Best Dispersed Camping near Palmetto, FL
Dispersed camping near Palmetto, Florida centers primarily around water access points, with Shell Key Preserve and Peace River Banks offering primitive camping opportunities. Shell Key Preserve, an uninhabited island off the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg, requires boat, canoe, or kayak access and provides a natural setting for backcountry camping. Peace River Banks Backcountry, located between Zolpho Springs and Gardner, allows camping along the western riverbank with no designated sites.
Access to these dispersed camping areas requires watercraft. Shell Key Preserve is approximately one mile from mainland launch points, with paddlers typically departing from near Fort DeSoto. Peace River accommodates canoes, kayaks, jon boats, and occasionally airboats for camping access. Both locations operate under strict leave-no-trace principles with no facilities or amenities. Shell Key Preserve requires a free camping permit from Pinellas County, and campers must bring portable toilets as no bathroom facilities exist on the island.
"Years later it's still one of my favorite places to camp in Florida," notes one Shell Key visitor on The Dyrt. The preserve features white sand beaches, abundant wildlife including stingrays and sea turtles, and views of both the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal Waterway. Campers should be prepared for primitive conditions, as one reviewer explains: "You do need to be mindful that there are lots of plants, shrubs, sticks and stones which can make being in a tent pretty rough if you don't have a good pad and a tarp to protect your tent." Peace River offers what one reviewer describes as "Old Florida Wilderness Camping" with a more secluded experience. Both locations require visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, with no drinking water or facilities available.
