Dunedin camping areas range from waterfront RV parks to boat-accessible islands, with most sites located within 5-10 minutes of the Gulf Coast. Winter temperatures typically range from 55-75°F, while summer months can reach 90°F with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through September. Many campgrounds connect to the Pinellas Trail, a 38-mile paved path running through Dunedin.
What to do
Explore nearby kayak trails: Fort De Soto Campground offers easy access to mangrove tunnels and wildlife viewing. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" reports Brennan H. about their experience at the park.
Visit historic sites: Fort De Soto features a Spanish-American War era fort with guided tours. "The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit!" notes Brennan H. about the activities available at the park.
Fish from campground docks: Bay Bayou RV Resort provides fishing access directly from their property. "Right on the bayou with a kayak launch and docks for fishing and relaxing," writes Mary G. about the amenities at this Tampa-area resort.
Visit Tarpon Springs: Hickory Point RV Park sits near the historic Greek village of Tarpon Springs. "Short drive from downtown Tarpon Springs and several beaches," notes Elgin S., highlighting the convenient location for day trips.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Caladesi RV Park maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "The restroom/shower house is ALWAYS clean. We don't always want to shower in our rv so this us important to us," writes Ron D. about their experience at the park.
Spacious sites: Unlike some crowded Florida campgrounds, certain parks offer more room. "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," notes Diana M. about Caladesi RV Park.
Pool access: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Dunedin offer swimming pools for cooling off. "Pool area is nice with shade spots," Kevin mentions about Caladesi RV Park, which is particularly appreciated during hot Florida summers.
Community atmosphere: Holiday Travel Park hosts regular social events for campers. The Encore property has "impressive library, pool tables, games, huge collection of jigsaw puzzles, social events and the pool is clean," according to Mandie Z.
What you should know
Weather changes quickly: Afternoon storms can develop rapidly, especially during summer months. Prepare accordingly when staying at boat-in locations like Caladesi Island State Park, where "you can only access this island by boat or ferry from honey moon island," as Robin M. explains.
Reservation requirements: Fort De Soto Campground books up quickly, especially in winter. "They do start booking 6 months out and open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky," advises Joe R.
Site variations: Quality of sites varies widely between and within campgrounds. "If you are lucky you can get a site near front which houses campers and RVs," notes Clifton B. about Holiday Travel Park, indicating location within a campground matters.
Traffic and noise: Some campgrounds near main roads experience noise issues. "The park is in a bad part of town. We could hear people cursing in an adjacent grocery store parking lot nearly every night. Located right on U.S. 19 so don't expect quiet," warns Zachary J. about Holiday Travel Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beach proximity: St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers family-friendly amenities near beaches. "Located on the water. Lots to do. Great for kids & pets," Virginia D. notes about this dog-friendly option.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds maintain pools suitable for children. "The pool is clean and clear and that works for me," writes Ron D. about Caladesi RV Park.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with play areas for younger children. Fort De Soto has "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," explains Joe R.
Mini golf: Several KOAs in the area feature mini golf courses. The St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday has "mini golf, nice clean pool and rec center. They even had a movie night at the pool," according to Joy H.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Clearwater Travel Resort, site quality varies considerably. "Some sites are water logged when it rains. They are working on fixing these issues and upgrading the small patios a few per year," Randy B. advises.
Arrival timing: Check-in protocols differ between parks. At Fort De Soto, "if you intend on going into the park (which you probably will), you should go in and register BEFORE you go to the beach, even if before check in time. By paying for your site, they provide you a beach pass for two vehicles, which saves $5 each on parking," recommends Joe R.
Laundry facilities: For extended stays, adequate laundry access matters. Clearwater Travel Resort has "two laundry facilities and they all work," according to Randy B., making it practical for longer visits.
Internet connectivity: Connection quality varies between campgrounds. At Holiday Travel Park, one camper reports the "facilities are full of things to do and well maintained," with reliable connectivity for those working remotely.
