Searching for glamping near Holiday? Glamping near Holiday, FL is a great way to go camping with the tastes of home. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a site closer to all the action, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect glamping spot.
Located off the St. Petersburg coast, near the mouth of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the tiny islands that make up Fort De Soto County Park have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the islands were home to the Tocobaga peoples, who sustained themselves on local plants and seafood. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors began exploring Florida’s barrier islands and mainland, among them, Hernando de Soto. From the Civil War in the 1860s until the conclusion of World War II in the 1940s, the islands were used as military emplacements, first as a Union blockade, then as coastal defensive batteries. The islands finally became a state park in 1963 as an effort to preserve their long history, and provide a recreation area for locals and visitors. The park was designated America’s Top Beach in 2009, and sees more than 2.7 million annual visitors.
Fort DeSoto County Park reservations offer 238 sites for tent and RV campers. It is located on the St. Christopher and St. Jean Keys, approximately 10 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. The campground is mostly wooded, and divided up into three areas: Area 1 for tents, vans, and small campers, and Areas 2 and 3 for larger RVs. All sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. Comfort stations with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are located in each area; a dump station is located near Area 2. The campground also features a small store, dayroom, two playgrounds, and Wifi service; bike and kayak rentals are available. Dogs are permitted in Area 2 and the designated dog park only. Alcoholic beverages and gas-powered generators are not permitted in the park. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance; seven months for locals. Campsite rates are $36–$42/night.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on a visit to Fort DeSoto County Park, including visiting Fort DeSoto. Located on the southernmost point of Mullet Key, the historic military emplacement is open to the public for self-guided tours. Explore officers’ quarters, the bakery, the hospital and various other facilities. Look out across the Gulf of Mexico for the lighthouse, constructed in 1858, on neighboring Egmont Key. The park also features more than 7 miles of sparkling, white sand beaches, including East Beach and North Beach, for sunning and swimming. These can be reached via a paved, multi-use path from the campground. There are also boat launches, a fishing pier and a snack bar. As part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, bird watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.
A 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets.
$38 - $48 / night
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this Hillsborough River State Park Camping offers a refuge from city life with its seven miles of nature trails and ample places to cool off in the water.
Except for occasional reenactments, the cannon and guns are now silent at Fort Foster. No longer do Seminole Indians have to fight to keep a foothold in Florida, and soldiers no longer guard a strategic river crossing. The reconstructed fort and its surroundings are now part of Hillsborough River State Park.
Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Tucked away, only a short distance from the bustling city of Tampa, camping is a popular activity at Hillsborough River State Park.
$24 / night
Separate primitive camping areas available for individual and equestrian camping. Backcountry camping available. Campsites for cars and primitive cabins available. Groups can reserve tent site or cabins up to 90 days in advance. Reservation and fee are required and can be made up to 30 days in advance.
$24 / night
Some Features and Amenities of our resort:
Free Snow Removal
Free Wi-Fi
Free Cable TV
Heated Pool
Well Stocked Camp Store
"NO RIG TOO BIG!"
292 Sites
39 Pull Thru
Ten campsites are available for overnight tent camping at the park. There is also a group tent camping area. Reservations must be made in advance through the Pasco County Parks & Recreation Department.
A free camping reservation is required and must be displayed.
Guide
We stayed here to glamp in their new glamping yurts. First time glamping in FL and it was a great experience. The yurt was chic and smelt really good like essential oils. Everything was very clean and they put in a lot of effort to customize the stay for you. Best way to “camp” while staying clean and comfy. The bathrooms were nearby and immaculate at well.
Scout
This is an awesome florida camp spot. Well cared for sites, clean bath houses. If there is a campsite that embodies "glamping" this might be it. Tons to do, from fishing and kayaking to miles of bike paths. And of course one of the most highly rated beaches in the country. Definitely worth a stay.
TravelerWe’ve been here numerous times whether it is just plain leisure and special holidays. Love the waterfront view. Clear view of the stars and moon at night. Any time we get, we book it here.
Traveler
The campground is clean and well Kept. Has shower houses and clean bathrooms Not full hookups but has a dumpstation in the west campground. Busy on holidays No alcohol allowed Firepits. Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying. Has picnic pavilions and several fishing docks
LegendI find myself torn between four and five stars on this campground. It turned out being everything we expected and more. 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. Pete and north of Ana Maria Island. We drove down from Orlando and it took us under two hours. We hit some traffic on 275 and the Parkway, but it is expected. There are two tolls (1.00 and .75) before you hit the park. One thing we learned and a good pointer is that 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.
The check in process was very simple. We arrived about an hour early and got everything set up. We were told to stop back between 12:30 and 1 (Advise that check in is at 1pm, so getting in early is not a guaranteed or expected result). The parking lot is a bit awkward, as the camper/trailer line blocks views and actual spots for cars..but it is trivial.
We had rented site 28 (mostly because it was one of the only ones available and best of the litter). There are three loops, and we were in the 1-86 loop. There are no pets and no RV's allowed, which was perfect for us. Most of the outer side of the loop has some sort of water. Water does not mean access. It seemed that the higher numbers (40+) had less access to water and more of a mangrove area. Depths of sites also varied widely. We must have done the camping gods some good, because we hit the site karma. Our site was nice and deep, with a weird little island (former tree/stump) in the middle. This actually made us divide the tent area up into two sides, which worked out well. The site has plenty of options for both clothes lines and hammocks. We opted to put the "kitchen" towards the back of the site with the water view, and fire bin (rented for $3 from the campground office). We had neighbors on both sides and across (this places always sells out) and it was still fairly secluded. They did a great job at keeping a lot of natural growth to maintain privacy and a true tropical feel. There was plenty of shade, but also plenty of sunshine when you wanted it. This site also gets direct sunlight after about 9am (based on mid october), so plan accordingly. It gets toasty :) We have an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees.
The bath house is pretty central and literally across the road from our site. We had expected a much further walk based on the map, but it was just a 1 minute walk. They were ample, but nothing to write home about. They clean them daily, so they are not bad. The showers leave a lot to be desired with water pressure and privacy. They share a common area with stalls and cheap liners that offer little privacy. Again, it is camping so this isn't a complaint, but a warning. Also, bring your own toilet paper.
There is 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.
The campground store is nice and good for essentials if you don't want to take the 15/20 minute drive to publix or 7 minute drive to 7-11. Firewood is a bit overpriced at $9 per bundle and the fire buckets are cheap at $3 per night. They also have basic food and camping supplies. Note that there is no alcohol allowed in the park, including the campground. All I can say is that you should use common sense. This is a family friendly place. They also rent bikes and kayaks.
The site was just a 10 minute drive to north beach, which is our favorite. There is plenty to do in the area. Overall, I love this place and look forward to coming back many times in the future. 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.
Guide
This is a great free camping area in the Florida wilderness. Plenty of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The Florida trail is nearby.
GuideFt. Desoto Park is a must see when you visit Florida. Its one of the most well preserved areas that feature Florida as it used to be, wild and beautiful. The camp ground is nice and has all of the amenities. Keep your food locked up though as the raccoons are brazen!
Traveler
You must reserve a site with Southwest Florida Water Management by website. It is sometimes closed to hunting. There are lakes and multiple varieties of terrain.
ScoutSome sights are waterfront. Beaches nearby. West coast of Florida.
GuideVery beautiful and short drive to a great Florida beach. Bugs suck though.
GuideLoved the hiking, huge pool (closed due to cover though) will go back. Hiking along the river almost forgot we were even in Florida :-)
Guide
We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida.
TravelerNot waterfront but close enough! Hike to the beach, or stay at your spacious site and enjoy the Florida nature! Roads are tight, but spots are clean and easily accessible
dog friendly too! Dog beach closer than the people beach!!
Scout
I liked the park over all. They had a lot of fun activities for children and adults. They had a nice parade going on and a church on site . It was easy to book and they had what I was looking for at the last minute. We came on a day just before a holiday and stayed on the homosassa River with a water view. It’s pretty quiet from where we stayed and the locals are friendly. We had the option of rentals for kayaking boating. The landscaping, flowers, pool and kids playground area is very nice. Pet friendly.clean washer and dryer areas and buildings. Has on grounds club house a cute little store and on the water a marina bar type where you can get drinks and food. What I didn’t care for and the park has no control over this part and I won’t hold it against them is all of the trump signs up for some of the locals that live there. Again, not the parks fault and this is more of a petty complaint. What is and can be of issue is how small your space will be. We were very cramped into the spot. I didn’t expect this and when talking with others that stayed on a short trip also complained about the lack of space you will get. We did make it work since we had a vehicle we also pulled behind our big RV class A. What is great that I really liked a lot is how you can have all of your amenities taken care of with the grey and black ports / sewer lines, full electric and water hook ups. All right there together. Convenient at it’s finest for sure. We didn’t have to stop on the way out to dump out the grey/ black tanks. This is so nice! So as I stated when I started my review I did like the park and all of its beauty it had to offer. I would stay here again, yes definitely!
GuideThe river was an obstacle course but adventurous and challenging. What we were really impressed was the campsites. Very shaded and quiet. One added bonus is the Florida Trail starts there also. She have a you tube channel called trailandcampreport.com. Always great to add new sites.
GuideThis was my first time at a campground in Florida! I was surrounded by beautiful wildlife (alligators, birds, and even a wild boar). The hiking trails were perfect for a beginner or a regular hiker. The little shop/restaurant sells a nice, quick meal for when you're done hiking as well! I will definitely be going back.
TravelerI love this park, this section of the Hillsborough River has some of the only class 2 rapids in Florida! This park has every amenity you can imagine for camping from a giant swimming pool, kayak/canoe rental, bike rentals, fishing, hiking, so much to do. Its honestly a kind of hidden gem so close to Tampa!
TravelerWe stayed here to attend the Florida RV Supershow and it was perfect. Less than a half hour to the fairgrounds. Peaceful campground with nice size sites. We were in site 51A (pull through) for 2 nights and site 42 for 2 nights. Both were level and shaded. Bathhouse was nice. We really enjoyed the trails.
Traveler
Always a nice camp with multiple access hike in points. Check for scheduled hunts, hunters do not like hikers even though Florida trail is open year round. 5 minute walk from river if you need drinking water. Make sure to filter and watch for gators.
Traveler
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.
TravelerThis park has RV sites, regular tent sites, cabins and primitive camping. I like the regular tent sites, not much of a walk in but secluded. The park includes restrooms and showers and seem to be taken care of. There are several trails around, one paved, and I believe the Florida Trail is very close. Quiet at night and peaceful.
LegendMarch escape to Florida. Great camp ground! Includes parking at Fort Desoto beaches. Seven miles of beach, great bike trails. Bikes and kayaks to rent. Nice bathhouses. Large lush mostly level gravel sites. Trees and shrubs provide shade and privacy from neighboring sites. No fire ring. Favorite sites 200-230 3-30 all waterfront. Lots of other great waterfront sites available. Interior sites hard to back into.
LegendCampground Review: Fort Desoto
I camped with my family Fort Desoto – a Pinellas County park over memorial day 2019. While I’ve been to the beach at Fort Desoto may times over the years, this was my first time camping at the campground (my family who lives in Florida camps here every year).
I booked the site well in advance of the trip, and must have lucked out with a cancellation because I got a site on the water side in the camping loop over the holiday weekend. When I arrived I learned that some of the water side sites are actually against the mangroves, while others have an open view of the bay and are perfect for watching the sunset form your campground. Unfortunately, our site looked at the mangroves, not the sunset, but It was just a short walk to the open area. We were at site 40. If I were going again, I’d book even further in advance and aim to get a site in the lower 30s for the view. Residents can book further in advance.
All of the sites in the tent area are equipped with a picnic table and grill and an electrical hookup. There is a water point at each site.
When my sister showed up with her camping gear, I was surprised that they’d brought two giant fans to plug in – they are very experienced Florida campers. It kept the site cool, mosquitos away, and most importantly it blocked out the noise from the very large group celebrating at the site next to us.
There are lots of trees in each site, and we were easily able to hang up 3 hammocks. The view of the neighbors on each side was blocked about 80% which is great for a FL campground in my experience.
Fires are permitted, but you have to bring your own firepit if you want to build one. There is a small campstore on site, and a grocery and convenience store in Tierra Verde just a mile or so up the road outside the park (there is a toll bridge that you have to pass going in and out).
The campground is gated and locked after 9pm with a code. There is a limit to 2 cars per campsite. If you park outside of the campsite, there is a 5$ parking fee per car at Fort Desoto. You’ll need your camping pass in your car in order to drive down to the beach to park.
There were bathrooms and showers in the loop as well as a day use “house” with a fireplace and chairs and some books. Trash receptacles were a short walk away and we used them often to keep the trash out of the campground because the campground is notorious for racoons.
We brought out kayaks and fishing poles and spent most of the day in the water near the campsite. This is a no swimming area, however, so if you want to swim you have to head to the beach. There are lots of bike trails here as well if you’re camping with bikes.
Check out is at 11am and check in is at 1pm. This is strictly enforced. The office is at the entrance.
Product Review: The Rovr RollR 60 Quart Cooler
As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get to test and evaluate quality products from amazing sponsors. On this campgin trip, we put the Rovr Roller 60 cooler to the test. https://rovrproducts.com/product/505229344820/6841244385332
When I read about the Rovr cooler’s claim to keep things cold for up to 11 days, I decided that FL camping in Memorial Day temperatures of 95+ was the perfect place to give this cooler a real test. Plus my family in Florida runs a brewery, so I had access to an unlimited supply of beverages and ice for the experiment.
Three days before the camping trip I filled up the cooler with 55 cans and ice. The cans were from the warehouse (not cold) and the cooler had been driving around in the 100 degree car – so the cooler had some hard work to do in the beginning. After one day, the ice had melted, but the inside of the cooler and the drinks were cold. I emptied the water and then left in my car for 2 more days until the trip – the drinks were still cold. I added more ice before the camping trip. The cooler won’t keep your ice frozen for 11 days, but I can say for a fact it will keep your drinks cold for at least 5 or 6 (and cool for more beyond that– 7 das was all the time I had to experiment).
PROS:
Capacity: I was able to easily fit 55 cans and 10 pounds of ice in the cooler without even trying to Tetris pack the Rovr.
Racoon Proof: We didn’t have any bears in Fort Desoto to test that it’s bear proof, but we did have raccoons. The cooler my family camped with at Fort Desoto the last time was destroyed by raccoons, but the Rovr wasn’t even bothered.
Durability: The cooler is really incredibly durable, we tested it by standing on it to hang the hammocks as high as possible in the trees.
Smooth: Despite its weight (see cons below), the Rovr is really smooth and easy to roll with it’s big wheels even when it’s full. We rolled it through parking lots, over beach, and through grass down a trail. The double handle is great – but full of cans, it was still easy to roll with just one person.
Responsive: In shipping my box got a bit banged up and the cooler arrived with one of its Velcro straps missing. I sent a quick email to support and they responded immediately with instructions on how to get a replacement through the product warranty. This could have easily been a con for a $400 cooler, but the customer service was great and fast and conveyed the attitude that they want me to love my Rovr.
Color: the cooler comes in several color choices including orange which is my favorite color. The top bin comes in white or can be upgraded to a printed color I like the way the white looks but it gets dirty pretty quickly)
Keeps things cool: The Rovr totally passed my extreme heat test and really did what a cooler is meant to do – keep things really cold.
Cons:
Weight: Because the Rovr 60 is heavy duty, it’s also HEAVY. Without anything food or drink in it the cooler is heavy -- yet manageable. Full of beer, I could barely get the thing in and out of my car. If you fill it up, the average person will need to have help lifting it up. (Thankfully with the wheels, you don’t have to lift it often – just in and out of the car.)
Until you get used to the size and capacity it’s easy to overstuff – for me, this meant that the ice kept overflowing into the dry area where there is no drainage. This is more operator error than a negative about the product. If you don't need the capacity of the larger cooler, the 45 would be a good choice.
Extra Cost of Accessories: I love that this cooler has a lot of extra accessories that you can add on, but I didn’t opt to get any of them for the test since they’re all around 20-40$ a piece and I wasn’t sure how much I’d like the cooler. If you want the accessories, you can easily add another $100 on top of the $400 the cooler price. After testing the cooler I think that the cutting board or the bike pull accessories would be fun to have, but with the weight of the cooler already, I think I’ll skip adding anything to it for the future.
Overall, the Rovr is a really impressive cooler. It’s perfect for car camping, a short hike in camping trip, and day trips when you’re on the go – and it looks really fun as a bonus! The Rovr definitely passed the test. The next test for my Rovr is going to be flying back to Oregon with me (although my family in Florida is begging me to leave it here with them—at least until after their next camping trip).
Traveler
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. Be prepared for sun exposure, with sunblock and lots of water recommended as you will be hiking under open sky in the Florida heat. You will also need to bring firewood in with you. No bathrooms where we were, so have some camping toilet paper and a shovel for human waste disposal. They have water stations, but do not count on these being full at all times. Bring water with you. Don’t risk it! Have fun!
Traveler3.2 mile hike through mostly open Florida pine forest with the occasional swamp. Perfect time of year to come. Site has great shade and opens up at the fire pit for great star gazing. Only downside is that you are under the flight path for Tampa Intl. so you get the occasional jets above. We had a small spike buck come into our camp at night and he didn’t even flinch at us from 20 yards. Awesome experience for my son. Weather was absolutely perfect. For being generally surrounded by urban areas this place is a win for ease of access. Good cell service with T-Mobile as well. We will definitely be doing this again!
Scout
My boyfriend and I just camped here for 4 days. Weekends have a different vibe on the weekdays it’s quiet. Each campground has its primitive camp charm all come with a picnic table, parking spot, a wooden pole you can hang your garbage, and a water spout near by. Overall we had a great time it’s clean, there’s mosquitoes but that is Florida camping bring bug spray and keep the fire going helps. We’ll definitely be going back one day!
GuideThis was a very nice swimming and paddle boat park on the Hillsborough River when I was a kid.As a family we visited many times. Now everything is closed down except camping, hiking, canoeing if you bring your own. But still a nice place to camp. 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. Very nice Rangers. Also someone went through every evening selling ice and firewood, which was great! Overall we will go back.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Holiday, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 136 reviews.
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