How to get your Shell Key Camping Permit
What’s Changed?
- Pinellas County Camping permits are now issued using the same online reservation system used for Ft. Desoto Campgrounds
- Shell Key Camping Permits now cost $6 per boat
- A limit of 25 camping permits per day are issued – with each permit allowing up to 6 people. Permits are issued on a first come, first serve basis. Multi-day permits are available.
- You must create an account on the Pinellas County website with a User Name and Password to obtain a permit.
Tips for registering at the County’s Camping Permit page
After arriving at the Pinellas County website for camping permits, don’t forget to click on the “Shell Key Campground” tab at the top of the page.
After clicking on the Shell Key tab, Click on the “Shell Key Campground” option so see the log in. If this is your first time using the system, you will be required to register for an account.
Here is a screenshot of the registration form seen after logging in. We are awaiting clarification for this form and will post a better explanation of the process on this page shortly.
What are the
The Pinellas South County Camping Registration page is here.
Will I be able to take all my camping items on the shuttle(tent for1,portable potty and food/water?
Hi Sunny,
If you are camping, I’m guessing that you are taking the Island Ferry to the south end of the island (Shell Key Shuttle only goes to the north end). As I understand it, they will take you and all your gear to the island’s South Public Use Area. However, I would call them first to confirm the details.
Have fun!
is there a ferry that takes you to the island or it’s only accessible by private boats?
Hi Daniel,
Yep – The Shell Key Shuttle and Island Ferry will both take you to the island.
The permit page for pinellas.org is not loading. I can’t get the permit and I have plans with my son. Any suggestions?
Hi Charles,
It might have been a temporary technical issue. They appear to be up now …
http://www.pinellascounty.org/forms/shell-camp.htm
If you have further issues, you could call the county at 727-552-1862.
Hope this helps!
On average, how crowded or secluded is the camping on shell key? I would assume the weekend boating crowds probably provide an influx of people, but how bad does it get? Thanks for any help!
Hi Jay,
Although there are exceptions, there is usually ample space on the island for privacy while camping. Since there are no campsites, you can pretty much camp anywhere you want. I find that the gulf side (west) of the south public use area is generally far less busy than the Bunces pass side (south) for camping. The gulf side also has has hilly sand dunes which add to your sense of seclusion.
My favorite time of year to camp on the island is winter – when you rarely see more than a handful of campers on the entire south end. This time of year (spring) is usually the busiest. On memorial day weekend, I have seen dozens of tents lined up shoulder to shoulder along the bunces pass side. But this happens almost exclusively on major holiday weekends in the spring/summer. And yet, even on these weekends, it is possible to find a relatively secluded spot on the Gulf side.
Hope this helps!
how long does the permit last? How many days are you allowed to camp there?
Hi Erica,
You are allowed to camp up to 14 days. You just need to specify your arrival and departure dates on your permit form.
Have fun!
Dear Jack,
our Boy Scout troop is booked to campout on Shell key for Feb 18-19. Is there a service project that we can help with – maybe patrol the camping area and clean up ? Also, I reviewed the Shell key shuttle website, I was wondering if there is a less expensive option to bring 15 Scouts/Adults to / from the island? thank you
Hi John,
We do not have an event planned for that weekend, but we welcome any contribution by your troop and would love to feature your service on our website as an example to others. The most basic contribution that you can make is to bring some trash bags and pick up any trash that you see. The main thing that you need to plan for is being able to carry the garbage off the island.
Regarding the shuttle service – Have you confirmed that the Shell Key Shuttle will take you to the camping area on the south end of the island? I thought that they only went to the north end (where camping is not allowed). I believe that the Shell Island Ferry, which launches from the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramp, will take you to the south end and leave you overnight.
The least expensive transportation, of course, would be to find someone with a boat who was willing to ferry the kids to the island. It only takes around 10 minutes to make the trip from the Ft. Desoto Boat ramps – so depending on the boat size, you could get your troop over in just a few trips. (there is an outside chance that I might be camping with my daughter that weekend – If I do, I would be happy to help shuttle the kids to the island – however, I do not yet have definite plans) I will let you know asap if I will be going out that weekend.
Please take plenty of pictures and feel free to send them to us or post them on our Facebook page.
Good Luck and have fun!
Hello I was interested in sponsoring this page. Just making sure it is active. Thanks
Hi Jason,
I can send you some sponsorship info when I get back to town in a few days. In the meantime, let me know what kind of business/listing you would like to have.
Thanks!
Can you fish there and if I dont have no way of getting to the island will a ferrie take os or a boat . And is small grills allow
Hi Edgar,
Yes fishing is allowed and the Ferry will take you there. Grills are allowed.
Are dogs allowed on shell key?
Sorry, dogs are not allowed anywhere within the preserve boundaries.
do they enforce the NO BEER RULE ?
Where do we go to get a Boat ride to camp at the Island ?
TY 🙂
Mike,
The do enforce the no alcohol rule. A don’t recall the fine. I have been told by some law officers that they are less concerned with responsible adults using discretion (hiding it in a cup) – and are more likely to issue citations when there are large crowds flagrantly breaking the law. However, anyone drinking alcohol within the preserve boundaries should be prepared to be cited and fined.
Where can you leave your car when doing an overnight trip? Will it be safe, secure? Would be very upset to come back and my vehicle had been towed. Thanks
Hi Tony,
The safest public place to leave your car overnight is at the Ft. Desoto boat ramps. There is a fee ($6, I believe) for overnight parking – payable at a self service kiosk on the right side of the entry road just before you get to the lot. You need to display the parking pass that you will receive on your dashboard. If you do not have a trailer, you MUST park near the back of the lot in the short spaces. The longer spaces are reserved for cars with trailers. While your car will not get towed, there is no security, so I would not leave any visible valuables in the car. Hope this helps 🙂
I have a small gheenoe and plan to spend the night on the island for the weekend so can I lunch in the dirt north of the island because going a crossed from Fort desoto is so choppy?
Hi Nolan,
I do not know of any launch access on Tierra Verde near the north end. If you do find something, you’ll also need to find overnight parking for your vehicle. Many kayakers prefer to launch from the Bayway (just north of the last bridge to Ft. Desoto) to avoid choppy waters in Bunces Pass. You can make the entire trip to Shell Key in shallow water within the preserve boundaries. (no internal combustion engines). Hope this helps.
So you can launch from the Bayway but can you leave your car there on the side of the road overnight? Or is the boat ramp the only place for overnight parking. I live in the Kissimmee area and I may head out that way this weekend for the first time to camp. I fish and usually frequent Anna Maria Island but I want to try this area. Is Bunces Pass really dangerous? I’ve read about all the deaths there over the years. What’s up with that? Is there areas you want to avoid in a kayak? Thanks in advanced.
Hi Nicolas,
People do leave their cars on the Bayway overnight. I have not been there for a while, so I don’t know if there are any new parking rules. I, personally, feel a bit safer leaving the car at the boat ramps.
I don’t think Bunces pass much different from any other intracoastal pass. In the summer, it does get very busy on certain weekends. I would not try to swim across the pass on the fourth of July, but on most days the area is quite tame. If I was launching a kayak from the boat ramps, I would head north across the pass at my earliest opportunity and then cruise to Shell Key in the safe and shallow waters of the preserve. But people safely kayak all over that pass from Ft. Desoto to Shell Key on a daily basis.
Hope this helps!
Hello Jack,
What do most people do for drinking water while hiking on the island? I will be camping there overnight for two nights. Also, where is the best (shortest paddle) place to launch a kayak?
Thank you! Madeline
Hi Madeline,
Bottled water is really the only option. There are no sources of fresh water on the island. A lot of kayakers like to launch from the Pinellas Bayway S – just before the bridge to Ft. Desoto: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=27.658126,-82.72021&spn=0.001139,0.002064&t=k&z=20 . The water is shallow and slow moving all the way to the island. Have fun and feel free to share your photos!
Hi – Are you able to park overnight for multiple nights at this kayak/board launch site?
Hi Dee,
If you are referring to the informal launch site at the side of the Bayway, there is a sign posted saying no overnight parking. The only place that I know of to legally park overnight is the Ft. Desoto boat ramps. There is a parking fee of several dollars which can be paid at the kiosk on the way in to the boat ramps.
Hope this helps,
Are you allowing to kayak and tent camp on Shelk Key? If so, what part of the island is best? We are planning October?
Thanks,
Nicole
Yes – Camping is allowed on the south public use area.
Are there suitable places for hammock camping?
Could you tell me the best route for kayaking out to the island for a day trip? And about how long it takes to kayak out? We’re heard this place is beyond beautiful!
Hi Judy,
Here is a previous post about Kayak launch locations …
http://shellkey.org/navigating-a-boat-around-shell-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2296
Hope this helps 🙂
Jack
It sure did! Words just cannot describe what a wonderful time we had. Cannot wait to go back and camp! Thanks much!
How exactly do we get to the island itself?
You need a boat to get to the island. There are also commercial shuttles like http://www.hcpafl.org/ or ‘Shell Key Shuttle’ that go to the island.
Am I able to get married on Shell Key? Thanks in advance! Like ten guests? No chairs or anything. I can’t find info anywhere. Thanks in advance!
Yes, you are allowed to have any type of event on the island as long as you abide by the preserve rules for visitation or camping. As long as you stay withing the public use areas, you can have a wedding with chairs, tents and whatever other equipment you need.
Are you allowed to have small fires for cooking smores, hot dogs, etc….
Hi Barry. Yes – campfires are allowed in the south public use area. The deal is that you are required to remove any trace of the fire before you leave. It is a good idea to bring a bucket to collect any unburned wood. Have fun! Jack
Thanks for your help! My girlfriend and I are moving to St. Pete next month, getting a couple of kayaks, and ready to explore!
Awesome. Going to Shell Key is one of the best things about living in St. Pete! Welcome to the area 🙂
My wife and I (along with her brother and one friend) are planning on primitive camping on Shell Key April 25-30. We filled out the permit form, submitted it and re-printed a copy for ourselves that I have signed. Is that all that is needed to camp on the island? Will we be dropping the form off before arrival? Thank you for your time and all the information you have placed on this site, Shell Key looks beautiful and we cannot wait to spend our night and days at this location.
Hi Justin,
Once you have filled out the camping permit form online and clicked the “send form” button, you do not need to do anything else other than to print a copy and keep it with you while on the island. Honestly, there appears to be very little coordination between the folks at the county who receive the electronic form submission – and the law enforcement that may be patrolling the island. The chances of you being asked to produce the written permit are low – but you should definitely have a printed copy with you. I believe that the main reason that an electronic copy is sent to the county is so they can keep statistics on the numbers of campers. But the police patrolling the island would not know (or care) that the county received an electronic copy. The primary reason for getting the free permit is so they know that you read and are aware of the rules. Have Fun!
Thank you so much for your response! It is greatly appreciated. We are looking forward to heading down that way in just a few short days. We will be sure to follow the rules, as we are true nature lovers. Thank you again for everything. The information you have posted will greatly serve us as we are “roughing” it this next coming week.
You are most welcome! (and feel free to share any pics or observations on our Facebook page). Clear Skies 🙂