Camping in Cayo Costa State Park

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Top-rated campgrounds near Cayo Costa State Park

93%
(1043)

Smokey Acres

18 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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$22.50
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97%
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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. Property is home to a farm with hundreds of fruit trees- Lychee, Mango, Starfruit, Papaya, Guava). Red Mombin, 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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$32.50
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99%
(113)

The Olive Grove Cabin Tent

21 sites · Lodging, Tents4 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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$35
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98%
(206)

Cotee River Bend

8 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 and fire ring. Our newly renovated restrooms on the property have toilets and one shower. A boardwalk takes you along the Cotee River to our open air pavilions with several places to sit and enjoy nature. 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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$25.20
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Honey Bunny’s Urban Oasis

3 sites · RVs1 acre · St Petersburg, FL
Send Van Type and Length with Request to Book 🐝 👀check out our EXTRAS👀 🐝 Elderberry Tonic/Tropic Spice Hot Sauce/Shoo Fly! Bug Spray 🦩WE ONLY HOST VANS/CLASS B vehicles/very small travel trailers🦩 If you need to book for longer VanLife stays just message me 🌈 Everyone Welcome 🌈 As a family who has towed campers across the US a couple times utilizing Hip Camp we know others will appreciate the ease of pulling into our little 1 acre urban oasis just a couple miles off the interstate in Floridas Coolest City. It’s an ideal location to explore St Pete as we are right between the beaches and downtown (5 miles to St Pete beach, 4 miles to downtown -$10 Uber ride), Sarasota and/or Tampa. Ours is an urban spot based on ease, safety and location, not a wilderness "experience" We have a paved circular driveway overlooking our beehives, henhouse and seasonal garden where you’ll find a table with chairs and plenty of space to cookout and enjoy a quiet evening with a great sunset by the blowing bamboo. This is one of South St Pete’s oldest neighborhoods- it surrounds an active former PGA golf course and lively country club. It’s a great place for safely biking or walking with green spaces, tennis courts, playgrounds and dog parks nearby. There are many owls, raptors, green parrots, purple martins and osprey overhead as we’re just a few blocks from the beautiful Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. - not to be missed! The Pinellas Trail is just a short bike ride away too and can lead you to downtown. It is a cyclists favorite! We love our city - happy to give recommendations.
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$39
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(5)

Arbor Terrace RV Resort

1 site · Lodging1 acre · 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!!
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$130
 / night

Other options near Cayo Costa State Park

Camping in 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.
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9 ratings · 3 reviews
  1. Cayo Costa State Park