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Bay Forest Retreat

96%
·
· Navarre, Florida
11 acres
4 sites
1 Glamping
1 Caravan
2 Tent
Explore 11+ acres of rustic and untamed woods. We are two military veteran families who enjoy the land as a place for family and friends to explore, camp, and relax at the 250+ feet of the East Bay beach. Primitive camping is permitted at designated wooded high grounds in the middle of the property. It is a 5 and 10-minute rugged hike in to the middle ground and waterfront, respectively. The trail remains under development, so please bring close-toed shoes or boots for hiking throughout the property (depending on rainfall, there may be mud and water). Our Glamper is a 10x12 canvas furnished tent located a short but rugged 2-minute hike from parking. It provides the opportunity to go camping without having to pack all the gear. Our location is minutes from the Emerald Coast - 7 mins to Navarre Beach, - 30 mins to Pensacola Beach, - 15 mins to Naval Live Oaks, - 45 mins to Fort Pickens, - 50 mins to NAS Pensacola, - 45 mins to Santa Rosa Island, - 35 mins to Okaloosa Island, - 40 mins to Destin. Recommended local restaurants: Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, Dewey Destin’s, Windjammers, TC’s Front Porch, Deb’s Coffee, Top’s Burgers, and New York Pizza Depot. Other sightseeing in the area includes: Museums: National Naval Aviation Museum, Air Force Armament Museum, Fort Pickens, Indian Temple Mound Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Museum of Industry, and Destin History & Fishing Museum Additional activities include: Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, HH Arts Gallery, Emerald Coast Science Center, Gulf Breeze Zoo, and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Available sites
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Location
Navarre, Florida, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Hilary S.Joined in March 2021
96%
170 Ratings · 138 reviews
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Nathan S.recommends
March 15, 2023
RV Bay Forest Retreat
We had an amazing time tent camping here. It’s a perfect mix of a rural getaway and a beach trip. The trail to the beach bay was awesome and a great way to spend the mornings. The host were very friendly and communication was great. Highly recommend staying here to anyone.
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Anna Y.recommends
March 15, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Tent camped on the bay. It was great waking up to the water. The hosts were very friendly, I would recommend!
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Scojo W.recommends
March 13, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Peaceful nature getaway
Awesome experience. Short trail hike to spacious clearing with multiple sites and a glamping spot! Close to everything and in nature. Met the host. Great peeps and passionate about the land and being eco friendly. We didn’t get a chance to set up camp on the bay but next time. We will be back soon
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Rena C.recommends
March 12, 2023
RV Bay Forest Retreat
Good visit, quiet night & nice walk along the forest trail.
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Sydney R.recommends
March 9, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
This was a little oasis 7 minutes driving to the beach, but didn’t feel salty or like you were even close to town. The couple that owns it was so sweet and accommodating, and live just a short distance away in case something was needed. The primitive sight was maybe a 4 minute walk to where we set up camp from where we parked and the couple offered to help us bring everything out even offering to help us set the tent up. Very roomy and would love to bring a group of friends to go camping together there! Just another short 5 minute or so walk further back, you have access to your own little private beach. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back!
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Dana M.recommends
February 25, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
1st Experience
We were greeted immediately upon our arrival by the host. She was so friendly & took time to walk us thru the campgrounds & explain all the features. The grounds were very clean & set up nicely for each campers private experience. Plenty of room for a group or individual campers. There was available electric & water for RVs & campers alike. It was very quiet even though it was pretty close to a main streetcar & pretty secluded. The potta-potty was clean & there was very nice laid out path to the beautiful scenic lake. This campground seems to be more new & developing. There is so much potential for an amazing layout for guests as the progress in their endeavors. The only suggestion I would make is to possibly create a pathway or widen the current one for campers that use or need vehicles while camping to access the rear campground instead of using wagons or carriers. Other than that...it was a great experience. We will definitely visit again in the future
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Mike (P. Michael) Q.recommends
February 24, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
We spent a night at this convenient stop. The hosts communicated clearly, precisely, and with genuine care about our experience. The equipment tote to the tent sites was inconvenient for this old geezer, but backpackers and fit folks should have no problem with the portages. Maybe they plan extend the road for car campers as there were piles of fill looking awkwardly handy for such a project.
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Jennifer G.recommends
February 23, 2023
The Glamper at Bay Forest
Great spot
We loved our stay and would stay again!! Great tent, soft bed, great bay front property
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Ryan R.recommends
February 19, 2023
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Beautiful campsite! They’ve got a fun path to walk right up to the water and Kayaks and a picnic table.
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Serrena A.recommends
February 4, 2023
The Glamper at Bay Forest
We didn’t Want to leave!
Words do not describe how amazing this place is! The directions were very detailed. We arrived after dark…. It sparked a feeling of camping adventure that was so exciting. The path to our site was very nice and very well laid out with lights assuring us we were headed to our destination. Our glamping tent had a nice very comfy bed, with warm bedding. The little details to everything felt very hospitable, secluded, and leisurely. Plenty of campfire wood. The restroom are was extremely clean! Hands down, no questions asked….. you absolutely will love the land! We are already planning on our next visit, with a much longer stay! Thank you again for everything!
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Nick P.recommends
December 23, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
I set up camp for the evening and then a big storm front came in off the ocean. There were tornado watches. I was camping with a hammock. I was able to pack up and get a refund, courtesy of Hilary and Jennifer. Much appreciation!
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Lyn T.recommends
October 20, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
The Glamper was really a fun experience overall. Comfy bed in a tidy tent with tons of boho charm. We cooked over the campfire multiple times using the provided grate. Clean porta-potty was a giant plus since there’s no potable water or electricity at this particular campsite. Loved fishing from the bayside area too! We arrived after dark and the lack of signage directing us to the wooded trail was a bit challenging but we figured it out with the help of other campers. Something to consider would be improving signage at trail sides and each campsite would be helpful. Will definitely be back!
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Logan J.recommends
October 4, 2022
RV Bay Forest Retreat
Easy to find, accomodations are what I needed. Very friendly hosts!!
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Tippin H.recommends
September 29, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
Hilary and Jennifer's glampsite is in a great location, secluded, yet still very convenient to Navarre Beach. Instructions and communication were excellent. The listing is described accurately and everything they did to prepare the accommodations made my trip stress free.
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Kristin B.recommends
September 19, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Tent Camping in Navarre
We loved staying at Hilary and Jennifer's privative camping site. The walk/hike to the site was just far away from the parking lot to feel like an adventure without being too laborious. We had a nice campfire one of the nights and roasted some marshmallows. The palmettos and trees were nice. Saw a few frogs at night and were serenaded by the cicadas. The port-a-potty was very close to the campsites and extremely clean. I would recommend this site to friends/family.
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Tara M.recommends
September 18, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
best glamper ever!
10/10 would recommend!! it was my second time going, and it only got better. i’m definitely going to come back soon. the waterfront is beautiful.
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Ashley C.recommends
September 13, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
A beautiful and secluded campsite.
Hilary, Jeniffer, and Thomas are awesome! They are very down to earth, and super accommodating. As you walk the property you can tell that they have put in a lot of hard work (and continue to do so) to make this a 5 star campsite, such as the outdoor showers, the trail that leads to the water, and bridges along the trail. I tent camped here for a week and it was a beautiful experience. Sunsets are beautiful in the evening, and once the sun goes down you can see fireflies at night, which is something I haven’t seen since I was a kid in the 80’s! And it is extremely peaceful to take the kayak out for some fishing, though I hear live/cut baits work the best out there. There are 2 things I’d recommend if you’re tent camping, or just walking the trails: a headlamp so you can see where you are going at night, and watershoes, though regular sneakers are fine too if you don’t mind getting your shoes a little dirty/wet. However, the hosts are doing lots of hard work to maintain the trail so that it is as dry as it can get. 
 Overall, I loved my stay at this retreat! I would definitely stay here again. Thanks again to Hilary, Jeniffer, and Thomas for making this beautiful property into something that campers like myself will remember and cherish for a very long time!
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Joshua N.recommends
September 12, 2022
RV Bay Forest Retreat
cool basecamp for navarre and beaches
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Kris B.recommends
August 28, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
They’re clearly working to constantly improve the land for campers without doing unnecessary damage. Really liked the site and vibe.
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Kris B.recommends
August 28, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
The hosts were very responsive and helpful, and the primitive tent campsites were perfectly secluded with just enough amenities (water & portable restroom) to make the stay pleasant and convenient.
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Luther R.recommends
August 23, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
Would recommend to everyone!
We had a great experience at Bay Forest. Thomas and his wife were very friendly and helpful! We were very pleased with our stay from the preset tent, to the hiking trails, to the complimentary kayaks that were provided, and they are always adding new things! We will be staying again this fall!
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Kristen H.recommends
August 20, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Great host and beautiful spot
Host was extremely responsive and very accommodating when we postponed the trip due to bad weather!! Super clean and such an awesome spot. Went kayaking in the morning; so peaceful. Highly recommend!!
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Amanda F.recommends
August 7, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
Tent was very clean and easy to find!!! We really loved how private the site was too! I would recommend to anyone wanting to camp who doesn’t want to be around the masses.
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Brittney K.
July 28, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
This would be a great site if you're planning on spending most of your time here. We were just staying for the night and were bummed by how far our cars needed to be from the site. Did not love hiking our gear across a swampy trail, but wouldn't have minded so much if we were staying longer. We also paid the extra $5 for the firewood which was not at our site, so we had to hike back to pick up the firewood which was wet and a pain to maintain.
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Jul F.recommends
July 27, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
We had a great time! My daughter and I were here from Virginia...spur of the moment trip. It was the first time staying at a primitive camp. We were lucky enough to get an open spot for 2 nights. Hilary and Jennifer were quick to respond and informative. It was obvious a lot of thought went into the site and that they want to continue to add to the experience. We were tent camping and had a short walk through a beautiful scenic path. We chose to be away after dark so the walk to the tent was amusing. There were low level solar lights. The next day we explored another path to a lake...breathtaking. I'm not used to cold showers, but it was refreshing after a day at the beach. Port o pottie was clean. Overall, it was a great experience and I would go again!!!
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Philip B.recommends
July 21, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
I loved staying here for a few nights! Was a short drive to the beach, peaceful at night and worth the price. I laid in bed one morning listening to the rain for about 3 hours.
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Dixie L.recommends
July 15, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Hilary and Jennifer are very accommodating and welcoming!
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Shantal G.recommends
July 12, 2022
The Glamper at Bay Forest
We had a wonderful family time together, everything was so peaceful with nature even with the rain ! The tent was big enough for all 6 of us ! And it was more then I could have expected! The amenities was a plus ! This was my first time canoeing and I loved it ! Oh and we seen a pool of dolphins which was really awesome! Thanks for the great space you all provide! This was an great first time experience for my family
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Andrew M.recommends
July 4, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
Had a wonderful time on the property. Everything was just a described. Clean porta-potty. Loved the outdoor shower. It was perfect after a hike.
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Aaron M.recommends
June 27, 2022
Bay Forest Primitive Retreat
I had a pleasant stay
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Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.