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Fort De Soto Campground's pet-friendly section accommodates campers with dogs while maintaining separate areas for those without pets. The campground features waterfront sites with full hookups, picnic tables, and grills where campers can enjoy views of Tampa Bay with their pets. Many sites offer privacy with natural vegetation screens between neighbors. The dog-friendly amenities include a designated dog beach and an off-leash dog park consistently rated among the best in America, complete with washing stations to rinse sandy paws before returning to camp. Raccoons are reportedly less prevalent in the dog camping section, though campers should still secure food properly. Fort De Soto allows two dogs per campsite with proper vaccination records.
Horseshoe Cove RV Resort provides a well-maintained dog park and walking paths specifically for pet exercise. The park's island fishing area offers a peaceful retreat where pets can join their owners while maintaining distance from the heated pool and recreational facilities. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground and Myakka River State Park accept pets at their campsites and cabins, though hiking with dogs requires leashes no longer than six feet. Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort and Linger Lodge RV Park welcome pets with designated pet areas. When planning visits, reservations should be made well in advance, especially for Fort De Soto where sites are released in limited batches each Friday. Most campgrounds provide pet waste stations throughout their grounds, and many feature fenced areas where dogs can play off-leash after a day of exploring the nearby beaches and trails.
"Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."
"It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Great Florida State park. We stayed in site #22. Sites have water and electric and are dirt. Most sites are on the smaller side being shallow and narrow. Our site was great."
"Lost of sites back up to a small river but those sites right on the river are not kid or pet friendly so be careful when you make reservations. There are a lot of trails throughout the park."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"On the bridge headed to Anna Marie/longboat key we got the awesome luxury of riding horses, and got to kayak the oven and lake manatee! one of the best trips we've taken"
"Was bordered by the camp road and the bike/walking path so often noisy with no sense of privacy. Bad mosquitoes, but to be expected."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"So heads up with your pets please."
"Pet friendly. The outpost is literally like 3 miles into the park down from the entrance & Palmetto loop. The store was nice & there was a food truck. It was a little spendy but good food."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"Wonderfully situated around a lake. Good amenities and close to everything. Some highway traffic noise but nothing bad."
"One of the two pools on the property provides a lovely view of the lake and a hot tub.The recreation hall is beautiful and has a lot of activities."
"Giant pool with bar and food, lots of activities from lawn bowling, disc frisbee, constant happy hours, moderately dog friendly, 30min from siesta key."
"We didn’t utilize the amenities outside of the pool, but will be back to play! We wish the sites (ours was q03) were more shaded, but worth having a nice easy pull thru spot."
"You can't beat the location, walkable to restaurants, a short drive or bike ride to beaches. The park itself is well maintained and quiet minus the days they mow and pick-up the garbage."
"Location is great, close to Anna Maria Island and Cortez restaurants"
"We came back to this gem and met with friends from Florida, we had our RVs next to each other and it was so much fun. We had a great time."
"You are close to everything but you still feel like being far away. Everybody is very accommodating. Great Management, great Team! We will be back soon!"
from $60 - $130 / night
Check Availability"The dog run was great for my dog as well. The gym was open for use and sanitized, as well as the pool. "
"I have 2 50 lb+ dogs and there are many other people with dogs, plus a dog park."
"Great park awesome amenities Pet Friendly and ok pricing! They have everything you can think of for a RV park and more! We will definitely be back! ♥️"
RangerOn the bridge headed to Anna Marie/longboat key we got the awesome luxury of riding horses, and got to kayak the oven and lake manatee! one of the best trips we've taken
ScoutBeautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.
LegendOne 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.
We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.
Amazing views.
Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
GuideThis is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.
TravelerThis is a beautiful Class A only resort. 100 sites on the Myakka River with Amazon
sunsets. Sites are typically 70’ x 50’ . Large roads easy access.
Extremely active community in season, a peaceful retreat in the off season.
Sites are individually owned, some with Casitas, some with outdoor kitchens etc. Great Wi-Fi, individual cat 5 cable to each site. Boardwalk along the river, fishing pier, kayak launch. They have 5 pickleball courts. Large heated resort pool with attached lap pool. Two large dog parks.
Water aerobics in season. Small gym. Yoga, on spite massages and facials in season. Extremely active social calendar, open to everyone. Beautifully remodeled clubhouse, with a large subset deck overlooking the river. Close to everything, multiple beaches 20 minutes away, great shopping and restaurants are close by. Extremely friendly owners, they treat renters like members of their family. We travel in a Newmar Ventana.
GuideLithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
GuideNice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!
Fort De Soto Campground features three separate loops across 235 acres, with diverse site options ranging from basic tent sites to premium waterfront locations with Tampa Bay views. The park encompasses five interconnected islands with more than 7 miles of waterfront, creating natural boundaries between camping areas. Temperatures typically range from 65-90°F between October and April during peak camping season.
Kayaking and watercraft exploration: Launch directly from Oscar Scherer State Park Campground where paddlers can access South Creek. "You can launch kayaks from park and kayak south creek," notes Rachel G., who appreciated the variety of water access options during her stay.
Wildlife observation: The region's campgrounds offer opportunities to spot native Florida species. At Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park, visitors report seeing diverse wildlife. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds!" shares Brennan H., highlighting the park's natural abundance.
Historical sites: Fort De Soto features military structures dating back to the Spanish-American War. "The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit!" writes Brennan H., who found multiple days worth of activities within the park boundaries.
Natural privacy barriers: Campsite separation varies across parks, with some offering more seclusion than others. At Fort De Soto Campground, many sites feature natural vegetation that creates individual spaces. "Sites have plenty of options for both clothes lines and hammocks," explains Joe R., who found his site "nice and deep" with effective natural screening.
Water access: Direct water views and access are highly valued by campers in the Longboat Key area. "We had our RVs next to each other and it was so much fun," reports Lynda at Linger Lodge RV Park & Restaurant, where river sites offer water proximity and natural surroundings.
Trail systems: Connected trail networks for walking and cycling rank high among camper preferences. "The park has mostly paved roads, a nice picnic area, trails, and some fishing spots. Park is located about half way on 10 mile paved multi use trail-Legacy trail," notes Rachel G. at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Reservation strategies: Planning ahead is essential for securing campsites during peak season. "Book in advanced, especially if you want to stay more than a night or two," advises Taylor T. about Fort De Soto Campground, where waterfront sites are particularly competitive.
Wildlife awareness: Alligators and other wildlife require appropriate precautions. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," warns Jenelle J. at Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Weather considerations: Florida's climate impacts comfort levels significantly. "We stayed on site#69, the last pet site before the restricted sites along the creek#70-90," shares Perry J., adding that "It was so quiet and relaxing" despite visiting during peak season when temperatures can reach the 90s.
Playground access: Some parks offer dedicated play areas for children. At Lake Manatee State Park Campground, families appreciate the recreational facilities. "Nice little beach. Lots of wildlife. We had a pretty open site," notes Jill K., who found the park peaceful and beautiful for family walks.
Swimming options: Water recreation varies across campgrounds, from natural lake swimming to developed pool facilities. "The pool is small. We would come back," reports Noah N. about Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort, which serves as a convenient base just a mile walk from the beach.
Family-friendly site selection: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities and natural features. "This campground has more to offer then just a few sites. It has so many bikes trails and hikes that kept us occupied all day!" shares Deanna G., who particularly recommended "Site 20 which in my opinion was the best site out of all of them... secluded with lots of privacy and a view of the creek."
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "Roads are narrow with lots of turns. If you have a big rig with a toad I suggest dropping the toad by the office to park rig and have your partner drive to site with you," advises Don at Horseshoe Cove RV Resort.
Hookup positioning: Water and electric connections may not be optimally placed at all sites. "The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side (one pedestal feeding two sites). Make sure to bring a longer hose," recommends Denise from her experience at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Extended stay considerations: For longer visits, evaluate amenities carefully. "The bathrooms were always clean in the AM and early PM. Options for basic, sand-based hikes. Great views from the lake," notes Amy P., who suggests staying "on the outside of loop 2 for less than 4 nights" at Lake Manatee State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Longboat Key, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Longboat Key, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 144 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Longboat Key, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 103 dog-friendly camping locations near Longboat Key, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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