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Located off the St. Petersburg coast, near the mouth of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the tiny islands that make up Fort De Soto County Park have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the islands were home to the Tocobaga peoples, who sustained themselves on local plants and seafood. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors began exploring Florida’s barrier islands and mainland, among them, Hernando de Soto. From the Civil War in the 1860s until the conclusion of World War II in the 1940s, the islands were used as military emplacements, first as a Union blockade, then as coastal defensive batteries. The islands finally became a state park in 1963 as an effort to preserve their long history, and provide a recreation area for locals and visitors. The park was designated America’s Top Beach in 2009, and sees more than 2.7 million annual visitors.
Fort DeSoto County Park reservations offer 238 sites for tent and RV campers. It is located on the St. Christopher and St. Jean Keys, approximately 10 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. The campground is mostly wooded, and divided up into three areas: Area 1 for tents, vans, and small campers, and Areas 2 and 3 for larger RVs. All sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. Comfort stations with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are located in each area; a dump station is located near Area 2. The campground also features a small store, dayroom, two playgrounds, and Wifi service; bike and kayak rentals are available. Dogs are permitted in Area 2 and the designated dog park only. Alcoholic beverages and gas-powered generators are not permitted in the park. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance; seven months for locals. Campsite rates are $36–$42/night.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on a visit to Fort DeSoto County Park, including visiting Fort DeSoto. Located on the southernmost point of Mullet Key, the historic military emplacement is open to the public for self-guided tours. Explore officers’ quarters, the bakery, the hospital and various other facilities. Look out across the Gulf of Mexico for the lighthouse, constructed in 1858, on neighboring Egmont Key. The park also features more than 7 miles of sparkling, white sand beaches, including East Beach and North Beach, for sunning and swimming. These can be reached via a paved, multi-use path from the campground. There are also boat launches, a fishing pier and a snack bar. As part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, bird watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.
A 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets.
$38 - $48 / night
Welcome to St. Petersburg Madeira Beach KOA Holiday!
Take a look around St. Petersburg KOA with our virtual tour.
Camp minutes from the Gulf Coast's sugar white beaches, bordered by the lush mangrove-lined bayou and Pinellas Trail. Offering spacious Deluxe Patio RV sites, secluded back-in RV sites and full hookup, 50amp, pull through sites. No RV? No problem! Leave the packing to us and stay in one of our Deluxe Cabins. Deluxe Cabins allow you to enjoy all the amenities of home with private bath, patio with a grill, fresh linens and many with a fully stocked kitchen.
Participate in the campground's endless activities all year round! Summer campers love our outdoor movies, themed weekends and fishing right from the dock. Active snowbirds stay busy during the winter months with a wide array of classes, including water aerobics, yoga, quilting and painting.
Campground amenities include: TWO hot tubs(our newest edition is a private area just for adults!), a crystal clear outdoor pool, sandy volleyball court, pet-friendly play area, shuffleboard and more. Rent a kayak and paddle the peaceful Long Bayou inland waterway; alive with herons, egrets, dolphins and other wildlife. If you are looking for some healthy fun, jog, walk, or bike the popular 38-mile Pinellas County Fitness Trail. Come and visit us in paradise!
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this Hillsborough River State Park Camping offers a refuge from city life with its seven miles of nature trails and ample places to cool off in the water.
Except for occasional reenactments, the cannon and guns are now silent at Fort Foster. No longer do Seminole Indians have to fight to keep a foothold in Florida, and soldiers no longer guard a strategic river crossing. The reconstructed fort and its surroundings are now part of Hillsborough River State Park.
Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Tucked away, only a short distance from the bustling city of Tampa, camping is a popular activity at Hillsborough River State Park.
$24 / night
Full hook up RV park with air conditioned club house and laundry facilities. Caladesi RV Park is nested in the heart of Palm Harbor, Florida, right on the Pinellas Trail, an exercise trail spanning from Tarpon Springs to Clearwater. The Caladesi RV Park is minutes from 5 Tampa Bay area beaches. Tons of shopping and restaurants withing walking distance. Trolley pick up on the property. Just 20 minutes from Tampa or St. Petersburg. 5 minutes to Honeymoon Island, where you can park your RV.
$45 - $75 / night
$24 / night
LMR1
$22 / night
$25 / night
One of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by boat, but is worth the extra effort. Whether it is a stroll along the island's pristine beaches or a kayak trip through the bayside mangrove forest, a trip to Caladesi Island is an unforgettable experience. Take a nature trail walk to the historic Scharrer Homestead through the island's interior and listen to the ocean breeze whisper through old-growth slash pines and feel the embrace of expansive live oaks. Discover why homesteader Myrtle Scharrer Betz called this place "Paradise" in her memoirs.
Caladesi Island State Park has a marina with floating docks with 30 amp electric service and water hookups. A covered pavilion with a grill is available for picnicking. A snack bar and gift shop is located in the marina. Three sites are ADA accessible.
The marina is a designated Clean Marina. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287. Reservations can be made online, first-come, first served in the marina.
$24 / night
Bay Bayou RV Resort has been located in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years. as you take time to look over our site you will find out all about us and what incredible things we have to offer!
We take pride in being recognized and awarded by Woodall’s and Trailer Life for having a beautifully landscaped resort including pool and patio areas.
The spacious clubhouse is newly decorated and available for your enjoyment. The more you learn about us the more you’ll want to visit!
Bay Bayou is known nationwide for having the “cleanest showers” of any Resort in the area.
Guide
We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida.
Scout
If I could give neg I would! The place is nothing but a bunch of trees, red ants, chickens and roosters! It’s surrounded by slaughter houses and one they found human bones. The husband was outside at night shooting the rats!!!! The owner was nasty to other guests while I was there! She acted crazy chasing and screaming a guest who was driving in the grass because there was no lighting. It’s like a junk yard. If you wanted a nice peaceful place to stay, this is not it! The roosters at 3 am and the pigs getting slaughtered and squealing! The place felt demonic! Very dark place. I didn’t feel safe at all and couldn’t wait til daylight to get out of there! Didn’t even stay the next night! Much better camping places in the area!
Scout
This was the first time we had camped at Fort De Soto and I was so excited because we planned it for my 61st birthday. However, the bugs were so bad. We set up camp with our tent and all our gear, the bugs became so bad we took it all down and went home.I love the fact that my two dogs could come, but the bugs are a no go. It was absolutely miserable. Other than that it’s a beautiful area so maybe we will try again in the winter. I live north of here in Pasco County and frequently bring my dogs down to the dog beach, which is absolutely beautiful. A shame the campground is so infested.
Scout
I recently had a wonderful experience at the St. 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. The cabins were equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay—fresh linens, a full kitchen, and even a private patio with a grill and fire ring. And they had a great view of the lush mangrove lined Long Bayou.
They loved the blend of cozy and convenient, making their getaway truly enjoyable. At the end of the road driving out of this campground is a great restaurant called Doe Doe's that makes a delicious homestyle breakfast if you don't want to cook it yourself.
Wanting to be close to them I opted for one of the small tent sites at the end of the park where I car camped in my Subaru Outback. It was a peaceful and charming spot, perfect for a relaxing camping experience - and away from more of the centrally located activities that people camping with children enjoy.
Overall, the amenities were top-notch, including the heated outdoor pool, bike and kayak rentals, and clean and large facilities. They have something called KampK9 which is a fenced in dog park area. Less than a mile away is Bay Pines Park which is nice to jog or ride your bike through and there is also a super Walmart nearby so you can stock up for your drive to the next campground. You also have easy access to the Gulf Coast's stunning beaches and the scenic Pinellas Trail.
Driving on the main road, and seeing the somewhat industrial area you pass through on your way down the small side street to this campground, you wouldn't expect much - but this KOA has been there for decades and is one of the nicest family campgrounds in the middle of a city I have experienced.
Scout
Unfortunately, the description is incorrect. This is no where near KEY Largo or the Everglades park. This is in the city of LARGO in Pinellas County. It's in Tampa Bay near the Gulf of Mexico.
Largo is a big and busy city and this park on Seminole Blvd. is nowhere near nature. Many people who park there actually live there in permanent trailers. It is an adults only park with a pet weight limit of 20 pounds.
Legend
We stayed in site 26, which was tucked back and fairly private. We planned on trail riding, but rain changed the plans. We didn’t get to explore much, but will be back. Nice long drive down to the sites. Electric and water were both great, and dump stations easy. Staff was extra friendly.
Traveler
The park is fantastic! The park rangers constantly ensured our safety and were very friendly and helpful. They made sure to keep us up to date regarding changes in weather and flooding. Oh, and the pricing to stay per week is amazing! It's a must-visit!
GuideI stay for 5day during the last week of July 2024. It was beautiful, I stayed at site 34 in had water view and access. So I was able to wake up early and walk 10step and I was on my SUP. Plenty of wild life & I was able to do some fishing and got a few spotted sea trout. Staff at the front desk, store and grounds were friendly and attentive. My site had water and electric and walking distance to a clean restroom.
Legend
A FCFS spot we had wanted didn’t pan out so we made a last minute online reservation here. Got a text with check in instructions and got there in time to hit the pool and grab ice cream at the super delicious ice cream place next door. East in and out and we were on our way the next day.
Scout
Horrible management, the president is a joke I will never stay again. The majority of the people that live in the park are nice but there are also a lot of nasty people, just horribly mean and very nosy. Terrible place!! Wish I could put 0 stars
Legend
We stayed for a long overnight on our maiden voyage with our new RV. It was a wet second day, but lots of fun. The kids enjoyed the slide (limited hours…ask ahead), and the warm pool was refreshing. Drinks were fair price ($8 for a Bloody Mary and $23 for a double gin and vodka cranberry). Food was good for apps at the pool.
We didn’t utilize the amenities outside of the pool, but will be back to play! We wish the sites (ours was q03) were more shaded, but worth having a nice easy pull thru spot. The guide to the site was a bonus!
Scout
This used to be such a great park when it was Ralph's. It's nothing but bad now. Feels like it's been taken over by some corporation that sits around discussing how much they can squeeze out of the elderly every month. There is no communication, no fairness, no consideration for residents. You simply pay more and more every month and then they come at you with the most ridiculous fees for things they made up (ask someone who lives here about their new "shed fee"). Horrible. I'm sad to see it go like this and I'm sure we will be selling due to the awful management/ownership they have in now. Preying on the elderly is not a good look....
Traveler
We were down for a funeral so we, unfortunately, didn’t spend any time in the park or campground. The park is absolutely gorgeous and we can’t wait to return in November for a week long stay. The roads in the campground are a little narrow so maneuvering a larger rig might take some time backing into sites but there were plenty of big rigs there so it is doable. The sites have picnic tables and a fire ring. As far as we could tell, all sites are sandy so I’m sure it would be a little messy after a rain with possible flooding. Our site was perfectly level with no side to side adjustments needed. Our loop was very shaded with gorgeous trees. The rangers were amazing and patrolled the campground on a regular basis. There is a huge pool but it was closed for renovations, opening sometime this summer. There is a small cafe with ice cream and you can rent kayaks or canoes to take a trip down a wonderfully, peaceful river. It was so clear that we could see fish swimming around. No swimming is allowed in the river because of gators but experienced paddle boarders would love the easy paddle. Lots of trails to hike as well.
Definitely a great place to stay right outside the Tampa area. Recommend highly.
ScoutThis place is going downhill fast! The new owners are beyond greedy. They raised the rent twice last year, management promised it wouldn't go up again for a couple years but then this year it goes up again! Now they're adding all kinds of fees every couple of months for the most outlandish things! Sheds, carports, washing machines, using anything but cash etc.
Do not bother with this place! They only see you as something to squeeze money from. It wasn't that way with the owners before them. They don't offer any improvements or new services to account for such a drastic rate increase or for how many fees they're adding either - it's purely for profit. Lawn care only happened a few times last winter when it's supposed to be once a week.
Go down the road, there's plenty of other parks way better and more fair than Ducky's!
Guide
Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
Scout
We came back to this gem and met with friends from Florida, we had our RVs next to each other and it was so much fun. We had a great time. Big thanks to the Linger Lodge RV Team, you do an excellent job! Everything is so clean and everybody is so friendly! We stayed at Linger Lodge RV Park for the first time and will definitely be back! We enjoyed every minute. The place was very clean, we loved the pool. The management was very accommodating and helpful. It was very nice to chat with him, he helped us find our lot and accommodate our trailer. We came late and he checked on us several times to make sure that we had everything we needed. We stayed on a River Site#37. Just be aware you are next to the River, there will be mosquitos at night. The gym is small but clean and has everything we needed. Staff was Amazing and check out the Restaurant!
ScoutWonderful Park, everything is very clean. We had a wonderful time. Did some great Art crafts in the afternoon and the chili, the manager made for the guests, on January 1st by the fire pit was absolutely delicious. The pool and Spa are spectacular. You are close to everything but you still feel like being far away. Everybody is very accommodating. Great Management, great Team! We will be back soon!
ScoutI stayed when visiting my family very wonderful
Legend
We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 132 for 3 days in mid April. The CG is very clean, well maintained, but relatively expensive. The CG is a mixture of long-term and transient folks. The roads are paved, but the sites are sandy, shelly gravel. The staff is friendly and very helpful. 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.
AT&T coverage was pretty good, with 3-4 bars of 5G service and speeds up to 11 MB/s. The CG has a lot of trees, but the sites in the front of the park are pretty open. We had no line-of-site to the DISH satellites, but did have an open view north, so Starlink usable, but the CG had WiFi and we were right across from the antenna, so we didn’t use Starlink. The CG WiFi achieved speeds up to 8 MB/s.
Traveler
Suncoast RV doesn't have a clubhouse and hasn't for years. It had propane gas leaks and the ceiling fell in. The Wifi doesn't work. Cable issues. Pool table has a shredded top, bent sticks, missing balls and cobwebs in the pockets. Pavilion is a storage area for the park. The park will tell you background checks are done. They aren't or they are ignored. Do a simple search online of registered sex offenders living in this family friendly park. The park manager's husband (has a different name than hers) and is one of the registered sex offenders living here. He is parked within feet of the pool and where kids play. The pool's heater is broken and they refuse to fix. The park floods and many people's units were destroyed in the fall of 2023. The park lied for years about building a new clubhouse and didn't put in for a permit until the end of 2023 according to Pasco County. The shower houses are closed down due to falling in and you have to use portable units that homeless wander into the park and use. The park wasn't maintained and at least 1 vehicle had a branch fall and crush their hood and shattered their windshield. People bring guest to live in their "pop-up" rooms outside. Laundry's washers can only be used on cold water. Full-time residents are what keep the park looking decent and they get targeted for speaking up. The public and the residents are being lied to and have been lied to. Suncoast RV and Gemstone Communities put out false and misleading material about what is being offered knowing fully that the listed items do not exist. And from what I am reading vacationers who pay don't get refunds. Park will also turn your water off and it is provided with your lot rent. A lot I can put here and I have taken tons of photos and videos of what is going on. It sounds like a class action lawsuit or an individual one might be needed or the government to get involved with the false and misleading information being put out on the internet about their amenities, services, buildings, and accommodations that are not provided. I provided a few photos and have a lot more on my phone.
Scout
Nice park, great residents. We had a park model for two seasons. December 2023, we'd been there about a month, our boxer dog caught parvo in the park. As soon as I realized she was sick, I let the park know. We were immediately kicked out. I had already been quarantining her, but they made me leave. It was Christmas time and my husband was in the hospital, they didn't care. It was so unnecessary and cruel. I wouldn't let my worst enemy stay there.
Guide
Large open area with great shade trees, no water, privy. Easy pull through for RV. Tent spots. Fire rings. Harley-Davidson approved . Golden Coral buffet in town.
ScoutThe ground are lovely and people are wonderful but the office management just ruins the experience. One of the ladies is a gossip who pics favorites and is openly mean to those she doesn't like. The atmosphere is oppressive. We were 6/6 residents for two seasons, we had to move somewhere else. I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase or stay for any length of time.
Ranger
No surprise on a military base but felt like a campground equivalent of base housing. Tight spots with full hook ups. Lots of snow birds, so getting in was a challenge. We had to show up without a reservation and take advantage of first come, first serve spots.
Full hook up (electric/water/sewer) and cable. No wifi (so weak it didn't work) and cell coverage almost non-existent (AT&T).
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. Gym not too far and massive.
Make sure you arrive at the base through the gate at the end of Dale Mabry, as it's the only gate campers can come thru. And be sure to go to the far right lane, even if it's got a red X showing the lane is closed. They will open the wider lane for you. You don't want to know why I know that or how close our Airstream was to the guard shacks if you don't go in the far lane!
Scout
Good place but only bad thing is power connection on boxes they have melted plugs I wouldn’t connect to it but other than that’s it’s a very good place I would of stood longer if that issue was fixed but never fixed it
LegendSmall spacious park. Restroom clean and showers, laundry $1.50 each. Firewood available to purchase. Lots of walking, biking, and hiking. Beautpark. Great camp hosts and ranger.
Traveler
We were lucky to grab a weekend spot thanks to a snowbird cancellation. Park rangers were great. Pine firewood available for $5 a bundle. (Not the greatest campfire fuel, but it works.) not heavily wooded as others have stated, but nicely private between most sites. Bathhouses were always clean in the AM and early PM. Options for basic, sand-based hikes. Great views from the lake and I am sure fishing is wonderful, though we did not try. 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.
Overall, we would stay on the outside of loop 2 for less than 4 nights of we came again.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clearwater, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 134 reviews.
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