The best camping near Cayo Costa State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cayo Costa State Park adventure.

100% (9 reviews)

Nature rules on this Gulf of Mexico island.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Cayo Costa State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Cayo Costa State Park

The secluded beaches on the north side of the island can be reached by bike.

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Cayo Costa Primitive Campground

39 sites · RVs, Tents In Cayo Costa State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Cayo Costa State Park

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Smokey Acres

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Brooksville, FL

Welcome to Smokey Acres! This property has been in my family for decades. My Husband and I were married under the oaks and have had our share of campfires out there. Down a hidden gravel drive with wetlands on either side you will find a completely fenced in field surrounded by pine, oak, and swamp maple trees. There are two ponds located on the property both stocked with bass, bluegill, and sunfish. The front pond is home to many natural Florida wildlife and is a great location to bird watch. Located a few miles from Brooksville and the Suncoast Parkway, this quiet and peaceful setting is just 5 minutes from the parking area and trailhead for the Suncoast Trail and 10 miles from the famous Weeki Wachee Springs, where you can spend the day at the local park or float down the river with the manatees. Withlacoochee State Park and other natural preserves with trail access and kayaking are only a short distance away, and Dames Cave, Homosassa Springs, and Chasawiska Springs are all within a ~20-minute drive as well. Spending a day at the beach is easy with plenty of options along the Nature Coast. We’re also less than an hour from Tampa and Clearwater and two hours from Orlando. A perfect weekend get-away for anyone looking to “unplug,” Smokey Acres is also a great stop for those passing through the area. We are a close distance to many racing, livestock, boating and fishing events. We have no problem accommodating whatever you’re towing! Whether you'd like a leisurely day on the river or an adventure in the Gulf, there are plenty of boating options nearby. Be sure to make it back to the property in time to enjoy amazing sunsets that bring peace and tranquility to your experience. Our neighbors, JG Ranch, offers U- Pick Fruit and Vegetables or a great selection of local harvest at their roadside stand. This 10-acre property has been in my family for decades. My Husband and I were married under the oaks and have had our share of campfires together out there. I've recently moved back home with my own family and as much as we enjoy the land for ourselves we'd love to share it. Any profit from hosting campers will help us maintain our sustainable farm that we're hoping to expand onto Smokey Acres. Just in! Our dirt road has been repaved. So no worries about a bumpy drive in!

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The Ranch

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Dade City, FL

Beautiful and peaceful farm with a fishing pond. Visit the farm animals or just enjoy a bonfire & the serenity of nature. We have several Different options from Rv or tent sites, a fully furnished Rv camper or a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment with a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. Pets are welcome

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By the Pond...

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Ruskin, FL

Stay by a lovely pond on 33 acre fruit and ornamental tree nursery property with great vibes. Located near I-75 just 20 miles South of Tampa, 35 miles east of Saint Petersburg, 35 miles North of Sarasota, 2 hours West of Orlando. This property is home to a farm/nursery operation and has a large pond on the west side. The pond is Spring-fed at the headwaters of Marsh Branch Creek which begins at our property and flows West about five miles in to Tampa Bay. Approximately 33 private acres allows for plenty of space between our campsites. Site is loaded with hundreds of fruit trees Lychee, Mango, Starfruit, Papaya, Guava), and thousands of banana plants. Fishing can be great, wildlife and bird watching too. Fenced and gated for safety, this old historic nursery property has good vibes and plenty to offer. Until you see it - you really may not understand. Parts of property are wide open, other areas are rugged and difficult to walk through including some wetland areas. The nursery has plenty of trees, and some fields -the large pond is surrounded by cattails and marsh/wetlands and has fish (Bass, Tilapia, Sunfish, Catfish). Several species of wildlife have been seen on the property. We think the property is lovely, and definitely want you to enjoy your camping experience!

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The Olive Grove Cabin Tent

19 sites · Lodging4 acres · Brookridge, FL

Glamping in The Olive Grove. Aframe Cabin Tent nestled in a 4 acre olive orchard. We are a working farm and harvest and mill our olives into high quality, extra virgin olive oil. Free range chickens and ducks and rescue dogs roam the grounds. Cabin tent side opens, queen bed, Wi-fi, heat and AC, TV, electric outlets and fire pit. Kitchenette and bathrooms are separate from the cabin tent. Kitchenette has coffee maker, toaster over/ air fryer, hot plate, pots and pans. Bathrooms have showers with hot water and flushing toilets. Located on the bike path, close to Weeki Wachee River Mermaids and the beautiful Chassahwitzka River. Relax, rest and take it all in. No pets please. Enjoy farm fresh eggs and fresh olive oil with your stay, our gift. Firewood available $1 per log. Farm Store open on weekends August thru March. Ask about our kayak and sailboat adventures.

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WFL Event Ranch

4 sites · RVs20 acres · Brooksville, FL

Branding Change! Upcoming 2025 Our facility will be growing to include more activities such as: (2025 activities: Draft Horse Driving lessons, Riding lessons, Trail Rides, Day camps for Kids, Weekend getaways for Adults, Birthday Parties and much more) Check back with us soon. Special needs activities will also be available please contact directly. Currently Available : Come camp at an off the beaten-path hidden treasure! Wild and serene wooded camping sites about 20 mins from the Weeki Wachee River! We offer 4 RV hookups during your stay or our VRBO facility Studio Apartment or 2 BR Apartment. If you need a stall for your horse please contact us. Peace and Privacy This is the REAL Florida! Beautiful Oaks, Bamboo, and a plethora of other exciting flora! We love it here and think you will too! Our sites are spacious and shaded. Wonderful winery and restaurant right down the road! The State Park is about 20 minutes away. Our neighbors are the wild deer, turkeys, and even peacocks! We may have horses, goats, chicken, or a donkey or two on-site. Enjoy the view but do not approach. Or farm is great for foraging and just disconnecting from the hustle and bustle! Ask your host about property/farm tours, river tours, and horseback riding. After contacting host to announce your arrival enter dirt drive and follow it though the oaks to the camping area signs. A spot will be assigned that you should love, enjoy the peace and quiet. RV'S are allowed in the Camp area only. A monthly rate is available upon request. RULES: Pets: pets are allowed please keep leashed at all times. Please cleanup after your pets. RV: MUST BE SELF CONTAINED UNIT Check-in: 1pm Check-out: 12pm Quiet hours: 10 PM - 8 AM No Generators (our wildlife is our main goal not to disturb) Fire Pits are allowed, must not be left unattended. No access to pastures or barn area unless you are have setup with a guide. (Please do not feed any of the animals) This is a Farm and we are not responsible for injury or damages. All Guests Must Be Registered. All Adult Guest Must Provide Photo ID Before Arriving On Property So We Know What Who To Expect.

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The Happy Camper

1 site · Lodging1 acre · St. Petersburg, FL

Reconnect with nature at our completely private, brand new, vintage style RV with a beautiful mural painted by a local St Pete artist. Never camped in an RV before? No problem. We will walk you through everything and help you enjoy our little oasis! Indoors: Full bathroom including shower, kitchen including oven, stove, microwave and seating area, couch, 2 TVs with Spectrum cable, and a queen bed in the bedroom. Outdoors: completely private, fenced in backyard with a beautiful mural, firepit, and hammock. Please note there is a WiFi camera installed outside of the RV for security purposes.

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Cotee River Bend

15 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · New Port Richey, FL

Our RV Campsites are located in a grassy field next to dense woods. Electric and water hookups are included in the RV/Camper sites, but not the Tent Site. All sites have a picnic table. Cell phone service is not a problem, as we are not that remote (although it sort of feels like we are when you are here) - we are 5 min from downtown New Port Richey, 2 minutes from groceries, gas, restaurants. This beautiful slice of Old Florida is named for the Pithlachascotee River that bends along the back side of the property. Pithlo is the Creek word meaning canoe, and chaskita means to dig or chop out, together signifying "place where canoes are chopped or dug out". Seminoles of this area used canoes dug out from the great cypress trees found along Florida rivers. From the 1980s until 2014, this property was owned by the Cotee River Lions Club. They held a popular monthly pancake breakfast fundraiser in the large pavilion along the river. We purchased this 4.9 acres of land in late 2019. It is now where we live and have a woodworking shop. It has been a magical place for us, with no shortage of wildlife, rich jungle forest, a lazy winding narrow river, and even the occasion river otter sighting. We are grateful to all the humans who have occupied this place over the centuries before us for keeping it as nature intended it. It is our intention to do our part to conserve and protect its natural beauty as long as possible. We hope you find it to be as restful and rejuvenating as we do.

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Owen's Family Farm

6 sites · RVs6 acres · Lithia, FL

We are a small hobby farm in Lithia, FL, looking to provide boutique camp experiences for guests looking for a nature-based yet centrally located agro-tourism family environment. Our property is six acres, and the central feature is our natural spring-fed pond with gorgeous waterfront views. The camping designated area is a one-acre pasture across the pond from the farm house we live in. If you like privacy, you will be happy to know that we have very few designated RV and glamping sites. The property sits at the end of a private road in a quiet country-like setting with mature oak trees decorated with Spanish moss. The current inhabitants of our farm include our three mini-cows, Stormy, Lila, and Boots, two donkeys, Pancho, a standard, and Cindy Lou, a mini. Another two friendly faces you will see are Liza and Louise, two Kune-Kune sows. Other animals you will see everywhere are our chickens, ducks, and other wild birds. The chickens and ducks don't have names but are also filled with personality. Our farm is strategically located. We call it 'one-hour and ten-minutes to anything'. Here's why: We are an hour away from Disney World, Downtown Tampa, the downtown St. Petersburg and Clearwater beach. Most of Tampa Bay suburban areas are also under an hour away. We are also a little over an hour away from some of the most breathtaking springs in Florida. Alderman's Ford, a Hillsborough County conservation park with over seven miles of hiking trails, is within walking or biking distance. The park's most famous attraction is a 1.9-mile paved and one of the state's most popular canoe spots. The loop, which is hiker, dog-walker, and bicycle-friendly, links with a boardwalk and footbridges leading into shaded woods of gigantic cypress and oak trees. There is also a designated horse trail. About 10 minutes down the road, the Alafaia River State Park offers some of the most radical elevation changes in the state. This topography is uncommon for most of Florida, making the park a hot spot for mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers. The hilly trails at Alafaia River total about 20 miles and run through forests, flatwoods, and lakes. Lithia Springs is also a 10 minute drive and is well-known for its natural spring which flows year-round, cool, and clean water. Great for swimming on a hot day. Also, all standard suburban amenities, including banks, franchised restaurants, fast food, grocery stores, nail and hair salons, coffee shops, urgent care, etc., are 10 minutes away. Inquire about staying at our farm today!

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Boulevard Landing

4 sites · RVs1 acre · Port Richey, FL

5645 Bay Boulevard is 2 blocks off US 19 in Port Richey Florida. The property is 1 mile east of the Gulf Of Mexico. There are 5 restaurants on the water that are a short ride bicycle, golf cart or 1 wheel ride away. One is a Hooters. Within 2 blocks is a Dunkin Donuts, Culvers and Hardees. Walmart is accessible without driving on 19. If you need fuel there is a WaWa and Walmart station. The Veteran's Expressway is a short drive east which makes a drive to the Tampa Fairgrounds less than 1 hour. We have a 50 amp covered full hook up spot, a 50 amp with water spot and 6 plus boondocking spots. We have a place to dump and refill the water tank. We aren't fancy, just very convenient. Convenience is what makes our property special. We enjoy being able to help people save while enjoying a nice safe place to stay John Thompson is the manager of the property and lives in the house .

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Mad Beach Rv Or Trailer Spot

1 site · RV1 acre · Madeira Beach, FL

Experience the ultimate beachside getaway at our charming single home, just a short 3-block walk from the beach. Park your RV alongside our property and enjoy all the amenities of the home right at your fingertips. With both 30-amp and 50-amp plug connections available, you'll have everything you need to power up your RV and settle in for a relaxing stay. Our outdoor toilet and shower facilities are accessible 24/7, providing convenience and comfort during your beachside retreat. Relax and unwind on our spacious patio, complete with exterior seating and a cozy breakfast nook where you can enjoy your morning coffee or a leisurely meal. For entertainment, our outdoor smart TV with surround sound is perfect for movie nights under the stars. As the sun sets, watch your favorite films in style with our exterior chandelier casting a warm glow over the patio area. Whether you're lounging in the evening breeze or soaking up the sun during the day, our beachside oasis offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience for your RV adventure.

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Tamiami Trails

2 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · Ruskin, FL

RV sites located at an established petting zoo with common and exotic animals. Horseback riding is also available on site. Our property is centrally located with easy access to Tampa, St Pete, and Sarasota. Horse and hiking trails are all through native Florida landscaping. Short drive to well maintained boat ramps and marinas.

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The Love Lodge

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Lithia, FL

The Love Lodge is a tranquil oasis within minutes of the Alafia River State Park, Florida's #1 mountain biking trail, as well as a number of other destinations for boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, carting, ATV, and skeet shooting. We are only 5 minutes to the Alderman Ford Canoe Launch on the Alafia River, just upstream of Lithia Springs. The property is also a great jumping off point for berry picking and flower picking when the season is right. Located in the town of Lithia, conveniently between Tampa and Orlando, we are 15 minutes away from antique shopping in Plant City and Lakeland; 20 minutes from Dinosaur World; 30 minutes from Busch Gardens Tampa; and an hour and 15 minutes from Disney World. The Gulf beaches are also within striking distance if you’re looking to enjoy some time on the coast.Your Hosts are available to greet you upon arrival if you like, or are also happy to offer self check-in per guest preference. Additional Details to Note: Ice is available as an Extra and can be purchased upon checkoutWe have good cell service for all carriers, and WiFi is available

The best camping near Cayo Costa State Park guide

Overview

About

Nine miles of beautiful beaches, lush mangroves, and unspoiled hiking trails await on Cayo Costa Island, one of Florida’s largest barrier islands. Of course, you have to get there first, and with access only by boat, this Gulf Coast getaway is strictly for the adventurous only. Catch the ferry from one of the surrounding islands or bring your own boat and sail across the Charlotte Harbor Estuary. Don’t forget your snorkel or scuba gear—manatees, porpoises, and sea turtles have all been spotted around the island, or you can swim, fish, or go shelling along the pristine beaches.

When to go

The state park welcomes day visitors from 8am to sunset. The best time to visit southwest Florida is from late-October through May, when the weather is warm enough for beach days without the high humidity of the summer months. However, you might also want to time your trip to enjoy the winter seabird migrations or sea turtle nesting season (May through October). Hurricane season runs from June through November, and may affect travel to the island.

Know before you go

Cayo Costa State Park encompasses the entire island of Cayo Costa, which sits between Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island) and North Captiva Island just west of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. You can only reach the island by private boat, kayak, or ferry, and Captiva Cruises offers ferries and day trips to the island from Captiva Island, Punta Gorda island, and Pine Island.
There are day-use fees for all Florida State Parks, and an honor box system is in place on Cayo Costa island. The island’s tent campsites and primitive cabins have been closed since Hurricane Ian in 2022, and it’s not yet known when they will reopen.
Accessible restrooms are available on the island, but there are no other facilities, so bring everything you need with you, including drinking water.
Dogs are permitted in the park, but not on the beaches, and must be kept on a 6-foot, hand-held leash at all times.