The Gulfport, Florida area includes several established campgrounds offering varied accommodations within easy reach of beaches and coastal attractions. Fort De Soto Campground, located at the southern tip of Pinellas County, provides tent, RV, and glamping options with waterfront views of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Key Preserve offers a primitive camping experience accessible only by boat, while St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday features tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals approximately 5 miles north of Gulfport. Terry Tomalin Campground and Little Manatee River State Park also provide camping opportunities within 30 minutes of Gulfport.
Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round due to Florida's mild winter climate, though summer humidity and occasional storms affect camping conditions. A review from The Dyrt noted, "We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds and other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat," highlighting the natural encounters possible at Shell Key Preserve. Several sites require advance permits, including Shell Key which mandates a free camping permit from Pinellas County. Waterfront sites typically fill quickly during winter months when seasonal visitors arrive. Tent campers should be prepared for sandy ground conditions, especially at beach-adjacent locations. Cell service remains strong throughout most of the region due to its proximity to urban areas.
Waterfront camping represents the most distinctive feature of the Gulfport camping landscape. Shell Key Preserve stands out as a primitive island camping destination where visitors must pack in and out all supplies. According to one camper, "If you want an adventure leading you to an amazing camp spot, this is it!" The preserve requires visitors to bring portable toilets as no facilities exist on the island. Several campgrounds enforce specific rules—Terry Tomalin Campground prohibits alcohol, smoking, and RVs, while Fort De Soto and MacDill AFB FamCamp have clear pet policies. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically provide water hookups, electric service, and sanitary facilities, with many offering shore access for fishing and watersports. Sites with shade tend to be limited at beach locations but more abundant at inland campgrounds.
$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."
$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"
"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."
$22 / night
"A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again."
"This campsite is right outside of Little Manatee River State Park. I even missed the entrance and went to Little Manatee because I missed the turn."
"Close to a small beach and marina with a restaurant walking distance. Several dog parks but muddy/dirt. Laundry available for fee. Bath houses clean and large. Good amenities on base."
"The tent area is large and almost 100% shaded , The white sand beach is steps away and had the most amazing sunsets ."
$30 / night
"The campsites are nicely spaced out so you aren’t to close to other campers. The trails are amazing but be careful or you might get lost."
"It’s in an awesome location, too - we had other plans but made last-minute plans to stay here for a night and they were pretty empty on a Friday night."
"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!"
"In Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance. Pet-friendly."
"As we walked outside, a fellow traveler who had been here often, offered to show me the way to our site."
$95 - $225 / night
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 options near Gulfport, Florida range from beachfront to waterway settings with many campsites located directly on bodies of water. The region averages 361 sunny days annually with summer temperatures routinely reaching 90°F and high humidity from June through September. Winter camping presents milder conditions with daytime temperatures between 65-75°F and significantly lower humidity, making December through March the peak camping season.
Paddling adventures: The Little Manatee River offers kayaking and canoeing opportunities through natural Florida terrain. "We enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night," noted a visitor at Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River.
Wildlife viewing: Tampa Bay waters host diverse marine life visible from shorelines and while paddling. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds," reported a camper at Fort De Soto Campground. This makes wildlife spotting a common activity across most waterfront locations.
Historical exploration: Fort De Soto Park includes remnants of military installations worth exploring. "Great park with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit," shared one reviewer about the preserved coastal fortifications.
Waterfront access: Campers consistently praise sites with direct water access. At E.G. Simmons Regional Park, one reviewer noted, "We have stayed here many times the last time we had site #65 on the water with water and electric hook up & there is a dump station onsite."
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming locations. "There's a small dog beach and two dog parks," mentioned a camper at MacDill AFB FamCamp, highlighting the additional recreation options beyond standard camping.
Privacy between sites: Natural vegetation creates separation between campsites at several locations. At Little Manatee River State Park, a visitor commented, "Clean, well organized and well kept facilities and staff... We loved the privacy of the nature between every campsite along those areas for bigger rigs."
Insect preparation: No-see-ums and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in warmer months. A camper at E.G. Simmons warned, "You really cannot stay outside at dusk. Citronella torches, spray, fans, Avon skin so soft...none of these work for the no-see-ums."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Canoe Outpost, a visitor cautioned, "Right next to a highway/large road with TONS of traffic noise." Urban-adjacent sites typically experience more ambient noise than those deeper into parks.
Reservation timing: The best places to camp near Gulfport, Florida require advance planning during winter months. At Terry Tomalin Campground, sites often book quickly despite being "nicely spaced out so you aren't too close to other campers."
Alcohol restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. Terry Tomalin enforces that "you are not allowed to smoke anything, vape anything, drink anything alcoholic," according to a recent visitor.
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools ideal for family recreation. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, "They even had a movie night at the pool," reported one camper, noting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Playground access: Dedicated play areas provide activities for children. Fort De Soto features "a playground with good swings and also a sturdy playground... The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent."
Family-friendly activities: Some sites offer recreational amenities beyond standard camping. The St. Petersburg KOA provides "a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run. There are the typical bike rentals, four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs."
Site privacy considerations: RVers should research site separation when booking. At St. Petersburg KOA, a camper noted, "Sites are smashed together and no privacy. Some sites back up to the mangroves which is nice but that's about it."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have tight entry points. At Encore Vacation Village, visitors warn to "be careful entering the park. Very sharp turns," making navigation challenging for larger rigs.
Winter booking strategy: For camping during peak season, one Fort De Soto visitor advised, "Note that they do start booking 6 months out and open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each Friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gulfport, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Gulfport, FL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gulfport, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 141 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Gulfport, FL.
Keep Exploring
