Best Dispersed Camping near Pinellas Park, FL
Dispersed camping near Pinellas Park, Florida centers primarily on boat-accessible island preserves. Shell Key Preserve and Anclote Key Preserve State Park offer primitive camping experiences on uninhabited barrier islands. Both locations require water transportation, as they are only accessible by boat, kayak, or paddleboard. Shell Key Preserve, managed by Pinellas County, features white sand beaches and diverse wildlife. Anclote Key Preserve spans four islands with over 11,000 acres of natural habitat. Upper Hillsborough Water Management Area provides the only drive-in dispersed camping option in the vicinity.
All island camping requires advance permits. Shell Key permits are free through Pinellas County, while Anclote Key requires reservations through the state park system. According to reviews, campers must practice strict Leave No Trace principles. "Everything you bring on the island must be taken off with you," notes one Anclote Key visitor. Neither preserve offers drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, including human waste at Shell Key where portable toilets are required.
Weather conditions significantly impact these camping areas. Summer brings intense mosquito activity and high temperatures. Several campers noted that Anclote Key may close during adverse weather conditions. Shell Key allows beach fires except during sea turtle nesting season in summer months. The islands offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with visitors reporting sightings of stingrays, turtles, dolphins, and numerous bird species. While daytime boat traffic creates some noise, reviewers consistently mention the islands become peaceful and secluded by evening, offering remarkable sunset and sunrise views over the Gulf waters.
