168 campgrounds ¡ Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas around Tierra Verde, Florida include both established campgrounds and dispersed options along the Gulf Coast. Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg provides waterfront sites with views of the bay and mangroves, while Shell Key Preserve offers boat-in primitive camping on a barrier island. The region includes a mix of county parks, state parks, and private campgrounds accommodating tents, RVs, and cabin stays within 30 miles of Tierra Verde. St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday provides full-service camping with cabin rentals approximately 12 miles north of Tierra Verde.
Florida's subtropical climate significantly impacts camping conditions throughout the year. Summer months (June-September) bring high temperatures, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while winter (November-February) offers milder temperatures ideal for camping. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations months in advance, particularly Fort De Soto which books up quickly during peak season. Flooding can affect some campgrounds during heavy rain periods, especially those near water bodies. "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 and no alcohol. We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat," noted one visitor about Shell Key Preserve.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Tierra Verde area. Fort De Soto Campground stands out for its combination of privacy and water access, with sites backing to either open bay views or mangroves. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, including dolphins, manatees, and numerous bird species. Several visitors highlighted the importance of securing food from raccoons, particularly at Fort De Soto. While most campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, regulations vary regarding alcohol consumption and pets. A camper at Fort De Soto noted, "The sites in the tent area are equipped with a picnic table and grill and an electrical hookup. There is a water point at each site. There are lots of trees in each site, and we were easily able to hang up 3 hammocks." Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region balance natural settings with convenient access to beaches and urban amenities.
"There is a small campstore on site, and a grocery and convenience store in Tierra Verde just a mile or so up the road outside the park (there is a toll bridge that you have to pass going in and out)."
"As an camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries. I will start by saying that this campground is south of St."
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and Iâm excited to share my positive review! Iâve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed."
"It has all of the amenities you would ever want and is so close to Florida beaches. Pool, hot tub, store, workout room, fishing and kayaking and lots more to do right in the park."
"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."
"Shell Key is one of the larger uninhabited islands off of the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg."
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
"Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying. Has picnic pavilions and several fishing docks"
from $24 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"The location next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is what really makes this campground special."
"The campsites are nicely spaced out so you arenât to close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"In Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance. Pet-friendly."
"As we walked outside, a fellow traveler who had been here often, offered to show me the way to our site."
"PX and commissary near the security gate. Campground check-in quick and efficient. Pick your site from what's available. $26/night with full hook-ups. Right on the Gulf, beautiful beach."
"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."
"Wonderfully situated around a lake. Good amenities and close to everything. Some highway traffic noise but nothing bad."
"One of the two pools on the property provides a lovely view of the lake and a hot tub.The recreation hall is beautiful and has a lot of activities."
"You can't beat the location, walkable to restaurants, a short drive or bike ride to beaches. The park itself is well maintained and quiet minus the days they mow and pick-up the garbage."
"Location is great, close to Anna Maria Island and Cortez restaurants"
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
ScoutBeautiful đ
ScoutGreat location
GuideNice little place. Gravel, pull-through sites, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. Tons to do for the littles!
TravelerGreat fishing docks, with lighting for nighttime fishing. Clean & great environment, kids had a blast. Will stay here again
ScoutThe campsites are nice! Theyâre close together, but there are plenty of trees providing shade and privacy. The grounds are well maintained, probably thanks in part to the very strict rules (nothing tied to trees, no disturbing or touching nature, etc.).
Unfortunately, the spring was closed due to flooding during our visit, but the kids enjoyed the swings at the playground (the slides were too hot!). We rode our bikes, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
My only real complaint was the staff and their approach to enforcing the rules. From the moment we checked in, the emphasis seemed to be more on what we couldnât do than on welcoming us. We completely understand the importance of protecting the natural environment, but the delivery came across as unnecessarily harsh, almost rude.
To top it off, we received a written warning for checking out 45 minutes late, despite having already vacated our campsite. We were simply waiting to use the dump station. It seemed a bit excessive considering we werenât occupying our site or holding up the next campers.
Overall, itâs a beautiful, peaceful campground with plenty of shade, and we really enjoyed our stay. A little more hospitality and flexibility from the staff would have made the experience even better.
ScoutClose to beaches, beach parking is paid via campground fees. Quiet this time of year, fairly good size sites.
ScoutGreat place just know this campground has no shower house etc itâs just a nice quiet place with a beautiful sunset! Starlink works great
GuideTook the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what sâmores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Tierra Verde, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Tierra Verde, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 168 campgrounds and RV parks near Tierra Verde, FL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Tierra Verde, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tierra Verde, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 147 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tierra Verde, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Tierra Verde, FL.
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