Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Ruskin, FL
E.G. Simmons Regional Park features waterfront campsites where dogs are welcome, with full water and electricity hookups at most sites. Located in Ruskin, this Hillsborough County park provides spacious pet-friendly camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Little Manatee River State Park, just a short drive away, offers pet-friendly tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with well-maintained trails where leashed dogs can join their owners. Tampa South RV Resort and Fort De Soto Campground round out the local pet-friendly options, both providing dedicated areas for pet exercise. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies requiring dogs to be secured at all times outside vehicles or camping units. Raccoons at E.G. Simmons can be persistent around camp, requiring careful food storage when camping with pets.
The mangrove-lined waterways surrounding E.G. Simmons Park create excellent kayaking opportunities for campers with water-loving dogs. Shower facilities and restrooms are available at most area campgrounds, though sites at E.G. Simmons offer minimal shade and become quite buggy during warmer months, particularly with no-see-ums at dawn and dusk. The $12 per night senior rate at E.G. Simmons makes it one of the most affordable pet-friendly options in the region. Veterinary services can be found within a 15-minute drive of most Ruskin campgrounds, and the nearby Tampa South RV Resort maintains clean facilities despite tightly packed campsites. Several campgrounds in the area feature water access points directly from campsites, allowing dogs that enjoy swimming easy entry to Tampa Bay's protected waters.
