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.
Howdy Jack,
I am planning my 50th birthday and want to spend 2 weeks alone camping out on this island. What is the best way to get myself and limited amount of gear there? I would prefer to be in isolation, as much as possible, do you know of a local captain for hire that can get me to the primitive area without having to lug my gear since iām doing this adventure solo? Mainly Iām considering the weight of water for 2 weeks supply. Or, if you know if a different location for primitive camping where the chances of me seeing another human is rare. Thanks!!
Hi Monica,
Congrats on 50 laps around the Sun š I don’t know any captains for that small a private charter, but I believe the Island Ferry will take you out to the island for camping. If you are local, you could always treat yourself to a swell new kayak for your birthday š
As for the best spot for privacy, I like the Gulf side of the South Public Use area. There are far fewer people on that corner of the island compared to the Bunces Pass (south) side. Lucky for you, this time of year sees far fewer visitors to the island, so you should have no problem finding solitude. You can set up either near the gulf side or the bay side. The Gulf side gets a nice breeze. There are occasionally people strolling down the beach, but the tall dunes start right at the edge of the beach and will hide your camp from view of passers by.
I know of no other primitive camping areas in this corner of the state. There are a few nice forests – like the Ocala National Forest in North Central Florida.
For a 2 week trip, I recommend carrying a small handheld vhf radio just in case your cell phone dies or you get poor reception. I’ve never had a problem getting a good signal but I always have a VHF on my boat so I can communicate directly with boaters, fishermen & law enforcement in the immediate area.
Here’s wishing you good luck and a Happy Birthday!
Hello,
My husband and I are planning to kayak out for a night of camping. How would I register if I do t have a vessel number?
Thanks!
Hi Jamie,
I believe you can just put in your phone number for that field in the registration form. I haven’t seen any official statement to that effect, but I believe that’s what most people do.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack ,
Is there any shade on the island ?
I have read 2 different permit prices
Some say $6 others say $50.
We have never been to Shell Key and are excited.
Hi Mitzi,
There are a few scattered trees and some upland mangroves – so there’s enough shade for survival. That said, I always bring a shade canopy of some kind – or at least a big umbrella.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack,
With Shell Key being a wilderness/primitive camping experience what do you think about 4-5 days camping in January with three young boys under the age of 6?
Phil
Hi Phil,
I think they will have a blast with memories to last a lifetime. We started camping with our daughter on Shell Key when she was only 6 months old and she always had a wonderful time. Just bring plenty of good bedding, comfort food and some firewood for ambiance. A shade canopy would be good too – even in January. With 3 boys, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a well stocked first aid kit š
Hope this helps!
How do I know what the permits offer per the numbers ?
I’m looking for a map to see where the sites are and there is nothing . I’m so confused about trying to purchase a camping weekend and trying to have a good spot and what permit numbers are for .
Hi Renee,
There are no individual campsites on Shell Key. You can basically camp anywhere in the south pubic use area. One permit covers 6 people. There is no place to check in – and in all likelihood, no one will ask to see your permit. On rare occasions (busy holidays) there may be law enforcement on the island, but most of the time you are on the honor system. Remember also that there are no facilities on the island – no bathrooms or buildings of any kind. So be prepared for wilderness style camping. You will also need to bring a toilet of some kind and to pack out all your waste (including human waste).
Hope this helps!
Are there specific designated sites when camping in shell key island?
Hi Paulo,
There are no campsites or facilities of any kind on the island. Primitive camping is allowed in the south public use area only.
Hope this helps!
It’s been a couple years since I camped there and seems the rules have changed? They didn’t use to charge which is no big deal but the limit of campers is different. One of the days I want to cmap isn’t full but won’t let me book?
Hi Michele,
I agree that the limit of campers doesn’t make sense since the island has almost never been filled to capacity as described by the Shell Key Management Plan. If you haven’t already tried just booking for one person you might try that. You are unlikely to have your permit checked for the right number of people by law enforcement. You could also contact the county directly through their website to se if they can solve the problem on their web registration form.
Best of luck,
Hi i would like to camping this FEB 12. CAN YOU SEND ME THE ADDRESS FOR THE PLACE. HOW MUCH I HAVE TO PAY IT.
Hi Mirna,
There is no address for Shell Key – it is an island and requires a boat to visit. Camping permits can be obtained at the County’s website.
Hope this helps!
If Iām taking my own boat to the south side and sleeping on my boat do I need a camping permit I see something about a $6 fee per boat ? And can I have a fire on the beach if I am not camping on the island ?
Hi Patrick,
If you are sleeping in your boat, you are not required to have a permit. And having a campfire on the island is legal – even if you are not camping. The only grey area that I could think of is: What if you leave your campfire in place (uncleaned) overnight? I typically put out the fire and clean the pit as I would if I were leaving – before heading to the boat for the night. Whenever there is a grey area in the law, my preference is to err on the side of covering my rear end – in case I run into a young recruit, fresh out of the Police Academy, looking to make a name for himself. So I typically pay the 6 bucks – even if I’m sleeping on the boat. That being said, the likelihood of running into law enforcement is very low except on busy holiday weekends.
Hope this helps!
When camping on Shell key preserve where can I launch from?
Hi Robbyann,
If you are launching a kayak, you can go to the Pinellas Bayway launch site – if you have a larger boat, go to the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps.
Have fun!
Hi Jack!
We know that campfires are not allowed until Sep due to turtle nesting. We wonder if we can bring candles and torches to camping? or just lanterns? Thank you!
Howdy Maria,
The campfire ordinance does not mention candles or torches, so you should be fine. As I understand it, turtles are most attracted to artificial blue light (like ‘daylight’ bulbs or some lanterns) because it mimics the sunlight reflected by the moon. The dimmer amber candle light is unlikely to cause a problem. However, if you do see a clutch of turtle hatchlings waddling toward your torch, be sure to grab it and march to the water like a pied piper so they don’t lose their way. š
Have fun!
Hi Jack,
Can a portable firepit be used instead of a campfire on the ground. Please see url. Thanks!
https://dgitrends.com/products/portable-fire-pit-folding-fire-pit-wood-fire-pit-portable-bonfire?currency=USD&variant=33251410182241&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=gs-2018-10-05&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0rCtzvj28AIVmajICh3PBQG4EAQYCiABEgJIQvD_BwE
Hi Jay,
That’s an interesting suggestion. My guess is that such a fire would still be prohibited due to the light that it gives off. In fact, it might actually be worse than a small fire pit in the sand due to the increased/raised light profile. We have to consider the reason for the fire pit ban – which is the possibility that the light from the fire will cause hatchling sea turtles to go the wrong direction and not find their way to the water. The argument is that the turtle hatchlings are programmed to move toward moonlight – so you would think a raised fire would cause more of a distraction than one in a dug-out pit in the ground. The question that occurs to me with this argument is that the location of the moon in relation to the shore changes daily – so there would be plenty of times that the moon would guide the hatchlings in the wrong direction. On the other hand, it could be that it is the moonlight reflecting off the water which attracts the hatchlings – so a ground fire might actually be a greater concern because it’s at a similar elevation as the water. So it would seem to me that a fire pit dug into the ground with a high berm to block the light would be the least intrusive to the hatching turtles – but to be clear, this is not allowed either. I have kept box turtles (not the same, but certainly related) in an outdoor habitat for most of my life – and am well aware of their tendency to react to flickering movements (mostly in relation to prey) – so it would not be surprising to me that sea turtle hatchlings would react by moving toward the moonlight flickering off of the ocean waves. If this were the case, then it would not matter as much which direction the moon is located – because its the reflection on the moving water that matters. It would also suggest that the flickering movement of a fire would attract the turtles more than a steady source of light. I have only ever seen anecdotal reports that bonfires are a problem for hatching sea turtles – but I have never seen a study which substantiates the claim. Nevertheless, as long as the rule is in place, we have no choice but to respect it and abide by the spirit of the law. Raised charcoal or propane grills are not included in the ban because they don’t put out as much light as an open fire.
Hope this helps!