St. 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.
14 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Encore Holiday Travel Park and Encore Barrington Hills RV Resort provide full hookup sites for RVs near Holiday, Florida. Both parks offer 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections year-round with paved access roads. "The sites are extremely close. I had a very difficult time parking my 37' foot travel trailer. If someone is parked across from you, you basically are stuck," noted one visitor about Winter Quarters Pasco. Hickory Point RV Park accommodates big rigs with pull-through sites and allows campfires, unlike most other parks in the area which prohibit open flames. Bay Aire RV Park caters exclusively to guests 55 and older, with 170 sites offering both 50-amp and 30-amp electrical hookups.
Many RV parks in the Holiday area have concrete pads that help keep rigs level and clean during Florida's rainy seasons. Several properties feature heated swimming pools, picnic tables, and pet-friendly policies, though spacing between sites tends to be tight throughout the region. A review mentioned that "the park is in a bad part of town" regarding Holiday Travel Park's location along busy US-19. Dump stations are available at most parks including Encore Holiday Travel Park, Caladesi RV Park, and Hickory Point RV Park. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most parks situated within easy driving distance of grocery stores, restaurants, and medical facilities.
"So a lot of snowbirds are packed up and gone. I can't say what it's like in January, but I've had no problems. The permanent residents are friendly. The amenities are plentiful."
"We were looking for a new place to spend the winter. This is an amazing park"
"There are many full time residents here. It was close enough to Tampa to use as a Homebase for the RV show."
"Nice quiet park. Spent 2 weeks here as part of our Thousand Oaks package."
"For now we had no internet, and used our phones for Hot Spot.
Staff are friendly and helpful.""Great location"
"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!"
"Very nice campground conveniently located right off of 589 ( Suncoast Parkway) 38 miles north of TPA. FRIENDLY neighbors, pet friendly. Nice amenities."
"We used this as a starting point to visit the local attractions Extremely quiet spot, mostly permanent sites. Very clean pool, baths."
"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."
"It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."
from $45 - $75 / night
"We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 132 for 3 days in mid April. The CG is very clean, well maintained, but relatively expensive."
"They’re all premium sites on the legend they have two cabins a few water sites. It’s Florida so it’s a tight fit in every spot. The staff we’ve met so far have been very friendly and helpful."
"Dog friendly and golf carts are allowed. Friendly staff. Pontoon boat rentals. Close to Three Sisters Springs where you can kayak with the Manatees."
"Excellent park, great attractions nearby! We have tried to come here each year. It is a larger park, with many residents or longer term or leave the rig weekenders."
"Perfect location can walk...bike...launch a boat or even hop on the trolley to get anywhere....Restaurants and grocery store right outside the gate....Great pizza joint with live music...We loved it here"
from $65 - $160 / night
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.
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!
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
Beautiful 😁
Great location
Great fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
Zephyrhills colony has new Management. It's like a breath of fresh air.A weight is lifted from our shoulders of constant harassment and being hawked at on a daily basis. The parking pads are beautiful.The construction crew did an excellent job and the yellow stripes on the roads are amazing.We are so thankful for this improvement in our park that we can be proud and happy at once and for all. I thank God for answered prayer personally.Now I can breathe now.I can live amen
The campsites are nice! They’re close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldn’t do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we weren’t occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
Close to beaches, beach parking is paid via campground fees. Quiet this time of year, fairly good size sites.
Camping options near Holiday, Florida provide a variety of spaces for RVs and seasonal travelers within 10 miles of the Gulf coast. The area sits at a low elevation of less than 20 feet above sea level and experiences Florida's subtropical climate with humid summers reaching into the 90s and mild winters. The region features numerous stormwater retention ponds and canals throughout campgrounds, creating habitat for local wildlife.
Fishing on the Anclote River: Hickory Point RV Park offers direct water access with a boat launch for anglers. "Awesome campground on the Anclote River! Beautiful sunsets and an amazing place to stay for extended periods," notes a visitor to Hickory Point RV Park.
Biking the Pinellas Trail: The paved trail runs directly behind Caladesi RV Park. "The Pinellas bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground," reports a Caladesi camper who appreciated the convenient trail access.
Visit Greek Village: Located near Tarpon Springs, Caladesi RV Park provides easy access to local cultural attractions. "Close to the beach and is within walking distance to some really nice restaurants. The Ice Cream shop across the street is amazing," mentions a reviewer who found the location convenient for exploring the area.
Play Mini-golf: On-site recreation at Sherwood Forest RV Resort includes a course for families. "Allow me to begin by saying I have never been to a large RV campground... ever! This place is so huge that you won't be surprised if you get lost in this place at least a couple of times," explained a first-time visitor describing the extensive amenities.
Clean facilities: Encore Holiday Travel Park maintains good amenities according to visitors. "The facilities are full of things to do and well maintained. If you want a gated community or a place that is entirely populated with shiny new rv's this isn't the place," noted one camper who appreciated the practical amenities despite the park not being upscale.
Pool areas: Several RV sites near Holiday, Florida feature swimming pools for cooling off. "The pool is clean and bathrooms are clean. The beach is a 5 minute drive and pet friendly!" shared a Caladesi RV Park guest who enjoyed both on-site and nearby water options.
Concrete pads: Winter Quarters Pasco provides stable parking surfaces. "Sites have cement slabs most have double cement slabs which keeps everything nice and clean. The bathrooms are clean and pool and Whirlpool are also well maintained," noted a reviewer who appreciated the solid infrastructure.
Senior-friendly environment: Bay Aire 55+ RV Park caters exclusively to older travelers with 170 designated sites. "Perfect location can walk...bike...launch a boat or even hop on the trolley to get anywhere....Restaurants and grocery store right outside the gate," reported a visitor who valued the park's accessibility.
Noise levels vary: Parks along major roads experience traffic noise. "Located right on U.S. 19 so don't expect quiet," shared one Encore Holiday Travel Park visitor who noted the busy roadway nearby.
Spacing between sites: Most RV campgrounds near Holiday have tight configurations. "The sites are spaced out far from each other which was great! I have travelled to a lot of parks That have sites right on top of one another," mentioned a Caladesi RV Park guest who found the spacing better than average for the area.
Neighborhood conditions: Location quality varies around parks. A Sherwood Forest RV Resort reviewer noted, "The location is great, very close to the theme parks in the area and grocery, convenience stores and restaurants nearby."
Weekend office hours: Some parks limit service on weekends. "Very nice RV and semi permanent place. Easy access off of the Nature Coast Parkway. Just didn't care for the office not being open on the weekends," reported an Encore Topics visitor.
Look for parks with playgrounds: Family-oriented facilities make stays more enjoyable for children. "The grounds and the pool are kept up, lots of shade in the park, friendly neighbors, convenient area to live in, pinellas hiking trail, good schools, ect," noted a year-round resident at Caladesi.
Consider beach proximity: Sherwood Forest RV Resort offers activities for various ages. "Amenities: Clubhouse/lounge, mini-golf, basketball, dog park, RV storage, restroom/shower facilities, horseshoe pit," listed a detailed review cataloging the many options available for family entertainment.
Check bug conditions: Insect control varies between campgrounds. "This is a mosquito heaven!!! Being bug spray or candles! You will see a large amount of bugs in your area," warned a visitor to Encore Vacation Village who experienced pest issues during their stay.
Find parks with organized activities: Some campgrounds host regular social events. "In addition to all of the amenities, there's also a ton of activities, including live music concerts, potluck dinners, BBQ cookouts, dance lessons, ice cream socials," noted a Sherwood Forest visitor.
Big rig access: Encore Barrington Hills accommodates larger vehicles. "We stayed here because it was free. Most people were friendly and the park was well kept. It's a very large park consisting of the usual pavement and concrete," reported a reviewer who found the infrastructure suitable for their needs.
Leveling considerations: Winter Quarters Pasco offers level concrete pads. "The site itself was great, and was basically new. Very level and great hookups. Just small," mentioned a visitor noting the trade-off between site quality and size.
Hookup location awareness: "When I pull through I realized very quickly it wasn't so 'Elite'. The sites are VERY close to one another, the slabs have a crazy arc to them, and the water hook ups are smack in the middle between yourself and the other sites," warned a camper at Sherwood Forest about challenging utility connections.
Back-in difficulty: Narrow roads can complicate parking larger rigs at many parks. "No Camping in this resort. It was a nice spot to park the camper, and visit family in town. The sites are extremely close. I had a very difficult time parking my 37' foot travel trailer," shared a visitor about their experience navigating tight spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Holiday, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Holiday, FL is Encore Holiday Travel Park with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 212 RV camping locations near Holiday, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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