4 Days Camping at Fort De Soto Park
Escape to Beach Days & Starry Nights with this Unforgettable Florida Camping Trip
Looking for the best place to camp in Florida? Spoiler alert: It’s Fort De Soto Park! With miles of sandy shoreline, this popular park covers five islands and 1,136 acres on the Gulf and Tampa Bay.
This beautiful park is located at the southern tip of Tierra Verde, near St. Pete Beach. Fort De Soto is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored, and with its proximity to downtown St. Pete (20 minutes), as well as the Gulf coast beach towns (12-plus minutes) it’s also a great base camp for your Florida getaway.
Follow along for tips from Tee George who enjoyed a weekend camping getaway at Fort De Soto Park! Tee is a hiking and outdoors enthusiast and influencer, and her mission is "encouraging diversity in the outdoors."
Campground Details
The Fort De Soto campground has 236 campsites, and more than 75 of these are pet-friendly. All of the sites have electrical hookups (30-50 amps), water, a picnic table and charcoal grill. You can also rent a fire pit at the park. Even though there are hundreds of spots, they fill up fast! Be sure to reserve as early as possible for this popular park campground, particularly in the busier months (usually late fall through winter and spring).
We booked a waterfront camping spot and stayed in a camper van, but many people come in larger RVs, or you can also sleep under the stars in a tent if you wish. You can explore the park by foot, bike or even by water. This was the perfect place to take in the beautiful nature that the St. Pete-Clearwater area offers.
Park Highlights
Not only can you stay here, but you can also enjoy adventuring around this massive park. There are 7 miles of paved trails for exploring via foot or bike. You can also go on a 1.4-mile walk on the Fort De Soto Park Nature Trail, or a 1.75-mile stroll to see native fauna and flora on Soldier's Hole Trail. Spend time at the beach, soaking up that beautiful Florida sunshine. For active visitors, there are kayaks, beach cruiser bikes, and other pedal-powered vehicles for rent.
Kayaking at Fort De Soto
Enjoy a peaceful paddle on the water at your own pace during a self-guided tour with help from Fort De Soto Hospitality. Choose from single or double kayaks and an array of paddleboards. If you're lucky, you might see manatees, dolphins, birds and other wildlife. This truly is the perfect way to spend a day on the water. You can reserve a kayak online, or come to the park and be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. (Bikes and beach gear are also available for rent.)
Island Grille & Raw Bar
The Island Grille & Raw Bar is an tropically-inspired restaurant on Tierra Verde that you won't want to miss. Savor the delicious food, taste fresh oysters from the raw bar, and take in a sunset while you sip a cocktail.
Sea Worthy Fish + Bar
Sea Worthy Fish + Bar is a chef-owned establishment featuring inspired seafood, coastal cocktails, and stunning Gulf views. Their goal is to provide the best of the Gulf's bounty.
MadFish
Located just 15 minutes away by car on award-winning St. Pete Beach is MadFish — a casual, eclectic diner offering homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer a twist on classic favorites with an innovative flare, serving the ultimate comfort food.
Phila Deli
Phila Deli is a full-service deli located on the Pinellas Bayway that has (hands down!) the best cheesesteaks around, and they are as authentic as the masterpieces you will find coming out of South Philly!
Billy's Stone Crab
Serving award-winning seafood and steak since 1972, rustic Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant is built completely out of native cypress and pine. With great views of the water plus occasional live music on weekend, the ambiance could not be better. As you can tell from the name, there is no better place to get fresh crab – especially October through May when the restaurant serves up the fresh catch from their own traps.
Paradise Grille
Paradise Grille is located right on the sand in tiny Pass-A-Grille Beach. With options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it's always a good time to visit. Walk up in your bathing suit or in shorts and flip-flops: Just feet away from the water, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite before (or after) spending a day in the sun.
