Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Caladesi Island State Park adventure.
It’s not actually an island (at least, not anymore) but this Florida Park is a lil' scoop of bliss.
Just off the coast of Tampa, this place hasn’t really changed much in the last few hundred years. Although everyone still calls it an island, a hurricane filled in the Dunedin Pass in 1985. It's now possible to walk to the island from neighboring North Clearwater Beach. You can also catch a ferry from the mainland.
The beach here is out of this world: ribbons of perfect white sand framed by turquoise water. In 2008, it was rated the best beach in America by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, AKA “Dr. Beach”. Dr Leatherman is a coastal ecologist by day but spends his free time rating America’s beaches. Receiving “beach of the year” is a high honor; he’s seen a lot of beaches.
There are miles of waterways crisscrossing the mangrove forest. A kayak is a perfect way to explore these channels and can be rented from the visitor center. There’s also a three-mile hiking trail that winds through the interior of the island. See if you can spot snow-white egrets or speckled ospreys up in the pines.
If one day at Caladesi isn’t enough and you brought in your own boat, dock at the marina and stay overnight. You’ll wake up to a deserted island paradise—so worth it.
Envision a camping adventure near the stunning Honeymoon Island State Park. With its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it provides a dreamy setting for camping, perfect for anyone seeking to experience the bliss of island life.