Fort DeSoto State Park is 30 miles from Tampa and 17 miles from St. Petersburg. The park stretches across five islands and was named America's Top Beach by TripAdvisor in 2008 and 2009. Fort DeSoto State Park also features a family camping area and a historic fort. The waterfront park offers an 800-foot boat launch, swimming areas for people and a leash-free dog park with dog swimming and dog showers. There are seven miles of paved multipurpose trails and a 2,200-foot wheelchair accessible trail. Each of the parks 236 camp sites have water and electrical hookups.
Tent camping prices range from $30 per night to $35.50 for a waterfront campsite. RV site costs range from $35 to $40.50 per night.
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
727-893-9185
pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park is an 8,000-acre park which is part of a wilderness preserve located 37 miles from Tampa and St. Petersburg. The park features paved trails for cyclists and inline skaters and 10 miles of equestrian trails/ It has primitive campsites, primitive cabins and campsites for cars. The park is known for its diverse bird population and is listed on the Audubon Society's Great Florida Birding Trail.
Cabin camping costs $30 per night. Tent camping is $10 per night and remote tent camping is available at $5 per night.
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
0500 Wilderness Park Boulevard
New Port Richey, FL 34655
727-834-3247
www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/starkey-park.html
Oscar Scherer State Park is 54 miles from St. Petersburg and 69 miles from Tampa. There are six hiking trails in the park and aquatic activities that include saltwater and freshwater fishing, swimming, snorkeling and guided canoe tours. The park is also home to a diverse wildlife population including threatened Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, gopher tortoises and American alligators.
The typical camping costs at Oscar Scherer State Park for a site accommodating tents or RVs, with water and electrical hookups, is $26 a night.
Oscar Scherer State Park
1843 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, Florida 34229
(941) 483-5956
http://floridastateparks.org/oscarscherer/
