185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Clearwater Beach, Florida ranges from full-hookup RV parks and resorts to limited tent sites, with boat-in access at locations up to 20 miles away. The St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA and Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA both offer cabin accommodations alongside RV and tent sites, while Fort De Soto Campground provides boat-in access approximately 20 miles south of Clearwater Beach. Most camping facilities in this area cater heavily to RV travelers with full hookup sites, though limited tent camping options exist at select locations within a 30-minute drive of the beach.
The subtropical climate allows for year-round camping, with most campgrounds operating continuously. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while winter offers milder temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. A recent review noted that "all you need with a small pool, but could in general be cleaner and in better shape" regarding Indian Rocks Travel Park, highlighting how amenities vary significantly across facilities. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during winter months when seasonal residents from northern states dramatically increase occupancy rates. Most campgrounds enforce pet policies with size restrictions and designated walking areas rather than traditional dog parks.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for camping in this region. Caladesi Island State Park offers a unique boat-in camping experience where, as one reviewer explained, "these camping 'sites' are really just boat slips which allowing you to overnight at the docks on the island." Sites closer to beaches typically command higher rates but provide convenient access to Gulf Coast attractions. Urban proximity means limited privacy between campsites at most facilities, with several reviews mentioning tight spacing between RVs. Campground amenities generally include swimming pools, shower facilities, and community gathering spaces rather than natural features like hiking trails or fishing ponds. Noise from nearby commercial areas impacts some locations, particularly those situated along major roadways like US-19 or Gulf to Bay Boulevard.
"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."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Great location 20 minutes from Clearwater beach. Plenty of good local places to eat. Friendly staff and guests. I highly recommend staying here"
"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."
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability"One of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Florida. It's around 650 acres with tons of boardwalks and hiking."
"Next to honeymoon island state park and just south of anclote Boat camping ONLY — tents/Rvs are not permitted.
First come/first serve boat slips, pet friendly (yay for dogs)"
from $24 / night
Check Availability"We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"There’s a place to fish, a place to chill on the dock and not fish, trees are everywhere and lots of random wildlife roaming around. Staff has been super friendly too."
"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. "
"It’s Florida so it’s a tight fit in every spot. The staff we’ve met so far have been very friendly and helpful. It’s close to a lot of fun places to go and great beaches to see."
"They have beach chairs near the water and a fire pit that they lit every evening near sunset. In addition to the Bark Park area, there is a nice wooded area where you can walk your dog as well. "
"We didn’t really explore the amenities as we were only in for a night but they looked nice from a distance. Bathrooms are ok."
from $75 - $129 / night
Check Availability
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
ScoutBeautiful 😁
ScoutGreat location
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
TravelerGreat fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
ScoutZephyrhills colony has new Management. It's like a breath of fresh air.A weight is lifted from our shoulders of constant harassment and being hawked at on a daily basis. The parking pads are beautiful.The construction crew did an excellent job and the yellow stripes on the roads are amazing.We are so thankful for this improvement in our park that we can be proud and happy at once and for all. I thank God for answered prayer personally.Now I can breathe now.I can live amen
ScoutThe campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
ScoutClose to beaches, beach parking is paid via campground fees. Quiet this time of year, fairly good size sites.
ScoutGreat place just know this campground has no shower house etc it’s just a nice quiet place with a beautiful sunset! Starlink works great
Fort De Soto Campground offers some of the only boat-in camping options near Clearwater Beach, Florida, approximately 20 miles south in Saint Petersburg. Winter months from November through March provide the most comfortable camping conditions with average temperatures ranging from 60-75°F. Most camping sites near Clearwater Beach require reservations 3-6 months in advance during peak winter season when northern visitors significantly increase occupancy.
Beach exploration: At Fort De Soto Campground, visitors can access pristine shorelines before day visitors arrive. "The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of secret trails, a dog beach, general store, historic walks, boat ramps, kayak access, and much more," notes Alyssa D.
Wildlife watching: Morning hours provide optimal wildlife viewing throughout the area. "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 of Birds!" reports Brennan H.
Kayaking mangrove tunnels: Several launch points near Caladesi Island State Park Campground provide access to protected waterways. "There's lots of great sandbars, and mangrove tunnels for kayaking. At times it's a pretty much deserted island with lots of wildlife to watch!" explains Robin M.
Cycling trails: The Pinellas Trail connects multiple campgrounds in the region. "Great inner city spot. Friendly staff and the grounds are bigger then expected. They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run. The bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs," shares Doug E.
Waterfront access: The St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers water views and fishing opportunities. "Located on the water. Lots to do. Great for kids & pets," mentions Virginia D. Another camper adds, "There is a fishing dock near where we stayed. Lots of catfish."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness ranks high in camper reviews across the region. "Bathrooms are modern & clean. Great heated pool & hot tubs. Staff is excellent," notes Hope L. about St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday.
Extended stay options: Many campgrounds accommodate longer visits during winter months. "We come back every January & it always feels like home!" shares Hope L. about seasonal camping at the St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA.
City proximity: Camping near Clearwater Beach provides urban convenience with natural surroundings. "Great inner city spot. Full hook ups for RVs and separate tent area. Has a small shallow marina. Great for Kayaks, canoeing... etc," explains Doug E.
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds have tightly arranged sites, especially for RVs. "Sites are smashed together and no privacy. Some sites back up to the mangroves which is nice but that's about it," reports Angela M. about her stay at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA.
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in winter. A visitor to Caladesi RV Park noted, "The lots have space. They are not on top of each other. The lots, bathrooms and laundry room are all kept clean and well stocked."
Boat camping limitations: Caladesi Island requires boat access with no tent camping allowed. "These camping 'sites' are really just boat slips which allow you to overnight at the docks on the island," explains Elliott B., noting limitations for overnight stays.
Price variations: Winter rates increase substantially, with some RV sites doubling in cost. "Stayed for Memorial Day weekend. Used KOA discount card and still a little over $100 a night," reports Tammy P. about peak pricing.
Book dog-friendly loops: Fort De Soto Campground has designated pet loops with specific requirements. "There are three loops, one for guests with pets. BRING YOUR RABIES VACCINE PAPERS!" advises David G.
Consider cabins for convenience: Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA offers cabin rentals as alternatives to tent camping. One visitor noted, "We rented a cabin this time. They have different layouts and sizes. Pets are welcome on the grounds."
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer playground equipment and recreational facilities. Joe R. describes Fort De Soto: "There is a playground with 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."
Plan for insects: Bug protection is essential, especially at waterfront sites. "Great spot for relaxing by the water. Highly recommend. Bring good bug spray lol," advises David B. about Fort De Soto Campground.
Site selection strategies: Bay Bayou RV Resort offers varying site sizes but requires advance planning. "Immaculate grounds, clean and modern bath houses, three laundry rooms. Very dog friendly with doggy bag stations and dog parks. Right on the bayou with a kayak launch and docks for fishing and relaxing," reports Mary G.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roadways. "This park was okay, but we were at the front and the road noise was bad. Lots of sirens and traffic. It was noticeably quieter at the back of the campground," advises Tina about Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA.
Laundry facilities: Multiple laundry options exist at larger resorts. "Immaculate grounds, clean and modern bath houses, three laundry rooms," notes Mary G. about Bay Bayou RV Resort.
Tight turning clearance: Several campgrounds have challenging entry points for larger rigs. "Be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns," warns Ray P. about navigating Encore Vacation Village.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there campgrounds directly on Clearwater Beach in Florida?
There are no campgrounds located directly on Clearwater Beach itself. The closest camping option is Fort De Soto Campground, approximately 45 minutes south, which offers beachfront camping with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and water/electric hookups. For a unique beach camping experience, consider Shell Key Preserve, accessible only by boat, where you can enjoy pristine beaches and wildlife viewing. While not directly on Clearwater Beach, these options provide quality coastal camping experiences in the vicinity.
How much does camping cost at Clearwater Beach campgrounds?
Camping costs near Clearwater Beach vary by amenities and season. At Lake Manatee State Park Campground, sites typically range from $18-22 per night with water and electric hookups. Withlacoochee River Park offers more budget-friendly options, with primitive sites starting around $15 and RV sites with utilities for $23-30 per night. Most campgrounds in the area require an additional reservation fee of $6.70, and many offer discounts for Florida residents and seniors. During peak winter season (January-March), prices may increase by 10-30%.
What RV parks and resorts are available near Clearwater Beach?
Caladesi RV Park is a highly recommended option about 20 minutes from Clearwater Beach, offering clean, well-maintained facilities and a friendly atmosphere. Encore Terra Ceia in Palmetto is pet-friendly and provides easy access to Gulf beaches with convenient proximity to Tampa and Sarasota. Other options include Clearwater Travel Resort, Dunedin RV Resort, and Indian Rocks Travel Park, all within 15-30 minutes of Clearwater Beach. Most RV parks in the area offer full hookups, laundry facilities, and community spaces, with many providing seasonal activities and entertainment.
Keep Exploring
