Spend the Night at Florida’s Most Haunted Campground for a Truly Terrifying Experience

There are many haunted places in Florida. Some of the most famous include the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, and the Cuban Club in Tampa. But did you know that there are also local parks in Florida that are haunted by ghostly presents? And some overnight guests have reported strange things happening at these parks after dark. 

If you have ever wanted to spend the night in a haunted campground in Florida, then I’ve got the perfect destination for a truly bone-chilling experience. The campground at Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg, just might provide more than an enjoyable weekend out in the wilderness. If you’re brave enough, pack your camping gear and come with us on this haunting adventure in Florida.

Fort De Soto Park, with its stunning beaches and beautiful campground, is a great place to spend a weekend in Florida. The 1,100-acre park is a gorgeous oasis consisting of five interconnected islands also known as keys. The islands are a habitat full of mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods, and various species of native and tropical plants. And with over 300 species of birds, it's a paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers alike.

While there are tons of reasons to visit this gorgeous park, another would be to spend the night at the haunted campground here. The Fort De Soto campground boasts over 200 sites, and many offer a quiet, shady spaces to spend the night. And while these sights are quite beautiful (some with waterfront views), when the sun goes down, you might experience one of the many ghosts who supposedly haunt the campsites.

Legend has it that the fort at the park is haunted by the spirits of restless souls who suffered from diseases, accidents, and some suicides. Although there were no formal battles at the fort, it served multiple purposes during the Spanish American War and even as late as 1980, where it was used as a temporary morgue after the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Since its construction in 1900, there have been tremendous levels of suffering at the park including the miserable heat that soldiers had to bear as well as the aggressive mosquitoes that carried the deadly yellow fever disease. As a result of the outbreak, one of the islands was used as a quarantine station.

Many deaths were reported at Mullet Key Quarantine Station including that of a mother and her four children, who are believed to still roam the park. Additionally, there were reports of soldiers committing suicide due to the harsh conditions at the fort. I can only imagine the level of suffering and tragedy that happened here, and it's easy to understand why the souls have remained restless.

As far as camping in the park, many overnight visitors often report hearing and even seeing soldiers and weary spirits wandering around. One reported ghost at Fort Desoto Park is that of a man looking for his lost lover. He’s seen wearing a blue shirt and wading out into the water never to be seen again. Yikes!

The area might also be haunted by native Tocobaga tribe members, who were killed by Spanish explorers and the diseases they brought. Spanish explorers, and perhaps even Hernando de Soto (the namesake of the park) himself have also been thought to roam these campsites at night. Strange noises and rustling sounds are often heard here. Of course, sometimes there's an explanation for these creepy sounds, including racoons and other night crawling creatures.

About three million people go camping in Florida at this park every year. I wonder how many have experienced something paranormal. While I can't confirm or deny these hauntings, and I'm not sure I believe them, but I'm convinced that I might get more than I bargained for if I stayed here overnight! How about you? Have you experienced any paranormal activity at this haunted campground in Florida?

What is your favorite haunted destination in the state to visit? Ready to experience more haunted Florida? Check out this historic fortress in St. Augustine that is said to be one of the most haunted places in the country. Or when you feel inspired, use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to personalize your own creepy adventure in Florida.