Enjoy A Quintessential Seaside Adventure At This Florida Campground

The Sunshine State is always a popular destination for families or anyone who enjoys a tropical vacation. Whether you're traveling by yourself, with friends, or with kiddos (and all of the complexities that entails), it's hard to beat Florida's sunny destination with beautiful beaches and crystal clear water that doesn't require a passport. With nearly 1,000 campgrounds to choose from statewide, many visitors opt for the flexibility and lower cost of camping.

Just 25 minutes from Sarasota and 4 miles southeast of Siesta Beach, you'll find Turtle Beach Campground nestled into the trees just feet from the white sand of Turtle Beach. This underrated, lesser-known Florida beach is a camper's paradise. Not only will you find smaller crowds at this beach, it's also a great place to discover an impressive assortment of seashells. The beach is also one of Florida's sea turtle nesting beaches, so if you visit between May 1 and October 31, you might get to see a few turtle nests (remember to never disturb wild animals or their nests).

Turtle Beach Campground is a stunning Florida beach campground that has tons of family-friendly activities. The campground has been part of the Sarasota County parks system since 2006, but it was first established way back in 1921. It offers 39 RV and tent sites just steps from the Gulf of Mexico (also known as the Gulf of America). While there used to be a bathhouse, it was destroyed in Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Now, the campground offers restroom and shower trailers. Unfortunately, laundry is no longer offered, but it does share a list of nearby laundry facilities. 

Rates are $75 a night, with a 10% discount if you stay for three weeks or longer. This rate gets you full hookups for water, sewer, and electric, if you're bringing your RV. Cable and Wi-Fi are available, but not guaranteed. Given the narrow size of the campsites, note that there are size restrictions for campers and RVs, so call or research the camp before you go. Also, if you're hoping to bring pets, keep in mind the campground does have a no pets policy (except for service animals) in order to protect the turtles.

The campground is connected to Turtle Beach Park, where you'll find boat launches, a playground, and picnic areas. It's an opportunity to camp with amazing views of the Gulf Coast. There are also plenty of fishing opportunities for the anglers in the family. You can cast a line at the adjacent Blind Pass Lagoon. If you prefer to kayak or paddleboard, they're available to rent as well.

When you're ready to venture off-site, enjoy the free open-air "Siesta Islander" trolley with daily service that will take you to nearby attractions. You can start the day at Siesta Key Village and browse the shops on Ocean Boulevard. Once you get hungry, you should check out the Siesta Key Oyster Bar for the delicious food, the live music, and the family-friendly atmosphere.

Siesta Key Beach, which consistently makes an appearance on Tripadvisors Travelers' Choice Awards for its powdery sand and stunning turquoise waters, is walking distance from the Siesta Key Village (and only about 90 minutes walking from Turtle Beach Campground). It's the perfect place for a day of anything from parasailing to an after-dinner stroll to watch the sunset. If you're there on a Sunday evening, check out the Siesta Key Drum Circle. It's been a draw for people from all walks of life to come dance like no one's watching for over 20 years.