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Best Tent Camping near Pinellas Park, FL

697 Reviews

Tent camping near Pinellas Park, Florida provides access to several natural areas within a 30-45 minute drive. The region features both established campgrounds and primitive tent-only sites, with notable options including Lake Park, Terry Tomalin Campground, and Hillsborough River State Park. Lake Park offers tent-only camping with walk-in sites accessible via short hiking trails, while Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground provides hike-in tent camping along the river. For those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers both front-country (car camping) and back-country (hike-in only) tent sites within its preserved natural setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the area require reservations, with facilities varying significantly between locations. Walk-in tent sites at Lake Rogers Park have basic amenities including toilets and trash disposal but lack drinking water and fire rings. In contrast, Hillsborough River State Park provides more developed tent campsites with drinking water, fire rings, and shower facilities. Seasonal considerations are critical for tent camping in this region - summer months bring intense mosquito activity and potential flooding. According to reviews, sites along the riverside loops at Hillsborough River can hold 4-6 inches of water after heavy rains. Winter and early spring months (November through April) offer the most comfortable tent camping conditions.

The primitive tent camping experience in this region features diverse ecosystems and wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Alderman's Ford noted, "The camp sites are hike in only. Bring a manageable pack with everything you need. There is no water, power, or restrooms at the sites." At Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, visitors should prepare for sun exposure on many trails and bring adequate water supplies. The backcountry tent sites require proper preparation - campers report needing "camping toilet paper and a shovel for human waste disposal" at some locations. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly along water bodies where alligators reside, making proper food storage essential at all tent campsites in the region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Pinellas Park, Florida (16)

    1. Terry Tomalin Campground

    3 Reviews
    Gulfport, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 893-7441

    $30 / night

    "The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren’t to close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost."

    "It’s in an awesome location, too - we had other plans but made last-minute plans to stay here for a night and they were pretty empty on a Friday night."

    2. Hillsborough River State Park Campground

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

    $24 / night

    "I typically avoid tent camping here in the summer months– early summer the trails are heavy with mosquitoes and summer rains bring a large amount of flooding."

    "Lots of RV campers, sites that are quite close to each other, and rock-hard ground from being packed down by heavy vehicles day after day."

    3. Lake Rogers Park

    3 Reviews
    Odessa, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 264-3917

    "This centrally located primitive camping spot is centrally located near the Odessa area near Tampa."

    "Lake Rodgers trail and campsites are beautiful and well kept up. The 3 trails( upper, mid, and lower) make it nice to walk thru different terrains."

    4. Lake Park

    5 Reviews
    Lutz, FL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 264-3806

    "I live in an adjacent neighborhood (2 years) and walk this park daily with my doggos. I’ve biked all the trails and been here from sunrise to sunset."

    "This is a great park with trails, restrooms, boating, a fun playground, nice picnic areas, volleyball, BMX, and more."

    5. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

    12 Reviews
    New Port Richey, FL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 834-3247

    "Part of the Starkey Wilderness Preservethis location is full of multi use trails, has primitive cabin rentals (no electric"

    "We stayed at one of the hike-in sites and had a good time. Be prepared for a trek, as the site was a couple miles in. The trail was nice and paved though, suitable for bicycling in."

    6. Lithia Springs Conservation Park

    12 Reviews
    Durant, FL
    30 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."

    7. Island Retreat Florida

    1 Review
    Gibsonton, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 523-6834

    $50 - $75 / night

    8. Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

    2 Reviews
    Thonotosassa, FL
    31 miles
    Website

    "Other parks and trails are located at the Wilderness Park Off Road Loop Trail System, [Flatwoods Park](https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us"

    "No hookups or dumpsites. There is a pump well for non potable water and a port a potty on site. Miles of trails and plenty of space to explore."

    9. Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground

    4 Reviews
    Lithia, FL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 757-3801

    "This location is utterly beautiful! So many different environments can be seen just walking the trials."

    "The camp sites are hike in only. I LOVE this. Bring a manageable pack with everything you need. There is no water, power, or restrooms at the sites."

    10. Pasco County - Crews Lake Wilderness Park

    3 Reviews
    Spring Hill, FL
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 861-3038

    "Awesome park with well maintained trail. There are a lot of other small trails that lead off into the woods. If you wander, bring a compass and throw some az. Fun times"

    "Love this place so many trails"

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pinellas Park, FL

33 Photos of 16 Pinellas Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pinellas Park, FL

697 Reviews of 16 Pinellas Park Campgrounds

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2017

    Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

    Anything but stark...

    Part of the Starkey Wilderness Preservethis location is full of multi use trails, has primitive cabin rentals (no electric) and tent camping available. Front country (car camping) and back country camping (hike in only). There are specific equestrian camping sites as well.

    Cabins are pretty close to each other. All sites need to be reserved.Tent, cabin, shelter and pavilion reservations: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, (727) 834-3247. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided. Pavilions are also available to rent and they take reservations for large groups as well.

    We chose car camping for our visit to check the place out. A favorite for hiking and biking. This place has gotten busier as development has been growing steadily over the years. Many of the trails are without shade and the recent fire season hit the back part of the tract pretty hard (Spring 2017) but you would not see any signs of this unless you hiked out the furthest trails from entrance.

    Bring your bikes, hiking shoes, horses, or telescopes. Birders bring your binoculars! Over 150 species call Starkey home either full or part time. There is something here for everyone.

    As always in Florida bring bug spray, sunblock, hat, and please leave no trace!

  • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2017

    Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground

    A favorite for the locals

    This location is utterly beautiful! So many different environments can be seen just walking the trials. The 4 primitive campsites we found were along the river and we did not see bathrooms or picnic tables or fire rings. The trails are marked well but not often maintained - so you really get the feel that you are in the middle of nowhere. No traffic was heard at night and I would not camp out there alone on a weekend due to the "local party crowd". This is a hike in and hike out site. We only stayed 1 night. No amenities. Lots of birds and wildlife in the late day and early morning. Parking is a small fenced in area before turn in road - no security/lighting appx 1.5 miles from camping area that we found

    I would have given this location a 5 except for the large amount of trash we found on trails (that we carried out) and the obvious disregard for rules of no swimming and no alcohol.

  • J
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Alderman's Ford Conservation Park Primitive Campground

    Great Place!

    The camp sites are hike in only. I LOVE this. Bring a manageable pack with everything you need. There is no water, power, or restrooms at the sites. There is a restroom facility about a 1/2 mile down the trail. There was firewood for use when I went. Sites were equipped with hammock posts, picnic table, and a fire pit. There was also a trash can. I had a great time, the whole park to myself for the night. Strongly recommend if you enjoy primitive camping.

  • Cosmo L.
    May. 31, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Nice once you get in.

    Reservations months in advance required. Nice dog beach. No alcohol allowed so keep it inside along with music. No hookups.

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2020

    Green Swamp — West Tract

    Peaceful and free!

    Stayed here for a night in November of 2020. We stayed at the Ashley campsite. It is free but had to register at watermatters.org - (Southwest Florida Water Management). They provide you with a code to unlock the gate once registered. At the campsite there were about 15 sites. Most had non-potable water. All had a picnic tables and fire ring. My site had a covered picnic table. A vault toilet was also provided and was pretty clean. The campsite was about half full when I was here and it was pretty quiet even though you can see your neighbors. You are permitted to collect fire wood as long as it has fallen from the tree. For a free campsite, I can’t complain. I would stay here again.

  • Perry J.
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Simply a great campground!

    Fort 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.

  • L O.
    Sep. 6, 2020

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Breathtaking beaches, get the low, tent-site numbers.

    Stayed two nights here. Arrived in the afternoon and found site number (38) easily. The tent sites on the outer side of the loops are bedded in sand, and the ones on the inner side are bedded in crushed shells and are nearer the restrooms and facilities. The back side of number 38 leads to a grassy area lined by trees on the far side that block the sunset. Recommend site 30 or below so that the back side of your site leads to the water and beautiful sunsets. Be prepared to deal with mosquitoes and raccoons. On the first night, a raccoon approached the table without regard and tried to open the portable trash can! They're active and large, and can be seen at night throughout the campground raiding the trash bins. Went on a bike ride the following day, and upon returning saw that a raccoon had opened the Coleman 52-gallon cooler, taken out the carton of eggs, cracked all six eggs, and eaten each egg yolk, leaving the whites and the shells strewn about the picnic table and ground nearby. Thankful that it had not touched the Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Resolved to put the cooler inside the car when absent henceforth. There is a campground store near the entrance with everything from ice to wood to tuna, milk, fishing supplies... it's a mini-market. There is a souvenir shop and food shop near the fort part. Didn't go to the fort or museum. Had a delicious fish and chips meal at the food shop. The bike paths are wide along the main vehicular roads. The highlight of the site is the North Beach. It's ample and clean. White sands. Shallow shores. Pleasant, perfect.

  • Sue G.
    Dec. 30, 2024

    Cypress Creek Preserve

    Free camping

    There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse. We are in a 24' class C and found a nice private area that was surprisingly level. Trailers are accommodated at the equestrian campground. I suggest you arrive before dark as the road is a bit rough and narrow, with no light.

  • a
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Cody's RV Park

    1st road-trip!

    Well, if your looking to do some “camping” this is not place. We came into Florida on a Friday looking for a campsite for us and our rooftop tent and was not having any luck on finding a campground that had any vacancy. We didn’t want to stay at a Rv park because we don’t have a Rv and we like nature and privacy. So we were running out of options and called CODYS and they said they didn’t have any spots but ended up telling us since we just had a suv he would us stay a night for $45, which was a very high price for one night in a tent. When we arrived the man was very nice and we thanked him for making room for us. In my option the only thing this place has, is old RV’s that have been parked there for years, full time residents. Bathrooms did not lock, 10min max time in the restrooms, and frogs in the bathroom also. Very crowded and interesting corky place. We made the best of it for being parked in a little grass area which included a picnic table and fire ring. People were nice just not for tent camping or short term stays!

Guide to Pinellas Park

Tent camping near Pinellas Park, Florida offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature while still being close to urban amenities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Lake Park, you'll find picnic tables, drinking water, and restrooms, making it a convenient spot for families.
  • Teri Tomlinson Campground features spacious sites with electric hookups and showers, perfect for those who want a bit more comfort while camping.
  • For a more primitive experience, Cypress Creek Preserve offers basic amenities like toilets and firewood, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature.

Tips for tent camping near Pinellas Park

  • Be aware that camping at Lake Rogers Park is primarily for organized groups, so plan accordingly if you're going solo or with friends.
  • If you're looking for a quiet retreat, consider Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, which offers spacious sites and a variety of trails for hiking and biking.
  • For a unique experience, check out Island Retreat Florida, accessible by boat, where you can enjoy kayaking and fishing right from your campsite.

Local attractions for outdoor enthusiasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pinellas Park, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pinellas Park, FL is Terry Tomalin Campground with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pinellas Park, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Pinellas Park, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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