Top-rated campgrounds
Top-rated campgrounds
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The best glamping near Sarasota with hot tubs guide
Where to go
Sarasota Area
Lido Key is one of Sarasota’s best beach areas, with a sprawling public stretch of sand and the South Lido Key Beach Park, where campers can go kayaking or paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels to spot manatee. Boat rentals and fishing charters are available throughout the area for anglers looking to land snook, snapper, grouper, and sea trout.
Siesta Key
To the south, Siesta Key has eight miles of sandy beaches to explore, plus Sarasota County’s public Turtle Beach Campground on Siesta Key, home to a number of tent sites with picnic tables beneath the palms. RV sites also come with full hookups, 50-amp power, and free wifi for RVers with big rigs. Between May and October, loggerhead and green sea turtles come to this beach to nest.
Oscar Scherer State Park
Just 20 minutes from downtown toward Venice, Oscar Scherer State Park is a critical wildlife preserve for species like scrub jay, bald eagles, and osprey. The park features an extensive trail system, a freshwater lake with boat launch, and a campground for both tent campsites and RV camping.
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is 37,000 acres of wild Florida pine forests, cypress domes, marshes, and prairie. Hit the hiking and mountain biking trails, or look out for the park’s biggest draw: its large population of American alligators. Get up close with a kayak rental or guided boat tour.
When to go
Sarasota’s winters are typically warm and mild, while summers are hot, humid, and rainy. Happy camping trips take place year-round, but summer visitors may want to opt for a pet-friendly cabin, an RV resort, or a campground with an air-conditioned clubhouse and good rain shelter. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, so campers planning trips along the Gulf Coast during this time should keep an eye on forecasts.