Fort De Soto Park Campground
County Park
Write a Review 3500 Pinellas Bayway S Saint Petersburg, FL 33715 727-582-2100 Official WebsiteGPS: 27.6348, -82.7182
Overview of Fort De Soto Park Campground
Campsites 86 - 164 allow pets.
Last Price Paid: $48
Reported by Kathy on 6/30/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Class A)
Reported by Peace on 3/21/2021
Number of Sites 236
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 0 ft / 0 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Fort De Soto Park Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 727-582-2100
JM asked on 12/17/2022
Does anyone know if there any way to see Fort De Soto's available campsites for your dates without having to check ea...
Dd asked on 5/31/2021
Any tips or tricks as to how to score a site here? Many have shared their frustration with the reservation site even...
Psychgirl74 asked on 5/26/2021
Hi! I made a reservation for Fort De Soto in Area 1, which is supposed to be for tent camping and trailers under 16 f...
Anna asked on 4/19/2021
Does anyone know if Fort De Soto Park has beach wheelchairs for rent?
Reviews of Fort De Soto Park Campground 65 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 35 Users
Last reported 9/26/2023
Confirmed by 21 Users
Last reported 5/27/2024
Confirmed by 11 Users
Last reported 5/27/2024
“Underwhelmed.”
Reviewed 4/18/2016
| Nightly rate: | $43 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 96 |
Overall Rating
Disclaimer: So first of all.. if you are lucky enough to score a waterfront spot or even one of the super spacious pull-thus, your experience WILL differ from ours - you'll likely agree with all of the 5 star reviews. We unfortunately, had a much different experience that bordered on highly frustrating. 1) Let's start with thei... more
Disclaimer: So first of all.. if you are lucky enough to score a waterfront spot or even one of the super spacious pull-thus, your experience WILL differ from ours - you'll likely agree with all of the 5 star reviews.
We unfortunately, had a much different experience that bordered on highly frustrating.
1) Let's start with their antiquated reservation system.
Sites get books up quickly here, but they do hold back 10% of the sites that get released at 7am on Friday morning for the next 7 days ahead. GREAT concept, especially for us non-planners.
So, we got up at 7am, with a map of the campground up to try to snag one. You start by entering your date range, then the options show up. You click on a site (with no information whatsoever displayed as to which loop it's in or if it's waterfront - which is important as one loops allows small RVs only, only loop allows pets (including cats) and one loop is for large RVs without pets - so DO know your sites before hand!).
You click on a 'Reserve' link for the site, it brings up a little bit of info about it (all sites in Loops 2 & 3 are designated as large enough for all RVs). And then you have to enter in your date range AGAIN into a pop-up calendar by clicking on the dates you want IN DATE ORDER. Mess up on one of them (which is easy, because the darn thing isn't responsive), and you have to start over.
By the time you've done this and clicked the 'Book' button, more than likely the site is already been snagged out from underneath you. (In my opinion, once you click the 'Reserve button' it should hold it for a couple minutes.)
Ok, so we finally found one open which brought us to a subtotal screen. Score.
Or.. so we thought. To proceed you have to create a user account (or look up an existing one and enter your PIN - if we did it over again, we would have created a user account in advance to speed this up). By the time we completed that step, the system told us the site was already booked!! So it doesn't even hold the site even after it's given you a subtotal?? TEASE.
So, missed out on our preferred reservation from Friday - Tuesday, but were able to get a spot for Sun-Tues. Finally.
2) Frustrating Unorganized Arrival.
We arrive to check into site 159, the one we were able to snag. Easy check in, friendly rangers. But then you discover that their parking area for registration is AFTER the turn into the pet loop. Hindsight lesson: If you're on the pet loop DO NOT take an inside parking spot and do NOT pull all the way to the front, so that you can make the turn. If you do like us, you have no choice but to either navigate one of the other loops or go through the dump station (which had a line at it - we ended up pull in, unhitching and then backing out.).
We finally work our way back to our site (takes a while, lots of tight turns, other rigs arriving, etc.). After 4 attempts to back into our site - we end up completely frustrated. There's just not enough room to make the turn without scratching up our new paint job on branches. And it's not even a great site - offering little privacy from the neighboring site. At this point, we had cars backed up behind us getting anxious. And hey folks, we're SKILLED RVers, on the road for 10 years, and 5 in this particular motorhome. We've navigated some pretty tricky situations. This is by far one of the most frustrating and the ONLY time we almost just gave up and drove away.
We went back to the office, and they were able to move us to site 96. Which only took 3 approaches to get in. We watched several other large RVs have similar issues getting into sites - particularly on the non-waterfront Pet loop.
3) All Sites are Not Created Equally
The waterfront sites are MAGICAL. Most of them have easy approaches to get into them. And they only charge $2 more per night if you can get one.
We were not so fortunate, and had a non-waterfront site. Which was less than stellar. We had little privacy from our neighbors, the sites seem rather narrow and you get no water view. Plus, many of them had much tighter turns to get into.
The county could charge so much more for the waterfront sites and pull-thous.. because honestly, the non-water front back-in are NOT worth the $43/night fee unless you really just want to be on this island.
And the pet vs. non-pet loops? Sorry, we don't like it. The pet loop has the highest ratio of non-waterfront sites and backs up to the road. The non-pet loops have mostly all primo spots.
So, there you have it. We left quite underwhelmed after so much built up anticipation after having read so many glowing 'YOU HAVE TO GO HERE' reviews for years. Unless we could book a waterfront site, we'd pass.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome county park”
Reviewed 4/2/2016
| Nightly rate: | $43 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 112 |
| RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
I stayed here for 4 days (03/07/2016 - 03/11/2016) in site 112. This park is very popular for a good reason. Its location is right on the calm crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There's shopping about 5 miles up the road for grocery necessities etc. The sites themselves are water and non water locations. If you can, do your best t... more
I stayed here for 4 days (03/07/2016 - 03/11/2016) in site 112.
This park is very popular for a good reason. Its location is right on the calm crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There's shopping about 5 miles up the road for grocery necessities etc. The sites themselves are water and non water locations. If you can, do your best to get a water site, those are superb. I'd also caution you to watch out for the sites right on the water towers. Those are really the only bad spots simply because you have this obnoxiously huge water tower right behind you.
Accessing the campground was easy but there are very low hanging trees here and if you don't pay attention you could have issues backing in.
The campground was quiet and fairly private. There is vegetation separating the spots but not enough to make them 100% private.
Here's a tip, since everything fills up and this place is booked WAY in advance, they have hold back sites which are released every Friday morning @ 7am EST for the upcoming Friday to Friday week. That was the only way I could get a reservation in mid March but I logged in on Friday at 7am and had no problems. The cell signal for ATT was 1-2 bars w/out a booster.
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AT&T 4G
Jess would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazingly beautiful campground, great beach!”
Reviewed 12/17/2015
| Days stayed: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 184 |
Overall Rating
We came out to this park to join another Airstream family and I'm so glad we did. The waterfront spots are spectacular and definitely worth trying to get one. The interior spots are definitely bigger, but the views just aren't as good. I feel like we had plenty of space in ours. Bathrooms are dated, but clean. Kind of annoying to o... more
We came out to this park to join another Airstream family and I'm so glad we did. The waterfront spots are spectacular and definitely worth trying to get one. The interior spots are definitely bigger, but the views just aren't as good. I feel like we had plenty of space in ours.
Bathrooms are dated, but clean. Kind of annoying to only be able to do one load of laundry at a time (vs. a laundromat) but it was cheap.
We went out to North Beach and played in the waves and mostly just relaxed. Would definitely come here again!
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Verizon 4G
Currently Wandering would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A hidden little gem.”
Reviewed 10/27/2015
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 122 |
| RV Length: | 35' |
Overall Rating
One of our favorite County Park in Florida! I wish we had another week here! We ended up spending quite a bit of time in the RV working on Dallas restaurant projects and even picked up a new client on the road which we are super excited about! Note: dogs are confined to a certain RV park area | limited washer/dryer | dated restrooms... more
One of our favorite County Park in Florida! I wish we had another week here! We ended up spending quite a bit of time in the RV working on Dallas restaurant projects and even picked up a new client on the road which we are super excited about!
Note: dogs are confined to a certain RV park area | limited washer/dryer | dated restrooms
Tips: In dog area only: 132-138 have the best water views and back up to the water
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Nosh Bus would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent County park”
Reviewed 7/27/2015
| Days stayed: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 175 |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a beautiful RV campground in the context of a lovely, waterfront, County-maintained and operated park in St. Petersburg. There are several pull-through sites, such as the one we had (hence the five star access grade below). The sites are well isolated from each other. Individual electrical and water hookups were provided; there... more
This is a beautiful RV campground in the context of a lovely, waterfront, County-maintained and operated park in St. Petersburg. There are several pull-through sites, such as the one we had (hence the five star access grade below). The sites are well isolated from each other. Individual electrical and water hookups were provided; there is a community dump station near the exit. The ground around your camper will be dirt. The site was pretty level. Many of the campsites are on the water and require you to back in, but you should reserve well in advance if you hope to get one of these. The beaches of the park are a short drive. Community rest rooms have showers and are clean and well-maintained. We already have a reservation to stay here again in September, so that answers the "would you go here again" question!
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AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 7 of 7
2 reviews not included in the overall rating
The reviews below are not up to Campendium's standards for quality and reliability and therefore are not counted toward the overall star rating. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
“Beautiful groubds- Sh*t People Run it”
Reviewed 12/12/2018
| Nightly rate: | $45 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 90 |
Overall Rating
Beautiful grounds, sh*t people run it. The park itself has well kept grounds with beautiful camping spots. Sadly from the lady at the office to the grounds keepers all we got was redness. Everyone there seems to hate their job. Maybe because FL minimum wage is barely $8 and Florida is not a cheap place to live. Also be aware that g... more
Beautiful grounds, sh*t people run it. The park itself has well kept grounds with beautiful camping spots. Sadly from the lady at the office to the grounds keepers all we got was redness. Everyone there seems to hate their job. Maybe because FL minimum wage is barely $8 and Florida is not a cheap place to live.
Also be aware that getting to this place will cost you $5-7 as there are 3 tolls and you have to pay to get into the park even if you are camping.
Price for camping that is being advertised is way lower than what you will actually pay. There is a 7% tourism tax and 5% sales tax. So all of a sudden $33 turn into $45.
Also the place seems to have unbelievably strict rules from no alcohol anywhere in the park to "curfew" that starts at 10pm. No generators are allowed at any time and trails in the park are shut down at dusk.
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Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Noise was an Issue”
Reviewed 11/11/2018
| Days stayed: | 3 |
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| Site Number: | 206 |
Overall Rating
Accommodations were good and facilities were clean. However, the neighboring site had an unbelieveably loud A/C unit set up (ran louder than my generator does) and it ruined the ambiance of the evening. Dinner by the campfire and a relaxing night turned into a headache. Would rate more highly if noise complaints could be addressed more... more
Accommodations were good and facilities were clean. However, the neighboring site had an unbelieveably loud A/C unit set up (ran louder than my generator does) and it ruined the ambiance of the evening. Dinner by the campfire and a relaxing night turned into a headache. Would rate more highly if noise complaints could be addressed more thoroughly by staff. In 25 years of camping we have never heard an A/C unit in this poor of condition... would pay to have it repaired.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- fishing
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- general store
- laundry
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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