The best river, stream, or creek cabin rentals near Destin, Florida

Take the dreamy sunsets and sugary sands of Florida’s Emerald Coast, throw in a bar and restaurant-lined harbor, a handful of golf courses, and a state park, and you’ve got Destin, one of the Panhandle’s most popular beach resorts. Perched on a peninsula between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, sunseekers have a choice of beaches in Destin, where you can swim, snorkel, parasail, cruise the coast in search of dolphins, or cool off at a waterpark. RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds are dotted along the peninsula, or you can camp amid the sand dunes at Henderson Beach State Park.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Take the dreamy sunsets and sugary sands of Florida’s Emerald Coast, throw in a bar and restaurant-lined harbor, a handful of golf courses, and a state park, and you’ve got Destin, one of the Panhandle’s most popular beach resorts. Perched on a peninsula between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, sunseekers have a choice of beaches in Destin, where you can swim, snorkel, parasail, cruise the coast in search of dolphins, or cool off at a waterpark. RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds are dotted along the peninsula, or you can camp amid the sand dunes at Henderson Beach State Park.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Larry & Sheila's Blackwater Getaway

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46mi from Destin · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Wing, AL

WEDDINGS, Vow Renewals, Special Anniversary, Family Reunion, Large Parties? Enjoy It All River Side With Rustic But Elegant Vibes. One Of The Host Is An Ordained Minister; The Other Host Is An Event Planner/ Designer. Different Package Options Are Available. Come Plan Your Special Day with Us. Two Month Minimum Notice on Booking If You Wish for Hosts to Plan/Decorate for Your Event. 50 Guest Maximum. Two Night Minimum Booking For Event. $2300 Covers Reservation Of Property, Decorations and Cleanup. Food Packages, DJ.'s ETC Will Be Additional According To Your Individual Needs. This listing will accommodate Two Full 30 Amp RV Hookups for Your Wedding Party with Lots of Extra Space to Pitch a Tent and Park Your Guests. Cabin and Additional RV Site Coming Now Available. Check Out Our Other Listings For More Details.

2. Lake City Campground

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45mi from Destin · 14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Florala, AL

Just a 10-minute drive to Lake Jackson, Alabama’s only natural lake, this peaceful camping retreat is the perfect place for families to relax and enjoy nature. Positioned in the city of Florala, this campground is a combination of Florida Sunshine and Alabama heritage making it a valuable repository of outdoor activities and perfect for the history-seeking enthusiast. This veteran-owned and operated campground provides a place where family time is revisited with games and campfire stories. Memories can be made in only a short drive for shaded picnics on the beaches of Florala State Park, exploring the peaceful downtown antique shops, or just a shaded stroll through 21+ acres of nature located right outside your door. This location is also an affordable destination for visiting the beaches of Destin, Ft. Walton, or Navarre. Being just an hour drive away, you can spend time enjoying the refreshing salt air, and then return to the campground for some time to relax in the serenity of nature.

3. LappinLand

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46mi from Destin · 1 site · Lodging · Wing, AL

Discover Serenity at LappinLand Escape to this peaceful riverfront cabin tucked into nature in rural Escambia County, Alabama. This cozy getaway accommodates up to 4 guests with 2 bedrooms, 2 beds, and a full bathroom—offering the perfect balance of rustic charm and modern comfort. What You’ll Love Relax by the river on hammocks, listening to the gentle flow of water. Unwind beside the fire pit under a brilliant starry sky. Enjoy convenient amenities like heating, air conditioning, and on-demand hot water. Cook meals in the full kitchen and freshen up in clean, modern bathroom facilities. Bring your own drinking water; the artesian well water is mineral-rich and best used for other needs. Pets are welcome and can roam off-leash. On the Land The cabin is surrounded by forest and trails, with three state forests bordering the property. A shooting range and race track are located about five miles away, offering a mix of peaceful nature and nearby activity. Ideal For Couples or small groups looking for a quiet river retreat Nature lovers who enjoy hiking, relaxing in hammocks, or stargazing Pet-friendly travelers Practical Details Starting at $48/night Campfires allowed Flush toilets and showers available Pets allowed, off leash Nearby Adventure With forests, trails, and scenic natural areas all around, this is an ideal base for exploring Alabama’s outdoors—or simply disconnecting and relaxing by the river.

4. Elegant Log Cabin Creekside

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46mi from Destin · 1 site · Lodging · AL

Forget your worries in this spacious and serene space located in the Conecuh National Forest. Cabin has small amount of steps on front and is 3 levels on the back, overlooking the forest and trail down to the creek. Spacious back porch with several comfortable rocking chairs allows for birdwatching and visiting. Down the trail 2-3 min walking or driving is a covered pavilion and beautiful creekside private sandbar. Wifi and phone are spotty. Conveniently located close to fishing lakes.

Stories from the community

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Michelle

September 2025

4 nights at Elegant Log Cabin Creekside

What a beautiful place to relax and let the noise of the world fade away. The property is spacious, with plenty of shade and room to run and play, plus a lovely walking trail that leads down to the creek. Though the creek is narrow, it was perfect for walking the full creek bed with our dog as he learns the river. Along the way, we found several swimming holes that were just deep enough to cool off, but never too deep to be safe. The fire pit is beautifully laid out and makes the perfect spot for morning coffee in the shade. The house itself is neat, clean, and tidy, with everything thoughtfully put together — it truly feels like a cozy cabin in the woods. We especially appreciated how private and dog-friendly the property is. Our pittie boy had the best time exploring, swimming, and enjoying the simple pleasures of the private beach and creek walks. It’s exactly the kind of secluded getaway we’re always searching for, and we’ve already added it to our trip planner for future visits. Mary was so very pleasant, patient and accommodating. I felt very welcomed and at home. Thank you Mary :)

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Tammy

August 2025

With pets

4 nights at Elegant Log Cabin Creekside

I cannot say enough about this cabin and the host Mary, location, privacy and all of the provided amenities. Wonderful place to just hang out at the creek and disconnect from the everyday hustle of work. Mary has done an outstanding job she has provided basically everything you need (you will need extra ice)

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Amy

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Elegant Log Cabin Creekside

Beautiful rustic yet elegant log cabin In a remote location with no one else in sight from the property. Private beach on the river, which the grandkids loved. There is a large pavillion down by the creek. A firepit and grill behind the house and a large back porch. Absolutely wonderful place to unplug and spend time with family. The house does have wi-fi and Hughes Net if you choose to stay plugged in. Very spotty cell service. We had a great time. Lightning hit nearby while we were there and we lost power. Mary was readily available to contact the power company and stayed in close contact until the issues were resolved. She offered to refund our remaining days if we wanted to check out but we were enjoying ourselves so much we stayed anyway. Would definitely recommend the cabin. Great location, beautiful home and attentive hostess. What else do you need?!

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Alexandria

June 2025

2 nights at Elegant Log Cabin Creekside

This beautiful home was even better than advertised. We had a great stay with our 3 little kids and dog. The creek access is amazing and there is more than enough outdoor space to run around in. The home is immaculate and the host is extremely communicative and helpful. Thank you Mary.

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April

June 2025

With pets

2 nights at Larry & Sheila's Blackwater Getaway

Quiet and clean- this off grid location is the perfect spot to get away from it all. We enjoyed the nature and the cool river. Our host was gracious and bed cozy. We are sure to return!

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Shelby

March 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Larry & Sheila's Blackwater Getaway

We lucked out here. We had a quiet weekend (as you can with THREE boys 12,13,13). Sheila and Larry were so friendly, they stopped in a bit after we arrived. We were able to chat a bit while we were allowing the boys to be boys… sometimes it’s hard to be able to. It was so refreshing for me to enjoy nature and let the boys do the work and run like heathens for once. We will most definitely be back to this beautiful piece of property.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best river, stream, or creek cabins near Destin guide

Where to go

Emerald Coast

Sandy beaches and turquoise waters stretch along Florida’s aptly nicknamed Emerald Coast. East of Destin, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park have popular coastal campgrounds, or you can head inland to hike, bike, and horseback ride in the Point Washington State Forest. A little further, check into an RV resort at Panama City Beach and enjoy water sports along the Grand Lagoon.

Gulf Islands

West of Destin, scenic barrier islands stretch all the way to the Alabama border. You can hike to coastal marshes and pristine beaches, then pitch your tent right on the sand at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Or, seek out a secluded beach or fishing spot along Okaloosa or Santa Rosa islands.

Okaloosa County

Coastal parks, campgrounds, and boat launches pepper the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, north of Destin. Heading inland, the rambling woodlands of Blackwater River State Forest provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and fishing, along with a choice of campgrounds.

When to go

Summer is peak season in Destin, when temperatures soar into the high 80s°F, and prices shoot up accordingly. Opt for a spring or fall visit to avoid the crowds—it will still be warm enough to hit the beach, and you can benefit from shoulder-season rates too. Many campgrounds stay open year-round, but be aware that seasonal activities and services may close down over winter.

Know before you go

Destin has plenty of supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations, and you’ll find several shops selling camping and outdoor supplies.
Day-use fees apply in all Florida state parks, as well as campsite booking fees.
Stingrays are common in the Gulf from May through October, so take care when swimming, and always follow warning flags and local advice. Bug spray is equally a must for coastal camping.