Central FL: Ft DeSoto review

[Silverflames]

We will be camping at Ft DeSoto this weekend, any one interested in my doing a review?


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[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

We will be camping at Ft DeSoto this weekend, any one interested in my doing a review?


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I did one several years ago, an updated review would be good.

[carver 1]

Yes, and there is a separate site pet area.

>>ron<<

[Paddledipper]

We were there in September. Such a clean, well cared for Pinellas County campground. No wonder it is always booked up and hard to get into. You can pull your boat up to some of the sites like ours, which was 184, and leave it there. Kayaks can be launched from most waterfront sites. Every site had a grill, but no campfire ring. You could rent a washtub from the camp store to use, or bring your own. Lots of trees between sites for privacy. Campers with pets have their own loop. Showers and bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Beautiful beaches, the old fort and mangrove tunnels to kayak are in the park but a short drive or bike ride from the campground. It rained quite a bit while we were there but the ground absorbed the water rather quickly. We wanted to go back the next weekend!

[scornell]

I would like to hear your impressions. please review

[StreamRaider]

Yes. I have been trying to get a reservation and they are booked. At least I can hear what I am missing.

Originally Posted by Silverflames

We will be camping at Ft DeSoto this weekend, any one interested in my doing a review?


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[ssopko]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

We will be camping at Ft DeSoto this weekend, any one interested in my doing a review?


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Yes, Please. We are visiting Florida in our airstream in January. On their web site it says no alcohol, is this really true.?

[Remax gal]

We were there October a year ago and had absolutely no problem with drinking. Of course, we were not loud and obnoxious and I'm sure that would make a difference. It's a great camp ground and enjoyed watching dolphins and sharks (yes sharks) go by. Pulled our boat up to our campsite and had a wonderful time. You will not have ANY problem with the alcohol, trust me!


Let the good times roll! Laura & Tom

[Silverflames]

Originally Posted by ssopko

Yes, Please. We are visiting Florida in our airstream in January. On their web site it says no alcohol, is this really true.?

I saw folks walking around with beer bottles in there hands, given it was at night. My experience is that many parks have that rule in place so they have justification to boot folks who drink to much and are a pain. Now with that said, I think there may also be a county law limiting drinking in county parks. So you would want to be sly about it.


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[BoldAdventure]

As someone who lives here, we have been there several times. It's a nice park. But getting a site is a pain. We also where not really impressed with it. It's crowded and noisy most of the time, especially on weekends. There is a good amount of foliage usually between the campsites, but they are tight. While they're waterfront views, it's not much of an impressive view IMO. As first time owners, we had some trouble backing into the sites the first go around. Like I said, the loop for the sites doesn't leave a lot of room, the sites themselves don't leave much space for getting it wrong. And because it's busy you'll usually be holding someone up who is impatient to get around you.

Frankly, I feel it's an over rated park by folks from out of state. There are better parks in Florida.

But if you are a kayaker or want to rent kayak's, the Mango groves are so much fun! And it isn't a bad spot for a cookout picnic on the beach.

YMV

[Bk Yd Safari]

We stayed a couple of years ago during the first weekend of Jan in site 199. We made the reservation 6 months in advance. Yes the sites are close but most county and state parks are close. The water view from our site was nice as well as the beaches. Bathroom rooms were clean. Great bike riding for those who ride. I tried to get reservations for Jan 2015 but waited too late.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Frankly, I feel it's an over rated park by folks from out of state. There are better parks in Florida.

I stay at Ft. De Soto every year it is the best I have found so far.

Not to let the local cat out of the bag but would consider posting those you consider better.

[Luckyducks]

Ft Desoto is one of our favorite campgrounds. We've camped there 6-7 times (the last time in Feb 2014). The vegetation is very lush - almost a tropical jungle feeling. Lots of big oak trees and palms. Some waterfront sites do have much of the lower view obscured by mangroves but you will learn once you grade all the sites, which sites are mangrove free (or have breaks in the mangroves) for future reservations. Bike trails are great. Bathrooms clean. Beaches are fantastic. Not extremely wide sites but we've never had a problem with our 25' trailer. Lots of Class A motorhomes come here and do have to be careful in backing into their site. Bring a fire pit or rent one there if you want a fire. We are former residents of St Pete and come back to visit relatives periodically. This campground is in our top 5 of any campgrounds anywhere - and we've been to many around the country. The campground is frequently fully booked which attests to its popularity. Like many national and state parks you have to book as soon as possible within the respective reservation system to get the best sites. Pinellas County (this is a county park) allows out of county residents to make reservations 6 months in advance. Check out their website - it's good and has photos of each campsite. Russ

[perryg114]

I have to agree with you. We did not like the place that much. The sites are a bit tight and hard to get into. The foliage blocks your view of the trailer so you can't see what you are doing. Many sites along the bay have mangroves in the way so you don't have a view. It is not easy to get to the place, since you have to drive through a big city to get there. We much prefer St Joe state park in the pan handle.

Perry

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

As someone who lives here, we have been there several times. It's a nice park. But getting a site is a pain. We also where not really impressed with it. It's crowded and noisy most of the time, especially on weekends. There is a good amount of foliage usually between the campsites, but they are tight. While they're waterfront views, it's not much of an impressive view IMO. As first time owners, we had some trouble backing into the sites the first go around. Like I said, the loop for the sites doesn't leave a lot of room, the sites themselves don't leave much space for getting it wrong. And because it's busy you'll usually be holding someone up who is impatient to get around you.

Frankly, I feel it's an over rated park by folks from out of state. There are better parks in Florida.

But if you are a kayaker or want to rent kayak's, the Mango groves are so much fun! And it isn't a bad spot for a cookout picnic on the beach.

YMV

[HowieE]

That is what my father said made horse racing, "a difference of opinion"

My money is on Ft. De Soto.

[Remax gal]

I'm with you Howie! We had a great experience! The campground map I felt was very clear on the sites that were blocked by the mangroves and those that had an unobstructed view. We were thrilled with our site and felt it to be very private!


Let the good times roll! Laura & Tom

[nsbcpa]

Question.....If you get stuck on a interior site is there an area within a short walk that would allow you to take a chair to the waterfront to enjoy an evening beverage?

[BoldAdventure]

Define short walk, because no.

The camp sites have a good amount of foilage between them which adds a good amount of privacy. But they are still very close together, IMO. We had rowdy neighbors, I felt the sound traveled more than some of the more open camp grounds where the sites are more spread out.

[Paddledipper]

Originally Posted by nsbcpa

Question.....If you get stuck on a interior site is there an area within a short walk that would allow you to take a chair to the waterfront to enjoy an evening beverage?

You could walk to the camp store area which is central to all the loops and throw a chair out on the water at the boat channel. A wide water vista would require a short car or bike ride out the entrance.

[Silverflames]

So we really enjoyed our trip to Ft DeSoto Camp grounds. We got a pull through site, and it seemed huge. The sites have 20, 30, and 50 Amp service with water. The sites and roads are well packed crushed shell and road base. Our site was pretty level and a .5" board under the curb side wheels made us dead level.

The sites and bathrooms were clean and well kept. We stayed in the pet section, and had no problems with having to large dogs.

Many of the sites are on the water, but as noted above some have mangroves and/or just a trail leading into the water. It should be noted on the pet side it is not a true beach with nice white sand.




The sites are well shaded, with a real tropical old Florida feel. There is some great really old trees.





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