Campsites near Tierra Verde, Florida range from military-operated grounds to public parks and private resorts, offering varied settings within 30 miles of the Gulf Coast. Camping options include waterfront sites with direct access to Tampa Bay, freshwater river locations, and palm-shaded RV parks. Most established campgrounds remain open year-round with certain tent-only areas closing seasonally due to summer heat conditions and insect populations.
What to do
Kayaking among mangroves: At Fort De Soto Campground, campers can launch directly from waterfront sites. "Great spot for relaxing by the water. Highly recommend. Bring good bug spray lol," advises David B. The park features extensive canals perfect for paddling with wildlife viewing opportunities.
Biking on dedicated trails: Cyclists find several options within camping areas. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit," notes Brennan H. about Fort De Soto. The Pinellas County Trail runs alongside St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, where "they rent bikes and fun little tricycles to ride the trail or use in campground," according to Joy H.
Fishing from multiple access points: Fishing opportunities range from docks to shorelines. "There is a fishing dock near where we stayed. Lots of catfish," reports Jenny K. about St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA. Campers at E.G. Simmons Regional Park enjoy "good fishing back in the canals and Cockroach Bay is up the road good kayaking and fishing there," according to B M.
What campers like
Waterfront site privacy: Despite high occupancy rates, many waterfront sites maintain natural buffers. "Our site was nice and deep, with a weird little island (former tree/stump) in the middle. This actually made us divide the tent area up into two sides, which worked out well," reports Joe R. about Fort De Soto. "They did a great job at keeping a lot of natural growth to maintain privacy and a true tropical feel."
Wildlife viewing: Campers regularly report diverse wildlife sightings. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of tons of Birds!" states Brennan H. At Shell Key Preserve, primitive campers experience "stunning views. Others camping were far enough away that they didn't disturb us," according to Alyssa D. "We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise across multiple campgrounds. "The bath house's are nice & kept very clean," notes B M. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park. At Little Manatee River State Park Campground, "good size lot, #10, with electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. Clean dump station," reports Patti D.
What you should know
Insect preparation essential: No-see-ums and mosquitoes present significant challenges, particularly near water. "You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no see-ums," warns Christy C. about E.G. Simmons Regional Park. Other campers recommend using "a screened room that has a no see um mesh on it and we blast a big fan in there so we do stay semi bug free."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds book months in advance, especially during winter. At Fort De Soto, "they do start booking 6 months out and open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky," advises Joe R. Shell Key Preserve operates differently, requiring "a (free) camping permit from Pinellas county," according to Steve S.
Primitive camping restrictions: Shell Key Preserve has strict regulations. "Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol," notes Alyssa D. Additionally, "campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting." Campers must "pack it (everything you'd need) in and pack it (all of your trash!) out," advises Dan X.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. At Fort De Soto, Joe R. reports "a playground with good swings and also a sturdy playground that offered plenty of opportunity for my four year old to blow off some steam. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent."
Swimming options: Terry Tomalin Campground provides "friendly people running the campground and it's pretty spacious," according to Becky M. Nearby, E.G. Simmons Regional Park features "a public swim area and picnic area," notes Bran P.
Wildlife education: Fort De Soto offers natural learning opportunities with children regularly spotting marine life. "We had an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," shares Joe R. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA, families appreciate the "heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run" that Doug E. mentions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, "sites are smashed together and no privacy. Some sites back up to the mangroves which is nice but that's about it," advises Angela M. Noise can be an issue at some parks, with Encore Winter Quarters Manatee being "right NEXT to I75.....noisy all the time," according to T S.
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when setting up. "The electrical (30 amp and 50 amp) was farther back than the water, which wasn't a huge deal but might be inconvenient for some," notes Karen about Winter Quarters Manatee. Some sites may have "utilities set up poorly" requiring creative solutions.
Gate restrictions: Military campgrounds have specific entry requirements. When arriving at MacDill AFB FamCamp, "make sure you arrive at the base through the gate at the end of Dale Mabry, as it's the only gate campers can come thru. And be sure to go to the far right lane, even if it's got a red X showing the lane is closed," advises Eleanor the Airstream R.
