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.
GuideLithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
GuideNice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!
GuideThis park is full of great adventures. If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river. You may even have the opportunity to catch site of some alligators as this river is very populated with them. There is also a cute shop and cafe so if your not feeling up to cooking, you can head there. At the shop you have the opportunity to swim in the pool, rent kayaks, canoes, and bikes. I also love that they are pet friendly. I take my dog everywhere (and sometimes my cat) and they enjoyed the trails just as much as I did!
GuideThis campground was adequate and very close to I-4. Sites are accommodating and clean. Pool and restaurant on site. If you have a dog they have a couple of dog parks on site buy I would recommend sites 36, 37 or 38. Large grass area for your own private dog area.
Fort De Soto Campground and nearby Hillsborough River State Park Campground provide seasonal camping options near Apollo Beach with varying levels of privacy between sites. Winter months from October through March typically offer more moderate temperatures for tent camping, while summer months often reach 90°F with high humidity. Natural tree coverage at select locations provides essential shade during Florida's hot seasons, though availability varies significantly between campgrounds.
Kayaking through mangroves: At E.G. Simmons Regional Park, the mangrove canals create an excellent paddling environment. "Great place to paddle a kayak in the Mangrove canals. Right on Tampa Bay. Public swim area and picnic area. Lots of paved roads which was great for biking," notes Bran P.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: Alafia River State Park Campground maintains specialized biking trails for various skill levels. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," reports Jennifer T.
Canoeing trips with rental equipment: Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River offers guided and self-guided river trips. "We stayed for 3 nights over Memorial Day weekend. Campground was quiet & restrooms were clean. We rented canoes & kayaks, and had a fun day on the river. Employees were very nice & helpful!" according to Annabelle.
Swimming in natural springs: Lithia Springs Conservation Park features a natural spring for swimming. "Very well kept up groundskeeper. Meeting mike at the gate to the park so so nice. Only waited for a short time to have a spot and enjoy the park. The spring area so nice the sound of the breeze through the trees, just wow!" writes holy O.
Waterfront camping access: Little Manatee River State Park Campground provides direct river access for fishing and paddling. "Great little campground, clean with good natural foliage dividers between campsites. Nice walking trails, & a gentle river for an easy paddle," shares Nicole D.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report significant wildlife sightings. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons oftons of Birds!" states Brennan H.
Clean, maintained facilities: Hillsborough River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "We needed a campsite near Tampa FL for a few days to meet friends visiting the area from up north. Being a Floridian, we've experienced FL's state parks and found them to offer privacy between sites. We weren't disappointed with Hillsboro River State Park," says Rick G.
Large, spacious sites: E.G. Simmons provides generous camping areas. "E.G. Simmons is superb place to enjoy camp for a quiet time or with family and friends. Very spacious and variety camp sites to choose from. Clean grounds including bathrooms and staff are the friendliest,kindest people," notes Rebecca D.
No-see-ums can be intense: These tiny biting insects are a consistent challenge. "Okay so maybe the title isn't very nice but that is what stands out to me when I think of this campground. The sites are very large and there is water and electric hook-ups and a dump station nearby. you really cannot stay outside at dusk," explains Christy C. about E.G. Simmons.
Heat management is essential: Several campgrounds lack sufficient shade. "hot, hot, hot. and not in a good way. not a lot of shade. lots of no-see-ums so bring a bug repellent and apply religiously, or else. bathrooms are a good point," warns Nate D.
Campground noise varies by location: Lake Manatee State Park Campground experiences noise from a nearby racetrack. "We were lucky to grab a weekend spot thanks to a snowbird cancellation. Park rangers were great. I will say that the racetrack nearby made the location a bit unsettling, but we were thankful that the drivers were only doing quarter mile runs. Cars ran from 8am to 11pm, it seems," shares Amy P.
Highway proximity affects some sites: Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River sits near a major road. "PROS: lots of trees and shade, near river. CONS: right next to a highway/ large road with TONS of traffic noise. A fair amount of trash scattered around the campground, and a portapotty right on our site," writes Kathy L.
Playground amenities: Fort De Soto Campground provides quality play equipment. "The playground has good swings and also a sturdy playground that offered plenty of opportunity for my four year old to blow off some steam. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent," explains Joe R.
Firefly viewing spots: Hillsborough River State Park offers a unique seasonal experience. "A beautiful park that is a real taste of old Florida, with a campground that is completely shaded by oak trees. At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," notes Jason D.
Pet friendly camping areas: Most campgrounds near Apollo Beach accommodate pets with specific restrictions. "Pup friendly at the campsites as well," confirms Jennifer T. about Alafia River State Park Campground.
Nature programs and activities: St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday provides structured recreation. "They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board,dog run. There are the typical bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs," shares Doug E.
Water and electric hookups: Most campgrounds offer basic RV services. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents," notes AJ G. about Alafia River State Park Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for maximum separation. "Really enjoyed our stay here, good size lot, #10, with electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. Clean dump station. Natural trees providing privacy between lots," advises Patti D.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during winter months. "Tampa is not too far away, but the park is kind of removed. The campground was small with about 30 sites, dispersed," shares Mary H. about Little Manatee River State Park.
Low water pressure concerns: Some services may be limited. "Well we just got here but it is beautiful so far. Love the site, sunset, and stars. Low water pressure," notes Bryan about Alafia River State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Apollo Beach, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Apollo Beach, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 141 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Apollo Beach, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 182 dog-friendly camping locations near Apollo Beach, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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