Best Campgrounds near Clearwater, FL
The coastal region surrounding Clearwater, Florida features a mix of established RV resorts and waterfront camping options within a 30-minute drive of the city. Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg stands out with waterfront sites and natural surroundings, while several private RV parks like Caladesi RV Park and Clearwater RV Resort cater to visitors seeking proximity to Gulf beaches. Camping styles range from full-hookup RV sites to boat-in primitive camping at Caladesi Island State Park, accessible only by water. The St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers family-friendly amenities including cabins and tent sites in a surprisingly natural setting despite its urban location.
Advance reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Clearwater area, particularly during winter months when seasonal visitors fill facilities. Florida's subtropical climate makes camping viable year-round, though summer brings high humidity, frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and mosquitoes. As one camper noted, "The sites are a little tight but that's normal for most of Florida, specially in a heavy populated area like Clearwater." Many RV parks maintain strict rules regarding fires, with some prohibiting open flames entirely. Proximity to beaches and urban amenities comes with trade-offs, including highway noise at some locations and relatively small camping spaces compared to more remote Florida campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing opportunities remain surprisingly abundant despite the urban setting. Campers at waterfront sites report seeing dolphins, stingrays, and manatees, particularly at Fort De Soto Park where natural buffers between campsites create privacy. "We were greeted by dolphins, stingrays and manatees," noted one Fort De Soto visitor. Most developed campgrounds provide clean facilities with showers and laundry, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private resorts. For those seeking more natural surroundings, the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve and Starkey Wilderness Preserve offer primitive camping options within an hour's drive, providing access to hiking trails and a more secluded experience than the coastal campgrounds closer to Clearwater.
