Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Elkton, FL

Little Manatee River State Park Campground provides multiple accommodation options for visitors with pets, with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins available for those camping with dogs. The campground features drinking water, electric hookups, and fire rings at sites where pets are welcome. Campers consistently note the peaceful environment and well-maintained grounds. Several other pet-friendly options exist within driving distance, including Fort De Soto Campground, which maintains a designated dog beach area and allows pets in most camping areas with proper documentation. Lithia Springs Conservation Park receives excellent reviews for its pet-friendly atmosphere, with multiple visitors commenting that most campers bring dogs yet the park remains quiet with minimal barking issues.

The natural spring at Lithia Springs Conservation Park offers a refreshing spot for humans while nearby trails provide exercise opportunities for leashed dogs. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated off-leash areas. MacDill AFB FamCamp features both a small dog beach and two dedicated dog parks within the facility, though military ID is required for access. Wildlife considerations are important when camping with pets in Florida's parks, as alligators inhabit many water bodies throughout the region. Park rangers at several locations actively monitor and enforce pet policies to ensure safety for all visitors. Nearby veterinary services are available in surrounding communities, with most campgrounds keeping contact information for emergency animal care on site.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Elkton, Florida (193)

    1. Little Manatee River State Park Campground

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

    $22 / night

    "Pet friendly and there is a trailhead about a half a mile outside of the campground. We didnt see a single person in this 7 mile loop hike and were very pleased with that."

    "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."

    2. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 582-2100

    $38 - $48 / night

    "Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."

    "It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites."

    3. E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-7655

    $24 / night

    "Amazing water access and dog friendly! The staff and rangers are kind and helpful. During our stay, there was E. coli in water which means water activities and fishing were restricted."

    "Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."

    4. Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River

    17 Reviews
    Wimauma, FL
    10 miles
    Website

    $24 - $109 / night

    "Beautiful scenery and trails. Canoe and kayak outpost. The Outpost peacock named Elvis hung around with us! Dog park for my pup was fantastic and well maintained."

    "It’s also located right off the highway, so you get all the noise. All day and all night. Now, for canoe and kayak trips, I guess it’s a good spot. There’s a lot of folk that come just for that."

    5. Alafia River State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Lithia, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 433-0287

    $22 / night

    "Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."

    "For Florida this is a great campsite especially for me because it's so close overall a great place for any activity"

    6. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 987-6771

    $24 / night

    "If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."

    "Better if not during rainy season here in Florida. The ground was wet. Some sites had overflow from the river, I guess? Our site was nice. We had water and electricity. Pretty quiet. Lots of dogs."

    7. Lithia Springs Conservation Park

    12 Reviews
    Durant, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 744-5572

    $24 / night

    "Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."

    "Stayed over mother's day weekend at Lithia Springs."

    8. MacDill AFB FamCamp

    9 Reviews
    Gibsonton, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 840-6919

    "There’s a small dog beach and two dog parks. Laundry facilities are centrally located. Cable is included."

    "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."

    9. Lazydays RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Lee, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 246-4777

    "This campground was adequate and very close to I-4. Sites are accommodating and clean. Pool and restaurant on site."

    "It is very dog friendly and the sites are spacious. There are a lot of activities and a great pool area. This campground is close to Busch Gardens Tampa. We stayed here in a motor home."

    10. Lithia Springs

    7 Reviews
    Lithia, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 744-5572

    "Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting."

    "Most every one has a dog or two. Everyone obeys the dog rules, not one dog barks excessively. All the campers are courteous about each other and are quiet."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Elkton, FL

1036 Reviews of 193 Elkton Campgrounds


  • Cyndi J.
    Jan. 15, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Beautiful park

    Beautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.

  • Alyssa D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Shell Key Preserve

    Years later it’s still one of my favorite places to camp in Florida..:

    One of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol.

    We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.

    Amazing views.

    Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.

  • Jan S.
    Jun. 8, 2022

    Bradenton / Hunsader Farms KOA

    KOA Campground with working vegetable farm and petting zoo

    Stayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.

  • David G.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Never gets old

    This is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
    Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Lithia Springs Park

    Lithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!

  • s
    May. 4, 2024

    Avalon RV Resort

    Good for a short stay

    Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.

  • Danna D.
    Nov. 5, 2020

    Encore Terra Ceia

    Great Place - Friendly Staff & Neighbors

    Nice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!

  • Malaney H.
    Apr. 3, 2018

    Hillsborough River State Park Campground

    There is a lot to do!

    This park is full of great adventures. If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river. You may even have the opportunity to catch site of some alligators as this river is very populated with them. There is also a cute shop and cafe so if your not feeling up to cooking, you can head there. At the shop you have the opportunity to swim in the pool, rent kayaks, canoes, and bikes. I also love that they are pet friendly. I take my dog everywhere (and sometimes my cat) and they enjoyed the trails just as much as I did!

  • T S.
    Mar. 7, 2022

    Lazydays RV Resort

    Very nice campground

    This campground was adequate and very close to I-4. Sites are accommodating and clean. Pool and restaurant on site. If you have a dog they have a couple of dog parks on site buy I would recommend sites 36, 37 or 38. Large grass area for your own private dog area.


Guide to Elkton

Pet friendly camping near Elkton, Florida offers multiple accommodation options for outdoor enthusiasts traveling with four-legged companions. The region features several conservation areas and state parks where campers can enjoy natural springs, wildlife viewing, and water activities while their pets experience the outdoors alongside them. Most campgrounds maintain specific pet policies that typically require leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated areas, with enforcement varying by location.

What to do

Paddle the Little Manatee River: Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the river with your pet. "We rented canoes & kayaks, and had a fun day on the river. Employees were very nice & helpful!" reports Annabelle in her review.

Mountain biking with your dog: Alafia River State Park Campground features extensive trail systems where pets can accompany active owners. A reviewer noted, "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here. Pup friendly at the campsites as well."

Explore historic sites: Take your pet to explore Fort De Soto's historic structures while enjoying the coastal environment. "The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" writes Brennan H.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Edward Medard Park when camping with pets. One reviewer shares, "Beautiful park with a lot of wild life. The campground had bathrooms and showers available at a short walking distance."

Natural shade coverage: Pet owners value the abundant tree cover at several campgrounds during hot Florida days. A visitor to Hillsborough River State Park Campground mentioned, "Campsites were nice. Lots to do. Rapids to look at. Plenty of hiking and biking. Rental canoe staff were amazing. Tons of wildlife."

Easy water access: Campers with water-loving dogs appreciate shoreline proximity for quick access. "We had a screened room that has a no see um mesh on it and we blast a big fan in there so we do stay semi bug free. So glad we had this screened room," reports one camper at Edward Medard Park, highlighting how they managed bugs while enjoying water access with their pet.

What you should know

Insect preparation essential: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be intense at certain times of year. A camper at E.G. Simmons Regional Park warns, "you really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella Torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no see-ums."

Vaccination documentation required: Some parks strictly enforce pet documentation requirements. At Fort De Soto Campground, a reviewer emphasized, "There are three loops one for guests with pets. BRING YOUR RABIES VACCINE PAPERS!"

Raccoon management: Multiple campgrounds report active raccoon populations that pet owners should consider. At Edward Medard Park, a camper advises, "I wouldn't recommend leaving food out because they'll take everything."

Tips for camping with families

Spring swimming options: Lithia Springs Conservation Park offers natural spring swimming while pets can enjoy shaded campsites. "Very well kept up groundskeeper. Meeting mike at the gate to the park so so nice. Only waited for a short time to have a spot and enjoy the park. The spring area so nice," writes a camper named Holy O.

Playground access: Several parks offer play structures for children while maintaining pet-friendly policies. At E.G. Simmons, "Clean, monitored bathroom facilities close to lots of additional activities! Kayaking and fishing on the lake is a blast! Frisbee Golf (this is an advanced course) equestrian and hiking trails, picnic and playground areas."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe native Florida wildlife while camping with pets. "Hiking climbing park playing area," notes William A. about Edward Medard Park, highlighting its family-friendly activities.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on shade and spacing for pet comfort. At Hillsborough River State Park, Jake H. advises, "Nice campsites, clean bathrooms, friendly campers. The windshield placard they give you says don't hang things from the trees, however the parks website says its fine if you're hanging a hammock with 1" thick webbing."

Hookup variations: Electric service varies between campgrounds, so check requirements. "We were in site 55 of the East CG which was right on the water where we launched our kayaks to paddle the canals amongst the Mangroves," notes Bran P. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park.

Access considerations: Some parks have limited access roads that require planning. As one camper at Edward Medard Park noted, "I prefer loop 1 because of my bigger rig. Host are super friendly & helpful. There's a few piers, trails, & a playground."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elkton, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elkton, FL is Little Manatee River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elkton, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 193 dog-friendly camping locations near Elkton, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.