Fort De Soto Campground
So far so good
Nice enough spots but pretty tight to neighbors.
Campgrounds near Largo, Florida provide a mix of urban and coastal camping experiences along Florida's Gulf Coast. Fort De Soto Park Campground offers waterfront sites with beach access in Saint Petersburg, while St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday features tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Encore Vacation Village in Largo itself provides established campground facilities primarily for RVs with cabin options available. Indian Rocks Travel Park offers additional RV accommodations within Largo city limits, creating excellent camping opportunities within this densely populated region.
Most campgrounds in the Tampa Bay area require advance reservations, particularly during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive from northern states. "We waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons," noted one camper about their experience in the region. Humidity and mosquitoes present challenges during summer months, while winter provides milder temperatures ideal for tent camping. Many campgrounds near Largo restrict campfires due to their urban setting or proximity to sensitive coastal environments. Limited primitive camping exists in this highly developed area, with most sites offering partial or full hookups for recreational vehicles. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds providing direct bay or bayou frontage.
Waterfront sites at Fort De Soto receive consistently high ratings from campers seeking nature experiences within the urban environment. A visitor commented, "We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat." Several campgrounds in the area feature swimming pools, recreation facilities, and bike rentals to compensate for their distance from natural features. Urban camping in this region typically includes higher noise levels from nearby highways and development. Despite the urban setting, many campers report wildlife sightings including dolphins, manatees, and numerous bird species at waterfront locations. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept restroom facilities and showers, though sites vary in size and privacy. The Largo camping area balances proximity to urban amenities with opportunities for nature experiences, particularly at locations with mangrove or bayou frontage.
$38 - $48 / night
"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."
"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."
$45 - $75 / night
"Decent size spot with stone drive and cement patio. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Nice laundry facilities with area to play cards if you wanted. Pool area is nice with shade spots."
"I stayed two weeks here with my dog and loved the location— great bike access to nearby trails and easy drives to Honeymoon Island."
"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!"
$24 / night
"One of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Florida. It's around 650 acres with tons of boardwalks and hiking."
"Next to honeymoon island state park and just south of anclote Boat camping ONLY — tents/Rvs are not permitted.
First come/first serve boat slips, pet friendly (yay for dogs)"
"There’s a place to fish, a place to chill on the dock and not fish, trees are everywhere and lots of random wildlife roaming around. Staff has been super friendly too."
"Off a very busy road hidden behind a hotel and a restaurant. Very clean and tidy park with RV sites and park models. Huge laundry room and very nice bath houses. Customer service is good."
"Best location for moving around the area. Use Drew not Gulf to Bay to move across the city. Great customer service Suzy and the crew are very helpful. "
$25 / night
"We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."
$24 / night
"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"
"The sites are a little tight but that's normal for most of Florida, specially in a heavy populated are like Clearwater. It's unbelievably quiet although it's right off of US 19. Staff is so great."
"Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities."











Nice enough spots but pretty tight to neighbors.
I stayed two weeks here with my dog and loved the location— great bike access to nearby trails and easy drives to Honeymoon Island. Sites were roomy, shaded by beautiful oak trees and there was other people my age around. This is a rare park, for almost everything is 55 and up. But I am 40 and was not surrounded by the old ancient and cranky lol!! The full hookups worked well. Park is quaint and clean, staff were friendly at check‑in, and the heated pool was a nice bonus. Dog-friendly overall(plenty of grassy areas for walks) and doggie doo doo stations all throughout, so bring a long leash but don't stress about poo bags. They offered Wi‑Fi but I use a Star Link because I do love to stream Netflix at night, and guest wifi at parks can be lagging with everyone trying to use it. I got great recommendations from Amanda in the office about places to eat around there. She is a local, and locals know all the good places! Uh let's see, oh Lloyd I think is the maintenance guy. He helped me with my sewer hook up since I was struggling that first day. Check in was easy, because there was no formal one, I got a text with a bunch of info for the bathrooms,wifi and a map. So overall it was a great stay, great location and I'll defiantly be back.
Just left the Peace Love & Vans Rally needed a convenient resupply space ¯_(ツ)_/¯ KOA site clean, safe, and well organized
Relaxing campsite, most sites have water access or view. The raccoons are a little too comfortable they will make their selves at home and borrow anything that you leave open.
Welcoming staff upon arrival. Park is very clean and well taken care of. Met some great neighbors and enjoyed the quietness. The park is constantly monitored by staff giving you a sense of comfort. Beautiful spring to enjoy a warm day as the water temp is a consistent 72°. Canoe and Kyak launch is easily accessible to enjoy the calm waters of the Alafia River. Restrooms and showers were clean and plentiful around the grounds. We will definitely be back.
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.
Stayed here for about a week. They have a heated pool, laundry room, billarads, shuffle board and a meeting room. Like all RV parks. Be discerning of some of the people. But some people were very kind.
this place has great potential, however, they are in a remodeling phase at the moment location, location, location is its best feature, very kind owner who tried his best to post our state last January
Lindsay in the office is great. She will go out of her way to help with anything she can. Sites are hit or miss. Some are spacious; some are cramped. It's in the city if that's your thing.
Camping sites near Largo, Florida range from coastal locations with water access to urban campgrounds with full amenities. Summer humidity typically exceeds 80% from June through September, creating challenging conditions for tent campers without proper ventilation. Winter temperatures average between 50-70°F, making November through March the most comfortable camping season in this region.
Kayaking and wildlife viewing: Fort De Soto Campground offers water access with abundant wildlife sightings. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of tons of Birds!" notes one camper. The park features mangrove kayak trails and multiple beaches for swimming.
Biking and trail access: The Pinellas Trail runs alongside several campgrounds, providing miles of paved paths. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, "They have the typical bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs." The trail connects multiple communities throughout the peninsula.
Historical exploration: Fort De Soto Park features a historic fort with educational displays. "There are three loops one for guests with pets. BRING YOUR RABIES VACCINE PAPERS! Many sites are waterfront and are mostly well separated. Great bike trails," reports a visitor who found plenty to explore beyond the beaches.
Waterfront sites: At Fort De Soto Campground, waterfront sites offer privacy and wildlife viewing. "This campground is a County Park in Pinellas County. Well maintained with some of the best beaches in the US," writes one camper. Sites on the water command premium rates and book quickly.
Clean facilities: Caladesi RV Park maintains clean bathhouses and laundry facilities. "The grounds and the pool are kept up, lots of shade in the park, friendly neighbors, convenient area to live in," notes a camper. Most parks in the area provide at minimum showers, toilets, and laundry facilities.
Pool amenities: During summer heat, pools become essential features. "Office staff is amazing. The upkeep here is like a machine. Daily trash p/u by 10am (don't leave it out over-night, or critters might get it first!)" says a camper at Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA, highlighting the attention to detail at maintained facilities.
Reservation timing: At Bay Bayou RV Resort, sites book months in advance during winter. "Immaculate grounds, clean and modern bath houses, three laundry rooms. Very dog friendly with doggy bag stations and dog parks," writes a satisfied camper. Most parks require reservations 3-6 months ahead for winter stays.
Site spacing: Many parks feature tight spacing between campsites. "Sites are small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog 'park' was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities," notes a reviewer at Avalon RV Resort. Be prepared for limited privacy at most locations.
Noise considerations: Traffic noise affects several campgrounds. "We were at the front and the road noise was bad. Lots of sirens and traffic. It was noticeably quieter at the back of the campground," shares a camper from Clearwater/Lake Tarpon KOA. Request sites away from main roads when possible.
Beach proximity options: Caladesi Island State Park offers unique boat-in access with beach recreation. "Only accessible by water! Next to honeymoon island state park and just south of anclote. Boat camping ONLY — tents/RVs are not permitted," cautions a visitor. Families can take the ferry from Honeymoon Island for day use.
Pool activities: Swimming pools provide relief from heat and entertainment for children. "They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run," reports a camper at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, noting the variety of on-site recreation options.
Weather considerations: Summer brings mosquitoes and rain. "Very private spots lots of trees. Lots of bugs in the summer time," warns a Fort De Soto camper. Pack insect repellent and prepare for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months.
Site surface types: At Clearwater RV Resort, site conditions vary. "The sites are small and sandy with a small patio pad. Some sites are water logged when it rains. They are working on fixing these issues and upgrading the small patios a few per year," notes a seasonal visitor. Request concrete pads when available.
Approach routes: Some parks have challenging entry points. "Be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns. Many full time residents with older park models," warns an RV owner about Encore Vacation Village. Use GPS coordinates rather than addresses for more accurate routing.
Hookup locations: At multiple parks, utility connections may be positioned awkwardly. "The utilities were set up poorly and we struffled a bit with septic hookup," reports a camper at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA. Bring extra-length hoses and electrical cords to accommodate varying layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Largo, Florida?
While Largo itself has limited camping options, several excellent camping spots are within easy driving distance. Fort De Soto Campground offers beachfront sites with wildlife viewing opportunities just a short drive away. For nature enthusiasts, Shell Key Preserve provides a unique boat-in camping experience with amazing views and abundant wildlife, though you'll need to make reservations and note that pets and alcohol are prohibited. Both locations provide distinctive Florida camping experiences that are easily accessible from Largo.
What RV parks and campgrounds are available in Largo?
Campers Cove RV Park is located in Largo city, though reviews note it's in an urban setting on Seminole Boulevard rather than a natural environment. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday is another option in the Largo/St. Petersburg area with friendly staff and good amenities, though be aware the Wi-Fi doesn't support streaming. Other nearby options include Indian Rocks Travel Park and Clearwater RV Resort, both offering full hookups and convenient access to Gulf beaches.
How much does camping cost in Largo compared to other areas?
Camping costs around Largo tend to be moderate to high compared to other Florida regions due to the area's popularity and proximity to Gulf beaches. Private RV parks like Encore Terra Ceia typically range from $45-75 per night depending on season and amenities. For more affordable options, nearby state parks such as Lake Manatee State Park Campground offer sites for approximately $20-30 per night with water and electric hookups. Prices generally increase during winter months (October-April) when snowbirds arrive, often by 30-50% compared to summer rates.
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