Campgrounds near Seminole, Florida range from waterfront sites to urban RV parks, with several options located along the Gulf Coast. Fort De Soto Campground in Saint Petersburg offers tent, RV, and glamping accommodations with water access, while St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday provides cabin camping options approximately 10 miles northwest of Seminole. Shell Key Preserve offers primitive boat-in camping for those seeking a more remote experience. The camping landscape includes both public park campgrounds and private RV resorts, with many sites featuring water views of Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the region, particularly for weekend stays and during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive. A camper noted, "Fort De Soto turned out being everything we expected and more. As a camper with northern roots, I have found it hard to camp in Florida. This campground helped me relieve those worries." Many campgrounds in the area maintain tropical vegetation between sites for privacy despite their proximity to urban areas. Summer camping requires preparation for heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, while winter offers milder temperatures but increased competition for sites. Alcohol policies vary by campground, with some locations like Fort De Soto prohibiting alcohol entirely, while others permit it within designated camping areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Seminole area, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. A recent review highlighted that "We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat" at Shell Key Preserve. Campers frequently mention the contrast between the natural setting of many campgrounds and their proximity to urban amenities. Fort De Soto Campground features sites with mangrove views and wildlife viewing opportunities despite being relatively close to developed areas. Several mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, though tent-only areas tend to offer more seclusion and natural surroundings. Proximity to beaches, fishing opportunities, and biking trails represents a common theme in positive reviews of camping areas throughout the region.
$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."
"Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, and I’m excited to share my positive review! I’ve hosted friends in their Deluxe Cabins before, and they were thoroughly impressed."
"It has all of the amenities you would ever want and is so close to Florida beaches. Pool, hot tub, store, workout room, fishing and kayaking and lots more to do right in the park."
$45 - $75 / night
"Decent size spot with stone drive and cement patio. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Nice laundry facilities with area to play cards if you wanted. Pool area is nice with shade spots."
"I stayed two weeks here with my dog and loved the location— great bike access to nearby trails and easy drives to Honeymoon Island."
"The park is small, parking is crammed, and there’s a lot of older trailers but overall it’s a great location. This is our go to location when we have appointments at Bay Pines VA!"
"One of my favorite places to camp in Florida, hands-down. You can only get to this camping spot by water. Must reserve, no pets & no alcohol."
"Shell Key is one of the larger uninhabited islands off of the west coast of Florida near St. Petersburg."
$24 / night
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
"Close to the boatramp. Raccoons can be annoying. Has picnic pavilions and several fishing docks"
"The sites are a little tight but that's normal for most of Florida, specially in a heavy populated are like Clearwater. It's unbelievably quiet although it's right off of US 19. Staff is so great."
"Sites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities."
$24 / night
"One of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Florida. It's around 650 acres with tons of boardwalks and hiking."
"Next to honeymoon island state park and just south of anclote Boat camping ONLY — tents/Rvs are not permitted.
First come/first serve boat slips, pet friendly (yay for dogs)"
"Off a very busy road hidden behind a hotel and a restaurant. Very clean and tidy park with RV sites and park models. Huge laundry room and very nice bath houses. Customer service is good."
"Best location for moving around the area. Use Drew not Gulf to Bay to move across the city. Great customer service Suzy and the crew are very helpful. "
ScoutWe stumbled upon this little gem this spring break. Our campsite backs up to the lagoon and seems quite private! Bathrooms are super clean, pool is festive, and staff are awesome! Would definitely come back!
ScoutCheck in is at 2 PM onwards, check out by 2 pm Sunday. Lively rivers and trails to explore for kids.
TravelerSpring break got hit with a cold front but we got 1 day in the springs. It’s nice and clean
ScoutNice enough spots but pretty tight to neighbors.
ScoutI stayed two weeks here with my dog and loved the location— great bike access to nearby trails and easy drives to Honeymoon Island. Sites were roomy, shaded by beautiful oak trees and there was other people my age around. This is a rare park, for almost everything is 55 and up. But I am 40 and was not surrounded by the old ancient and cranky lol!! The full hookups worked well. Park is quaint and clean, staff were friendly at check‑in, and the heated pool was a nice bonus. Dog-friendly overall(plenty of grassy areas for walks) and doggie doo doo stations all throughout, so bring a long leash but don't stress about poo bags. They offered Wi‑Fi but I use a Star Link because I do love to stream Netflix at night, and guest wifi at parks can be lagging with everyone trying to use it. I got great recommendations from Amanda in the office about places to eat around there. She is a local, and locals know all the good places! Uh let's see, oh Lloyd I think is the maintenance guy. He helped me with my sewer hook up since I was struggling that first day. Check in was easy, because there was no formal one, I got a text with a bunch of info for the bathrooms,wifi and a map. So overall it was a great stay, great location and I'll defiantly be back.
GuideJust left the Peace Love & Vans Rally needed a convenient resupply space ¯_(ツ)_/¯ KOA site clean, safe, and well organized
ScoutRelaxing campsite, most sites have water access or view. The raccoons are a little too comfortable they will make their selves at home and borrow anything that you leave open.
GuideWelcoming staff upon arrival. Park is very clean and well taken care of. Met some great neighbors and enjoyed the quietness. The park is constantly monitored by staff giving you a sense of comfort. Beautiful spring to enjoy a warm day as the water temp is a consistent 72°. Canoe and Kyak launch is easily accessible to enjoy the calm waters of the Alafia River. Restrooms and showers were clean and plentiful around the grounds. We will definitely be back.
TravelerLarge, level sites. Can accommodate any size RV. Very active community. 2 activity centers, pool, pickleball, horseshoes, billiards, bingo, entertainment and much more. Clean bathrooms and showers.
Camping near Seminole, Florida offers access to both Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast waters within a 20-mile radius. Sites typically range from $35-85 per night depending on location and water proximity. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through September, requiring popup shelters and rain gear for prepared campers.
Kayaking at Shell Key Preserve: This primitive boat-in camping area provides natural exploration opportunities just over a mile's paddle from the mainland. "Great spot for free camping (you do have to get the permit), and the best part is you can only get there by water! We paddled from Ft Desoto (one on kayak, other on paddleboard) with all of our gear roped on," reports one camper at Shell Key Preserve.
Wildlife viewing at E.G. Simmons Regional Park: Many waterfront sites allow campers to observe native Florida species directly from their campsites. "We always see Manatees there and lots of great areas to Kayak or paddle board. When you kayak down the channel into Tampa Bay what a great view of Tampa, St. Petersburg and the Skyway bridge," notes a regular visitor to E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Explore hiking trails and historic sites: Several campgrounds offer access to both natural areas and cultural attractions. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc. made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" shares a visitor to Fort De Soto Campground.
Privacy despite urban proximity: Many campgrounds maintain natural barriers between sites. "The sites are spaced out far from each other which was great! I have travelled to a lot of parks That have sites right on top of one another. I was pleasantly surprised to have additional space from my neighboring travelers," notes a camper at Caladesi RV Park.
Water access for recreation: Direct water access ranks as a top feature for campers staying near Seminole. "We have an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," shares a tent camper at Fort De Soto Campground.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses and amenities receive consistent praise. "The bathhouse is pretty central and literally across the road from our site. We had expected a much further walk based on the map, but it was just a 1 minute walk. They were ample, but nothing to write home about. They clean them daily," notes a reviewer.
Insect preparation essential: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be persistent, particularly at dusk. "Hot, hot, hot. And not in a good way. Not a lot of shade. Lots of no-see-ums so bring a bug repellent and apply religiously, or else," warns a visitor to E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Space constraints at some parks: Sites vary dramatically in size between campgrounds. "The RV park is in a great location, however its amenities fall short of what I'd consider a RV Resort. The pool is small but the beach is close, lacks activities but located in an area with lots going on. I'd avoid this park during the rainy season," advises a guest at Encore Vacation Village.
Advanced booking requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during winter months. "Book in advanced, especially if you want to stay more than a night or two," recommends a camper at Fort De Soto Campground.
Pool access for cooling off: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to beach activities. "Down for a week kinda last minute and he was able to give us a good spot. Decent size spot with stone drive and cement patio. Bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Nice laundry facilities with area to play cards if you wanted. Pool area is nice with shade spots," shares a family staying at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday.
Playgrounds and kid-friendly recreation: Some parks offer dedicated children's areas. "The playground is good with swings and also a sturdy playground that offered plenty of opportunity for my four year old to blow off some steam. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent," notes a family at Fort De Soto Campground.
Water safety considerations: Proximity to water requires vigilance with children. "Nicely organized, clean and with large spots," reports a recent visitor to E.G. Simmons Regional Park, though others note the need for close supervision near water areas.
Site width variations: RV sites range from spacious to extremely tight based on campground layout. "Sites were small, service was friendly, okay amenities- small pool, dog 'park' was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities," reports an RVer at Avalon RV Resort.
Access challenges for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have difficult entry points. "Be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns. Many full time residents with older park models," warns an RVer at Encore Vacation Village.
Utility hookup quality: Water and electric service quality varies between parks. "The utilities were set up poorly and we struggled a bit with septic hookup. Showers were clean, laundry was good, fun pool and small putt putt course," shares an RV camper visiting St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Seminole, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Seminole, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 174 campgrounds and RV parks near Seminole, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Seminole, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Seminole, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 141 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Seminole, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Seminole, FL.
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