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Located off the St. Petersburg coast, near the mouth of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the tiny islands that make up Fort De Soto County Park have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the islands were home to the Tocobaga peoples, who sustained themselves on local plants and seafood. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors began exploring Florida’s barrier islands and mainland, among them, Hernando de Soto. From the Civil War in the 1860s until the conclusion of World War II in the 1940s, the islands were used as military emplacements, first as a Union blockade, then as coastal defensive batteries. The islands finally became a state park in 1963 as an effort to preserve their long history, and provide a recreation area for locals and visitors. The park was designated America’s Top Beach in 2009, and sees more than 2.7 million annual visitors.
Fort DeSoto County Park reservations offer 238 sites for tent and RV campers. It is located on the St. Christopher and St. Jean Keys, approximately 10 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. The campground is mostly wooded, and divided up into three areas: Area 1 for tents, vans, and small campers, and Areas 2 and 3 for larger RVs. All sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. Comfort stations with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are located in each area; a dump station is located near Area 2. The campground also features a small store, dayroom, two playgrounds, and Wifi service; bike and kayak rentals are available. Dogs are permitted in Area 2 and the designated dog park only. Alcoholic beverages and gas-powered generators are not permitted in the park. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance; seven months for locals. Campsite rates are $36–$42/night.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy on a visit to Fort DeSoto County Park, including visiting Fort DeSoto. Located on the southernmost point of Mullet Key, the historic military emplacement is open to the public for self-guided tours. Explore officers’ quarters, the bakery, the hospital and various other facilities. Look out across the Gulf of Mexico for the lighthouse, constructed in 1858, on neighboring Egmont Key. The park also features more than 7 miles of sparkling, white sand beaches, including East Beach and North Beach, for sunning and swimming. These can be reached via a paved, multi-use path from the campground. There are also boat launches, a fishing pier and a snack bar. As part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, bird watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.
A 236-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a campground store. Special camp sites for camping with pets.
Located on St. Jean Key along the Mullet Key Bayou in Fort DeSoto Park. Take I-275/Hwy 19, Exit 17 Pinellas Bayway/54th Avenue So./Hwy 682. Turn left on Pinellas Bayway/Hwy 679 and follow to Fort DeSoto Park. The campground will be on your right.
This campground is just beautiful! We had a waterfront site using our 23’ van camper in a tent site area, no dogs. The restrooms are very clean. The sites are close with the vegetation offering some privacy. Some beach areas have much calmer water. The fishing pier is incredible. Get some “No Natz” at Ace before you come, though!
Great campsite! Definitely on the expensive side(50 dollars after tax) but very beautiful. We had a water front campsite, a lot of RVs. Shower is great! They also have coin laundry, no fire ring which I thought was weird, but they have grill. Very hard to book! Saw some raccoons. Had a great time!
Friends, this is not an RV park. It is a beautifully maintained and cared for county campground. The volunteers are always happy to be doing their job and the park staff very friendly. The campstore owner, Fort Desoto Joe, is a pleasure to converse with. The sites are extremely clean, the views are amazing, and there is even a dayroom available for everyone to use and is stocked with books and games. If you don't like the bathhouse near your site, go for a stroll and check out another one. Not all bathhouses are created equal. I stayed for a week and had no problems with raccoons or rats. I saw them but never had issues. This is their natural habitat. Be a smart camper and keep your food or anything enticing to animals away from your tent. Bring a bike, as you'll never have to leave the park with miles and miles of bike trails. Truly, this place is a diamond in the rough. Florida camping at its best. Again, if you're looking for a RV park, don't stay here. Leave it for us campers that don't mind a little dirt and some wildlife sightings!
My husband and I spent our first anniversary camping here. We stayed in spot 186 for one evening. Our experience was fantastic. Simple check in, great camp shop, and the spot was ideal. The only downside was the campers before us were still in the spot when we arrived around 3pm. I feel like the park officers should be monitoring this..
