Campgrounds and RV parks near Palmetto, FL

Palmetto sits on the north shore of the Manatee River in Manatee County, roughly across the water from Bradenton and about 45 minutes south of Tampa via I-75 and I-275. The area functions as a base for RV travelers heading to Anna Maria Island beaches, the Skyway Fishing Pier, and Gulf Coast estuaries, with quick access to grocery, fuel, and RV service in Bradenton and Ellenton. Private RV parks dominate the immediate area. Lone Oak Trailer Park, Fishermans Cove RV Resort, The Tides RV Resort, Coach House Mobile Home Community, and The Surf RV Resort cluster near U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, most catering to full-hookup stays and longer bookings during the snowbird season. Public land camping requires a short drive. Lake Manatee State Park is about 30 minutes east for biking, hiking, and boating on the reservoir, with water and electric sites and a dump station. Myakka River State Park lies about an hour south and offers three developed campground loops with a mix of water and electric sites and full-hookup sites at Palmetto Ridge. Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, on Terra Ceia Bay just north of town, has boat launches and mangrove paddling but no overnight camping.

Private RV resorts in Palmetto usually take reservations directly by phone or through their websites, and many require deposits for stays during the January to March high season. Snowbird sites at Fishermans Cove RV Resort, The Tides RV Resort, and The Surf RV Resort are often held by returning guests, so booking six to nine months out is realistic for winter arrivals. State park sites use a separate system. Florida residents can book campsite or cabin reservations up to 11 months in advance, while non-residents are limited to a 10-month window. Reservations are made through the Florida State Parks reservation website or by calling 800-326-3521 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, with new inventory released daily at 8 a.m. Eastern. Campers are permitted up to 56 nights of total occupancy in any one state park in each six-month period, defined as October 1 to March 31 and April 1 to September 30. Plan multi-park itineraries around that cap for longer winter stays.