Northwest Florida
The summer months bring campers to the pure white sand and clear emerald green waters of Northwest Florida's beaches, which may be a bit cool during the winter months for beach camping. Campgrounds in this part of the state are busiest from March through August and on holiday weekends. Where south Florida has palms, northwest Florida has pine trees—lots and lots of pine trees. This is one of the quietest and least developed areas in the state and it is a pleasure to drive along Highway 98, which closely parallels the coast.
The Pensacola area is home to Johnson Beach, part of Gulf Islands National Seashore on Perdido Key.
It offers primitive camping, with some minor sand-hiking, on its far eastern edge. Sugar-white sand, rolling sand dunes and wetlands make up the landscape of this peaceful camping destination.
Just across the bridge from Perdido Key, Big Lagoon separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. It boasts 704 acres, including beaches, shallow bays, nature trails and open woodlands. The park is a haven for nature lovers, and offers kayaking, hiking, fishing, birding and more. Its 75 camping spots are equipped with water and electricity, and accommodate both RV’s and tents.
Here's another of Pensacola’s delectable beach offerings. Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, on the west end of Pensacola Beach, it features a historic fort. It also boasts miles of sugar-sand beach – and its camping locations are located just across the street from it. Its 200 camping sites include tent camping and RV camping areas for RV’s up to 50 feet. The sites include water, electricity and picnic tables.
Just offshore from Apalachicola, you’ll find St. George Island, home to a magnificent state park. If nine miles of white-sand beaches sounds tempting to you, consider reserving one of its 60 campsites. The campsites, located between the Bay and Gulf, are about a half-mile from the beach. They’re nestled under a canopy of pines, and offer electric, water and a central dump station. The park also offers primitive camping and a group camp area. The primitive camp is located at the end of a two-and-a-half mile trail, and is also accessible by canoe or kayak. There are no facilities or water at the primitive camp, while the group camp is designed for organized groups and offers a restroom and cold showers. Fishing and shelling are exceptional at the park. With a special permit and an additional fee, fishermen can access East Pass. Common catches from the beach or bay include redfish, mackerel, trout, whiting, flounder and more.
This campsite on the Emerald Coast is directly on the bay, and just across the street from the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s convenient to restaurants, entertainment and more.
This Miramar/Destin site offers an assortment of RV sites - from open beachfront sites with a view of the Gulf to tree shaded, grassy sites. Every RV Site is within walking distance to the Gulf of Mexico's emerald hued waters.
Located half way between Pensacola and Destin on Santa Rosa Sound, this is one of the closest RV Parks to the Gulf.
St. Andrews is at the east end of Panama City Beach. At any one of the 176 campsites, you can get away from it all without being too far away.
Located roughly halfway between Panama City Beach and Destin, south of U.S. Highway 98, this park is a quiet respite that encompasses an award-winning beach. Its campground scores high marks for privacy between campsites and most are easy on the eyes: some campsites even overlook a lake.
Cabins are available as well.
