St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday offers pet-friendly cabins, RV sites, and tent camping options with dedicated amenities for dogs. Fort De Soto Campground, Little Manatee River State Park, and E.G. Simmons Regional Park all welcome pets throughout their campgrounds, making the Gulfport area well-suited for camping with dogs. Most campgrounds maintain standard leash policies, typically requiring dogs to be kept on leads no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles or designated off-leash areas. The fenced dog run at St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA provides space for pets to exercise freely, while the campground's waterfront location offers opportunities for shoreline walks with leashed pets.
Dog-friendly beaches near these campgrounds provide additional recreation options for pets and their owners. Fort De Soto Park features a designated dog beach where pets can swim and play off-leash. The Pinellas Trail runs directly in front of the St. Petersburg KOA, offering miles of paved path for walking dogs. Canoe Outpost on Little Manatee River allows pets at their cabin accommodations and throughout their grounds, with direct water access for paddling adventures with dogs. Most campgrounds provide waste stations and require owners to clean up after their pets. Veterinary clinics are available within a 15-minute drive of most camping locations, and pet supply stores can be found near major shopping areas in St. Petersburg and Largo.
$38 - $48 / night
"Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park."
"It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites."
"Wanting to be close to them I opted for one of the small tent sites at the end of the park where I car camped in my Subaru Outback."
"Located on the water. Lots to do. Great for kids & pets."
$24 / night
"Amazing water access and dog friendly! The staff and rangers are kind and helpful. During our stay, there was E. coli in water which means water activities and fishing were restricted."
"Nearly every campsite is right on the water - easy in and out for kayaks, large boat ramp and many picnic pavilions."
$22 / night
"Pet friendly and there is a trailhead about a half a mile outside of the campground. We didnt see a single person in this 7 mile loop hike and were very pleased with that."
"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."
"There’s a small dog beach and two dog parks. Laundry facilities are centrally located. Cable is included."
"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 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!"
"They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St."
"In Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance. Pet-friendly."
$24 - $109 / night
"Beautiful scenery and trails. Canoe and kayak outpost. The Outpost peacock named Elvis hung around with us! Dog park for my pup was fantastic and well maintained."
"It’s also located right off the highway, so you get all the noise. All day and all night. Now, for canoe and kayak trips, I guess it’s a good spot. There’s a lot of folk that come just for that."
$45 - $75 / night
"It is pet friendly and everyone seems to clean up after their pets. The pool is clean and clear and that works for me."
"The beach is a 5 minute drive and pet friendly! The Pinellas bike trail is also located right behind the park and easy to get on. I will definitely come back to this campground."
ScoutBeautiful park! Clean, quiet, large private spaces, and nice bath facilities. Be advised that there is only one section thst allows pets and limited areas that pets are allowed but has a nice dog beach and off leash dog park.
LegendOne 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.
We saw sting rays, a baby turtle, many different birds & other wildlife within 5 minutes of parking the boat.
Amazing views.
Campfires not permitted in summer months due to sea turtle nesting.
GuideStayed here for a week in May - quiet, pretty campground with friendly staff, a petting zoo and vegetable farm on property. We enjoyed the produce market, but you could also go in the fields and pick your own. Camper sites had enough room between them, the electric/water sites had good tree cover for shade. There were cabins, a silo, and covered wagons you could also stay in. There's a big dog park, but not much shade there. There's a winery just 1 mile away. The Sarasota beaches and mangrove kayaking are an easy 45 minute drive away. The only thing I wished they had was a pool... Overall, we had a nice time here.
GuideThis is one of the best parks anywhere. It’s not a National Park surrounding a national treasure but it might as well be. The park has three loops. All have waterfront sites and inner loop sites. One is set up for tents, folding campers and small teardrop style trailers. One is conducive to big rigs but it’s a tight fit and one handles all, but allows pets. There’s lots of wildlife, particularly raccoons. A short drive or bike ride from the campground lands you at the old fort, or a ferry to Egmont Key for the day, or a beach with a view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge, or the amazing north beach which has been listed several times as the best beach in America. It’s a truly gorgeous park. Kayaking, SUP, dog parks, dog beach as well as coyote, rattlesnakes, amazing shore birding, white pelicans, eagles, ospreys, roseates, manatees, dolphins... hard to get reservations but well worth it.
Our return to this park year after year resulted in us building a home in the area for our endless summer adventures.
GuideLithia Springs Conservation Park is a hidden gem for camping in Florida. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and tucked away in a peaceful natural setting. Sites are spacious with plenty of shade, and the amenities like restrooms and picnic areas are kept in great shape. The best part is being just a short walk from the beautiful natural spring, perfect for swimming and cooling off. It’s a great spot for families or anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I’ll definitely be coming back!
GuideSites were small, Service was friendly, Okay amenities- small pool, dog ‘park’ was a tiny walking area. Expensive considering location and amenities.
GuideNice place to stay in Palmetto. I just moved into my RV and this was my very first camping stop so I had TONS of questions and needed quite a bit of help. The staff were super friendly and the neighbors were extremely helpful in showing me how to get everything set up. They have a nice pool and laundry facilities - would recommend coming with a separate vehicle as there's not much within walking distance, but it's only a short drive to Tampa, St. Pete, and the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They also have a nice size, fenced-in dog park with a dog walking path, so bring your furry friends!
LegendIn Palmetto, easy access to Tampa, Sarasota, Gulf Beaches, and many other areas of Florida in a few hours driving distance.
Pet-friendly.
GuideThis park is full of great adventures. If you like to hike, there are a bunch of different trails to walk and they run alongside the river. You may even have the opportunity to catch site of some alligators as this river is very populated with them. There is also a cute shop and cafe so if your not feeling up to cooking, you can head there. At the shop you have the opportunity to swim in the pool, rent kayaks, canoes, and bikes. I also love that they are pet friendly. I take my dog everywhere (and sometimes my cat) and they enjoyed the trails just as much as I did!
Fort De Soto Campground lies at the southwestern edge of the Pinellas peninsula, where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. The area's subtropical climate features year-round warmth with temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F in winter. Camping options near Gulfport span from waterfront sites with natural wind protection to open areas better suited for catching Gulf breezes during humid summer months.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Fort De Soto Park campers regularly spot diverse wildlife within the park boundaries. "We saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of birds!" reports Brennan H. The protected mangrove areas create excellent wildlife habitat accessible from campsites.
Paddling the Little Manatee River: Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River offers direct river access with equipment rentals. "We enjoyed our 3 hour kayak trip and then they very kindly found us a spot to stay for the night," notes Jolie H. The outfitter provides options for both short paddles and longer 8-mile treks.
Biking the Pinellas Trail: This regional trail runs near several campgrounds, providing miles of paved pathway. "The bike trail is right behind the park and has beautiful scenery," according to Gina D. who stayed at Caladesi RV Park. The trail connects multiple communities across Pinellas County, enabling longer rides.
Natural site separation: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites at Fort De Soto Campground. "Very private spots lots of trees," notes ralph B. The park maintains natural vegetation buffers that provide both shade and screening between campsites.
Access to water recreation: Multiple campsites offer direct water access. "We had neighbors on both sides and across (this place always sells out) and it was still fairly secluded. We had an inflatable raft that we took out in the water. We were greeted by dolphins, sting rays and manatees," reports Joe R. about Fort De Soto.
Well-maintained facilities: E.G. Simmons Regional Park receives praise for its upkeep. "Clean grounds including bathrooms and staff are the friendliest, kindest people," according to Rebecca D. The park maintains two separate campgrounds, each with its own dump station and bath house.
Seasonal insect considerations: Bug activity varies dramatically by season and location. "The bugs can be bad this time they were bad last year no problem. We had a screened room that has a no see-um mesh on it and we blast a big fan in there so we do stay semi bug free," advises B M. about E.G. Simmons.
Reservation windows: The most popular dog friendly campgrounds near Gulfport book up quickly. For Little Manatee River State Park Campground, campers can make reservations up to 11 months in advance. Fort De Soto has a different system: "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," explains Joe R.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. At Canoe Outpost Little Manatee River, Miranda V. notes, "Very nice staff, the showers and toilets are simple. You hear the nearby road." The proximity to highways varies significantly between campgrounds.
Budget-friendly recreation: Many dog-friendly camping areas near Gulfport offer built-in entertainment. "Great site with days worth of activities! The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit!" shares Brennan H. about Fort De Soto Park.
Kid-friendly facilities: Playground access varies between sites. At St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday, "They have a heated pool, mini golf course, shuffle board, dog run," according to Doug E. The campground also offers rental bikes including "four person bikes, that are found at most KOAs."
Shaded options for summer heat: Campgrounds with mature trees provide essential shade during hot months. "Natural trees providing privacy between lots," notes Patti D. about Little Manatee River State Park, which helps keep camping areas cooler during daytime hours.
Site accessibility varies: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs equally. "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," reports Diana M. about Caladesi RV Park.
Military base camping option: Active duty, retired military, and DoD civilian employees have access to MacDill AFB FamCamp. "I absolutely loved the MacDill FamCamp. It's right by the beach and marina. There's a small dog beach and two dog parks," shares Richard. The campground offers full hook-ups and additional base amenities.
Hookup placement challenges: At some parks, utilities may not be ideally positioned. Nicole noted about St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach KOA Holiday: "The utilities were set up poorly and we struffled a bit with septic hookup." RVers should bring extension cords and hoses to accommodate different site layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gulfport, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gulfport, FL is Fort De Soto Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 141 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gulfport, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 127 dog-friendly camping locations near Gulfport, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
