Best Campgrounds near Venice, FL

Venice camping includes beachfront sites and inland state park options within a short drive. Turtle Beach Campground sits right on Siesta Key with 39 water and electric sites where you can camp steps from the Gulf of Mexico. The beach views are excellent, and both tent and RV campers can use the grounds. Nearby Myakka River State Park has two main camping areas - Palmetto Ridge and Old Prairie - with standard amenities like restrooms, showers and picnic tables at each site. You'll see plenty of wildlife here including alligators, deer and birds, so keep your food secured. The Myakka River runs through the park, giving campers places to hike, fish, and paddle. Many visitors walk the elevated canopy trail for better views of the forest. Some campsites have more privacy than others, and most have decent tree cover to block the hot Florida sun. Book ahead if you're planning to visit during winter or spring when the area gets busy. The Venice area works well for campers who want both beach time and nature experiences.

Best Camping Sites Near Venice, Florida (129)

    1. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 483-5956

    $26 / night

    "I literally drive by it whenever I go to the grocery store or ride my bike on the Legacy Trail."

    "Clean restrooms, a nature center, kayak launch & kayak rentals, a small lake you can swim in and some hiking trails."

    2. Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 361-6511

    $26 / night

    "Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private."

    "One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping."

    3. Turtle Beach Campground

    22 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 861-2267

    $120 / night

    "The best part of this campground would be the private access to the beach just steps away from any of the sites."

    "If you want to be steps from the beach and all that Siesta Key has to offer Turtle Beach State Park is for you.  Turtle Beach is a very small campground which is great if you don't like a crowd. "

    4. Camp Venice Retreat

    10 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 488-0850

    "The staff is awesome, everyone was super friendly, they had clean facilities, the nature trail was awesome to take our dog on walks down."

    "Can't say enough great things about Camp Venice Retreat. This place has a very comfy relaxed vibe to it. You pull in and instantly feel like you are among long time friends."

    5. Encore Ramblers Rest

    6 Reviews
    Venice, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "First of all the location, if you like to kayak, this is the place for you. Right on the river. Very nice."

    "Many times we had 2” plus of standing water outside of our RV (we were on “Raccoon Road”). Also, the electrical and water connections needed maintenance while we were there. They were very worn out."

    6. Encore Royal Coachman

    4 Reviews
    Nokomis, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Surrounded by pines, palms and a beautiful lake that enters the Gulf of Mexico."

    "Great location and everything you could need or want. Convenient reservations and check in."

    7. Old Prairie Campground — Myakka River State Park

    7 Reviews
    Osprey, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 326-3521

    $26 - $70 / night

    "This is kind of our go to Florida State Park as we live very close and really enjoy the hiking, biking and paddling the river and lake."

    "Located just east of Sarasota you’ll find lots to do without having to leave the park."

    8. Sun N Fun RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Sarasota, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (941) 371-2505

    "We didn’t utilize the amenities outside of the pool, but will be back to play! We wish the sites (ours was q03) were more shaded, but worth having a nice easy pull thru spot."

    "Gorgeous location, so many things to do!!! Wish I could live herebyear round!"

    9. Fort De Soto Campground

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

    $38 - $48 / night

    "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."

    "Nice walking/bicycle path around the edge. Bike paths also throughout the park. Sites 1-8 or so have direct beach access, but swimming is not allowed. Mangroves surround the rest of the peninsula."

    10. Primitive Sites — Myakka River State Park

    3 Reviews
    Myakka City, FL
    12 miles
    Website

    "This park is epic, at the entrance are there is a huge bouldering rock as well which is fun. Outside of the beauty and trails there are Floridas wildest animals. Panthers, hogs and alligators."

    "Myakka River Stste Park is 10 miles outside of Sarasota Florida, but feels very far removed from the city."

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Recent Reviews near Venice, FL

649 Reviews of 129 Venice Campgrounds


  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2025

    Fort De Soto Campground

    Fort desota

    Very private spots lots of trees Lots of bugs in the summer time

  • Rachel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Encore Winter Quarters Manatee

    Quaint and quiet.

    First impression, the front desk worker was very informative and quite kind. However, there is no security gate. As a momma with young kiddos, that does make me nervous. The lake is beautiful and our neighbors have been lovely. Also, I am really grateful for the location. Not too terrible a distance from Anna Marie Island, or Tampa! There is so much to do locally.

  • Tara R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2025

    Hawaiian Isles RV Resort

    Quite and Clean

    Great resort with lots of amenities, and it's on the water! Very affordable for Florida!

  • Mack Daddy Van L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Hardee Lakes Park

    Fantastic Campgroudnd

    My experience was great with my pup! Primitive sites were $20 a night at time of writing.

    We stayed in a primitive site(p14) with water. I was excited to discover all these primitive wites with water are right on the lake.

    There’s no alcohol allowed which is a double edged sword, but I welcomed this rule as there always seems to be groups partying at public campsites. Not here.

    Bathrooms are typical campsite bathroom. They have showers too for campers.

    It’s a dirt road campsite, but they have water trucks that spray a few times a day to keep the dust down. So thankful for that!

    RV pull sites and promote. campsites are far enough away from each other.

    Nearest major grocery store is wal-mart about 15 minutes away.

    Only iffy thing I’d call out is how tight the primitive campsites are to each other. It was dead when I came, but had my neighboring sites been occupied, I wouldn’t have enjoyed my time as much.

  • Amanda W.
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

    Enormous park

    I’m staying in the Palmetto Ridge loop which is the only paved loop & I think the only one w/sewer. The Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers. The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic. I would say the vegetation gives semi privacy but they aren’t on top of each other so it’s not like you’re looking right at your neighbor. There is a picnic table & a fire ring. Gravel sites but pretty level. My site was 50 amp. Not sure how many are. Bath house & laundry facility appears clean. Pet friendly. The outpost is literally like 3 miles into the park down from the entrance & Palmetto loop. The store was nice & there was a food truck. It was a little spendy but good food. The river was low so the kayak rental & boat tours were shut down. Tons of great hiking & even some elevated bridges for site seeing. Tons of gators, birds, deer etc. There is also a scenic drive in the park, a “fisherman’s loop” & a few picnic areas. There are cabins to rent but I didn’t see them. Also never saw a playground if you have kids. Very dark & quiet at night.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Lake Manatee State Park Campground

    Peaceful and beautiful

    Peaceful and beautiful place to walk. BEWEAR, PLEASE READ THE SIGNS! Nice little beach. Lots of wildlife. We had a pretty open site. Some sites have more trees and shade then others. Temps can be warm. It was in the 90s° the week we camped. We enjoyed it.

  • Alan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Sun N Fun RV Resort

    Meticulous Resort

    We stayed here for 3 days prior to the IMSA race at Sebring this year.  wonderful Campground, well Kept, and very crowded.  Resort style pool with a restaurant and bar,  2 level gym with all the equipment you could hope for, and lots of activities for the residents.    Lots of restaurants and shopping just down the street.

    we will be back again.


Guide to Venice

Camping near Venice, FL, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: Enjoy the sun and surf at nearby beaches. Campers love the access to beautiful shorelines, with one reviewer saying, "This is an all-around winner. On the beach with shells, sunsets, waves and all that the beach has to offer" at Turtle Beach Campground.
  • Wildlife watching: Many parks, like Myakka River State Park, are great for spotting alligators, deer, and various bird species. One visitor noted, "It's quiet, and there's plenty of wildlife to be seen: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails abound in the area. A camper at Highlands Hammock State Park Campground mentioned, "The hiking trails were fun, saw a lot of wildlife."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground said, "Restrooms/showers were clean and staff were very helpful."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One reviewer at Lake Manatee State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are large, private, and nicely surrounded by woods."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. A camper at Fort De Soto Campground noted, "Staff at the front desk, store and grounds were friendly and attentive."

What you should know:

  • Bugs can be a problem: Some campers have reported issues with insects. One camper at Fort De Soto Campground said, "The bugs were so bad... it was absolutely miserable."
  • Crowded during peak times: Popular campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Highlands Hammock State Park Campground mentioned, "Weekends are busy, like people walking through your site at all hours."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or markets nearby. A camper at Lake Manatee State Park Campground noted, "It does not have full hookups."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly parks: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One family at Koreshan State Park Campground enjoyed the "kids playground" and fishing spots.
  • Plan for activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for family fun. A camper at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA mentioned, "They have bike and kayak rentals."
  • Pack snacks and meals: Having food on hand can save time and money. A visitor at Turtle Beach Campground appreciated the "nice laundry, great bathrooms, tons of rinsing and washing opportunities."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lake Manatee State Park Campground said, "The campsites are spacious and mostly nicely separated from neighbors."
  • Be aware of noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or activities. A camper at Peace River Campground advised, "Bring earplugs... you also get quite a lot of noise from the divided highway."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need them, check ahead. A visitor at Oscar Scherer State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has everything you need."

Camping near Venice, FL, has something for everyone. Whether you're tent camping or RVing, you'll find spots that suit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Venice, Florida?

Venice offers several excellent camping options. Oscar Scherer State Park Campground is a local favorite with water and electric hookups, a swimming lake, hiking trails, and private sites. It's conveniently located near the Legacy Trail for cycling enthusiasts. Camp Venice Retreat provides a relaxing atmosphere with tree-shaded tent sites that include water and electric hookups. Their friendly staff, clean facilities, and riverfront location make it a popular choice. Both campgrounds offer easy access to Venice's amenities while providing a natural setting for your camping experience.

What camping options are available near Venice Beach?

Near Venice Beach, you'll find several camping options within a short drive. Encore Ramblers Rest offers RV sites along the Myakka River with full amenities. For a more natural experience, Myakka River State Park provides two campgrounds—Palmetto Ridge with full hookups and Old Prairie for a more rustic experience—both offering access to hiking, wildlife viewing, and kayaking. These campgrounds are within 20-30 minutes of Venice Beach, allowing you to enjoy both camping and beach activities during your stay. Most sites require reservations, especially during the busy winter season.

Is beach camping allowed in Venice, Florida?

Direct beach camping isn't permitted on Venice's public beaches. However, for a genuine beach camping experience near Venice, Cayo Costa State Park Campground offers primitive beachfront camping on a barrier island accessible only by boat. The park features stunning beaches with excellent shelling opportunities and a true off-grid experience. Another option is Shell Key Preserve, which requires water access and advance reservations. Both locations provide the beach camping experience you're looking for, though you'll need to plan for boat transportation and primitive conditions.

What RV parks and resorts are available in Venice, Florida?

Venice has several high-quality RV parks and resorts. Encore Royal Coachman stands out with its beautiful oak tree-shaded sites, lakefront location, and extensive amenities including minigolf, sports facilities, and swimming pools. The resort provides access to the Gulf of Mexico via the lake. Sun N Fun RV Resort near Sarasota offers big-rig-friendly sites with full hookups and resort-style amenities. Both locations cater to RVers seeking comfort and convenience while exploring the Venice area, with most sites being reservable and offering water and electrical hookups.