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Diane F.
Scout
ScoutTerra ceia
Great accommodations. Clean. Some road noise but we are enjoying our stay
Camping near Gulfport, FL
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Gulfport, Florida area includes several established campgrounds offering varied accommodations within easy reach of beaches and coastal attractions. Fort De Soto Campground, located at the southern tip of Pinellas County, provides tent, RV, and glamping options with waterfront views of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Key Preserve offers a primitive camping experience accessible only by boat, while St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday features tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals approximately 5 miles north of Gulfport. Terry Tomalin Campground and Little Manatee River State Park also provide camping opportunities within 30 minutes of Gulfport.
Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round due to Florida's mild winter climate, though summer humidity and occasional storms affect camping conditions. A review from The Dyrt noted, "We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat," highlighting the natural encounters possible at Shell Key Preserve. Several sites require advance permits, including Shell Key which mandates a free camping permit from Pinellas County. Waterfront sites typically fill quickly during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive. Tent campers should be prepared for sandy ground conditions, especially at beach-adjacent locations. Cell service remains strong throughout most of the region due to its proximity to urban areas.
Waterfront camping represents the most distinctive feature of the Gulfport camping landscape. Shell Key Preserve stands out as a primitive island camping destination where visitors must pack in and out all supplies. According to one camper, "If you want an adventure leading you to an amazing camp spot, this is it!" The preserve requires visitors to bring portable toilets as no facilities exist on the island. Several campgrounds enforce specific rules—Terry Tomalin Campground prohibits alcohol, smoking, and RVs, while Fort De Soto and MacDill AFB FamCamp have clear pet policies. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically provide water hookups, electric service, and sanitary facilities, with many offering shore access for fishing and watersports. Sites with shade tend to be limited at beach locations but more abundant at inland campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Gulfport (180)
1. Fort De Soto Campground
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $38 - $48 / night
2. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday
"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."
3. E.G. Simmons Regional Park
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
"Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying. Has picnic pavilions and several fishing docks"
Check Availabilityfrom $24 / night
4. Shell Key Preserve
"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."
"Shell Key is one of the larger uninhabited islands off of the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg."
5. Little Manatee River State Park Campground
"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."
"This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 / night
6. Terry Tomalin Campground
"The location next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is what really makes this campground special."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
7. MacDill AFB FamCamp
"PX and commissary near the security gate. Campground check-in quick and efficient. Pick your site from what's available. $26/night with full hook-ups. Right on the Gulf, beautiful beach."
"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."
8. Encore Vacation Village
"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!"
9. Encore Terra Ceia
"In Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance. Pet-friendly."
"As we walked outside, a fellow traveler who had been here often, offered to show me the way to our site."
10. Northeast St Pete Sprinter Van or Small Camper Spot
Check Availabilityfrom $95 - $225 / night
Drive Time
- 25 min from Tampa, FL
- 54 min from Lakeland, FL
- 1 hr 2 min from North Port, FL
Recent Camping Photos near Gulfport, FL
173 Photos of 180 Gulfport Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Terry Tomalin CampgroundB
Shell Key Preserve
St Pete Get a Way Spot
St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday
Fort De Soto CampgroundD
South Skyway Rest StopJ
Frog Creek RV Resort & Campground
MacDill AFB FamCamp
E.G. Simmons Regional Park
Hillsborough County E. G. Simmons Regional Park
River Oaks RV ResortJ
Little Manatee River State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Gulfport, FL
890 Reviews of 180 Gulfport Campgrounds
Stacey R.
GuideOscar Scherer State Park Campground
Nice state park in a great location for visiting the area. Bathhouse near my site could use an update and newer bathhouse could use a good shower stall wash. I camp in a Travato Van so maneuvering in the campground was easy for me but larger rigs might struggle.
James W.GuideSt. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday
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.
Stuart K.
LegendFort De Soto Campground
The Most Perfect Campground in Florida?
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!
Kevin W.ScoutPalmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park
Haven't been camping here. Based on the photos, it looks like it is a beautiful place. Looks like somewhere to have a fun, crazy, spontaneous camp experience. I prefer natural nature. Cutting the trails, fire wood, catching dinner, fighting mosquitoes without harsh chemicals. Preserving the world. Maybe make a reservation. Leave the dogs with a sitter and not have a care in the world.
- aalan F.Scout
Hillsborough River State Park Campground
Showers and bathrooms are closed
- GGordon S.Scout
Little Manatee River State Park Campground
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
Julio B.ScoutFort De Soto Campground
Beautiful 😁
- EEfstathios A.Scout
Encore Winter Quarters Pasco
Great location
Guide to Gulfport
Camping options near Gulfport, Florida range from beachfront to waterway settings with many campsites located directly on bodies of water. The region averages 361 sunny days annually with summer temperatures routinely reaching 90°F and high humidity from June through September. Winter camping presents milder conditions with daytime temperatures between 65-75°F and significantly lower humidity, making December through March the peak camping season.
What to do
Paddling adventures: The Little Manatee River offers kayaking and canoeing opportunities through natural Florida terrain. "We enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night," noted a visitor at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River.
Wildlife viewing: Tampa Bay waters host diverse marine life visible from shorelines and while paddling. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds," reported a camper at Fort De Soto Campground. This makes wildlife spotting a common activity across most waterfront locations.
Historical exploration: Fort De Soto Park includes remnants of military installations worth exploring. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit," shared one reviewer about the preserved coastal fortifications.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Campers consistently praise sites with direct water access. At E.G. Simmons Regional Park, one reviewer noted, "We have stayed here many times the last time we had site #65 on the water with water and electric hook up & there is a dump station onsite."
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming locations. "There's a small dog beach and two dog parks," mentioned a camper at MacDill AFB FamCamp, highlighting the additional recreation options beyond standard camping.
Privacy between sites: Natural vegetation creates separation between campsites at several locations. At Little Manatee River State Park, a visitor commented, "Clean, well organized and well kept facilities and staff... We loved the privacy of the nature between every campsite along those areas for bigger rigs."
What you should know
Insect preparation: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in warmer months. A camper at E.G. Simmons warned, "You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no-see-ums."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Canoe Outpost, a visitor cautioned, "Right next to a highway/large road with TONS of traffic noise." Urban-adjacent sites typically experience more ambient noise than those deeper into parks.
Reservation timing: The best places to camp near Gulfport, Florida require advance planning during winter months. At Terry Tomalin Campground, sites often book quickly despite being "nicely spaced out so you aren't too close to other campers."
Alcohol restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. Terry Tomalin enforces that "you are not allowed to smoke anything, vape anything, drink anything alcoholic," according to a recent visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools ideal for family recreation. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, "They even had a movie night at the pool," reported one camper, noting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Playground access: Dedicated play areas provide activities for children. Fort De Soto features "a playground with good swings and also a sturdy playground... The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent."
Family-friendly activities: Some sites offer recreational amenities beyond standard camping. The St. Petersburg KOA provides "a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run. There are the typical bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs."
Tips from RVers
Site privacy considerations: RVers should research site separation when booking. At St. Petersburg KOA, a camper noted, "Sites are smashed together and no privacy. Some sites back up to the mangroves which is nice but that's about it."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have tight entry points. At Encore Vacation Village, visitors warn to "be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns," making navigation challenging for larger rigs.
Winter booking strategy: For camping during peak season, one Fort De Soto visitor advised, "Note that 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gulfport, FL?
What camping is available near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gulfport, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 180 campgrounds and RV parks near Gulfport, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gulfport, FL?
Which is the most popular campground near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gulfport, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 148 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gulfport, FL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Gulfport, FL.
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