Full review
Fort De Soto Park Campground Review: Rates, Sites & BookingFort De Soto Park campground review with current tax-included rates, 236 water-and-electric sites, pet-loop rules and the six- or seven-month booking window.
County park · St. Petersburg · Florida
Fort De Soto Park Campground is a Pinellas County park campground spread across five interconnected islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Tierra Verde, just south of St. Petersburg, Florida. With 1,136 acres of mangroves, trails, fishing piers, a historic fort, and a Gulf beach that repeatedly wins national rankings, it is public waterfront camping rather than a private resort. It suits paddlers, birders, beach walkers, dog owners, and snowbirds who would rather have water at their feet than a pool and activity schedule.
| Hookups | Water + 30/50 amp; dump |
|---|---|
| Sites | 236 sites. Sites 86–236 handle larger rigs; 1–85 are sized for tents and units under 16 feet. |
| Max RV length | Under 16 ft in sites 1–85; otherwise exact site |
| Cost | $45.77–$53.68 incl. tax |
| Fees | Published tax-inclusive totals; exact price varies by area and waterfront position. |
| Reservations | Up to 6 months; 7 months for verified county residents |
| Location | Tierra Verde (St. Petersburg area) |
| Dump station | Yes |
| Cell signal | Good (all major carriers) |
| Best for | Paddlers and beach walkers who want a waterfront pad near St. Pete. |
Source-backed: Official county camping page (checked 2026-08-05). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.
Fort De Soto Park Campground is a Pinellas County park campground spread across five interconnected islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Tierra Verde, just south of St. Petersburg, Florida. With 1,136 acres of mangroves, trails, fishing piers, a historic fort, and a Gulf beach that repeatedly wins national rankings, it is public waterfront camping rather than a private resort. It suits paddlers, birders, beach walkers, dog owners, and snowbirds who would rather have water at their feet than a pool and activity schedule.
All 236 sites have water and 30/50-amp electric but no sewer, so tank management and the central dump station are part of the stay. Sites 1 to 85 are limited to tents and units under 16 feet; sites 86 to 236 take larger rigs subject to the exact pad. Tax-inclusive rates run $45.77 to $53.68 depending on area and waterfront position. Booking opens six months out (seven for verified county residents) and peak-season inventory disappears fast. Cell coverage is good on all major carriers. The trade-off, beyond the missing sewer, is that hurricane repairs left some sections closed with restoration estimated to run into late 2026, so confirm what is open before you plan.
Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.
Full review
Fort De Soto Park Campground Review: Rates, Sites & BookingFort De Soto Park campground review with current tax-included rates, 236 water-and-electric sites, pet-loop rules and the six- or seven-month booking window.
Regional guide
RV Parks on the Beach in Florida: Where You Can Actually Camp on the SandFort De Soto is a Pinellas County park spread across five interconnected islands with seven miles of waterfront. It's not state-run, which means a different reservation system and a different crowd, but the waterfront sites here are some of the best in the state for direct water access — you can launch a kayak from camp.
Our full Fort De Soto campground review walks through which loops put you closest to the water.
Read the guide →Regional guide
Florida's Gulf Coast RV Parks: Pensacola to NaplesFort De Soto is a Pinellas County park spread across five interconnected islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The beach here has been voted among America's best repeatedly, and unlike most Florida beach parks, the campground puts you within walking distance of the sand. The park is 1,136 acres of mangroves, trails, fishing piers, and a historic fort — it feels nothing like a private RV resort.
The campground has 236 sites. Sites 1–85 are limited to tents, vans, pop-ups, and trailers under 16 feet; sites 86–236 accept all camping-unit types, subject to the exact site's dimensions. Sites have water and 30/50-amp electricity but no sewer connection; shared dump stations are available.
A note on availability: Fort De Soto sustained damage from back-to-back hurricanes and has been undergoing phased repairs. Area 3 of the campground has reopened, but some sections remain closed with full restoration estimated by late 2026. Check current availability before planning your trip.
Fort De Soto's RV sites don't have sewer hookups, which means tank management over a multi-day stay. The dump station handles this, but if you're used to full hookups at every site, plan accordingly. Bring a portable waste tote if you want to avoid breaking camp for a dump run.
Read the guide →Our verdict
Book it if you want waterfront, paddling, and beach access at public-park prices and can manage tanks without sewer. Skip it if you need full hookups for a long stay, resort amenities, or cannot plan six months out.
No. Every site has water and 30/50-amp electric, but there are no individual sewer hookups. A centralized dump station serves the campground.
Published tax-inclusive rates are $45.77 non-waterfront and $48.03 waterfront for sites 1 to 85, and $51.42 and $53.68 for sites 86 to 236.
Sites 1 to 85 are limited to tents, vans, pop-ups, and trailers under 16 feet. Sites 86 to 236 accept all unit types, but the fit is set by the exact site's dimensions in the reservation system.
Six months ahead for the general public and seven months for verified Pinellas County residents. Peak-season and waterfront sites book out almost immediately.
Yes, but only in Area 2, sites 86 to 164.
The maximum stay is 14 nights in any 30-day period.
Compare alternatives before you book — or browse the whole Florida hub.