Encore Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort
Beautiful pools and showers, washer and dryer on site are only like $2.50 each and very nice! They’ve done a lot of recent updates
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
The coastal city of Dunedin, Florida anchors a diverse camping landscape that extends from island-based boat-in sites to full-service RV resorts. Caladesi Island State Park Campground, accessible only by water, offers primitive camping with stunning Gulf views and wildlife observation opportunities. Within city limits, Dunedin RV Resort provides year-round accommodations with full hookups and amenities like picnic tables and a market. The surrounding area includes additional options such as Anclote Key Preserve State Park for boat-in camping, Caladesi RV Park in nearby Palm Harbor, and the highly-rated Fort De Soto Campground about 30 miles south in Saint Petersburg, known for its waterfront sites and natural setting.
Reservation requirements vary significantly across the region, with most state parks and established campgrounds requiring advance booking, especially during winter months when snowbirds flock to the area. As one camper noted at Shell Key Preserve, "Campfires are not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting." Florida's subtropical climate means high humidity and mosquito activity from May through September, while winter brings milder temperatures and lower humidity. Boat-in sites at Caladesi and Anclote Key require proper planning for water transportation and supplies. Highway noise affects some mainland campgrounds, particularly those near major roads, though sites at Fort De Soto are noted for feeling "detached from the city" despite their proximity to urban areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank high among camper experiences in the region. Fort De Soto visitors report seeing "dolphins, stingrays and manatees" near their waterfront sites. Shade availability varies considerably between campgrounds, with established sites at Hillsborough River State Park offering "a perfect canopy of trees" while newer facilities may lack mature tree cover. The St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA provides "a view of the lush mangrove lined Long Bayou" from some sites. Proximity to the Pinellas Trail and Gulf beaches serves as a major draw for cyclists and beachgoers, with several campgrounds offering bike rentals and easy access to water recreation. Most RV parks in the area maintain clean facilities with cement pads and full hookups.
"The trail is right here for biking and the beach is a quick bike ride south."
"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
"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
"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."
"We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."
from $45 - $120 / 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)"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"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."
"The location is excellent — just a few miles from Tarpon Springs and a little farther to Dunedin, Honeymoon Island, etc., right off Alt 19. We stayed in spot 117."
"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."
"Short boat ride out to what felt like a secluded island, back when florida was all natural. We had the whole place to ourselves. Camping is definitely pack in pack out."
"Spend your day swimming and sunbathing at the beach or kayaking around the island."
"Great get away in west-central Florida as a day trip or long weekend stay.
We spent the day hiking the numerous off-road trails and enjoying some of the amenities the park has to offer.""3.2 mile hike through mostly open Florida pine forest with the occasional swamp. Perfect time of year to come. Site has great shade and opens up at the fire pit for great star gazing."
"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. "










Beautiful pools and showers, washer and dryer on site are only like $2.50 each and very nice! They’ve done a lot of recent updates
The bayou site are excellent. Reasonably level, nice patios, and a bit of a view. The staff are nice and helpful. They seem to have a section for those of us who are not snowbirds.
On my never-ending pursuit of finding the most perfect campground on earth ... I may have just landed it! Fort DeSoto State Park Campground, which rests at the southernmost edge of Pinellas County, reached by crossing a series of causeways from St. Petersburg until the land simply runs out and the Gulf of Mexico (as my friend John Cougar Mellencamp recently point out - not Gulf of ‘Merika) takes over. First impressions are pure Florida magic with palm-lined roads, sweeping water views of translucent aqua blue shimmering in the sun all accompanied by a salty breeze that makes you feel like vacation has officially begun. The campground itself is spread across a low-lying coastal landscape with mangroves, dunes and open skies punctuated by cotton candy clouds, and despite its popularity, this tri-loop campground haven manages to feel relaxed and unhurried if you pick your timing right.
This archipelago is shaped like a boomerang with 3 distinct campground loops – each with its own vibe, layout, amenities and overall character (more on this later) – leaving one with the impression that Fort DeSoto is both incredibly spacious as well as incredibly well-organized, offering a mix of waterfront and interior sites with paved pads, picnic tables, stand-up grills and access to modern bathhouses that are generally clean and well maintained. Many sites offer electric and water hookups, with a dump station available for RV travelers. Navigation through the one-way loops is straightforward, pets are welcome and the overall layout feels intentionally designed to handle high traffic without feeling chaotic. While there’s but just a modest playground on-site, there are much more amenities for the kids on North Beach, but throughout the campground area, the sheer amount of open space, bike paths, beach side access to inlets that will allow you to make the most out of being this close to the Gulf more than compensates for families.
What truly sets Fort DeSoto apart is everything just outside your campsite. Miles of white sand beaches wrap around the park, including North Beach which is frequently ranked among the best beaches in the country (note: not county ... country). Kayaking trails wind through calm mangrove tunnels, fishing piers stretch into Tampa Bay, and biking loops circle the entire park. History lovers can explore the restored fort and military ruins, while birders will find plenty to admire along the shoreline. For supplies, you’re about 15 minutes from Tierra Verde Market, Publix and a Walmart Supercenter on Pinellas Bayway as well as a handful of casual eateries like Billy’s Stone Crab and Sea Hags if cooking feels optional.
Trying to find out which 1 of the 3 loops might be best for you? I’ll try to break this down. First, of all, my brother and I stayed in Area #1, so let me begin there, not only because numerically that’s where we should begin, but also because I’m the most familiar with this loop, which consists of sites numbered #1-85. If you’re looking not just for ocean views with Gulf access – because like me, you’ve brought a kayak / canoe – then Area #1 for this solo reason is why you want to book here. And while it’s true that you likely could access water in Area #2, you’ll have to go the long way around to access the Gulf. Back to Area #1, I found this simple, single loop offering sites excellent in size, with TONS of shade (no need to bring your shelter to blot out the sun, although not a bad idea to have it handy in case of rain) and decent length long ‘driveways’ with which to pull in and set up camp, whether you’re packing tents (like me) or pulling in with your RV or sprinter van. Seriously, the scenery alone here in Area #1(at least sites #1-34) cannot be beaten with direct views of the Gulf, which you can access in less than 20 paces from where you’ve pitched your tent or parked for the night.
Each site is equipped with electric and water and for RVs needing sewage, there’s a spot as you exit prior to arriving at the ranger station that will accommodate you. The restroom and shower facilities in Area#1 are the best that I’ve ever seen in the state of Florida (which is saying something as I’ve camped in more than 100 spots here in the Sunshine state) – and wonder if this is because CG Hosts (versus FL state employees) are charged with keeping the CG clean?! – with very hot water (sometimes TOO hot) and lots of pressure would be an accurate description. Area #2 IMHO is somewhat cramped, very RV populated, with sites that are fairly crowded, yet heavily shaded with amenities that are similar to Area #1, albeit slightly more outdated; however, if you come with pets in tow, this is the ONLY area that will welcome you here at Fort DeSoto CG. Lastly, Area #3 has AMAZING water views, but given the seawall that surrounds this portion of the island, you won’t be able to actually access the water unless you dock your boat somehow to the wall and don’t mind jumping up 4-6 feet down to access your vessel. I found the sites here to be fine, although like Area #2, somewhat crowded, but yet still offering very good shade with restroom and shower facilities to be on par with the rest of the park. The best sites over here would be those from #197– 233 that look northernly towards the Gulf offering nothing short of AMAZING sunsets on the water.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) Waterfront sites in Loop 2 and Loop 3 are the most coveted for sunset views and breezes, but they book fast; (2) Bring bikes as this park is tailor-made for cruising on two wheels with flat, scenic loops in and around the campground area, but the best biking will be had once heading out past the ranger station to explore the larger areas of the island, where East Beach is worth a glide by (especially to watch the kite surfers where wind is at its strongest), but it’s North Beach that will have you stopping for a longer spell; (3) Kayaking through the mangroves on a calm morning is a must, especially for wildlife sightings; however, our absolute favorite moment of the entire trip was crossing the strong currents of shipping lanes to make it all the way to Shell Key, which apart from a few pensioners getting sunburnt in their beach chairs and an errant fishing boat or two, we had the entire island to ourselves … EASTER EGG: I’m a fairly solid kayaker and love oaring and with these strong currents, it IS manageable to cross, but you’ll want to plan on at least 1 hour of non-stop, albeit scenic oaring to make it to Shell Key; (4) Afternoon storms roll through quickly in summer, so plan beach time early and camp dinners later; (5) North Beach on the northernmost edge tends to be quieter and more family-friendly than the busier east-facing beaches near the fort; (6) If you’re visiting during peak season, weekday stays are noticeably calmer than weekends; and (7) When heading to the restroom facilities you will come across what is likely the largest sign I have ever seen in any campground WARNING YOU OF RACCOONS and, trust me, you want to HEED THIS SIGN as these black-eyed bandits are EVERYWHERE and not afraid to come right up to your tent and look in or right up to you sitting next to your campfire while looking for something to eat or steal, so be incredibly careful and PACK UP EVERYTHING whenever it’s not being used EVEN IN DAYLIGHT HOURS.
In sum, I absolutely loved this campground and will now be comparing every single one I visit to Fort DeSoto Campground.
Happy Camping!
Showers and bathrooms are closed
Quiet. 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
Beautiful 😁
Great location
Great fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
Zephyrhills 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
Camping spots near Dunedin, Florida range from primitive island experiences to full-service RV parks within a 30-mile radius. The subtropical climate creates distinct camping seasons, with November through April offering lower humidity and temperatures averaging 60-75°F. Water access sites along the Gulf Coast provide opportunities for wildlife viewing year-round, with sea turtle nesting season restrictions between May and October.
Explore island trails: At Caladesi Island State Park Campground, accessible only by water, visitors can enjoy secluded beaches and nature paths. "You can only access this island by boat or ferry from honey moon island. we have always accessed it via kayak from the causeway leading to honeymoon island. there's lots of great sandbars, and mangrove tunnels for kayaking," notes one camper.
Fish from waterfront sites: Waterfront camping at Hickory Point RV Park offers direct access to the Anclote River. "We had a waterfront site, great campground. Spendy but worth it. Has boat launch, waterfront community area, volleyball, small beach, dock, etc. Short drive from downtown Tarpon Springs and several beaches," reports a visitor.
Cycle extensive trail networks: The Pinellas Trail connects many camping areas, with Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offering both paved and natural cycling paths. "Large, beautiful campground with miles of trails, natural and paved for cycling. Nature education center for children. Playgrounds and pavilions for get togethers," explains a camper who visited the park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The primitive Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground offers undisturbed nature experiences. "We kayaked out from Anclote river park and stayed two nights on the island. There are no amenities so we packed everything we would need in the kayak. During the day there were quite a few boats on the island but by about 4pm we basically had the island to ourselves," shares one visitor.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. "Office staff is amazing. The upkeep here is like a machine. Daily trash p/u by 10am (don't leave it out over-night, or critters might get it first!) Mail forwarding; AMAZON delivery. Super easy to hit all the attractions locally. Restaurants close. Undoubtedly the Cleanest showers I've ever seen!" reports a camper at Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA.
Water activities: Swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities abound at oceanfront sites. "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. They have beach chairs near the water and a fire pit that they lit every evening near sunset," notes a visitor to Hickory Point RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Securing spots at popular locations requires planning. "Starkey's Campground has everything you could want or need. Friendly staff, plenty of critters, and beautiful trails to walk. Campsite #9 has so far been my most favorite spot here. It's VERY spacious (could easily fit 5 large tents here)," explains a camper at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
Primitive camping preparation: Island camping requires self-sufficiency. "Anclote Key Review There is only 1 way to get to Anclote Key and that is by boat. Whether you take the few hours and kayak the 3 miles over from Tarpon or motor in from one of the many docks in the area that is the only way you can get here," advises a visitor, adding "EVERYTHING- and they mean everything you bring on the island must be taken off with you!"
Seasonal considerations: Weekend crowds impact camper experiences. "IF YOU ARE HOPING FOR PEACE AND QUIET, DO NOT GO ON A WEEKEND I went on a Friday night, and the entire campground was PACKED. Very loud, too many tents packed into each site," cautions a camper about Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature child-friendly recreation areas. "The playground is nice 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," shares a visitor to Fort De Soto Campground.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. "We spent the day hiking the numerous off-road trails and enjoying some of the amenities the park has to offer. The park has separate primitive tent, car-camping (tent) and cabin campgrounds near the entrance of the park along with over 50 miles of biking, hiking, nature as well as equestrian trails to enjoy," reports a Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park visitor.
Beach proximity: Family-friendly beaches are often minutes from camping areas. "The site was just a 10 minute drive to north beach, which is our favorite. There is plenty to do in the area," notes a Fort De Soto camper, who also mentioned seeing "dolphins, sting rays and manatees" during their stay.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy. "We come down for a week in the summer to various places in FL and after a great experience last year, we gave this one a try again. The sites are spaced out far from each other which was great! I have travelled to a lot of parks That have sites right on top of one another," shares a visitor to Caladesi RV Park.
Amenities evaluation: Full-service amenities differ between parks. "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 a visitor to Bay Bayou RV Resort.
Proximity to services: Location convenience impacts RV camper satisfaction. "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. We first came here a year ago and I was worried about it being so close to a main road, but after staying here I can tell you that it's very quiet and relaxing," explains a Caladesi RV Park visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Dunedin RV resorts and campgrounds?
RV resorts and campgrounds near Dunedin offer diverse amenities to enhance your stay. Dunedin RV Resort provides full hookups, restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and is big-rig friendly with pull-through sites. Many sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Encore Terra Ceia offers pet-friendly accommodations with easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, and Gulf beaches. Most RV parks in the area feature WiFi, swimming pools, and community gathering spaces. Some also offer camp stores, recreational activities, and dump stations. Amenities vary by location, so check specific campground details when planning your visit.
What state parks offer camping near Dunedin?
Several excellent state parks with camping facilities are located within driving distance of Dunedin. Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground offers primitive boat-in camping on a beautiful barrier island. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park provides a great weekend getaway with primitive tent sites, car camping areas, and cabins, plus numerous hiking trails. Shell Key Preserve is another boat-in option where you can experience abundant wildlife including stingrays and sea turtles. These parks showcase Florida's natural beauty while providing affordable camping options near Dunedin.
How much does camping cost in the Dunedin area?
Camping costs near Dunedin vary based on location, amenities, and season. At Colonel Robins Group Area, prices start at just $5 per person per night for basic amenities including well water and bathrooms. For more developed campgrounds, expect to pay $25-45 per night for standard sites. Lake Manatee State Park Campground offers reasonable rates for sites with water and electric hookups. Private RV resorts typically charge $45-85 nightly during off-peak seasons, with rates increasing significantly during winter months (January-March) when snowbirds arrive. Most campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays, and Florida residents often receive reduced rates at state parks.
Where are the best campgrounds near Dunedin, Florida?
The Dunedin area offers excellent camping options with coastal and natural settings. Fort De Soto Campground is highly rated for its beautiful waterfront sites, clean facilities, and easy beach access. For those seeking a uniquely Florida experience, Caladesi Island State Park Campground provides boat-in camping with pristine beaches and natural surroundings. Both offer opportunities to see wildlife like stingrays, turtles, and diverse bird species. Dunedin's location on Florida's Gulf Coast makes it a perfect base for exploring these nearby campgrounds while enjoying the charm of this coastal community.
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