Last updated on March 19th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Fort De Soto campground and all of its beaches, including the popular North Beach, have reopened. The campground was closed for several months following Hurricane Milton.
The beaches of Fort DeSoto Park consistently rank among the best beaches in America, and campers love the park’s campground with half of its 236 sites on the water.
This Pinellas County park is spread over 900 acres on five interconnected islands with seven miles of waterfront, including three miles of the most scenic beaches in Florida.
There is a 2.25-mile designated paddle trail, but the real fun is exploring Shell Key and the other offshore islands.
If you have a larger boat, a full-facility boat ramp is located near the entrance to the park with plenty of ramps and more-than-ample trailer parking. Campers in Sites 166-195 are allowed to anchor off the seawall. (There is an overflow parking area in the campground where you can leave your trailer.)
The park has a 6.3-mile paved bicycle trail, nature trails, two fishing piers and the ruins of the park’s namesake fort, which was built during the Spanish-American War.
Tenters and campers in small vans can escape from the RV crowd on their own section of the campground, where 85 sites are set aside for tents, vans, pop-up and tent trailers shorter than 16 feet.
My wife and I have been visiting this park for years. In addition to the park amenities, we enjoy its proximity to St. Petersburg and lovely beachfront communities nearby.
Fort DeSoto does not connect directly to the 54-mile-long Pinellas Trail, although access is possible via bicycle on surface streets.
The campsites at Fort De Soto
Although there are 236 campsites, they fill up in peak season (January to April), so campers should plan ahead and take advantage of off-season lulls, while recognizing there is really no time of year the campground isn’t in high demand.
Sites 1-85 are designed for tents, vans, pop-up campers and trailers shorter than 16 feet. Sites 86-236 are designed for recreational vehicles, tents or vans. All sites have water and electrical hook-ups (30-50 amp), picnic table and charcoal grill.
Pets are welcome only in Camping Area Two (Sites 86-164).
In addition to modern rest rooms with showers, the park also has coin-laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is available at the camp store and the campground office, both of which are near the entrance to the campground.
| Year-Round Rates (2025) | Sites 1-85 (Tents) | Sites 86-236 (RV) |
| Waterfront sites, including tax | 48.03 | 53.68 |
| Interior Sites, including tax | 45.77 | 51.42 |
The best time to find a campsite at Fort DeSoto is in the fall, when the weather is ideal for camping, biking and kayaking, and waterfront sites are more available.
Pinellas County residents benefit from a park policy that allows them to reserve a site up to seven months in advance. The reservation window for non-residents is six months.
The park holds back an undisclosed number of sites for walk-ups, but don’t count on any being available in peak season, when campers line up at the park office at 8 a.m. sharp for availabilities.
Fort De Soto Campground, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715. Phone: (727) 582-2100. A 236-site campground with picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a campground store. Sites for camping with pets. For reservations, call 727-582-2100 or book online through the Pinellas County web site.
Campground reservations
Pinellas County residents get first dibs on campsites up to 7 months in advance. The reservations window for non-residents is 6 months in advance. You must create an account before making a reservation. For reservations, book online through the Pinellas County web site. or call 727-582-2100.
Maximum stay: 14 days. During the off-season, it’s possible to extend for another 14 days if sites are available. Cancellations are subject to a $10 administration fee up to three days prior to arrival date. For more details, go here.
Primitive Camping at Shell Key
Shell Key is an undeveloped 195-acre island noted for its bird habit and accessible by boat or ferry from Fort De Soto Park.
While primitive “leave no trace” camping is allowed on the island, there are no facilities. Campers are restricted to the south end of the island and must bring everything out that they bring onto the island.
A camping permit is required. The permit costs $6 per day with a limit of six guests for each permit. Your boat registration is required for the permit.
Boat ramp and parking fees at the Fort De Soto boat ramp also apply. The parking fee at boat ramp pay stations is an additional $6 daily for a vehicle with or without a trailer.
If you don’t have your own boat or kayak, you can arrange for passage aboard to Shell Key the Hubbard Ferry ($50 per person with gear), which leaves from the boat ramp docks at Fort De Soto Park three times daily. You will still need your $6 camping permit issued by Pinellas County, and you will still need to pay for parking.
Passage to the island without camping gear is $35.
Related stories
More related stories
- Pass-a-Grille, one of Florida’s best beaches in a charming historic town
- Pinellas Trail: Treasured bike trail from St. Pete north
- Best Camping Near Tampa: 9 Choice Campgrounds
- St Petersburg: City of the Arts