Best Dispersed Camping near Venice, FL
Dispersed camping options near Venice, Florida include Shell Key Preserve, Peace River Banks Backcountry, and St. Pete rest area. Shell Key Preserve, located off the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg, requires a free camping permit from Pinellas County and is accessible only by water. This primitive camping area features no designated sites or facilities. Campers must bring all supplies including portable toilets and remove all waste upon departure. The preserve operates under strict leave-no-trace principles.
Shell Key Preserve spans nearly 2 miles, with Gulf of Mexico waters on the western shore and the Intercoastal Waterway on the eastern side. The terrain consists of white sand beaches and vegetated areas with limited flat, clear spaces for tent placement. According to reviews, "there are lots of plants, shrubs, sticks and stones which can make being in a tent pretty rough if you don't have a good pad and a tarp to protect your tent." Wildlife observation opportunities include dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and numerous bird species.
Peace River Banks Backcountry provides another primitive camping option between Zolpho Springs and Gardner, extending to Arcadia. Camping is permitted on the west bank without designated sites. Canoeing and kayaking serve as primary transportation methods, though jon boats and airboats are occasionally used. Both Shell Key and Peace River Banks require self-sufficiency and proper waste management.
Seasonal regulations apply at Shell Key Preserve, including campfire restrictions during summer sea turtle nesting season. Several campers noted that while Shell Key can be busy with boaters during daytime hours, "it clears out and feels super remote by evening." The paddle from Fort DeSoto to Shell Key is approximately one mile, making it accessible for kayakers and paddleboarders carrying camping equipment.
