CAMPGROUND AREA 2 PLAYGROUND
This playground will be closed starting October 18, 2021 and will be replaced with a new all-inclusive playground, which will include new
pour-in play surfaces.
Information for: |
The Parks and Conservation Resources administrative office is located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Fort De Soto campsite reservations and all park shelter reservations can also be made online or at this office.
Fort De Soto Campground Information:
3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Information Line: (727) 582-2100
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.
- Fort De Soto Park Camp Office hours:
Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. / Saturday thru Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. / Phone hours: Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - For other assistance: Contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number (727) 582-6200. For emergency dial 9-1-1.
Reservations
- Campsite Reservations
- Reservation Instructions:
- How to Create a Profile
- How to Reset a Password
- How to Edit a Profile
- How to Make a Campground Reservation
- Customer Information Call Center hours:
Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (727) 582-2100 select #2 from phone menu. If you need any assistances outside of our call center hours, email us at parks@pinellascounty.org. Please allow 24-48 hrs. for reply.
- In order to keep guests and staff safe, we have implemented a non-face to face check in procedure.
- All reservations may be made up to six months in advance.
- Pinellas County residents may make reservations up to seven months in advance. Verification of residency (a current Florida Driver’s license or valid Florida ID along with a current utility bill) will be required at the time of check-in, failure to provide will result in cancellation. The campsite must be occupied by the Pinellas County resident making the reservation. For further information, call (727) 582-2100, select Option #2.
- A campsite may be reserved for a maximum of 14 nights.
- Reservations are limited to a maximum of ONE per individual per day.
- Payment by MasterCard, VISA, cash, money order or personal check for the full amount is required before a reservation can be recorded.
- A reservation does not automatically imply an option to extend your stay.
- From January through April, occupancy is limited to 14 nights in any 30-day period. From May through December occupancy may be extended for an additional 14 nights depending upon availability of campsites.
- Please note designated pet area camping spots 86-164.
- Fort DeSoto Campground Cancellation Policy:
- All modifications and/or cancellations will be assessed either a $5 administrative fee or cancellation penalty equal to the cost of site reserved.
- Modifications include site changes and rescheduling of reservations.
- Cancellations subject to the $5 administrative fee must be received 2 days prior to the scheduled reservation date by 11:59 pm, this includes cancellation request to shorten a campground stay (early departure) after arrival.
- Campground cancellations initiated within 2 days of the reservations date either online, email, in person or by phone representative will loose 1 (one) night stay equivalent to the cost of the reserved campground site and will not be assessed the $5 administrative fee.
- Campground cancellation requests initiated by the account user will be issued "User Credit" which will be reviewed by Parks department prior to refunding original form of payment within 3-5 business days.
- User credit can be applied to future reservations if the new reservation is initiated prior to conversion of user credit to the original payment method when possible or initiation of manual check request.
- To cancel a reservation and receive a refund, visit the Campground Reservation System, submit a Contact Us form, or call (727) 582-2100.
- All modifications and/or cancellations will be assessed either a $5 administrative fee or cancellation penalty equal to the cost of site reserved.
- Reservation Instructions:
| Sites 1-85 | Sites 86-236 | |
|---|---|---|
Nightly Rate |
$33.50 | $38.50 |
Tourist Development Tax 6% |
2.01 | 2.31 |
State Tax 7% |
2.35 | 2.70 |
TOTAL BASE RATES |
$37.86 | $43.51 |
New Waterfront Camping rate increase starting January 20, 2021 |
||
Waterfront Rate |
$37.50 | $42.50 |
Tourist Development Tax |
2.25 | 2.55 |
State Tax |
2.63 | 2.98 |
TOTAL BASE RATES |
$42.38 | $48.03 |
- Sites 1-85 have been designed for the tent, van, pop-up camper and trailers under 16’.
- Sites 86-236 are designed and equipped to accommodate all camping units.
- All sites have water and electrical hook-up (30-50 amp service), picnic table and charcoal grill.
- Dump stations and modern restrooms with showers and laundry facilities are provided for your convenience.
- Wi-Fi at camp store and office.
- Pets are permitted in Area 2 only (sites 86-164).
- Electric carts allowed on campground premises only.
- Campground Store: Hours of operation are Sunday - Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday - Saturday 8am to 7pm. They will be implementing social distancing practices. For more information, call (727) 866-9191.
Facilities
Occupancy Limitations
Campsite occupancy is limited to ONE of the following groups of camping rigs:
- One motor home and two vehicles
- One travel trailer and two vehicles
- One pop-up camper and two vehicles
- Two tents and two vehicles
- One pick-up truck with mounted camping rig
- NOTE: There must be at least one adult at each site. In addition, one boat trailer is allowed on each site. There is a six-person limit, including children, per campsite at any time.
Additional Information
- Keep all tents, boats, trailers, etc. on shelled area of your campsite.
- Campers are advised to protect their personal property.
- Check-in time is after 1 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. Please be considerate of others by checking out on time.
- Quiet time is at 10 p.m. All unregistered guests must leave the camp area at that time.
- The front gate entrance is locked from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Please obtain the combination when you check in.
Alcoholic beverages |
|---|
Swimming in camp area |
Use of gasoline-powered generators |
Ground fires (campfires must be in a container, with sides and a bottom) |
Camping in other than approved sites |
Removing, damaging or defacing trees, shrubs, or any other plants |
Feeding wildlife (including birds, squirrels and raccoons) |
Removing tables from sites |
Organized group camping |
Violators of the rules may be directed to vacate the campground without refund. In the event of a serious infraction, a citation may be issued. |
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Primitive Youth Camping at Fort De Soto Park
We accept reservations and can accommodate up to 90 people, by phone, up to three months in advance. There is no charge. You may call (727) 582-2100 between 9am to 3pm Monday – Friday, closed Saturday, Sunday, & holidays. The area is very popular and is usually booked exactly three months in advance. Call at 9am if you plan to reserve.
Primitive Camping at Shell Key Preserve:
 |
All Shell Key campers are required to obtain a Shell Key Camping Permit. Permits will be available for $6 per day, with a limit of 6 guests for each permit. Campers must be listed on the permit. A vessel registration is required.
Camping permit does not include the Fort De Soto boat ramp / beach parking fee.
Please respect and appreciate the wonderful natural resource of Shell Key Preserve. Shell Key Preserve is a sensitive environmental area and good stewardship is required to ensure that the islands and waterways remain intact for future generations. It is really important to follow the Shell Key Rules, since through your actions, Shell Key Preserve can remain a welcoming place for generations to come.
A "leave no trace" camping ethic is expected at all times from visitors to the preserve. Access to Shell Key is by watercraft only. There are no facilities at Shell Key Preserve, and campers are required to bring, use and remove portable toilets. Camping is allowed only in the southern Public Use Area. Within this designated area, there are no defined campsites so visitors are free to select a camping location of their choice. Alcohol, pets, littering, nudity, fireworks and excessive noise are prohibited at all times in the Preserve.
Obtaining a Permit:
All Shell Key campers are required to obtain a Shell Key Camping Permit. Permits will be available for $6 per day, with a limit of 6 guests for each permit. Campers must be listed on the permit. A vessel registration is required.
Shell Key Camping Permit does not include the Fort De Soto boat ramp & parking fee. Boat ramp fee is a separate permit. Overnight parking is allowed at the Fort De Soto boat ramp only. Any user parking at North Beach and Arrowhead Picnic areas are subject to a parking citation. Permittee must possess valid photo identification along with their valid, signed camping permit or electronic permit while camping.
To be considered valid, a permit must:
- Include complete and accurate camper information that has been received by the Fort De Soto Campground Office.
- Conform to restrictions regarding the maximum party size and maximum number of consecutive days.
- Acknowledge that all members of the party will abide by the rules by checking the "I agree" box.
- New camping rule! Campfires and other open fires are permitted in the designated camping area only, between October 1 through April 30. No campfires allowed from May 1 through September 30 due to turtle nesting. Violations will result in a $118 fine.
Apply for a Shell Key Camping Permit:
- Reservation Instructions:
Print the confirmation email or the Printer Friendly receipt that appears in the web page once the Submit button is selected.
Take with you while camping:
- The completed camping permit with the acknowledging agreement of the rules box checked; and,
- Photo identification.
Primitive Youth Camping at Wall Springs Park:
- Wall Springs Park Youth Camping permit application
This permit application and reservation confirmation number should be in the possession of the person in charge of your group on the day of occupancy. It is your responsibility to see that all members of your group are informed and adhere to the campground rules.
Campground Rules:
- Youth camp capacity is 30 people. A youth group is defined as a recognized non-profit organization of young people 17 years of age and under with adult chaperone at a ratio of one (1) adult for every 12 young people.
- A qualified scoutmaster, leader or counselor over 21 years of age or older must be on site and is responsible for the actions and behavior of the group.
- It is the responsibility of the leader to contact park staff to obtain the gate code.
- Campers are restricted to the designated youth camping area between sundown and sun-up.
- IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911. Someone should proceed to the front gate to direct the rescue personnel. The address for the front entrance gate is 3725 DeSoto Blvd., Palm Harbor, FL 34683.
- The department reserves the right to make inspections of the camping area at any time.
- Campfires must be confined to the fire pit.
- The camping area is designated for tent camping only.
- All vehicles except equipment trailers must be parked outside of the camp area in spaces provided.
- Pinellas County Code Chapter 90 prohibits consumption of alcoholic beverages in all Pinellas County parks. This is strictly enforced.
- Wall Springs Park will provide a confirmation number prior to arrival.
Park Shelter Cancellations:
- THERE ARE NO REFUNDS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
- All modifications and/or cancellations incur a $5 administrative fee.
- Modifications include shelter and/or park location changes and rescheduling of reservation.
- Cancellations subject to the $5 administrative fee must be received at least 3 days prior to your reservation date.
- Shelter cancellations initiated 1-3 days prior to your scheduled reservation date will be subject to lose the cost of the reservation (taxes will be refunded).
- (For example: If your shelter reservation is July 6, a request for cancellation must be received no later than 11:59 pm on July 2.)
- To cancel a reservation and receive a refund, visit the Campground Reservation System, submit a Contact Us form, or call (727) 582-2100.
Cancellations initiated by the department due to mandatory evacuations or park closures will be refunded in full without penalty.
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