Fort De Soto Camping Guide: Campsites, Reservations and Where to Camp Nearby

Fort De Soto puts you close to the water while keeping Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg within easy reach, making it a popular choice for RV and tent camping. But the campground is divided into different camping areas, and your choice affects everything from where you can bring a pet to which sites work for your setup.

A little planning goes a long way, especially when reservations are competitive or you have specific needs for your rig, campsite, or location. This guide breaks down how Fort De Soto Campground works, how to choose a camping area and site that fit your trip, and where else to camp around Tampa Bay if Fort De Soto doesn’t work for your dates.

TL;DR

• Fort De Soto is a strong fit for RVers who want waterfront camping near Tampa Bay, with campground amenities and designated options for campers traveling with pets.
• Reservations can be competitive, so plan ahead and choose your campground area and individual site carefully based on your preferences.
• Check current rules and rates before booking, then browse Fort De Soto reviews and campsite photos on Campendium to compare recent camper experiences before choosing a site.

Fort De Soto Camping at a Glance

Fort De Soto has 236 campsites divided among three camping areas. The biggest differences are the camping units each area accepts, whether pets are permitted, and the electrical service available, so knowing your setup can narrow the choices quickly.

• Campsites: 236 sites across three camping areas.
• Area 1: Sites 1–85 for tents, vans, pop-ups, and trailers under 16 feet; pets aren’t permitted.
• Area 2: Sites 86–164 for all camping units; this is the pet-friendly camping area.
• Area 3: Sites 165–236 for all camping units; pets aren’t permitted.
• Hookups: Every campsite has water and electric service. Area 1 has 20/30-amp electric, while Areas 2 and 3 have 20/30/50-amp service.
• Sewer: There are no sewer hookups at individual sites, but the campground has two dump stations.
• At each site: Picnic table and charcoal grill.
• Campground facilities: Restrooms, showers, laundry, playgrounds, a camp store, and Wi-Fi around the campground office.
• Waterfront camping: Waterfront sites are available and cost more than non-waterfront sites.
• Occupancy: Up to six people per campsite.

Note: Campground details checked August 2026. Rules, facilities, and site availability can change, so confirm current information with Pinellas County before booking.

RV camping

For larger RVs, start your search in Areas 2 and 3. Sites 86–236 are designed for all camping units and provide 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electrical service along with water. Area 1 is more restrictive: it is intended for tents, vans, pop-ups, and trailers shorter than 16 feet, with 20- and 30-amp electrical service.

Fort De Soto does not offer sewer connections at individual campsites. Instead, RVers have access to two dump stations. Because site dimensions and access can matter as much as the campground’s general RV policy, check the specific site before reserving, particularly with a longer motorhome or trailer.

Waterfront campsites

Waterfront sites are one of the main reasons to consider camping at Fort De Soto. They’re offered across the campground at a slightly higher nightly rate, but “waterfront” alone doesn’t tell you how open, shaded, private, or suitable a particular campsite will feel.

Pet-friendly camping

Campers bringing pets need to book Area 2, sites 86–164, the campground’s designated pet-friendly area. Areas 1 and 3 do not permit pets.

Outside the campground, pets are allowed in many parts of Fort De Soto when kept on a leash no longer than six feet, but several areas are off-limits. Dogs aren’t permitted on regular park beaches, for example, but Fort De Soto has a designated dog beach and fenced areas for large and small dogs. Check the current Pinellas County pet rules before your trip, particularly if beach time is part of the plan.

Fort De Soto Campground Areas: Which One Should You Choose?

Fort De Soto’s three camping areas aren’t interchangeable. Your rig and whether you’re bringing a pet may eliminate an area immediately; after that, individual site location becomes the bigger decision. The official campground map shows all three areas along the water, with restrooms, laundry facilities, playgrounds, dump stations, and the camp store spread throughout the campground.

	Area 1	Area 2	Area 3
Sites	1–85	86–164*	165–236
Camping units	Tents, Class B vans, pop-ups, trailers under 16 ft.	All camping units	All camping units
Pets	No	Yes	No
Electric	20/30 amp	20/30/50 amp	20/30/50 amp
Water	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best starting point for	Tent campers and smaller setups	Pet owners and RVers	RVers and campers without pets

*: The current reservation page labels Area 2 as sites 87–164, while Pinellas County’s main camping information and campground map identify it as sites 86–164. Confirm the current designation when reserving.

Area 1

Area 1 covers sites 1–85 and has the narrowest eligibility requirements. It’s designated for tents, Class B vans, pop-up campers, and trailers under 16 feet. Larger RVs and pets aren’t permitted. Sites include water, 20/30-amp electric service, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill.

For tent campers and travelers with compact setups, those restrictions can actually make the decision easier. You aren’t competing for a site with every type of camping unit, and the campground map shows Area 1 occupying its own loop surrounded largely by mangroves and water.

Area 2

Area 2 is the choice to start with if you’re camping with a pet. It’s the only pet-friendly camping area at Fort De Soto, and pets must remain in Area 2 while at the campground.

The area accommodates all camping units and provides water plus 20/30/50-amp electric service at each site. That makes it an option for everything from tents to larger RVs, rather than a pet-only section for a particular camping setup.

If your dog is joining the trip, your area decision is essentially made for you. You’ll still want to compare individual sites within Area 2 for dimensions, waterfront location, and proximity to campground facilities.

Area 3

Area 3 covers sites 165–236 and, like Area 2, accommodates all camping units with water and 20/30/50-amp electric service. The major difference is pets: they aren’t permitted here. 

That makes Area 3 worth comparing with Area 2 if you’re bringing a larger RV but no pets. The campground map also shows Area 3 on a separate loop bordered by mangroves and water, so individual site placement can change the experience considerably.

What Campers Say About Fort De Soto

Recent reports are generally favorable, but they also show why checking your individual site matters.

• Campsite views and privacy: Waterfront sites receive plenty of praise, with campers mentioning water views, easy kayak access, and wildlife sightings. Several reviewers also report good vegetation and separation between sites, though the experience varies by site.
• RV access and site size: Recent reviews include successful stays from campers with RVs in the 30-foot-plus range. At the same time, campers mention narrow sites and low branches in some spots, making campsite photos and rig-specific reviews worth checking before you reserve.
• Campground facilities: Feedback on the facilities is somewhat mixed. Campers commonly describe the restrooms, showers, and laundry as clean or well kept, while some note that parts of the facilities feel dated.
• Cell service and connectivity: Reviews reports recent Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile coverage at the campground. One 2026 reviewer successfully worked from a hotspot using AT&T and T-Mobile but cautioned against expecting consistently strong service for video-heavy work.

The recurring warning is simple: getting the campsite you want can be difficult. Reviews also reinforce the value of researching the specific site, not just the campground area, particularly if you have a larger RV or want a waterfront location.

Read the latest Fort De Soto reviews on Campendium before booking to see what campers are reporting about individual sites, access, privacy, and cell service.

Fort De Soto Campground Amenities

Fort De Soto covers the basics for both RV camping, but it isn’t a full-hookup RV resort. You’ll have water and electric service at your campsite, while several shared facilities handle everything from dumping tanks to laundry.

• Hookups and dump stations: Every campsite has water and electric hookups. Area 1 provides 20/30-amp service, while Areas 2 and 3 add 50-amp service for RVs that need it. There are no sewer hookups at individual campsites, but two dump stations serve the campground.
• Restrooms and showers: Restrooms and showers are located throughout the campground, so you won’t necessarily need to rely on your RV’s facilities. Their locations are worth checking on the campground map when comparing sites, especially for tent camping.
• Camp store and supplies: The camp store gives campers a convenient place to pick up basic supplies without leaving Fort De Soto. For a longer stay, however, plan your main grocery and RV supply stops before arriving rather than counting on the campground store for everything.
• Laundry and campground facilities: Laundry facilities are available, along with picnic tables and charcoal grills at individual campsites. Families can also find playgrounds within the campground. The official campground map is useful for comparing how close potential sites are to these shared facilities.
• Wi-Fi and cell service: Wi-Fi is available around the campground office rather than throughout every campsite. Signal can change with your carrier, device, weather, and exact campsite, so don’t treat a reported connection as a promise. If you need to work during your stay, check recent Fort De Soto cell-service reports on Campendium before choosing your site.

Best Campgrounds Near Fort De Soto and Tampa Bay

Fort De Soto may be your first choice, but it doesn’t have to be your only one. Nearby options range from full-hookup RV parks to wooded state park camping, so the best backup depends on what you wanted from Fort De Soto in the first place.

Best alternative for RV campers: St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday is a practical alternative for RVers who would rather have more services than Fort De Soto provides. It’s north of Fort De Soto in St. Petersburg, with access to the Gulf beaches and the wider Tampa Bay area. Campendium lists a 4.2 rating from 15 reviews.

Best alternative for waterfront camping: Long Point Park Campground

Long Point Park Campground earns a mention because it appears in the content brief, but there’s an important catch: it isn’t a Tampa Bay campground. It’s in Melbourne Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast, but it can still work as a broader Florida waterfront recommendation.

Best option for tent campers: Hillsborough River State Park Campground

Hillsborough River State Park Campground sits northeast of Tampa, farther inland than Fort De Soto but with a much more nature-focused setting. It supports tent and RV camping, and reviewers frequently mention the trails, trees, river access, and quieter campground atmosphere.

Best pet-friendly alternative: Bay Bayou RV Resort

Bay Bayou RV Resort is on the Tampa side of the bay and allows pets, including access to a dog walk or park. It’s primarily an RV option, with 300 sites, full hookups, and sites accommodating rigs up to 50 feet according to campers. 

Best campground when Fort De Soto is unavailable: St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday

For travelers who still want to stay on the St. Petersburg side of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg / Madeira Beach KOA Holiday is one of the more logical alternatives to check first. You give up Fort De Soto’s county-park camping experience, but gain full hookups, pull-through and big-rig sites, a pool, laundry, Wi-Fi, and other campground amenities.

Use Campendium’s map to compare these options with Fort De Soto, then filter for hookups, pet policies, RV length, cell coverage, and other needs. Campendium’s map supports those campground filters, which makes it useful when your first-choice reservation disappears from the equation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Your Tampa Bay Campsite with Campendium

Fort De Soto may fit the trip you have in mind, or another Tampa Bay campground may work better for your rig, dates, pets, or preferred amenities. Compare Fort De Soto and nearby campgrounds on Campendium to see camper reviews, campsite photos, amenities, maps, RV details, and other places to camp around Tampa Bay.