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Located off the St. Petersburg coast, near the mouth of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the tiny islands that make up Fort De Soto County Park have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the islands were home to the Tocobaga peoples, who sustained themselves on local plants and seafood. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors began exploring Florida’s barrier islands and mainland, among them, Hernando de Soto. From the Civil War in the 1860s until the conclusion of World War II in the 1940s, the islands were used as military emplacements, first as a Union blockade, then as coastal defensive batteries. The islands finally became a state park in 1963 as an effort to preserve their long history, and provide a recreation area for locals and visitors. The park was designated America’s Top Beach in 2009, and sees more than 2.7 million annual visitors.
Fort DeSoto County Park reservations offer 238 sites for tent and RV campers. It is located on the St. Christopher and St. Jean Keys, approximately 10 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. The campground is mostly wooded, and divided up into three areas: Area 1 for tents, vans, and small campers, and Areas 2 and 3 for larger RVs. All sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. Comfort stations with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are located in each area; a dump station is located near Area 2. The campground also features a small store, dayroom, two playgrounds, and Wifi service; bike and kayak rentals are available. Dogs are permitted in Area 2 and the designated dog park only. Alcoholic beverages and gas-powered generators are not permitted in the park. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance; seven months for locals. Campsite rates are $36–$42/night.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on a visit to Fort DeSoto County Park, including visiting Fort DeSoto. Located on the southernmost point of Mullet Key, the historic military emplacement is open to the public for self-guided tours. Explore officers’ quarters, the bakery, the hospital and various other facilities. Look out across the Gulf of Mexico for the lighthouse, constructed in 1858, on neighboring Egmont Key. The park also features more than 7 miles of sparkling, white sand beaches, including East Beach and North Beach, for sunning and swimming. These can be reached via a paved, multi-use path from the campground. There are also boat launches, a fishing pier and a snack bar. As part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, bird watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.
A 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets.
$38 - $48 / night
Fort wilderness camping features 4 types of campsites accommodate everything from tents to 45-foot and longer RVs, with a maximum of 10 Guests per site. Each campsite is equipped with privacy-enhancing landscaping, water, cable television and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table and a charcoal grill. Most campsites also include a sewer hook-up, and some even permit pets.
$56 - $201 / night
The campground has 139 sites for both RVs and tents, all located within the beautiful maritime hammock and just a short walk or bike ride from the beach. Certain sites are paved and have accessible picnic tables and grills. All sites have electricity and water, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring. A communal dump station is free for park campers. Please put your trash in the compactor near the entrance to the campgrounds. Anastasia also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers ages 4 to 9. Ask to check out a book from the ranger station. Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy. Maximum RV length = 38 feet. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the park, except for campers who consume alcoholic beverages within their campsites. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call or TDD 888-433-0287.
$28 / night
Fort Pickens Campground is situated on Santa Rosa Island, a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore south of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Visitors are drawn to the Gulf of Mexico for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today! Each camp site offers a fire pit, picnic table, and a paved pad to park on. There are heated showers and flush toilets. We offer electric and non-electric sites. Many of our sites have restrictions from low limbs or bushes so be sure you will fit. Limited overflow parking is available. Choose a site that will accommodate all of your equipment. Campers may not stay in the campground more than 14 consecutive days. This policy is strictly enforced. Entrance fees are required for the Fort Pickens area and are good for seven consecutive days from purchase. Pets are not allowed on any beaches sound and gulf side, ferries, piers, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside facilities.
Many visitors young and old come to Fort Pickens to enjoy its scenic location on the beach. The white sands of Santa Rosa Island are the perfect place for a long walk or an afternoon of building sandcastles. The warm ocean waters are great for swimming and snorkeling. Fishermen will find a pier just a short distance from the picnic pavilions. It can be used by visitors without a Florida fishing license. Many hiking trails through the sand dunes provide beautiful views and hours of exploration. Historic Fort Pickens, a pentagonal fort built to defend Pensacola Bay in 1834, is just 1 mile from the campground. The structure was fortified after the War of 1812 and was one of four forts in the South never occupied by Confederates during the Civil War.
The campground is located on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay. Groves of live oak trees are scattered across the island, providing shelter for resident and migrating bird populations, as well as shade for park visitors. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is home to sparkling blue waters, white beaches and coastal marshes. However, more than 80% of the national park is underwater, as it's a vital protective habitat to marine life.
The campground is a short distance from restaurants and beach nightlife, downtown Pensacola, the Pensacola Naval Air Station and Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and other historic sites. Campsites are within 1/4 mile of the beaches of the Emerald Coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay.
Cancellation and modification fees are non-refundable.
$20 - $40 / night
$12 - $30 / night
MAG1
$20 / night
Wekiwa Springs Camping offers slopes of gently rolling hills supporting longleaf pine among other specialty plants is the Sandhill habitat where the 60 spacious campsites are located. Each wooded site has water and electrical hook-up, a fire ring with grill and a picnic table. Some sites also have sewer hook-ups and a dump station is located at the campground. Accessible camp sites can be requested at the time of reservation. Two accessible restrooms with showers are located in the camping area. Firewood is available at the ranger station. Well behaved pets are allowed in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy.
$24 / night
Welcome to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Topsail Hill is named for its dunes, which rise like a ship's sails over soft sand beaches and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem — freshwater dune lakes — which teem with aquatic wildlife. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants. Topsail Hill offers three miles of pristine beaches and is a bird-watching and hiking paradise.
$24 - $130 / night
Just minutes from downtown Tampa, this Hillsborough River State Park Camping offers a refuge from city life with its seven miles of nature trails and ample places to cool off in the water.
Except for occasional reenactments, the cannon and guns are now silent at Fort Foster. No longer do Seminole Indians have to fight to keep a foothold in Florida, and soldiers no longer guard a strategic river crossing. The reconstructed fort and its surroundings are now part of Hillsborough River State Park.
Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Tucked away, only a short distance from the bustling city of Tampa, camping is a popular activity at Hillsborough River State Park.
$24 / night
PG
$26 / night
Traveler
Overall it’s not a bad campground but I have no plans to ever return.
The good: clean bathrooms with running, hot water; wild Florida flora; starry night skies. The spring run is one of my favorites. It’s difficult and technical and challenging and I just love it.
The bad: the worst part of my experience was other campers being loud after quiet hours and the camp host doing nothing about it. While most people kept it down after 10 (as stated in the rules) one group of partiers was up til 3am, blasting music and hootin’ and hollerin’. I know the park can’t control individual’s behavior but, again, the camp host was on site and did nothing about it. I talked to other campers the next day who all lamented at their lack of sleep because of this one group. It was so bad we only stayed one night. We left the next day after kayaking the run because our home in the city is quieter.
Also, there’s a general lack of information available for visitors. There are no maps available, for the campground or the run. I had to take a picture of an employee’s personal map of the grounds which ended up being inaccurate because it listed a shower facility that doesn’t actually exist. I asked the staff at the spring run for a map and they didn’t have one I could look at. I asked “how do I know I’m at the end of the run for pickup?” She said “it’s right after the bridge.” Which was true, but it’s not labeled in any kind of way so if I hadn’t asked, I would’ve just kept on paddling forever. Their website has limited information and the confirmation email I got after booking had incorrect information. It said to call if I’d arrive after hours starting in November, so I did, and was told that policy wasn’t in effect for a few weeks. None of these things are a big deal on their own but when they’re all together it becomes a pattern.
Scout
Peaceful secluded campsites. Most have a wooded buffer. There are full hookup sites available. We stayed in site 33. Sites have fire ring and picnic tables.
Scout
Campground sites are very close together. Staff is friendly and helpful. Bathrooms are clean and modern. Lots of road noise, trucks and sirens.
Scout
I stayed for 3 months, the place was lovely. But there is something very important to me I have a very docile golden retriever poodle. While I was there there was many pitbulls without muzzle witnessed a pitbull get loose from its owner and attacked two small dogs the dogs had to go to the veterinarian hospital I had to take my dog and pick him up and run and hide this happened right in front of me it was horrible. I don't know the fate of the other dogs but one couldn't walk. The man that was walking the Pitbull lost control of it because the Pitbull wanted to attack the other dogs in the park he slipped right out of his collar. I believe they shouldn't allow aggressive breeds and if they do they should be muzzled until then I would never come back here I love my dog I can't imagine the situation if it would have been my dog it scares me just the thought
Traveler
Fantastic hosts, camp grounds are impeccable, bath houses cleaned and surrounded by nature, what a wonderful place to be.
Traveler
I stopped here to stay overnight on a Thursday as I was passing through. There was only one camper but did not know that until I left the next morning. It was quiet and felt secluded. The sites were close as you would normally get in an established campground but there was plenty of brush to separate each site.
Scout
It’s quiet, peaceful. Sites are large, fire rings, picnic tables, grass! Not well lit, no bath house, no propane, no pool. They have plenty of ideas though.
Traveler
Convenient and big rig friendly. There are goats. It is close to the highway so there is a little noise.
Traveler
Great county park for our holiday weekend trip. Sites are a little tight and park is open to none campers, but otherwise no complaints (and really those aren’t a big deal). Decent rates, full hook ups, great location, friendly staff, clean bathhouse, and beautiful views of the Indian River. We plan on coming back.
Scout
Great campground for any type of camping. All sites at Palmetto Ridge are full hookup and many sites are pull through. ATT WiFi is fast enough to stream YouTube and YouTube TV via my Apple TV box tethered to my iPhone.
Scout
Site was level with full hookups right off the freeway.
Scout
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Scout
Horrible for tent camping. Didn't own an RV. I'm just traveling through, and I went off of what information was listed. This place is pathetic. Not as advertised. Trash is not taken out regularly. One table on the ground, and it's not a picnic camping table. Tent campers have no showers or restroom. Freeway is very close and noisy. Campground is not really for campers. I'd stay away. This place is appearing fraudulent. Owner does not run this property accordingly. Seems like just a place to store RVs. Not for camping in tents or RVs. Stay away. There's much better camping across the state, regulated and maintained.
Guide
Very friendly host, clean bathroom, the environment are so charming
Scout
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
Legend
Large sites. Very nice pool. First rate laundry facilities. Great playground and dog park.
Traveler
Beautiful view of the lake & spacious sites. Make sure you take supplies, groceries trip is 20-30 minutes
Traveler
We just stayed here for the weekend with our two kids and dog and it was so nice. We had a site right in front of the pond and it was not a long walk to the bathroom/shower area. Showers could have been a bit cleaner, but overall it was a nice stay. Wish they kayak rentals for the ponds. But it was still nice and quiet!
Scout
One of the best little places to get your youngins out into nature for the first time... It's small but has everything that a campground should have. Nice pier to fish off of, little nature trail, and a boat launch. And to top it all off it was cheap! A little small for my taste but over all a very nice place .
Guide
Very convenient campground to go for a hike along the florida trail and cool off in the gorgeous blue spring waters. It does get crowded so plan accordingly.
Guide
Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails
Guide
Amazing views of the old US1 and train tracks. The sand is white and water is so blue. The no see ums were unbearable so bring proper grade tent mesh and lots of bugs pray
Scout
If you have to change or cancel your reservation your gonna lose your money. The owner will keep every dime of your reservation even if you can't camp there.
Legend
We stayed one night on a grass spot with harvest host. While we did not “pay,” we were still treated as royalty. The entire team was amazing. The grass spit was up front by all of the amenities. The other lots are beautiful and further back. The pool is gorgeous. They have bikes that you check out with the bracelets, and the restaurant was top notch with live music.
Guide
We were evacuated, hurricane Milton, and found this as the last place that had a place only four of the spots have electrical. It’s very very backwards, camping, huge mosquitoes, huge bugs, alligators in the lake, bear boxes and bear meat racks, the road to it is terrible very very bumpy like driving over a river. You need to be almost in an off-road SUV vehicle to get to it and it’s 2 miles… Once you get there it’s just downright scary! The only good thing that we found out out of this is that there is an unknown RV park 10 miles down the road off of Bristol called River Landing RV park because they’re not listed on any of the pages so far we didn’t find them. But you can look them up online. I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to post their link here but if so, here it is. https://riverlandingrvpark.com/ Even the host of the other place sent us here
Guide
I truly believe that it is the soul of the RV Park that makes it wonderful. The owners and managers of this park are absolutely incredible. The most accommodating kindest, most friendly people I have ever run across in all of the travels I’ve done which is many and my RV! This place has not been on the map before it is new and it has only had about a month in operating at this location. I kind of accidentally ended up here when being evacuated from hurricane Milton in Clearwater and somebody else from another campground that turned out to be a bust suggested we go here because it was an unknown location. Well Joanie, the owner was packed, but she fit us in anyway she made a parking space she created a connection. She figured out how to get water to us and welcomed us with food and music. The park inside has tables and chairs and little beautiful hanging lights a big fire pit and a really nice bathhouse with laundry room… We were instantly welcomed and various churches brought over food to all the campers here who had been evacuated from their homes… the place is beautiful and clean and sits on the prettiest river the Apalachicola river. It’s pet friendly and lots of dogs and kids with a big bounce house for the kids to play on guys came over from churches with guitars and played music just a wonderful place to beif you’re on your way back down to Florida evacuating run don’t walk to this campground because there’s lots of space here that is unfilled at the moment just because she isn’t well known.
ScoutIncredible campground, and it was an unforgettable experience! The 2.3 acres are full of natural beauty, with the open meadow and food forest creating a peaceful and vibrant atmosphere. The birds, bees, and butterflies were everywhere, making it feel like a true nature retreat. The abundance of fresh bananas and the host's expertise in foraging added a unique touch. Plus, being so close to Riverbend Park and Jupiter's beaches was a huge bonus! Just like keeping track of GEPCO bill online at https://gepcobillsonline.pk/ helps me manage my energy usage, this campground taught me to appreciate natural resources and sustainability.
