Jill Z.
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TravelerLazydays RV Resort
Beautiful clean campground with great warm pool and hot tub. Friendly staff.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Odessa, FL
12 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Pet-friendly camping near Odessa ranges from free primitive campsites at Southwest Florida Water Management District preserves to full-hookup RV parks, giving dog owners flexible options across 195 locations. Hillsborough River State Park Campground accepts pets throughout its sites for tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Several campgrounds in the Odessa area maintain pet-friendly policies, including Serenova Tract Campsites where dogs are welcome on hiking trails. Most locations require pets to remain leashed at all times when outside designated off-leash areas, and owners are expected to clean up after their animals. Caladesi RV Park and Bay Bayou RV Resort both offer full hookups alongside pet-friendly policies, making them suitable for longer stays with dogs. The sites have varying levels of privacy—Serenova Tract provides more seclusion while RV parks typically position sites closer together. Campground guests regularly report minimal breed or size restrictions at most locations, though individual parks may limit the number of pets per site. The Southwest Florida Water Management District provides free pet-friendly camping at several preserves near Odessa.
Cypress Creek Preserve features accessible trails ideal for dog walking, with primitive camping areas that welcome pets at no charge with a reservation. Leashed dogs can explore the miles of hiking paths throughout Serenova Tract, where campers appreciate the combination of privacy and pet access. Most campgrounds near Odessa require advance reservations for pet owners, particularly during winter months when snowbirds increase occupancy rates at RV resorts like Encore Winter Quarters Pasco and Encore Holiday Travel Park. Weather conditions affect pet comfort significantly—summer heat necessitates extra water and shade consideration for dogs. Veterinary services can be found within reasonable driving distance of most campgrounds, with many RV parks providing information about nearby emergency vet clinics. Local reviews consistently highlight the quality of walking trails at Lake Park where dogs can accompany their owners through oak-shaded paths. During rainy seasons, campers should note that some trails may become flooded and inaccessible with pets.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Odessa (218)
1. Hillsborough River State Park Campground
"If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river."
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
2. Caladesi RV Park
"It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $75 / night
3. Serenova Tract Campsites
"Starkey wilderness park and can be accessed off of Route 52 in Land O' Lakes, Fl."
"You do have to apply for a permit to camp here through the SW Florida water management site. The campground is gated so you need a code to get in, which is a nice safety feature."
4. Lake Park
"I live in an adjacent neighborhood (2 years) and walk this park daily with my doggos. I’ve biked all the trails and been here from sunrise to sunset."
"This park has a really great walking trail around a lake with exercise stations. I’ve seen some horses on the trails also. There’s a cool BMX and rc car track too!"
5. Bay Bayou RV Resort
"Very dog friendly with doggy bag stations and dog parks. Right on the bayou with a kayak launch and docks for fishing and relaxing. We like it so much that we made it our home base for our travels."
"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."
6. Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday
"The dog park was adequate and my dog enjoyed it. I probably wouldn't stay here again just cause of the price and road noise. We camped at Clearwater/ Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in a Fifth Wheel."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $120 / night
8. Fort De Soto Campground
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $38 - $48 / night
9. Lake Rogers Park
"This centrally located primitive camping spot is centrally located near the Odessa area near Tampa."
"Lake Rodgers trail and campsites are beautiful and well kept up. The 3 trails( upper, mid, and lower) make it nice to walk thru different terrains."
10. Cypress Creek Preserve
"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."
"There are pot holes as you drive in that are kinda steep however nothing too serious. The spots are spacious and all other campers were respectful of noise volume and kept spots clean."
Drive Time
- 22 min from Tampa, FL
- 37 min from Homosassa Springs, FL
- 48 min from Lakeland, FL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Odessa, FL
111 Photos of 218 Odessa Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Odessa, FL
1105 Reviews of 218 Odessa Campgrounds
- D
Diane F.
ScoutTerra ceia
Great accommodations. Clean. Some road noise but we are enjoying our stay
- AAlyssa H.Scout
Encore Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort
Beautiful pools and showers, washer and dryer on site are only like $2.50 each and very nice! They’ve done a lot of recent updates
James W.
GuideSt. 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.
Stuart K.
LegendFort De Soto Campground
The Most Perfect Campground in Florida?
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!
- Stuart K.Legend
Countryside RV Park
Wild West Meets Old Florida
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!
- aalan F.Scout
Hillsborough River State Park Campground
Showers and bathrooms are closed
- GGordon S.Scout
Little Manatee River State Park Campground
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
Julio B.ScoutFort De Soto Campground
Beautiful 😁
Guide to Odessa
Pet friendly camping near Odessa, Florida ranges from secluded primitive sites to full-service RV resorts, with most locations situated within 30 minutes of Tampa. The area features a mix of pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands at elevations of 50-75 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping environments that transition between dry uplands and seasonal wetland areas.
What to do
Kayaking adventures: Hillsborough River State Park offers river kayaking opportunities with rental equipment available on-site. "The park itself is very nice, with some hikes and kayak rentals! You can kayak in the river, which is really neat to do," reports Rebecca A. from Hillsborough River State Park Campground.
Observe wildlife: The preserves around Odessa provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, especially in early morning hours. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" notes Brennan H. about their experience at Fort De Soto Campground, where water-adjacent campsites provide prime viewing locations.
Mountain biking: The trail systems throughout the preserves offer both paved and dirt options for cycling. "Not much in terms of single track for mountain biking, however we had fun exploring the dirt roads in our Forester," explains Brett D. about his stay at Serenova Tract. The Pinellas Trail connects directly to Caladesi RV Park for extended rides.
Rapids viewing: Hillsborough River features Florida's only Class II rapids, accessible via short hiking trails. "Several short trails to see The only class 2 rapids in Florida. Pretty wild," shares Joe R., highlighting this unusual geological feature for a Florida park.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of certain campgrounds in the area. "Very private spots lots of trees," notes ralph B. about Fort De Soto Campground, while Kim S. describes Serenova Tract Campsites as "a hidden gem" where she "had so much privacy."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses and amenities receive consistent praise. "Bathhouse very clean and nicely done," reports Nancy I. from Clearwater Lake Tarpon KOA. Lorilee S. adds that at Hillsborough River State Park, "Bathhouse was clean. They offer recycling, which is a great plus!"
Water access: Campsites with direct water frontage are particularly valued. "There are three loops one for guests with pets. Many sites are waterfront and are mostly well separated," explains David G. about Fort De Soto Campground, while at Hillsborough River, visitors enjoy "nice trails, great river canoeing" according to Billie S.
Free camping options: The Southwest Florida Water Management District properties offer no-cost camping with reservations. Sue G. notes about Cypress Creek Preserve, "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."
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during winter months. For Serenova Tract, "You need a reservation, there are just a handful of sites. Each has a fire ring and a table. Locked gate (you need a code they give you in your reservation confirmation)," advises Hootmon H.
Weather considerations: Summer heat and humidity can be intense, while winter offers milder conditions. Jake H. warns about Hillsborough River: "Bring plenty of bugspray, the mosquitoes here are big enough to carry away a small dog," while another camper mentions summer flooding: "Be mindful of going after/during a good rain, it floods pretty easily."
Water availability: Not all primitive sites provide potable water. At Cypress Creek Preserve, "Potable water is not available, so bring your own," and at Serenova Tract, the "4 instead of 5 only because there is no potable water" shows this is an important consideration across multiple preserves.
Site sizes: Campground layouts vary significantly in the region. "The sites are extremely close. I had a very difficult time parking my 37' foot travel trailer," reports Ryan D. about Encore Winter Quarters Pasco, while others like Bay Bayou offer more spacious accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "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," notes Joe R. about Fort De Soto, adding "The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent."
Swimming options: Pools and swimming areas provide recreation during hot months. At Bay Bayou RV Resort, "the pool is huge, the park is very clean and it's convenient to a variety of shopping," according to Ashley C., making it suitable for extended family stays.
Supply proximity: Access to necessities matters for family camping. "Across Route 52 is a Publix shopping center where you can get your water, groceries and ice!" explains Steve S. about camping at Serenova Tract, while Curtis D. adds there's "Food shopping right across the street, Publix. Also a couple take out places."
Wildlife education: Many parks offer opportunities for children to learn about local ecosystems. "At night the green fireflies put on an amazing light show in the canopy," shares Jason D. from Hillsborough River, providing natural entertainment for families.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV campers should carefully check site specifications before booking. "We are in a 24' class C and found a nice private area that was surprisingly level. Trailers are accommodated at the equestrian campground," notes Sue G. about Cypress Creek Preserve.
Full hookup availability: For extended stays, look for campgrounds with complete services. "All streets are paved and grounds are also maintained. For now we had no internet, and used our phones for Hot Spot," explains Edwin V. about Winter Quarters Pasco, highlighting the amenities available for RVers.
Noise considerations: Road proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. "This park was okay, but 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," warns Tina from Clearwater Lake Tarpon KOA.
Seasonal occupation: Winter brings higher occupancy rates and different community dynamics. "The rules are extremely strict, as this is mainly a retirement community. No fires, no noise, and no fun," cautions Ryan D. about Winter Quarters Pasco, suggesting families might prefer other options during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Odessa, FL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Odessa, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Odessa, FL is Hillsborough River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Odessa, FL?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Odessa, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 218 dog-friendly camping locations near Odessa, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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