The best romantic campgrounds near Palmetto, Florida

Camping around Palmetto places campers close to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the mangrove forests that dip over lakes and estuaries on the Cocohatchee River. Many state parks dot the area, like Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, Lake Manatee State Park, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass, where campers can hike, fish, snorkel, paddle, and spot local wildlife. Hot and humid summers are perfect for swimming and boating, while cooler spring and winter seasons make a comfortable climate for hiking and mountain biking. No matter when you arrive, nearby campsites feature modern amenities like wifi and hot showers.

99% (457)

Top-rated campgrounds

Camping around Palmetto places campers close to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the mangrove forests that dip over lakes and estuaries on the Cocohatchee River. Many state parks dot the area, like Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, Lake Manatee State Park, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass, where campers can hike, fish, snorkel, paddle, and spot local wildlife. Hot and humid summers are perfect for swimming and boating, while cooler spring and winter seasons make a comfortable climate for hiking and mountain biking. No matter when you arrive, nearby campsites feature modern amenities like wifi and hot showers.

99% (457)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

97%

(287)

42mi from Palmetto · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · Englewood, FL

Going on Year 4 as a hipcamp host! We are so grateful to have met such wonderful guests over the years! This land is very special to us and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. The perfect place to unwind and disconnect from the busy day to day surrounded by nature, farm animals and wildlife. Located in one of the best spots in SW Florida! Hiking trails, horse farms, shopping, restaurants, recreational activities and within minutes from the beautiful FL beaches. Ideal for a weekend getaway or a snowbird vacation!

2. Rasayana Cove

98%

(307)

38mi from Palmetto · 2 sites · Lodging · Ona, FL

Rasayana Cove is a 25-acre eco-retreat located in the heartland of west central Florida. An hour's drive east of Sarasota surrounded by vast tracts of orange groves and ranch land, Rasayana Cove has been operating as a small retreat center since 1995. The long eastern boundary borders Horse Creek, a major tributary of the Peace River. The property features two spring-fed ponds - one small and the other large. The cabins are accessible by well constructed shell-topped roads with good drainage and a variety of nature pathways. A natural ecosystem remains undisturbed in the middle of the property - a Florida bay head of native flora and wildlife. While most of the state is crowded and overdeveloped, this eco-retreat offers a haven of peace in the pristine nature of Florida

3. Cocoanut Camper

100%

(5)

41mi from Palmetto · 1 site · Lodging · Englewood, FL

In Old Englewood, you can go for a walk or ride bike to the local restaurants, coffee shops, farmers markets. You can go fishing or watch the dolphins and wildlife on Lemon bay. 1 mile walk away from property. This camper has all you need to just come and stay just pack your clothes and your toiletries and you’ll be ready to stay. The camper is full hook up with a hot water tank to warm up the water for hot showers and doing dishes. This camper is on Shared property with the pool. The pool is heated upon request but in full use all year long. You will be less than 10 min to the Beach. We have a pool that is on a property that is shared with others. You can use as much as you want. NO smokers No animals allowed

4. Tiny Treasures Retreat

100%

(5)

5.8mi from Palmetto · 1 site · Lodging · Bradenton, FL

Welcome to the fun and exciting town of Bradenton, FL. Come stay in this cozy “Tiny Home” within an RV Park where you can enjoy many amenities offered by the park and close to beaches, restaurants, shopping and many attractions. This is a legitimate “Tiny Home” with 2 lofts, queen size beds in each loft, a full kitchen including microwave, coffee maker, full stove /oven, refrigerator/ freezer and in home washer and dryer. It comes with a full bath with walk in shower and a living room with a queen size sofa bed with a memory foam mattress. It has all the comforts of home only tinier. The home also offers a deck to relax on along with a charcoal grill where you can grill up some delicious meals and a fire pit (don’t forget your wood, charcoal and ingredients for s’mores). Pets are welcome at Tiny Treasures for $50 per booking. If you would like to bring your pet, please add the pet fee which is listed as an extra during the booking process. In this area there are some awesome things to see and do, from fun shopping to great outdoor activities. Dive into Southwest Florida history, arts, and nature in Bradenton on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 30 minutes south of St. Petersburg. Bradenton’s close proximity to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key make it the perfect place to base a vacation to the Gulf islands while enjoying all the city has to offer. Check out Village of the Arts, a working artist community, and explore Downtown Bradenton with a stroll on the 1.5-mile, taking in the views of the Manatee River. Go to Old Main Street and shop at the Bradenton Market, which offers fresh produce, lively music, and free family activities, and the Manatee Village Historical Park, where visitors can see historic buildings from Manatee County’s founding period of 1840 to 1918. Looking for outdoor adventures you can fish from the Riverwalk pier, get on the nature trails at Robinson Preserve, take a kayak tour at De Soto National Memorial Park, and visit the area’s beaches. Anna Maria Island, a seven-mile-long barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast west of Bradenton, is brimming with history, arts and culture, and its award-winning beaches draw visitors from near and far looking for a laid-back getaway. See postcard-perfect Gulf sunsets, swim, snorkel, and dive the turquoise waters, look for shells and fossilized shark teeth, take a boat tour to spot dolphins, and enjoy some of the best waterfront dining in Florida. The island is home to three cities: Anna Maria on the north, Holmes Beach toward the middle, and Bradenton Beach to the south, which all offer unique places to shop, eat, and stay. Shop the stores along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive in Anna Maria and the colorful shops of Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Siesta Key is the place to go for a relaxing island getaway on Florida’s Southwest Coast. The 8-mile-long island, which is just a short bridge crossing west of Sarasota, boasts stunning quartz-sand beaches and an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, from fishing to parasailing. Siesta Beach took the No. 2 spot for beaches in the U.S. for TripAdvisor's 2023 Traveler’s Choice Awards, second only to Maui’s Ka'anapali Beach. Shop at Siesta Key Viilage, which offers plentiful dining options and live entertainment, and the South Viilage Shopping District. A quick trip to the mainland will bring you to some of the top attractions in Southwest Florida, including The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. There is so much more to do, these are just a few of the most popular attractions. Come stay in Tiny Treasures to see and enjoy for yourselves!!

Stories from the community

S

Shelley

2 weeks ago

27 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

Great spot!! Secluded location on cute private farm but close enough to get to things as well! Hosts very friendly and it was a great place to stay! Definitely recommend!

F

Fourty

2 weeks ago

1 night at Cocoanut Camper

Loved this place....very nice inviting people that made sure everything went well and we had whatever we needed. Great looking house and well kept property. Camper was clean and up to date and stocked with dishes and silverware and pots and frying pans, coffee maker and coffee in the fridge, air conditioned, hot and very cold water, shower...very comfortable. Will deffinately be back, money well spent.

J

Judy

3 weeks ago

30 ft fifth wheel

7 nights at Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

We loved staying here, our hostess was wonderful.

H

Heather

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

Staying on Dennis‘s land was a true privilege! Old Florida charm, back to nature cabins with land to rome and lots of wildlife all around. Dennis was kind, interesting and created a peaceful private experience.

R

Rawly

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Cocoanut Camper

We loved our stay at cocoanut camper. Very clean and cozy, plenty of space. Relaxing and romantic and great location, easy to find, great host. They had bicycles right there, a really nice pool, right in the middle of town easy to walk or bike to nearby shops and restraunts. We would definitly come again and recommend!

We went on a hike and fell in love with the beautiful bald cypress trees and roots

D

Douglas

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

Beautifully serene spot. Cabin was cute and comfortable. Great spot for relaxing and enjoying nature. Hope to return soon for another visit.

D

Denise

November 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

We love camping here, it's so peaceful and quiet. It was lovely watching Oakley and Willow their two horses from our tent, and then being able to pet them. It was unusually cold for the time of year we stayed, and the hosts offered us blankets and jackets, which we really appreciated This was our second stay here and and we will be back again in the future. .

B

Barbara

October 2025

12 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

I had a great night of camping at Taylor and Beth place. It was easy to find, quiet, and well maintained. Many big trees for shade. Electric and water hookup worked without any issue. The horses were cool. And flush toilet and hot showers always a plus! It’s about 25 minutes to the Venice dog beach which is a little drive but totally worth it according to my dogs.

Z

Zach

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

Rasayana Cove was an amazing experience. The scenery is magnificent! It’s the perfect getaway for comfortable camping. The cabin is rustic but comfortable with all the necessary amenities. We were immersed in nature in the best way. Dennis was a wonderful host, I give this place an 11/10.

K

Kevin

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Cocoanut Camper

Very cozy. Had everything one needs to get some rest and relax and even cook! Hosts were very laid back and even though this is in pretty close proximity to the home there was plenty of privacy. Would recommend and will use again!

A

Andy

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

We loved staying at our cabin site. We are hoping to return in a couple of weeks. Thank you for your hospitality and checking in with us. We love the area .

Denise

October 2025

With kids

3 nights at Cocoanut Camper

My daughter and I had the best time staying in the Cocoanut Camper. We loved it. Bed was comfy. Everything works. The property is charming and feels very safe. The location could not be better--we were a block from Englewood's best shops and restaurants. The host was super nice. Would highly recommend!

A

Arielle

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

We spend an amazing weekend in the small cabin. It is surrounded by such beautiful scenery and spent our time exploring the wilderness. It felt like the perfect place to unplug and reconnect with nature. It truly is a special place and would recommend to friends and family. We will definitely be back. Our host Dennis was very kind and made us feel like we were at home. Great vibes all around.

D

Deidra

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Cocoanut Camper

We had a nice time at the camper! It was very cozy and we really appreciated the hosts hospitality. It was a nice and affordable way to be close to the beach and explore the area.

C

Celia

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

I loved camping at Taylor's farm! She and her mom were very friendly and welcoming. The farm has an ideal location, close to Publix and minutes from the beach. The farm itself has access to a bathroom with shower which is convenient. The horses are gorgeous and the dogs super friendly as well. I would return without a doubt and highly recommend it to other campers!

T

Toni

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Tiny Treasures Retreat

Maria’s tiny home was perfect. Everything we needed was there. It was close to many sights, shopping and restaurants. Highly recommend if you are looking for the glamping experience around Bradenton, consider this tiny home. Only downside was our GPS took us to an old route, but we were able to get back on track. So if your GPS takes you to Chateau Ln Way, don’t take it, the correct street is 3rd St W.

K

Kevin

June 2025

23 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

My stay was nice and enjoyed seeing the horses. Easy in and easy out. Manasota Beach was not a far drive and we found sharks teeth on both visits. Nice to place to stay and relax.

M

Martin

May 2025

21 ft Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

Taylor’s land was a clean but still natural camping experience. The horses are well kept and cute. We had to change our RV size (our 21’ RV for our 40’ Motor coach) and was no problem at all they were able to accommodate us in a bigger size spot. The area was quiet of outside noises but you can hear the animals at night, even a little owl visit us while we were cooking outside. My dogs and us felt safe and relaxed. Took us around 5 minutes to get to the beach, no traffic, no crowds. I highly recommend you to visit them and stay the night.

A

Abigail

May 2025

20 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Bell Oaks Ranch 5 min from Beach

Very pleasant overnight. Charming young couple as hosts. I will stay again.

A

Aynoã

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Rasayana Cove

This place is amazing, it’s such a hidden gem. I wanted a quiet place to erase my mind since I have been working a lot lately, for three days I could connect my self with nature, have a quality time with my boyfriend with no screens. Just us, god and the little animals in the woods.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best romantic camping near Palmetto guide

Where to go

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park

Just 12 minutes north of Palmetto, sandwiched between Terra Ceia Bay and Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is a sanctuary for wildlife. Campers who love to birdwatch wil find blue herons, white ibis, bald eagles, and spoonbills. The park offers nine miles of hiking trails and year-round fishing (with a license) in Terra Ceia Bay. Magical and mysterious mangrove forests hang over creeks and streams, perfect for paddling through natural tunnels created by their drooping branches and rising roots. Bishop Harbor Road and Stotz Road feature boat, canoe, and kayak launches. There’s no camping within the park, but private campsites nearby have tent and RV campsites with hookups and potable water.

Lake Manatee State Park

Though there are no manatees in Lake Manatee, there’s still plenty of camping fun to be had at Lake Manatee State Park. Stay at tent and RV (up to 65 feet) campsites right in the park within walking distance to the beach where pets are welcome to join for sunbathing, swimming, and fishing from land. Campsites with water and electric hookups, a dump station, firepits, and picnic tables can be reserved online up to 11 months in advance. Bike along 2.5 miles of paved biking road, or take it off-road for a mountain biking challenge with bikes available to rent in the park. (Cyclists under 16 need to wear helmets.)

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park’s claim to fame is a wealth of boating opportunities through Cocohatchee River estuaries leading directly to the Gulf. Explore Turkey Bay by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or search for shells on the ADA-accessible beaches with reservable wheelchairs. Or scuba dive and snorkel along Delnor-Wiggins Pass’ hard-bottom reef. Nearby campsites range from RV campsites with 50-amp hookups and wifi to primitive campsites.

When to go

October to March is generally considered camping season in Florida, when dense, muggy air cools in the evening for a more comfortable climate. Summers in Palmetto have an average daily temp above 86°F with hot and mostly cloudy skies. Short winters (from December to February) are cool and windy, rarely rising above 74°F. Florida camping is available year-round, and the ideal time depends on your preferences.