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.
18 campgrounds with availability next weekend
The Land O' Lakes region offers numerous big rig friendly RV parks with full hookup capabilities. Encore Winter Quarters Pasco in nearby Lutz provides year-round RV sites with 50 amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections, accommodating larger motorhomes with ease. Just north in Spring Hill, Encore Topics RV Resort features spacious sites with full hookups and amenities designed for extended stays. Forest Lake Village RV Resort in Zephyrhills and Encore Silver Dollar in Odessa round out the local options, both offering complete utility connections for self-contained RVs. Sites throughout these parks vary from basic gravel pads to premium concrete slabs with additional parking space. As one RVer noted, "We had a pull-thru spot that was plenty long enough to leave our dolly hooked up to our 33' class A, and still have plenty of room to park in front."
Winter months bring significantly higher occupancy rates to Land O' Lakes area RV parks, with many snowbirds arriving from northern states. Advance reservations become essential between November and March, particularly for premium sites with concrete pads. Most parks maintain on-site dump stations, though some older facilities may have limited capacity during peak times. Cell service varies by carrier, with AT&T showing stronger coverage than other networks in certain locations. Pet policies are generally accommodating, with designated dog parks available at several resorts including Plantation Oaks, which features "a decent sized dog run." Propane refill stations can be found on-site at larger resorts, while nearby towns offer additional services for RV maintenance needs. Laundry facilities, while available at most parks, may require quarters rather than accepting credit cards.
"For now we had no internet, and used our phones for Hot Spot.
Staff are friendly and helpful.""Great location"
"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."
"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."
"We recently stayed at Clover Forest RV Park in our 40ft Class A Motorhome, and overall, it was a pleasant experience."
"Would try to not park close to the main road. Just one row back is a lot quieter. Easy going vibes around the campground."
"Large, level sites. Can accommodate any size RV. Very active community. 2 activity centers, pool, pickleball, horseshoes, billiards, bingo, entertainment and much more. Clean bathrooms and showers."
"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!"
from $38 - $45 / 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!
This Old Florida location has a Western bent to the place with the covered wagon motif and ranch-styled main office with what looks to be a horse tie up on the porch, so whatever the theme might be, this RV enclave is a good stretch away from the I75 highway that you moseyed onto in to find this 55+ retirement one lane (OK, there’s a simple loop) cowboy retirement OK corral. You’ll access Countryside RV Park via Country Rd 489 just off of Route 470 and if you blink (you know, because of all that dust blowing off the prairie), you’d miss the turn-off, so keep your eyes peeled, pardner, and about 20 yards into the property, you’ll swing by the office on what looks to be freshly laid, small single vehicle lanes and check in with the sheriff (er, the RV manager), who will direct you to your humble piece of very flat land, which no doubt will be draped in shade provided by the scattered ancient and live oaks that are sweating Spanish moss creating a very (trust me) un-wild, wild west vibe.
There’s some basic amenities here in addition to the standard pull-through parking pads and FHUs offering 20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage, including: sanitary dump, impeccably clean his / her restrooms and shower facilities, picnic tables, WiFi, cable TV, coin-operated laundry, horseshoes, side X side shuffle boards that are in pristine condition, recreation room with billiards, dog park, fire pit, retention pond, on-site storage, exercise equipment and gym. There’s even a proper mail room in case you plan on staying long enough that you need to receive mail here or have it forwarded (beats waiting for the Pony Express to arrive). Due to this being a semi- or full-retirement zone, Countryside offers additional diversions and activities like bingo, Karaoke, bowling, arts & crafts as well as Bible study, in addition to learning how to lasso your very own steer (OK, I made up this last one).
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If your ID or social security card doesn’t clearly state that you are 55+ you won’t have any luck at this hideout; (2) If you do manage to stay here, IMHO the best spots are those either on the western - but of course - side of this depot (#6 – 22) or eastern (#46–#59) perimeters; (3) Should you need to load up on anything while here, there’s not much nearby apart from a Dollar General and Kal’s Food Grocery, but if you don’t mind driving slightly further afield, there’s a Publix NE of here and a Winn-Dixie and Walmart due south of here towards Bushnell; and (4) In the event that you’d like to grab some local grub, there’s Big Apple Café and a Subway nearby in the small town here, or up on Lake Panasoffkee there’s Big Bass Grill Lakefront Restaurant & Marina, which I highly recommend.
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.
The Land O' Lakes region sits at the heart of Florida's west-central corridor, with a subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Average temperatures range from 70°F in January to 90°F in August, making year-round camping viable but requiring different preparations by season. Most RV parks near Land O' Lakes experience their busiest period from December through April when northern visitors seek warmer weather.
Fishing opportunities nearby: Several RV parks in the Land O' Lakes area offer fishing access within their properties. At Encore Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort, "The Pond has fish, turtles, ducks and even according to the sign, alligators. You will even find a park bench that overlooks a babbling Brook," notes one camper.
Day trips to Tampa Bay: Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Tampa, Land O' Lakes serves as a convenient base for exploring the metropolitan area. A guest at Holiday Travel Park mentioned they were "Located minutes from Tarpon Springs, about :30 minutes to Tampa Bay downtown."
Local state parks: The region has several state parks within driving distance for day trips. One camper at Barrington Hills RV Resort reported, "We visited local state parks (not many nearby) and enjoyed the area on the gulf side of 19."
Swimming pools: Many campgrounds feature well-maintained pools that campers frequently praise. At Camper's Holiday, visitors enjoy "truly the most amazing salt water pool we have ever come across. It is HUGE and heated and very enjoyable."
Community atmosphere: Long-term residents create a neighborhood feel at many parks. A visitor at Encore Winter Quarters Pasco noted, "We have lived over 3 months here and always enjoyed it. The people are friendly including the staff."
Full hookups: RV parks in the area typically provide complete utility connections. According to one camper, Encore Winter Quarters Pasco offers "cement slabs most have double cement slabs which keeps everything nice and clean," along with all necessary hookups.
Convenient location: The strategic position between rural areas and urban centers appeals to many visitors. A camper at Encore Topics appreciated the "Very nice RV and semi permanent place. Easy access off of the Nature Coast Parkway. Great grocery store near by."
Spacing limitations: Sites at many Land O' Lakes area RV parks tend to be close together. One camper at Winter Quarters Pasco stated, "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."
Transportation noise: Some parks experience noise from nearby transportation routes. A visitor at Forest Lake Village RV Resort warned, "The back fence is right next to the train tracks and the trains are very active sometimes blowing through every half hour all hours of the night."
Seasonal population shifts: The demographics at RV parks change dramatically during winter months. As one camper observed about Winter Quarters Pasco, "I wish I had known that this was mainly a retirement community. Always being stared at by the live in community and just felt unwelcome."
Mixed-use properties: Many RV parks contain both temporary camping areas and permanent residences. A reviewer noted that Forest Lake Village RV Resort has "many full time residents here. The sites are very close and nearly touch each other back to back."
Pool access scheduling: During peak season, plan swimming time strategically to avoid crowds. At Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort, "We recently stayed at Clover Forest RV Park in our 40ft Class A Motorhome...The pool was sparkling clean and provided a great spot to relax during the hot afternoons."
Age-appropriate parks: Some RV parks cater more to retirees than families with children. One visitor to Winter Quarters Pasco cautioned, "The rules are extremely strict, as this is mainly a retirement community. No fires, no noise, and no fun. The kids were in our small site throwing the football, but being stared at by neighbors."
Communal facilities: Many parks offer shared spaces for family activities. Camper's Holiday features a "campers pavilion, swimming pool, group campfire site," which can provide entertainment options beyond individual sites.
Site selection strategy: For larger rigs, request specific sites that accommodate your vehicle dimensions. One RVer at Clover Leaf Forest noted that "the spaces are a bit small, especially for a larger RV like ours. It felt a little tight maneuvering into the spot, but we managed fine."
Noise mitigation: Position your RV strategically within parks to minimize traffic noise. A camper advised about Clover Leaf Forest, "Would try to not park close to the main road. Just one row back is a lot quieter."
Weekend office hours: Check for limited administrative services on weekends. A visitor at Encore Topics mentioned their only negative was "no one in the office in the weekends," which could affect check-in procedures or assistance needs.
Internet connectivity: Plan for variable connection quality across rv parks in Land O' Lakes, Florida. According to one long-term visitor at Clover Leaf Forest, "If you stay long term you can get your own internet service from one of the providers around."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Land O' Lakes, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Land O' Lakes, FL is Encore Winter Quarters Pasco with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Land O' Lakes, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 273 RV camping locations near Land O' Lakes, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring