Nothing beats bonfires, ocean sunsets and pitching a tent in the sand. Few weekend roadtrips rival beach camping, and some of the best spots are within a short drive from Tampa Bay. Here are a few of our favorite places to camp oceanside.

Before you plan your overnight camping trip, make sure to call ahead or check the park’s website for information on its public safety rules and restrictions.

—Christopher Cann

Turtle Beach Campground Sarasota Turtle Beach has a beachfront campground on Siesta Key featuring 39 RV and tent sites. The campground has numerous amenities available to guests such as free Wifi, beverage vending, a playground, a picnic area with grills and restrooms with hot showers. No animals are allowed on the campgrounds unless they are service animals. The nightly rate for the summer season is $51, but one site can account for six people. Photo via Turtle Beach Website
Fort De Soto Park St. Petersburg The Fort De Soto Campground has 238 family camping sites with water, electricity, a laundry station, restrooms, showers and picnic tables provided to its guests. Special campsites are available to people who want to bring their pets along. Visitors can hike along mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks and hardwoods, or visit the historic fort. Both tent and RV stations are accessible. Fees range from $33.90 to $45.77 depending on when and how you plan on staying at the campground. Photo via Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Facebook
Shell Key Preserve Tierra Verde Shell Key Preserve is a 1,828 preserve located in Tampa Bay. The preserve is an important sanctuary for nesting and migrating birds, with access limited to private boats and public shuttles. The preserve is an underdeveloped barrier island, so there are no facilities on it. There are also no pets or alcohol allowed on Shell Key. Camping is allowed on the south public use area of Shell Key; permits are required for overnight activity, and can be purchased for $6 from the county. Photo via VisitStPeteClearwater
Anastasia State Park St. Augustine Anastasia State Park is located on 1,600-acres of beaches and tital marshes with 139 campsites a few paces away from the Atlantic. Common activities that campers engage in include hiking, swimming, fishing, paddling, surfing and picnicking. Amenities such as campfire circles, nature trails, an amphitheatre, shower stations, parking, restrooms and the beach are available to all campers. The price to camp starts at $28 per night with a 50% discount available to florida resident 65 years or older. Photo via State Park Website
Anclote Key Preserve State Park Tarpon Springs Anclote Key Preserve State Park is a 11,773-acre park made of four islands: Anclote Key, North Anclote Bar, South Anclote Bar and Three Rooker Island. Visitors can swim, picnic, grill, pitch a tent and take in the 1887 lighthouse that stands at the southern end of the island. Dogs are not allowed, and ferry services do not drop off visitors for overnight camping ? those wishing to stay overnight must have their own transportation. Provisions are not provided on the island, so bring your own water and supplies. Photo via State Park Website
Caladesi Island Snorkel in the seagrass just off the beach, or simply soak up some sun at this state park. Credit: Cathy Salustri
E.G. Simmons Conservation Park Ruskin E.G. Simmons Conservation Park is made up of 258 acres of mangrove, swamp and beach terrains. There are 103 campsites in the park, which are all a stroll away from Tampa Bay. Amenities available to campers include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, electricity and fire pits. Camping costs start at $24 per night with discounted rates available to those older than 55. Photo via Hillsborough County Website
North Beach Camp Resort St. Augustine North Beach Camp Resort is located on a 30-acre barrier island between the North River and Atlantic Ocean just 4.5 miles away from the historic downtown area of St. Augustine. Camping rates range from 50$ to $102 per night. Pets are allowed in designated areas and must be kept on short leashes at all times. Photo via North Beach Camp Resort
Fort Clinch State Park Fernandina Beach Fort Clinch State Park encompasses 1,400-acres of land on the Atlantic. Common activities include but are not limited to biking, birding, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Camping rates begin at $26 per night and a 50% discount is available to Florida residents 65 years or older. Amenities available to campers include campfire circles, a nearby beach, the Fort Clinch Museum and restrooms. Pets are allowed in designated areas as long as they are kept on a six-foot leash at all times. Photo via Fort Clinch Website
Coya Costa State Park Captiva Coya Costa State Park is a Gulf Coast island accessible only by boat or kayak. The park features nine miles of shoreline prime for swimming, snorkeling, swimming, fishing and bird watching. Campsites and cabins are available for overnight stays in designated areas. The park also features an amphitheater, cabins, campfire circles and shower stations for guest use. Pets are allowed in the park but not on the beaches or cabin areas and must be kept on a six-foot handheld leash at all times. There is a $2 admission, and tent camping pricing starts at $22 per night. Photo via State Park Website
KOA Holiday St. Petersburg KOA St. Petersburg is a beach-accessible campground full of amenities, including but not limited to a pool, kayaks, miniature golf, eBike rentals, a spa, a pavilion, a sauna and wifi. Visitors have three camping options for overnight visits, purchase lodging, bring an RV or set up a campsite. Rates vary due to the number of amenity options accessible to guests; pets are allowed, but must be accounted for in the registration process. Photo via Koa Website
KOA Holiday Campgrounds Palm Harbor KOA Holiday is a dog-friendly place that allows for camping by the Gulf of Mexico. Amenities available to campers include restrooms, wifi, propane, a pool, a dog park, cable TV and a group fire pit. Campers have three options for overnight visits, which include purchasing lodging, bringing an RV or setting up a campsite. Rates vary due to the number of amenity options available to guests. Photo via KOA Website
Gamble Rogers Memorial Park Flagler Beach Gamble Rogers is a 145-acre park tucked between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The campground has 34 sites located on its primary dune, which provides easy beach access. Each site has water, electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring within reach; restrooms and showers are also available to campers. The starting price for a standard night of camping is $28. Photo via State ParkWebsite
Little Talbot Island State Park Estimated drive from Tampa: 3 hours and 47 minutes Five miles of sandy-white beaches make this state park stand out from the marshes and branches of the other ones. A campground can be found on the salt marshes of Myrtle Creek. Photo via Adobe Images
Periwinkle Park and Campground Sanibel Periwinkle Park and Campground is located on Sanibel Island in the Gulf of Mexico and offers accommodations for everything from motorhomes and tents. With beaches moments away from campsites, people on the island will have a lot to occupy their time like biking, birdwatching and swimming. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the campgrounds. Camp pricing begins at a $45 daily fee; reservations can be made through its website. Photo via Sanibel Camping Website
San Carlos RV Resort and Marina Fort Meyers San Carlos RV Resort is located on Hurricane Bay and offers amenities like restrooms, a hot spa, a heated pool and a recreation center. RV rental units range from $65 to $119 daily. All guests must register before entering the campground, no tents are permitted and neither rare electric heaters or stoves. Pets are allowed in designated areas and must be kept on non-retractable leashes at all times. Photo via San Carlos RV Resort Website
Sebastian Intel State Park Melbourne Beach Sebastian Inlet State Park stretches from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic. Experiences to be had range from cycling, birding and boating to paddling, camping and hiking. Amenities available to campers include picnic tables, grills, museums and a restaurant gift shop. Pets are permitted in designated areas as long as they are kept on six-foot handheld leashes. Camping costs begin at $28 per night. Photo via Sebastian Inlet Facebook
Red Coconut RV Resort Fort Meyers The Red Coconut RV Resort is a Gulf of Mexico beachside park that holds 60 RV sites. Campers can take advantage of amenities like shower and laundry facilities, mobile rentals, basic cable and internet access. Recreational activities include fishing and boating as well as swimming in the gulf. Camping rates for the summer season begin at $73 per night. Photo via Red Coconut Website
Sunset Isle RV Park Cedar Key Sunset Isle RV Park is located steps away from the Gulf of Mexico and features prime real estate for activities like hiking, briding, canoeing and kayaking. The park is also just one mile from Carrabelle Beach. Booking a night at the park requires a reservation request that can be filled out on its website. Photo via Sunset Isle Website
Wall Springs Palm Harbor Wall Springs is a 210-acre park including a nature spring, complete with a viewing area, and boardwalk that serves as the centerpiece connection to the Pinellas Trail. Park amenities available to visitors include a 35-foot observation tower, barrier-free playground, boardwalk, five picnic shelters with grills and restrooms. Photo via Google Maps Screen Grab