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!)
Can you take the ferry over to camp?
Hi Meg,
Yes, of the 3 ferries that go to Shell Key, one of them (the Island Ferry) will take campers for overnights and pick them up.
Hope this helps!
Any ideas where to rent a kayak overnight and any advice about camping in mid-March.
Hi Rebecca,
I don’t know of a kayak rental that allows overnight. If you find one that does, please let us know:-) Mid March is an excellent time of year to camp on Shell Key. Warm sun, still a cool breeze in the air and generally cool nights.
Clear Skies!
Can you use quiet generators out of nesting season
As far as I know, generators are not forbidden. Goes without saying that you should camp out of hearing range from other campers.
Hi! I am a professional nature photographer, that stayed for 9 nights, on Shell Island, this past February. I came in by on the Shell Island Ferry. From where the Ferry usual docking area is located on the island, l unloaded all my gear. With my back on the beach and looking at the water, l hiked to my right, and set up about 300 yards away. After setting up, l hiked back to the left, towards where the ferry dropped me off. From there l hiked to where the beach rounds a turn to the left and dead-end shortly into into the water. Turned around and hiked back to my campsite and beyond. Down towards where the water reaches the treeline, there is a sign, on the right, off of the beach, that reads, one has to stay in the water, (is not allowed on land) to go on around the bend on the beach, to continue.
My point is this. A ranger came by my campsite on my 9th day. Told me, l was not allowed to set up in the dunes. I had to be camping on the beach. I was only about 25 feet in. If l had of been on the beach, water would of flooded everything. I know, because l watched it happen.
Then the ranger says, that l could only go about a 100 yards farther. In the direction of the sign, l mentioned earlier. The only sign l saw, was the big rectangular wooded sign, that tells about rules, like turtle nesting season, no alcohol, etc. It said nothing about, where the boundaries lines, to where l am allowed or go.
Sorry for the letter, but something is wrong about all of this.
Thanks,
Derrick Hamrick
Hi Derrick,
Sorry for the late reply (had some website glitches). You might have been in the bird protection area in the middle 3rd of the island. Camping is allowed on the South Public Use Area only.
What would be the best time of year to camp on shell key?
Sorry for the late reply (had some website glitches)
For my part, I think winter is the best. Few bugs, cool nights, fewer crowds.
🙂
Hi! Are bonfires allowed in June? Thank you!
Sorry, bonfires are not allowed between May 1 – Sept. 30.
Hello am I receiving the correct information even with permits site 2 pet friendly?!
Hi Kari,
You might be mixing up the official campsites at Ft. Desoto campgrounds with Shell Key’s “primitive camping”. Ft. Desoto campgrounds are accessible by car and are pet friendly. However, Shell Key is only accessible by boat and there are no pets allowed on the island. They both use the same online registration system but are very different camping experiences. Make sure you are looking at the right tab on the county’s registration website. Shell Key camping is ‘primitive’ camping only – so there are no defined campsites and you need to bring your own toilet, shade, etc. More info here …
Hope this helps!
Can you have a grill with charcoal/wood chips or propane on the south side during the turtle season?
Hi Scott,
Absolutely – grills are allowed during turtle hatching season. And thanks for asking 🙂 Mindfulness and common sense should help keep any hatching turtles pointed in the right direction 😉
Clear skies!
im planning a trip for may and was wondering if a hammock have a place to hang instead of a tent?
Hi Raymond,
There are not a lot of large trees that are close enough together for a hammock – but you might find something near the upland mangroves. I would be prepared with a backup plan.
Good luck!
Can you rent kayaks from desoto park and kayak to camp with them overnight at the preserve ?
Hi Jessie,
As far as I know, they do not rent kayaks for overnight trips. But it couldn’t hurt to ask.
Good Luck!