Best Campgrounds near Clearwater Beach, FL

Several camping spots are found near Clearwater Beach in Florida, giving visitors a chance to sleep close to the coast. Little Manatee River State Park Campground draws many campers with its tree-lined sites and river access where you can fish or paddle a kayak. Kids have plenty to do at the area campgrounds, which helps parents keep everyone happy during their trip. Just a short drive away, Fort De Soto Campground puts you right by the beach with the added bonus of tours at the old fort. You'll find basic needs covered with bathrooms, shower buildings, and tables for meals at most parks. Caladesi Island State Park Campground sits on one of the few barrier islands that hasn't been built up with hotels and houses. The island has walking paths and wooden walkways that take you through natural areas. Most camping areas can be reached with regular cars without any trouble. The exception is Caladesi Island, which requires a boat ride to reach. Winter and spring (November through April) work best for camping around Clearwater Beach since you'll avoid the really hot, humid summer weather. If you camp during summer, plan your activities for early or late in the day when it's cooler. Be aware that some campgrounds change their hours or close certain facilities during slow seasons. Some campsites have good tree cover for privacy while others are more open. Bug spray is a good idea, especially if you're staying in wooded sites where mosquitoes can be a problem. Clearwater Beach has enough different camping spots that most people can find something that works for them.

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Best Camping Sites Near Clearwater Beach, Florida (174)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    25 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
    11 miles
    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. Caladesi RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Palm Harbor, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 784-3622

    $45 - $75 / night

    "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."

    4. Caladesi Island State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Dunedin, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 469-5918

    $24 / night

    "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)"

    5. Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA

    6 Reviews
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 937-8412

    $25 / night

    "We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."

    6. Encore Vacation Village

    5 Reviews
    Largo, FL
    8 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!"

    7. Bay Bayou RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Oldsmar, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 855-1000

    "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."

    8. Clearwater RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Clearwater, FL
    7 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. "

    9. Indian Rocks Travel Park

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

    10. Dunedin RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Dunedin, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 784-3719

    $75 - $129 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Clearwater Beach, FL

720 Reviews of 174 Clearwater Beach Campgrounds


  • SukiDookie ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area

    Very quiet and peaceful

    We were the only ones there for the weekend, probably because of the summer heat. However, it was nice and free. There is a porta-potty, but I didn’t check it out, so I’m not sure about the cleanliness. The grounds were nicely maintained, though. I do wish the fire rings weren’t so damaged, and the lack of trash cans was surprising. Just take your trash with you, leave no trace, and it was an enjoyable and free experience!

  • N
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Sundance Lakes RV Resort

    They don't care about their residents!

    I lived in this park full-time for 2½ years when Hurricane Helene submerged it under 3½ feet of water. The damage left the park without power for months, forcing us to move out and causing tremendous expenses. During that time, the park made no effort to assist or support the residents in any way. 

    When I applied for FEMA assistance, I was told I needed a simple letter from the park confirming the extended power outage. They refused to provide it, even though it would have cost them nothing and could have helped residents like me recover some of our losses. 

    Instead of showing compassion or accountability, they chose to do nothing. The staff at this park are unprofessional, unhelpful, and unwilling to take responsibility. It was a deeply disappointing experience, and I would never recommend living here.

  • Julia Marie H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Encore Vacation Village

    Mosquitoes beware

    This is a mosquito heaven!!! Being bug spray or candles! You will see a large amount of bugs in your area…. They used to spray. But now they don’t… with a pond down the street there is No end in site for air borne bug issues.

  • Jackie S.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Gulfbreeze RV Park

    Great little cozy park

    Everyone here treats you like family here

  • C
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Bay Bayou RV Resort

    Excellent clean campground

    Excellent clean campground with great service.

  • Bunkwanaringümü D.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Lake Rogers Park

    No longer for Camping

    This site no longer permits camping from my experience. I did camp there one night and nobody said anything but upon camping the second night I was told it’s no longer a public campground. Other than that it was a beautiful place.

  • April L.
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Oak Ridge Primitive Campground

    Nice

    It's nice quiet clean close to Publix and gas station, trails are not really maintained but great for horses. Camping is ok I guess .

  • Diana S.
    Jun. 18, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Great camping and spring

    Camping here is always good. The rangers here are very friendly. The bathrooms are decent. Lots of shade at the campsites. We've been camping here off and on for the last year.

  • Lorilee S.
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    Nice campground

    To start with, the state park employees were fantastic!! Our site was spacious. It did not flood when we had torrential downpours for a few hours one night. Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus! It’s nice and dark at night.


Guide to Clearwater Beach

Camping near Clearwater Beach, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Fishing: Many campers enjoy kayaking and fishing in the nearby waters. One visitor at E.G. Simmons Regional Park mentioned, "The kayaking is amazing in this park, you will see a lot of wildlife like manatees and dolphins."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. A camper shared, "We come out to Starkey all the time, for the hiking and for the on and off road biking."
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and sand at nearby beaches. A reviewer at Fort De Soto Campground said, "I love coming here when I am in St. Pete! They have a dog beach too!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Little Manatee River State Park Campground noted, "Clean restrooms and showers with HC ones."
  • Dog-Friendly Areas: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier for families to bring their furry friends. A reviewer at Fort De Soto Campground mentioned, "I love the fact that my two dogs could come."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River said, "John & Eric were superb from start til end."

What you should know:

  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially during warmer months. One camper at Fort De Soto Campground warned, "The bugs were so bad... it was absolutely miserable."
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA mentioned, "Traffic to the city was a pain, and parking was iffy at best."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A reviewer at Caladesi RV Park pointed out, "The facilities are there, but not spectacular."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with activities for kids. A camper at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA said, "The pool area needs to be pressure washed, but the area has a ton of things to do."
  • Pack for the Beach: Bring beach gear for a fun day in the sun. A visitor at Fort De Soto Campground enjoyed the "natural beach without all the noise and crowds."
  • Plan for Outdoor Activities: Make sure to have outdoor games and activities ready. A reviewer at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River mentioned, "Beautiful old oak trees with lots of shade."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A camper at Lazydays RV Resort noted, "The CG is old and needs to be upgraded to better accommodate today's larger rigs."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during holidays. A visitor at MacDill AFB FamCamp shared, "The winter season is October-April and the campground gets extremely full."
  • Bring Bug Spray: Protect yourself from bugs, especially in warmer months. A reviewer at E.G. Simmons Regional Park advised, "Bring citronella candles."

Camping near Clearwater Beach, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

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.