The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Palmetto, FL

826 Reviews

Camping opportunities around Palmetto, Florida include several established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options. Encore Terra Ceia in Palmetto provides tent and RV camping with full hookups, while nearby E.G. Simmons Regional Park in Ruskin offers waterfront camping with electric and water hookups. The area features a mix of state parks, county facilities, and private RV resorts within a 30-minute drive, most supporting tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and some offering cabin rentals like Little Manatee River State Park and Canoe Outpost.

Weather and seasonal patterns significantly affect camping experiences in this Gulf Coast region. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while winter offers mild temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. One visitor noted, "We stayed for 4 nights. Really liked this park, but not our site. Bad mosquitoes, but to be expected. And our only site in six months that had noticeable litter." Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended during winter months when seasonal visitors flock to the area. Lake Manatee State Park and Myakka River State Park may experience periodic flooding after heavy rains, occasionally affecting campground availability.

State parks in the region receive particularly high ratings for their natural settings and wildlife viewing opportunities. Myakka River State Park stands out with its three distinct campground areas—Old Prairie, Big Flats, and Palmetto Ridge—offering varying levels of amenities and privacy. A camper described it as "perhaps the most ecologically diverse state park in Florida" with "lots of nature viewing opportunities." Several reviews mention abundant wildlife sightings, particularly alligators, birds, and deer. Fort De Soto Campground provides beach access and water views, while the Palmetto area's private RV resorts cater to longer-term stays with more developed amenities. Most developed campgrounds provide showers, restrooms, and picnic tables, with some offering full hookups for RVs.

Map showing campgrounds near Palmetto, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Palmetto, Florida (164)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

    140 Reviews
    Tierra Verde, FL
    11 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."

    "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."

    2. Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Parrish, FL
    14 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."

    3. Little Manatee River State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-5005

    $22 / night

    "A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again."

    "This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."

    4. Encore Winter Quarters Manatee

    12 Reviews
    Palmetto, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    5. E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-7655

    $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"

    6. Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River

    15 Reviews
    Wimauma, FL
    17 miles
    Website

    $24 - $109 / night

    "It’s also located right off the highway, so you get all the noise. All day and all night.

    Now, for canoe and kayak trips, I guess it’s a good spot. There’s a lot of folk that come just for that."

    "The place is tucked in and has a great vibe."

    7. Encore Terra Ceia

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

    "In Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance.

    Pet-friendly."

    "Nice 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."

    8. Turtle Beach Campground

    22 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    21 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. "

    9. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

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

    $26 / night

    "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."

    "I’m staying in the Palmetto Ridge loop which is the only paved loop & I think the only one w/sewer."

    10. Horseshoe Cove RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Bradenton, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 758-5335

    "Also plenty of area to ride a bike a couple times around the park. It is also close to gas, grocery store and really good restaurants. Two thumbs up!!!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 164 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Palmetto, FL

192 Photos of 164 Palmetto Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Palmetto, FL

826 Reviews of 164 Palmetto Campgrounds

Guide to Palmetto

Camping near Palmetto, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Enjoy the calm waters at Hillsborough River State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "You can rent kayaks or canoes to take a trip down a wonderfully peaceful river."
  • Fishing: The Myakka River State Park is great for fishing. A camper shared, "We saw tons of alligators, birds, and wildlife! A great piece of raw Florida!"
  • Biking and Hiking: Trails abound at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "There are several trails right from the campground that we hiked."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Manatee State Park Campground said, "Very, very clean everywhere, especially the bathrooms."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Many enjoy the wildlife experiences. One camper at Myakka River State Park mentioned, "It's quiet, and there's plenty of wildlife to be seen: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at Fort De Soto Campground said, "Staff at the front desk, store, and grounds were friendly and attentive."

What you should know:

  • Bugs in Summer: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Fort De Soto Campground warned, "The bugs were so bad... it was absolutely miserable."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake Manatee State Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor noted, "It does not have full hookups."
  • Noise Levels: If you're looking for peace and quiet, be aware that some areas can be noisy. A camper at Peace River Campground mentioned, "You also get quite a lot of noise from the divided highway."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA has a heated outdoor pool and bike rentals, making it a hit with families.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a plan for activities. A family camper at Hillsborough River State Park Campground said, "There are lots of trails for walking, hiking, and biking."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. One camper at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground mentioned, "The location of this campground is right in the middle of at least 4 different beaches."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Colt Creek State Park Campground noted, "Spacious and open sites that are very big rig friendly."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds, like Lake Manatee State Park Campground, don’t have full hookups. A camper mentioned, "The only downside is that the shower heads are low."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Peace River Campground said, "There are food trucks and plenty of dirt trails for exploring."

Camping around Palmetto, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Palmetto, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Palmetto, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Palmetto, FL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Palmetto, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Palmetto, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 140 reviews.

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

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

Keep Exploring