I love camping and have been camping in several places in Florida, but by far the best one I have visited is Ft. Desoto Campground This Petersburg Florida area campground gives you a true feel for Florida living, giving you the best combination of award winning Florida beaches, access to great views of Tampa Bay and the bay, boating, biking and running trails and amazing campsites that are wonderfully private.
There are some really nice options in the campground, such as pet friendly sites, tent and pop-up only area. RV sites. This, in my opinion, makes for a better experience when you can choose what kind of “neighbors” you have. Too many campgrounds just put people everywhere and I had my tent surrounded by an RV and I could hear dogs barking all night at other campgrounds . I never returned to the campground.
The location of Ft. Desoto are all surrounded on at least three sides by enough wooded area to give you real privacy from nearby campsites and set back far enough from the road to allow you plenty of room for all your camper vans and vehicles. 2 big tents fit me and the screen room has more than enough space left over for fire pit and yard. This is only a rare feature seen in many Florida campgrounds and it just gets better. Many of their 238 sites offer an amazing water view and interior sites allow easy access so you can watch the sun rise or set over the water.
All sites have charcoal and picnic tables but no fire ring. But you’re welcome to the portable fire pit…just watch for the outdoor fire warnings. The supply of wood is sometimes a problem as campsites do not carry run out and in time local stores. . However, I managed to find a little garden shop on Hanes Rd. and 16th Ave., which sells oak trees throughout the year. It is about 20 minutes from the campground. You should also know that this is all raccoons and you know. Close your food, even if you just pop to the restroom. My son discovered how much he liked his barbeque chips when he came back from the restroom to look at his new table.
There is plenty of camping gear for those little things you need, but my advice is to move down the road about 10 minutes to the nearest Walgreens or Ferry to explore the beautiful nearby island or just relax for a day in any part. the about 3 miles of beach. It also gives you a good beach. The area is nice for water-sports towards the east, petbeach and fenced in pet park towards the middle, more private beach areas also to the middle and then to the north beach area with picnic shelters, grills, children’s playgrounds and a nice family friendly beach area.
You can enjoy riding a bike, running, walking, or rollerblading along the 6-mile long paved trail that winds from the campground to the beaches, or you can take a paddle boat or kayak along 2 miles of Florida’s waters. Canoes, kayaks and bikes can all be rented in the park. My personal favorites are a nice relaxing kayak trip off the campground shore at sunset and a nice quiet run along the beach right at sunrise…nothing quite like it.
In the middle of it is the entire Fort itself. Self led tours, in and around the castle will give you a taste of the orchard history. Climbing to the top of the castle will give you a view of the bay.
I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of what this garden has to offer. 24 hour boat ramps, two fishing boats, boat tours and best of all the most amazing experiences you will ever have.
Reserve your site just in advance, as this park tends to stay pretty solidly booked, and going to enjoy camping is a must-do in Florida.
