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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near St. Petersburg, FL

826 Reviews

Fort De Soto Campground permits pets throughout its waterfront sites, with designated pet-friendly areas accessible by boat, vehicle, or foot. The campground features full pet accommodation across tent sites, RV spots, and glamping options. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday also allows pets in its tent, RV, and cabin sites with clean facilities and clear pet guidelines. Campgrounds maintain leash requirements in common areas, though some provide dedicated spaces where dogs can run off-leash. The fenced dog walk area at Madeira Beach KOA lets pups exercise freely while owners socialize. Most locations provide waste stations and have specific quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances.

The Pinellas Trail runs alongside St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA, offering excellent dog walking opportunities with bike rentals available for longer excursions with pets. Water access points throughout the campgrounds allow dogs to cool off, with several campsites backing directly to mangroves or waterfront views perfect for morning walks. Campers report the waterfront sites at Madeira Beach KOA provide beautiful sunrise views with enough space for pets to relax. Local beaches vary in pet policies, with some restricting dog access during peak seasons. Nearby veterinary services are available in St. Petersburg, with the closest emergency animal hospital approximately 15 minutes from most campgrounds. Campers should prepare for Florida's heat when camping with pets, ensuring adequate shade and water access, particularly during summer months.

Map showing campgrounds near St. Petersburg, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near St. Petersburg, Florida (132)

    1. Fort De Soto Campground

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

    $38 - $48 / night

    "Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."

    "Plenty of bike paths everywhere and easy to get around on a bicycle, even if you want to go to St. Petersburg."

    2. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

    26 Reviews
    Bay Pines, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 392-2233

    "St. Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and I’m excited to share my positive review! I’ve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed."

    "Located on the water. Lots to do. Great for kids & pets."

    3. E.G. Simmons Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Ruskin, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 671-7655

    $24 / night

    "St. Petersburg and the Skyway bridge.  Beautiful sunsets from the beach and boat ramp or out in the kayak."

    "Amazing water access and dog friendly! The staff and rangers are kind and helpful. During our stay, there was E. coli in water which means water activities and fishing were restricted."

    4. Little Manatee River State Park Campground

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

    $22 / night

    "Pet friendly and there is a trailhead about a half a mile outside of the campground. We didnt see a single person in this 7 mile loop hike and were very pleased with that."

    "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."

    5. MacDill AFB FamCamp

    9 Reviews
    Gibsonton, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (813) 840-6919

    "There’s a small dog beach and two dog parks. Laundry facilities are centrally located. Cable is included."

    "Close to a small beach and marina with a restaurant walking distance. Several dog parks but muddy/dirt. Laundry available for fee. Bath houses clean and large. Good amenities on base."

    6. Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River

    17 Reviews
    Wimauma, FL
    20 miles
    Website

    $24 - $109 / night

    "Beautiful scenery and trails. Canoe and kayak outpost. The Outpost peacock named Elvis hung around with us! Dog park for my pup was fantastic and well maintained."

    "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."

    7. Encore Vacation Village

    5 Reviews
    Largo, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The park is small, parking is crammed, and there’s a lot of older trailers but overall it’s a great location. This is our go to location when we have appointments at Bay Pines VA!"

    8. Caladesi RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Palm Harbor, FL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 784-3622

    $45 - $75 / night

    "It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."

    "The  beach is a 5 minute drive and pet friendly! The Pinellas  bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground."

    9. Encore Terra Ceia

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

    "They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St."

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

    10. Robert's Mobile Home & RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Pinellas Park, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (727) 577-6820
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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near St. Petersburg, FL

87 Photos of 132 St. Petersburg Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near St. Petersburg, FL

826 Reviews of 132 St. Petersburg Campgrounds

  • Kytka The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2024

    St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

    Natural Spot Hidden in the City

    I recently had a wonderful experience at the St. Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and I’m excited to share my positive review! I’ve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed. The cabins were equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay—fresh linens, a full kitchen, and even a private patio with a grill and fire ring. And they had a great view of the lush mangrove lined Long Bayou.

    They loved the blend of cozy and convenient, making their getaway truly enjoyable. At the end of the road driving out of this campground is a great restaurant called Doe Doe's that makes a delicious homestyle breakfast if you don't want to cook it yourself.

    Wanting to be close to them I opted for one of the small tent sites at the end of the park where I car camped in my Subaru Outback. It was a peaceful and charming spot, perfect for a relaxing camping experience - and away from more of the centrally located activities that people camping with children enjoy. 

    Overall, the amenities were top-notch, including the heated outdoor pool, bike and kayak rentals, and clean and large facilities. They have something called KampK9 which is a fenced in dog park area. Less than a mile away is Bay Pines Park which is nice to jog or ride your bike through and there is also a super Walmart nearby so you can stock up for your drive to the next campground. You also have easy access to the Gulf Coast's stunning beaches and the scenic Pinellas Trail.

    Driving on the main road, and seeing the somewhat industrial area you pass through on your way down the small side street to this campground, you wouldn't expect much - but this KOA has been there for decades and is one of the nicest family campgrounds in the middle of a city I have experienced.

  • Cyndi J.
    Jan. 15, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Beautiful park

    Beautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.

  • Ken F.
    Oct. 28, 2022

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Fort DeSoto campground, thumbs up.

    The campsite was clean. Plenty of bike paths everywhere and easy to get around on a bicycle, even if you want to go to St. Petersburg.

  • K
    May. 23, 2019

    Fort De Soto Campground

    great place right on the water

    great campground. right on the water.  doggy beach.  full shade for most RV sites.  best sites are reserved for tent campers.  close th st. Petersburg.  very busy reserve way ahead.

  • B
    Oct. 10, 2021

    St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

    Ok campground

    No streaming allowed over their Wi-Fi. To watch Netflix or use Roku, you’ll need your own hotspot.

    Friendly staff and quite a few amenities. This campground is located in the very cramped area of Largo/St. Petersburg. Heavy traffic on the roads 24/7.

  • Alyssa D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Shell Key Preserve

    Years later it’s still one of my favorite places to camp in Florida..:

    One of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol.

    We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.

    Amazing views.

    Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.

  • Deanna G.
    Feb. 5, 2021

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Nice campground but RACOONS EVERYWHERE

    We enjoyed our one night stay here outside of St. Petersburg! Secluded from town but not too far! The waterfront sites looked beautiful, especially if you have a kayak or paddle board to use! We stayed on the other side where the trail wraps all the way around for biking or walking. I do have to mention there seems to be a big critter problem here, raccoons kept us up for a good part of the night. I usually don’t mind wildlife but they seemed a bit rabid and aggressive, I was afraid to use the community garbages they had placed every 30 feet!

  • Angela M.
    Mar. 16, 2021

    St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

    Nice location

    This campground is in a good location near all the the things in the St. Petersburg area however it’s super crowded with most people staying long term. It was our first time staying at a campground like this and although it might be great for some people, this was not our vibe. Sites are smashed together and no privacy. Some sites back up to the mangroves which is nice but that’s about it. It was so busy and active it was somewhat stressful.

  • Steve S.
    Jul. 18, 2016

    Shell Key Preserve

    Sleeping on your own private island..

    Shell Key is one of the larger uninhabited islands off of the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg. It is managed by the county, and all campers wishing to stay must get a (free) camping permit from Pinellas county. The key itself can only be accessed by water and you must carry in/out everything as there are no bathroom facilities available and all campers must bring a port-a-potty.

    Once you decide to stay, you will be amazed by the white sands, abundant wildlife, crazy beautiful sunsets all while pitching your tent among the seagrass in one of the designated camping spots. On the west coast of the island is the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, while only footsteps away is the lush waters of the Intercoastal waterway. You can enjoy most water activities as well as what nature has to offer from bird and dolphin watching to fishing and hiking the almost 2 mile long island.

Guide to St. Petersburg

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near St. Petersburg, Florida, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Pet owners like spacious and accommodating campgrounds

Dog owners appreciate nearby activities and amenities

Tips for camping with dogs near St. Petersburg

  • Bring plenty of water and bowls for your pets, especially at Bay Bayou RV Resort, where outdoor activities abound.
  • Ensure your dog is comfortable in the heat by planning walks during cooler parts of the day at Clearwater-Lake Tarpon KOA, which has shaded areas and a pool.
  • Keep an eye on your pets around wildlife, especially at MacDill AFB FamCamp, where raccoons and other animals may be present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Petersburg, FL?

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

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. Petersburg, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 132 dog-friendly camping locations near St. Petersburg, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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