Fort De Soto Campground permits pets within the designated camping areas with regular access to Pinellas County beaches, making it one of the most popular pet-friendly campgrounds near Pinellas Park for dog owners who want shoreline access. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday also welcomes pets and offers cabin accommodations for travelers with dogs. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain on leash at all times, with designated pet waste stations throughout the grounds. Campsite amenities typically include water hookups, picnic tables, and trash service at pet-friendly sites. The Encore Vacation Village in Largo provides pet-friendly RV camping, though some visitors note it has limited amenities compared to other local options. The park features a small dog park up front where pets can exercise off-leash, making it convenient for campers who need to provide their animals with daily activity.
Waterfront campsites at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday provide excellent opportunities for dogs to enjoy shoreline walks along the protected bay area. The KOA's heated pool and other amenities are for human use only, but the campground maintains clean grounds suitable for daily pet walks. Some RV parks enforce a 10-year-or-newer policy on camping vehicles, though exceptions may be made for well-maintained older units based on photo verification. Nearby John's Pass offers additional pet-friendly outdoor activities just a short drive away. Most campgrounds in the area maintain proximity to veterinary services in Pinellas Park and surrounding communities, with emergency vet care available within 15-20 minutes of most camping locations. Summer visitors should be aware of mosquito activity in certain campgrounds, particularly after rainfall, which can affect outdoor time with pets. Dog owners planning a stay should confirm each campground's breed and size restrictions in advance, as some pet-friendly campsites near Pinellas Park enforce specific rules on larger dogs.
$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."
"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."
"Located on the water. Lots to do. Great for kids & pets."
$45 - $75 / night
"It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."
"The beach is a 5 minute drive and pet friendly! The Pinellas bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground."
$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."
"The park is small, parking is crammed, and there’s a lot of older trailers but overall it’s a great location. This is our go to location when we have appointments at Bay Pines VA!"
"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."
"Very dog friendly with doggy bag stations and dog parks. Right on the bayou with a kayak launch and docks for fishing and relaxing. We like it so much that we made it our home base for our travels."
"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."
"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. "
"Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities."
"The sites are a little tight but that's normal for most of Florida, specially in a heavy populated are like Clearwater. It's unbelievably quiet although it's right off of US 19. Staff is so great."
$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."
ScoutBeautiful 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.
LegendOne 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.
GuideStayed 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.
GuideThis 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.
GuideLithia 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!
LegendFort De Soto Park is amazing. It offers something for everyone whether you are there camping or simply for the day. The beaches are amazing with TONS and TONS of parking. Great cycling, paddling, walking, exploring, fishing, kiting, or anything you want to do. It can get busy in season but the area is designed to accommodate the crowds except for the one lane road to and from so plan your visit according to your threshold for traffic and crowds.
I'm a Florida local from Sarasota and have visited many times but never to camp. We came with a small travel trailer and were lucky enough to get a site right on the water as many are which by itself is rare. Great weekend and honestly one of the nicest parks I have ever been to.
Its great that possibly the most valuable real estate in all of Florida's Gulf Coast was reserved for a county park in lieu of private condos and resorts. The park has a no alcohol policy which honestly is fine. Being such an urban destination I could imagine things getting way out of hand there to the detriment of more chill folks without the ban. Even though I like a cocktail as much as the next guy, i'll take the pleasant environment over the beer any day.
Thanks Pinellas Parks for such a great place for locals and guests to visit.
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
GuideNice 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!
LegendIn Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance.
Pet-friendly.
Campgrounds near Pinellas Park sit in Florida's humid subtropical climate zone, with year-round temperatures averaging 72-90°F in summer and 52-72°F in winter. The terrain features sandy soil and coastal access points, making water activities popular camping options. Summer camping brings afternoon thunderstorms from June through September while winter months (November-April) attract seasonal visitors with drier conditions.
Paddling opportunities: E.G. Simmons Regional Park provides waterfront sites with kayaking access through mangrove canals. "We had an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," shares Joe R. from Fort De Soto Campground. Rentals are available at some parks.
Visit historic sites: Fort De Soto Campground features a historic fort for exploration. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit!" notes Brennan H. The fort provides educational signage about coastal defense history.
Cycling trails: Many parks connect to the Pinellas Trail system. "The pinellas county trail runs along side KOA and they rent bikes and fun little tricycles to ride the trail or use in campground," explains Joy H. from St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA. The trail spans 38 miles through multiple communities.
Waterfront camping spots: E.G. Simmons Regional Park offers direct water access. "Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions," notes Jeanene A. Sites numbered 60-75 typically have the best water views and access.
Wildlife viewing: The coastal location provides opportunities to see marine life. "Great bike trails. Restrooms are dated but well maintained. Electric and water. 2 dump sites on property," reports David G. about Fort De Soto Campground, adding "There are three loops one for guests with pets."
Nature trails: Little Manatee River State Park Campground offers hiking opportunities. "Extremely helpful rangers who warned that some of the trails were still not cleared from Hurricane Irma. Even with the down trees, it was a wonderful hike filled with Black Swallowtail butterflies," shares Elizabeth G. The park maintains several miles of trails through natural Florida ecosystems.
Reservation timing: Fort De Soto books quickly. "Book in advanced, especially if you want to stay more than a night or two," advises Taylor T. Reservations open six months in advance, with 10% of weekend sites released on Fridays at 7am.
Insects can be problematic: MacDill AFB FamCamp visitors note varying insect conditions. "Great location well kept. Only downside is the mosquitoes and bugs. Rainy season and doesn't really drain or dry up very well," warns Michael F. No-see-ums can be especially troublesome at dusk.
Weather considerations: Summer brings frequent rain. "Very private spots lots of trees. Lots of bugs in the summer time," notes Ralph B. about Fort De Soto. Winter months (November-March) offer more comfortable temperatures with less precipitation and fewer insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Pinellas Park, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Pinellas Park, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 141 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Pinellas Park, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 144 dog-friendly camping locations near Pinellas Park, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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