Waterside camping near Bradenton
With deep dives and sweet rides, beachfront beauty is ready and waiting in Bradenton.
- Bradenton
Popular camping styles for Bradenton
2 top waterside campgrounds near Bradenton
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Waterside camping near Bradenton guide
Overview
The cozy coastal city of Bradenton welcomes campers to explore caverns, caves, and high ropes. Dive into under-the-sea snorkel tours with manatees and dolphins, or ride horseback along the beach. For the land lovers, trek up to TreeUmph! Adventure Course for an all-you-can-swing adventure featuring climbing, suspension bridges, and zipline courses, or get some history at DeSoto National Memorial. With cabin rentals, campgrounds, glamping, and waterside options, camping near Bradenton offers everything under the sun for unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Where to go
Palma Sola Bay
Wade west to Palma Sola Bay and get immersed in one of Florida’s wildlife preserves. With cabins, campgrounds, and RV resorts, this gorgeous stretch of land and sea provides the perfect place to set up camp. Home to nesting sites of sea turtles, campers may even catch baby turtles migrating toward the water alongside diverse fish species and birds overhead. If that’s not enough, Palma Sola Botanical Park is set by the Robinson Preserve, a great site for biking and nature walks with a large picnic area.
Myakka River State Park
Meander 30 miles southeast to Myakka River State Park for a chance to explore one of Florida’s largest and oldest parks. Campers can reserve on-site accommodations for tents and RVs, or opt for a quick visit with a day-pass. With the Myakka River flowing through its grounds, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing or hike, bike, and adventure the day away through the trails. Picturesque pines, sabal palm trees, and live oaks draw people and wildlife alike.
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Best accessed by kayak or canoe, this slice of paradise protects more than 100 miles of shoreline with its marshes and mangrove forests. Explore upland areas with marked hiking trails to spot wildlife, then cross the bridge to Port Charlotte to find cabins, campgrounds, lodging, and private land options for an easy stay near park grounds. Only 75 minutes from Bradenton, this paddle trail preserve is a welcomed disconnect from life on land.
When to go
Florida’s fortunate climate of year-round warm temperatures make camping near Bradenton a delight any time. Tenting, backpacking, and car camping are most recommended between May and October with the humid high temperatures turning to evening chills in the opposing months. Though camping is easily accessible and certainly done year-round—it is the Sunshine State, after all—with higher temperatures come more mosquitos. Be prepared with protection during the early morning, dusk, and evening hours when they are most active.
