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Best Campgrounds near Cortez, FL

686 Reviews

Cortez, Florida offers several established campgrounds and RV resorts situated along the Gulf Coast, with options ranging from waterfront sites to palm-lined parks. Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort in Cortez provides boat-in and drive-in access for both tent and RV camping, while Holiday Cove RV Resort offers premium waterfront sites with boat slips. The area also includes developed camping options in nearby communities such as Bradenton, Saint Petersburg, and Sarasota, with both public and private campground options available year-round within 30 minutes of Cortez.

Camping areas near Cortez maintain consistent accessibility throughout the year due to Florida's mild climate, though summer months bring higher humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Most developed campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during winter months when snowbirds flock to the area. Sites at popular destinations like Buttonwood Inlet often fill months in advance. The proximity to water and beaches is a key attraction, with many campgrounds situated less than a mile from Gulf beaches or adjacent to canals and bays. "You can't beat the location, walkable to restaurants, a short drive or bike ride to beaches," noted one visitor about Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Cortez area, with several RV resorts offering canal or bay access. Campers frequently mention the convenience of being close to Anna Maria Island beaches while having a quieter home base. Sites at most developed campgrounds feature paved pads and full hookups, with amenities like swimming pools, dog parks, and clubhouses common at private resorts. "Sites are paved and level but small. Location is great, close to Anna Maria Island and Cortez restaurants," according to one review. The proximity to seafood restaurants and the historic fishing village of Cortez enhances the appeal for many campers. South Skyway Rest Stop offers a free alternative with Gulf views, though amenities are minimal compared to established campground options.

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Best Camping Sites Near Cortez, Florida (131)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    12 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. Encore Winter Quarters Manatee

    12 Reviews
    Palmetto, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Wonderfully situated around a lake. Good amenities and close to everything. Some highway traffic noise but nothing bad."

    "One of the two pools on the property provides a lovely view of the lake and a hot tub.The recreation hall is beautiful and has a lot of activities."

    3. Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Parrish, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 741-3028

    $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."

    "If you’re looking for a place to camp on the west coast of Florida that is quiet and has campsites that give you privacy, Lake Manatee State Park is a great choice."

    4. Turtle Beach Campground

    22 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 861-2267

    $120 / night

    "The best part of this campground would be the private access to the beach just steps away from any of the sites."

    "If you want to be steps from the beach and all that Siesta Key has to offer Turtle Beach State Park is for you.  Turtle Beach is a very small campground which is great if you don't like a crowd. "

    5. Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Bradenton Beach, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (941) 798-3090

    "Location is great, close to Anna Maria Island and Cortez restaurants"

    "You can't beat the location, walkable to restaurants, a short drive or bike ride to beaches. The park itself is well maintained and quiet minus the days they mow and pick-up the garbage."

    6. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 483-5956

    $26 / night

    "Like all the Florida state parks, the campground is well-maintained and clean. Lots of trails to explore, easy to launch my kayak from near my campsite."

    "Located just outside of Sarasota and on the edge of Nokomis. Very “old Florida” with lots of palm hammocks and scrub oaks. Cant say."

    7. Little Manatee River State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-5005

    $22 / night

    "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."

    "This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."

    8. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 361-6511

    $26 / night

    "Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private."

    "One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping."

    9. Sun N Fun RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Sarasota, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 371-2505

    "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."

    "Gorgeous location, so many things to do!!! Wish I could live herebyear round!"

    10. Arbor Terrace RV Resort, A Sun RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Bradenton, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 755-6494

    "Other than that, you're within driving distance to some of the most beautiful towns and beaches."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cortez, FL

150 Photos of 131 Cortez Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cortez, FL

686 Reviews of 131 Cortez Campgrounds

  • SukiDookie ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Cypress Creek Preserve

    Nice visit

    There are pot holes as you drive in that are kinda steep however nothing too serious. The spots are spacious and all other campers were respectful of noise volume and kept spots clean.

  • Zackary C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2025

    Edward Medard Park

    Edward Medard

    All the sites were just leveled. The roads re-paved. The bath houses re-done. #1 in the county now.

  • Zackary C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    EG Simmons

    Pretty bare campground. Shade is LIMITED. Good water views and paddle sport area. Not a lot of trails to walk or hike. Nice little beach spot by the playground in the back. East side bathhouse is clean but needs updated.

  • Lorilee S.
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    Clean campground

    This was our first visit. We came from Lake Kissimmmee and it’s definitely a different setting. It was quiet, the bathhouse was always clean and the camp hosts were nice. Our site was a pretty good size. Not much to walk or bike to, which is something we really enjoy. It was nice going to the lake and over to the boat ramp. Our site did not have shade.

    AT&T phone worked fine, internet was pretty slow. Which is fine because we unplug while camping. No laundry on site.

  • A
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Encore Terra Ceia

    Nice resort for short or long stay

    It looks a bit rundown from the first sight, but the amenities and infrastructure are really up to date, everything is clean, staff is friendly. Long term residents are also seem to t be nice. Newer (more expensive) spots don’t get too much shadow yet since the trees are still too young. Generally, I would recommend. Google reviews might be a bit outdated / misleading.

  • Zackary C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    October 2025

    It’s a beautiful campground. That’s a well maintained by The very friendly and helpful staff. The scenery and activities available at this part make it well worth the drive and work the stay.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Quiet, Clean, & Friendly

    Many of the lots are large & somewhat secluded. Trees for some shade. *Clean, friendly, & a gate code for safety. *Nothing can be tied to trees, including hammocks.

  • Stachianna K.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort

    Quiet evening

    We stayed in Buttonwood inlet for one night. It was super easy to pull and out and it was clean and quiet to camp from a 30’ class C. Plus there was plenty of green areas for the pups to so the whole family gives this a 5 star review.

Guide to Cortez

Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg offers accessible waterfront camping within 30 minutes of Cortez, Florida. The Florida Gulf Coast camping region maintains stable temperatures throughout winter with occasional afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. Near Cortez, both inland river campgrounds and coastal sites provide varied terrain options from oak hammocks to waterfront locations.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Fort De Soto Campground, campers regularly spot marine wildlife during their stays. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" reports Brennan H. The park's waterfront sites provide natural habitats where campers can observe Florida's diverse ecosystem.

Kayaking access: Palmetto Ridge Campground offers paddling opportunities on rivers and lakes for various skill levels. "Rivers and lakes for kayaking/canoe and we enjoyed the fishing and paddling," notes Travyl Couple. The campground serves as a launching point for exploring the Myakka waterways.

Hiking trails: Little Manatee River State Park features well-maintained paths for nature walks. "This park offers lots of beautiful nature trails, kayaking, biking & bird watching," explains Barbara A. Trail difficulty varies from short nature loops to longer routes through oak hammocks and riverside paths.

What campers like

Beach access: Turtle Beach Campground provides direct shoreline access rarely found at other area campgrounds. "The beach is at the end of the interior, two-way road that divides the campground. It is accessible only by foot... Beach was never crowded, even when the campground was full," shares L O. This setup allows campers to easily move between their sites and the Gulf.

Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at Oscar Scherer State Park. "The sites are quite large and private as the campground is mature with lots of native Florida foliage," explains Perry J. Site 20 gets specific mention as "secluded with lots of privacy and a view of the creek that runs through the campground," according to Deanna G.

Resort amenities: Sun N Fun RV Resort offers extensive facilities beyond standard campground features. "Gorgeous location, so many things to do!!! Wish I could live here year round!" exclaims Amber G. The resort includes "a two level gym with all the equipment you could hope for, and lots of activities for the residents," according to Alan R.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Sites at popular parks fill months in advance, particularly during winter. For Turtle Beach: "This is a great little spot with beach access that no other campground in the area offers... Very hard to get a space here so plan far ahead," advises Janet A.

Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds depending on site location. "I would not recommend tent camping near the road as we were woken up several times overnight by what sounded like cars racing on the road nearby," notes Aila R. about Turtle Beach Campground.

Flooding issues: After heavy rain, some campgrounds experience drainage problems. "The main road does flood severely. There was no flooding on the sites themselves but it did make it rather hard to walk throughout the grounds beyond your own site," reports Cole B. about camping at Lake Manatee State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cortez, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cortez, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Cortez, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cortez, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cortez, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 140 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cortez, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Cortez, FL.

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