Best Campgrounds near Osprey, FL

Osprey, Florida provides several developed campgrounds within a short driving distance of the Gulf Coast beaches. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground in Osprey offers tent, RV, and cabin camping options with both drive-in and walk-in access. Nearby Myakka River State Park features multiple camping areas including Palmetto Ridge Campground and Old Prairie Campground, accommodating various camping styles from tent camping to RV sites with full hookups and cabin rentals. Additional camping options extend from Nokomis and Venice to Sarasota, creating a network of mixed-use campgrounds that support different camping preferences throughout the region.

Florida's seasonal patterns significantly influence camping experiences near Osprey. Summer months (June through September) bring higher temperatures, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can cause flooding in some campgrounds. Myakka River State Park occasionally closes its Big Flats campground due to flooding concerns. Winter months (October through May) provide mild temperatures but much higher demand, with many campgrounds requiring reservations 6-11 months in advance. Most state park campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, offering electric hookups, water, and various amenities. According to one visitor, "Florida gets a lot of rain in the Summertime. It is not uncommon to get multiple inches of rain in a very short time and this can happen almost any day between June and the end of September."

Wildlife viewing emerges as a standout feature across camping areas near Osprey. Myakka River State Park provides exceptional opportunities to observe alligators, birds, deer, and other Florida wildlife in their natural habitat. Many campgrounds incorporate natural vegetation between sites to maintain privacy despite relatively close spacing. Waterfront sites receive consistently positive reviews, with campers appreciating the opportunity to launch kayaks directly from their campsites and observe marine wildlife including dolphins and manatees. Turtle Beach Campground in nearby Sarasota offers beach access within walking distance of campsites. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Though Cayo Costa State Park is located in SW Florida...a bustling madhouse of northerners from Oct through May...you can still find peace and quiet." Insects remain a common concern, particularly mosquitoes and no-see-ums, with most reviewers recommending bug spray as essential camping gear.

Best Camping Sites Near Osprey, Florida (126)

    1. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 483-5956

    $26 / night

    "Like all the Florida state parks, the campground is well-maintained and clean. Lots of trails to explore, easy to launch my kayak from near my campsite."

    "It is located between Nokomis and Osprey, an urbanized area of Sarasota county, however when you enter the park, it feels like you are miles from civilization. The Legacy trail runs through the park."

    2. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 361-6511

    $26 / night

    "Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private."

    "One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping."

    3. Turtle Beach Campground

    22 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 861-2267

    $120 / night

    "The best part of this campground would be the private access to the beach just steps away from any of the sites."

    "If you want to be steps from the beach and all that Siesta Key has to offer Turtle Beach State Park is for you.  Turtle Beach is a very small campground which is great if you don't like a crowd. "

    4. Camp Venice Retreat

    12 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 488-0850

    "Easy access to Vince and the great Legacy Bike trail. Beaches and parking are free."

    "friendly staff on site. very nice sites on river inlet with perfectly placed utilities. bet clean restrooms and showers within a brief walk from every site. didn’t use pool but looked very clean and well"

    5. Sun N Fun RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Sarasota, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 371-2505

    "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."

    "Gorgeous location, so many things to do!!! Wish I could live herebyear round!"

    6. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 582-2100

    $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."

    "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."

    7. Old Prairie Campground — Myakka River State Park

    7 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 326-3521

    $26 - $70 / night

    "This is kind of our go to Florida State Park as we live very close and really enjoy the hiking, biking and paddling the river and lake."

    "Located just east of Sarasota you’ll find lots to do without having to leave the park."

    8. Encore Royal Coachman

    4 Reviews
    Nokomis, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Surrounded by pines, palms and a beautiful lake that enters the Gulf of Mexico."

    "Great location and everything you could need or want. Convenient reservations and check in."

    9. Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Parrish, FL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 741-3028

    $22 / night

    "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."

    "If you’re looking for a place to camp on the west coast of Florida that is quiet and has campsites that give you privacy, Lake Manatee State Park is a great choice."

    10. Encore Ramblers Rest

    6 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "First of all the location, if you like to kayak, this is the place for you. Right on the river. Very nice."

    "Many times we had 2” plus of standing water outside of our RV (we were on “Raccoon Road”). Also, the electrical and water connections needed maintenance while we were there. They were very worn out."

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Recent Reviews near Osprey, FL

669 Reviews of 126 Osprey Campgrounds


  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    October 2025

    It’s a beautiful campground. That’s a well maintained by The very friendly and helpful staff. The scenery and activities available at this part make it well worth the drive and work the stay.

  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Quiet, Clean, & Friendly

    Many of the lots are large & somewhat secluded. Trees for some shade. *Clean, friendly, & a gate code for safety. *Nothing can be tied to trees, including hammocks.

  • Stachianna K.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Buttonwood Inlet RV Resort

    Quiet evening

    We stayed in Buttonwood inlet for one night. It was super easy to pull and out and it was clean and quiet to camp from a 30’ class C. Plus there was plenty of green areas for the pups to so the whole family gives this a 5 star review.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Lithia Springs Park

    Lithia 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!

  • Diana S.
    Jun. 18, 2025

    Lithia Springs

    Great camping and spring

    Camping here is always good. The rangers here are very friendly. The bathrooms are decent. Lots of shade at the campsites. We've been camping here off and on for the last year.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2025

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Fort desota

    Very private spots lots of trees Lots of bugs in the summer time

  • Rachel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Encore Winter Quarters Manatee

    Quaint and quiet.

    First impression, the front desk worker was very informative and quite kind. However, there is no security gate. As a momma with young kiddos, that does make me nervous. The lake is beautiful and our neighbors have been lovely. Also, I am really grateful for the location. Not too terrible a distance from Anna Marie Island, or Tampa! There is so much to do locally.


Guide to Osprey

The Osprey area features multiple camping areas within easy access of the Gulf Coast, with sites located between 2-15 miles from area beaches. Most campgrounds in this region sit at near sea level elevation on flat terrain, creating unique drainage challenges during Florida's summer rainy season. Water levels at Myakka River State Park can rise significantly between June and September, impacting site availability.

What to do

Wildlife viewing tours: $20-25 per person at Myakka River State Park offer exceptional opportunities to see Florida's native species. "We did the nature trail (short), the canopy walk, and also got permits for the wilderness preserve. The hike there is beautiful - about five miles round trip. Feels like the Serengeti - wide open prairie with occasional trees. There's a lake with TONS of alligators and lots of amazing birds," reports one camper.

Biking on Legacy Trail: 10 miles of paved surface accessible from Oscar Scherer State Park Campground. "Park is located about half way on 10 mile paved multi use trail-Legacy trail. This was a great trail for biking. Multiple stops along the way but mostly in full sun," notes a reviewer. The trail connects Sarasota to Venice with plans for expansion.

Kayaking multiple waterways: Rentals available for exploring South Creek and Myakka River. "You can launch kayaks from park and kayak south creek," explains one Oscar Scherer visitor. Watercraft rentals cost approximately $20 for the first hour with additional hours at $5 each.

Beach exploration: Less than 5 miles away from Turtle Beach Campground, offering easy access to Siesta Key. "The nearest 7/11 and marketplace is at the beginning of the two mile road that leads to the campsite, but you can get ice at the campground. Across the street, there is a tiki hut restaurant with occasional live music, and a marina with a restaurant."

What campers like

Primitive camping options: Varied distances from established campgrounds allow for different experiences. "They have great primative sites, with hikes that vary from 2 miles to 14 miles to camp sites. Beware of heat, bring plenty of water. Dont depend on water pumps," advises a visitor to Palmetto Ridge Campground.

Private beach access: Available at select locations with minimal crowds compared to public beaches. At Turtle Beach Campground, "The beach is at the end of the interior, two-way road that divides the campground. It is accessible only by foot. The beach is clean and ample. Grey sand. Beautiful sunsets. Lots of opportunity for bird watching. Beach was never crowded, even when the campground was full."

Natural vegetation buffers: Maintained between sites despite overall close spacing. "Most sites are surrounded by greenery so you are buffered from your neighbor," notes an Oscar Scherer camper. Another visitor to Myakka River State Park adds, "The sites have a simple fence between them and nothing else for privacy, but the campground is so beautiful and lush that it didn't bother us."

Multiple hiking options: Variable difficulty levels accommodate different abilities and interests. "You will have 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road," reports a Myakka River State Park visitor.

What you should know

Campground flooding: Common during rainy months especially from June through September. "Main road does flood severely. There was no flooding on the sites themselves but it did make it rather hard to walk throughout the grounds beyond your own site," notes a Turtle Beach Campground visitor.

Advance booking requirements: Essential for winter months with 6-month windows opening at specific times. For Fort De Soto Campground, "They do start booking 6 months out and open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky."

Wildlife proximity: Alligators present in water areas requiring extra vigilance with children and pets. "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 a Palmetto Ridge camper.

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds affected by nearby roads, boating activity, or events. At Lake Manatee State Park, "We were here last year when the hurricane evicted is, so this is our return. Seemed to be an active weekend at the speedway, but it was not overbearing."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds: Available at select parks with appropriate safety features for different ages. "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. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent," reports a Fort De Soto visitor.

Educational ranger programs: Offered evenings at several parks with wildlife themes. "Ranger led programs take place nightly. We actually got to see a Florida panther on one of the trails as well as a friendly family of scrub Jay's! Our 6 yo son loved that we felt safe enough that he could ride his bike around the camp ground to play with the other campers," explains an Oscar Scherer visitor.

Protected swimming areas: Designated spaces for families away from boat traffic. "The park has a small beach/swimming area which was great cause it's hot!!" shares one Oscar Scherer camper, while another family enjoyed Lake Manatee State Park: "Nice little beach. Lots of wildlife. We had a pretty open site."

Insect protection: Essential for children especially during evening hours. "You will enjoy biking the 7 miles of paved (flat) roads in Park. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall," advises a Myakka River camper.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Check satellite views before booking at developed campgrounds. "Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic," explains a visitor to Palmetto Ridge.

Leveling challenges: Bring blocks for many of the older state park sites. At Oscar Scherer, "The site was nice and private with a little leveling needed. The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side. Make sure to bring a longer hose, or park closer to the water than electric."

Tree clearance: Low-hanging branches on approach roads at some campgrounds. "The road going in has some potholes and lots of low hanging tree branches. Drive slow and stay in the middle if you can," advises a camper at Camp Venice Retreat.

Utility placement awareness: Hookup positions vary between different parks and can require longer connections. "Sites have water and electric and are dirt. Most sites are on the smaller side being shallow and narrow," shares an Oscar Scherer camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Osprey, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Osprey, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Osprey, FL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Osprey, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Osprey, FL is Oscar Scherer State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Osprey, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Osprey, FL.