Click here for camping permits
There are no trash cans on Shell Key. No county employees are paid to remove trash from the island. All of the cleaning and unwanted trash removal is done by hard working volunteers and individual visitors just like you.
Why are we asking you to help clean up trash on the island? Even trash that is not yours?
Because we need your help to preserve the future of camping on Shell Key.
The county does not have the funding or resources to clean up after visitors to the island. However, they do have the authority to ban any activity that they believe is a threat to order and preservation of this preserve. We know – because it has happened before. We do not represent any official state or county authority. Yet we know that our continued right to camp on Shell Key absolutely depends on how well we can keep this island looking and functioning like a pristine ecosystem..
Camping Rules & Guidelines
Rules are enforced by county law enforcement as follows …
Overnight Camping the South Public Use Area Only
Primitive camping is allowed only on the South Public Use area of Shell Key.
Camping Permits
Camping Permits are required for any overnight activity on Shell Key. Permits can be obtained for a $6 fee from the county.
Leave No Trace
We are required to remove absolutely all trace of our camp – including food, refuse and anything that came with us on our boat.
Campfires
You must remove all trace of your campfire before you leave. This means removing (not burying) all the charred wood from the fire. Remember that you are not at a permanent campsite. You are in a nature preserve and are required to leave no trace at all.
NEVER Cut Any Native Vegetation for Firewood
This is perhaps the worst thing that people can do to the island – because it can’t be cleaned up. Besides the fact that freshly cut wood on the island will barely burn, it is a blemish on the land that will take years to regrow. Please bring plenty of firewood with you and remove it from the island when you are done.
No Bottles Or Cans In The Campfire
As cool as it may be to watch your beverage bottles melt in the campfire, these things leave a nasty mess in an area where people regularly walk barefoot. And again, please remove all trace of your fire – even the partially burned wood and coals. Burying it is not good enough. Erosion will expose a buried campfire in no time.
Portable Toilets Required
The county requires all campers to bring a portable toilet for overnight activities. A simple DIY toilet can be made with a 5 gallon bucket, a trash bag and some sand. Place the trash bag in the bucket as a liner, put in a scoop of sand and use the toilet. When done, put another scoop of sand on top. Some people even bring some scented cat litter to use instead of sand.
Your brother’s keeper
We are asking you to, whenever possible, take a little extra trash off the island – even if it is not yours. The overwhelming majority of visitors to Shell Key are conscientious and tidy. Yet, a few inconsiderate visitors to the island have the ability to ruin it for the rest of us. Also, trash drifts onto Shell Key from the gulf and bay on a regular basis. If we don’t do it, it won’t get done. Keep a few garbage bags on the boat and grab a few items as you are strolling the beach or exploring the pines. You will feel great about making a difference. If a lot of people make a little effort, we can sustain this resource despite our growing local population..
No Pets or Alcohol
It doesn’t seem fair to leave the member of the family that would perhaps get the most joy out of island wilderness camping. However, pets are completely banned from the entire preserve including all of the aquatic boundaries. Read more about the pet ban. Alcohol is also forbidden within the preserve boundaries.
Camping Etiquette
Please be considerate of nearby campers and keep loud noise or bright lights to a minimum at night.
Camping Checklist…
- Sunscreen, First Aid & bug repellent.
- First Aid kit should include
- Water and Food
- Extra sunglasses, towels and a hat.
- Dress for worst case weather
- Fully charged Cell Phone
- Chairs, tent and bedding.
- Toilet Paper, garbage bags & portable toilet.
- Sandals or water shoes (see sandspurs!)
I’ve seen a womens retreat for 2 days in January mentioned. Do you have the Info on it?
Hi Nancy,
Sorry, I don’t have any info on it. Good luck 🙂
How far (as a crow flies) from Pineallas Bayway Launch to south Shell Island?
Hi Michael,
I think it’s a little over a mile.
Hope this helps!
Hello, how are the bugs out there at night, do they get really bad? Do I need bug spray or some other form of repellent? Thanks.
Hi Craig,
Bugs can be bad in the summertime (mostly ‘no-see-ums’). Once the weather cools down in late fall and winter, it’s usually not a problem. That being said, I always bring repellent with me. Our winter can turn hot on a dime – and the bugs will multiply in a matter of days. Still, I almost never have a problem camping in the winter.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack, is it safe to solo camp? Is the weather fairly predictable? Is the Shell Key shuttle reliable – I will definitely get picked up the next morning? Is there any cell service on the island?
Sorry for all the questions. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Chia,
Sorry for the delayed response. I have not heard of anyone having problems while solo camping on the island. Camping is only allowed on the south end, so it’s not as accessible to the land as the north side – and so it’s harder for potential bad people to get there. That being said, there’s no guarantee of safety while wilderness camping, so it’s always a good idea to camp with a friend. The Shell Key Ferry is the only service catering to campers – and they are quite reliable. Shell Key Shuttle only goes to the north end – so they don’t take campers. Regarding cell service, I have always been able to get decent reception on the island with T-Mobile. Most people report the same with their service.
Hope this helps!
Does it ever get rowdy at night?
Hi Rudy,
I have never seen any unruly behavior while camping overnight. Most groups are relatively small.
Hope this helps!
What kind of grills are allowed? Charcoal only or are small portable propane grills allowed?
Hi Anna,
You can use any kind of grill – charcoal or propane. I would think that propane would be the easiest since there’s no need to pack out the unburned coals (if any).
Hope this helps!
Hi, where are the premises areas that allow camp fires? Is it okay to have a camp fire on the northern side of Shell key if we are here for the day?
Hi Mariah,
Campfires are only allowed in the camping area on the south end of the island. However, grills are allowed on the north end for cooking.
Hope this helps!
Has anyone used a packraft to get to Shell Key?
Can a ferry take us to there to camp or we need a boat to get there
Hi Jeff,
Yep – The Island Ferry will take you to the island for camping and pick you up again.
Hope this helps!
Are the overnight permits date specific?
Where in the park do I go to get the permit?
Can I get a permit for Shell Key on a Saturday?
Hi Dan,
Yes, the permits are date specific. You can get the permit at the county’s website. More info is posted here.
Hope this helps!
Can I pitch a tent anywhere or the different permits indicate different areas on SK??
Hi Susan,
You can camp anywhere within the South Public Use Area. There are no campsites and no facilities of any kind.
Happy New Year!
Hello, last minute changes are causing me to camp alone, so I was wondering how the cell service is on the island in case of emergency?
Hi Abby,
I get good reception with my T-Mobile phone on the south end of the island – presumably from towers at Ft. Desoto. The North end should also get good reception from Pass-a-Grille beach. That being said, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have good reception. If you don’t have a VHF radio on your boat, you could get a handheld unit (available for as little as $40 on ebay). In all likelihood you will be fine with just a cell phone – but personally, I like to have a backup just in case. You sure you can’t find some spontaneous person to go with you? 😉
Hope this helps!
Is Brian Laundrie still there?
Hi can you just come in on your boat and hang out for the day or do you still need a permit
Hi Mari,
Permits are only needed for overnight camping on the island.
Hope this helps!
Hello Jack,
I was thinking about taking the boat to the south side public use area.
Is a disposable charcoal grill permitted? We would not leave anything behind.
I saw that camp fires were allowed for camping, I just wanted to double check.
Thanks!
Hi Jason,
Campfires are banned from May 1st through Sept 3rd for turtle nesting season. However, charcoal grills are allowed because then do not emit the light which may disorient hatchlings on their way to the water.
Have fun!
Is there a place to rent kayaks over there?
Hi Katie,
Indeed, there are kayak rentals on the Pinellas Bayway and at Ft. Desoto Park.
Hope this helps!
where can i leave my car thats safe if camping overnight ?
Hi Pascale,
The only legal, publicly accessible place to park overnight for camping on Shell Key is the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps.
Hope this helps!
Can we park at Fort De Soto overnight if we pay the parking fee and launch from north beach?
Hi Khaled,
No, the only place you can park overnight is the Ft. Desoto Boat ramps – which is just before you get to the park entrance – so you don’t need to pay the park entry fee – just pay for parking at the kiosk at the Boat Ramps. There is absolutely no parking in Ft. Desoto park afer the park closes at around sunset. The police patrol the park after dark and will have your car towed if they find it.
Hope this helps!
My husband, two kids and I are planing to take 2 or 3 kayaks. Do I need a permit for each one or just one for all?
Hi Alex,
We have not received an answer from the county about this issue. Common sense says that you should be able to get one permit for your family – no matter how many kayaks you take – since one permit covers many more people in a single larger boat. Since Kayaks are not registered vessels, we are suggesting that you use your phone number in place of the vessel registration number when you fill out the camping permit form. I will post a response from the county staff as soon as I can get through to them.
Have fun!
Are there mangrove tunnels that you can kayak thru?
Hi Joe,
I have seen a few tunnels on the other side of Bunces Pass near Ft. Desoto park. Weedon Island Park in North St. Pete is known for its extensive mangrove tunnels.
Hope this helps!
There are many mangrove tunnels to kayak though within the preserve! Almost every Key has a tunnel worth exploring!
Are there places to hammock camp?
Hi Matthew,
After removing the Australian pine forest in the early 2000’s, the county planted some slash pines, bay cedar and a few other types of trees, but I would not count on finding them close enough together or mature enough for a hammock. Maybe bring a tent as a backup – just in case.
Hope this helps!
We have a small boat and don’t feel comfortable anchoring it overnight in the surf. If we anchor on the east side, are there paths to walk through to the beach?
Hi Amy,
Yes, there are several breaks in the mangroves where you can get in to shore and find paths to the gulf side.
Hope this helps!