The best private sites RV campgrounds in Florida Panhandle

Northwest Florida runs parallel to Alabama and toward Mississippi—but it packs the best of the state into one last handle. Quaint beach towns, verdant parks, and diverse forests cover the region. You can start your camping trip south of Tallahassee and stretch your legs during a hike along a Florida National Scenic Trail. Or, when the Sunshine State’s sunshine emerges in full force, take a dip at Panama City Beach. No matter where you go, you’re in good company, thanks to the Panhandle’s white sand beaches, nature preserves, and, oh yeah, the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.

98% (215)

Top-rated campgrounds

Northwest Florida runs parallel to Alabama and toward Mississippi—but it packs the best of the state into one last handle. Quaint beach towns, verdant parks, and diverse forests cover the region. You can start your camping trip south of Tallahassee and stretch your legs during a hike along a Florida National Scenic Trail. Or, when the Sunshine State’s sunshine emerges in full force, take a dip at Panama City Beach. No matter where you go, you’re in good company, thanks to the Panhandle’s white sand beaches, nature preserves, and, oh yeah, the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.

98% (215)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Wandering Path

100%

(383)

9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Milton, FL

Located 20 minutes north of downtown Milton, FL, The Wandering Path is a serene escape, offering a unique blend of untouched natural beauty and comfortable accommodations. With 2000 feet of waterfront along the picturesque Coldwater Creek, this nature retreat is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, set within a sprawling 20-acre landscape. Accommodations at The Wandering Path are designed for those seeking a peaceful retreat. 4 glamping tents, equipped with real full-size beds, portable AC for summer, heaters for winter, and essential amenities, ensure a comfortable stay amidst nature. Each tent is adorned with solar string lights, and outdoor essentials like a picnic table, fire pit ring, small charcoal grill, and trash can are provided. There is 1 RV site with 30 amp electric and water. For those who prefer a more raw connection with nature, 4 primitive campsites are available, each equipped with solar string lights, a fire pit ring, and a trash can. Guests have access to a centrally located bathhouse with two full bathrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience. There is an outdoor kitchen for all guests to use. There is no cookware, silverware or dishes. There is a counter-top oven, toaster, 2 stove top burners, 1 flat top griddle, sink and keurig coffee maker. There are reusable k-cups for you to put your own coffee in, or your own k-cups. The property boasts 2000 feet of trails alongside the creek, perfect for hiking and exploring the natural surroundings. Kayak rentals are available for guests with appropriate vehicles, and fishing enthusiasts are welcome to cast their lines into the spring-fed creek. At The Wandering Path, nights come alive under a starlit sky, unblemished by city lights, making every evening perfect for a campfire. It’s more than just a stay; it’s an experience of tranquility, a chance to recharge amidst nature’s embrace. We look forward to becoming your go-to spot when you’re in need of recharging. We are less than 1 hour from Pensacola and Navarre beaches, 15-20 minutes to local grocery stores and restaurants. At this time, no pets or children under 12 are allowed in yurts. ***All pets do require prior approval to maintain the safety of other guests.

2. Kokomo Farms

100%

(209)

16 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Live Oak, FL

Kokomo Farms is an Organic rescue farm on approximately 20 acres. We named Kokomo Farms after our two loves. We traveled for years only to discover Kokomo is inside of us all . Our love for unwanted animals from horses, pigs chickens, ducks, dogs, birds (well you get the idea) allows us to care for rescued animals. We offer many different unique stays from our Glamping Netted Hanging Round Bed to a converted Shipping Container made into an Eco Friendly Tiny Home to even a Tiny House Cottage and a treehouse! Soak in our zen garden hot tub . The Zen garden is a peaceful botanical retreat. It's a fun and romantic vibe if you love animals to just relax and breathe! Bring a good book to read on the back porch of the Main house, add your artistic talents to our artwall, lie on our stargazing bed and enjoy our beautiful dark skies, meander thru the greenhouse, or enjoy our weekend community fires, or just Wander around Kokomo's spacious property which includes a beautiful Hammock of 200+ yr old Live Oak trees. Bring carrots to make horse friends. All our animals are retired but love to interact. Rent a Kayak from a local outfitter for the Historic Suwannee River and enjoy North Florida's best natural resources that are very nearby, or just visit our local beautiful springs for a swim or hike! Come enjoy a little of our paradise.

3. "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

99%

(353)

3 sites · Tents, RVs · Bristol, FL

R.V. DUMP STATION for guests! . ALL THREE sites now have large pull-through circular driveways! . "SWEET TUPELO" is a magical 12-acre RIVERFRONT property offering 3 riverfront R.V. sites, spaced 150 feet apart from each other. We're directly on the Apalachicola River, approximately 15 minutes south of Bristol, Florida. These campsites have so much to offer with sweeping water views on a wide bend of the river! The campsites feature: . 1. Waterfront R.V. camping sites spaced far enough from another camper for your enjoyment, (150 feet apart from each other with Site 1 and Site 3 having woods on one side). 2. Picnic table at EACH SITE. 3. Swivel-top charcoal grill at EACH SITE. 4. Fire Pit with wood Adirondack Chairs AT EACH SITE. 5. EACH SITE has a 30-amp and 50-amp hookup, plus 110v electric outlets, along with two city drinking water spigots, (bring your own RV electric cord and RV drinking water hose). 6. Room for boat parking 7. County-owned boat ramp, playground, restrooms, just 300 YARDS AWAY! 8. R.V. size limit recommendations: Site 1 up to 50', Site 2 up to 40', Site 3 up to 40'. . (For best results to see ALL features of our listing, including dates/availability of ALL 3 campsites, view our Hipcamp listing on a laptop rather than your mobile phone) . Our three "SWEET TUPELO" R.V. campsites are located on 12 riverfront acres in the northern Panhandle of Florida on the historic Apalachicola River. The name “Sweet Tupelo” is taken from the Tupelo tree that grows exclusively in the floodplains and sloughs along the Apalachicola River. Local bees make their honey with the pollen of these trees creating many unique health and taste benefits found only in this part of the world. When you venture back into civilization, make sure you pick up a jar of Tupelo honey. You won’t be disappointed! . "Sweet Tupelo" is located roughly halfway between Apalachicola and Chattahoochee, at the river's mile marker 60. This river is Florida's LARGEST by volume of water, stretching 103 miles from the FL/GA border in Chattahoochee to the historic fishing village of Apalachicola on the Gulf coast. . WE DO NOT OFFER RESTROOMS - You would use your RV bathroom and our RV Dump Station. . Quiet and respectful campers only! No loud parties allowed.

4. Gateway Trails

99%

(117)

8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Holt, FL

🌲 Gateway Trails – Wooded, Gated & Peaceful Getaway Welcome to Gateway Trails, a 14-acre gated and wooded campground bordering Blackwater River State Forest—your basecamp for North Florida’s best rivers, trails, and beaches. Whether you’re tent camping, van traveling, or bringing your RV, you’ll find spacious, private, and well-maintained sites surrounded by pines and native forest. 🦌 Enjoy both forest and coast — explore the creeks, canoe routes, and hiking trails of Blackwater River State Forest, or head 45 minutes south to the Emerald Coast beaches of Destin, Navarre, and Okaloosa Island. 🏕️ Campsites • 3 Full Hook-Up RV Sites – Water, electric & sewer (1 × 50 AMP, 2 × 30 AMP) • Water & Electric Site – Ideal for smaller RVs or vans • Tent/Car/Van Site – With water & electric hookup • Boondocking Site – Dry camping; dump station available ($10 fee) • Primitive Tent Site – Quiet, secluded forest spot 🚿 Amenities • 🧺 Washhouse – Full bathroom with shower, flush toilet & coin washer/dryer • 🚰 Dump Station – $10 use fee • 🚗 Secure Gated Entry for guest privacy • 🌐 Wi-Fi (spotty in some wooded areas) • 🐾 Pet Friendly – Off-leash time possible with host coordination • 🥾 ½-Mile Trail – On-site hiking & biking loop 📍 Location Highlights 3 mi → Baker or Holt for groceries & restaurants 7 min → I-10 Holt Exit 45 1.9 mi → Bone Creek Recreation Area 5 mi → Blackwater River access (via dirt road) 35–50 mi → Destin / Pensacola / Pensacola Beach Convenient stop for travelers from TX, LA, AL, or GA en route to Tampa or Walt Disney World! 🌿 Sounds of Nature Gateway Trails is a peaceful setting, but you may hear the friendly chorus of nearby farm life—donkeys braying, roosters crowing, cows mooing, or the occasional dog announcing deer in the forest. It’s all part of the charm of country camping! 🧺 Washhouse Courtesy & Cleanliness The washhouse is a shared courtesy space for all campers. Cleanliness and respect are mandatory. No one cleans up after you. Failure to follow rules may result in loss of access or removal without refund. Please ensure you’re aligned with our washhouse expectations before booking. 🌐 Find Us 📸 gatewaytrails850.com 📱 Instagram: @gatewaytrails850 💬 Facebook: Gateway Trails

5. Moonpie Farm and Creamery

97%

(378)

7 sites · Tents, RVs · Cottondale, FL

The property has been in my family since the early 1930s. the old homestead was my Great Grandparents, it still standing and I currently under demo once complete we are building a small cabin The old barn is now where most of the birds roost. The Greasy Skillet is now a big chicken coop. during hurricane Michael a big tree uprooted and up-rooted the concrete slab with it. What is now my home was my grandparent's house. I renovated some of it and moved in after the loss of my grandma. We are a WORKING FARM You will see and hear all the farm sounds! You can pet the goats . You never know their might even be baby goat to hold and bottle feed. There are chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, quail and turkeys galore. We now have Peacocks!!! We also have 4 BIG PIG that love ear scratches. We offer farm tours!!! There are livestock guardian dogs that protect the farm. They sleep lots during the day and patrol at night so they bark lots at night... We are a REAL WORKING FARM. You can join in on morning feeding or collet eggs. You can watch or help with morning milking! If you are real adventurous you can help around the farm!!! You can pitch you tent in the pine forest or in the open area next to the ponds! We make and sell homemade cheeses. Please check out our Farm Store ! We are conveniently located off of I-10 and hwy 231. We have numerus Florida State Parks within minutes of our location! Please DO NOT take Sapp Rd or Admiral Rd they do not go to the farm.

6. The Liddell's Paradise

100%

(69)

2 sites · RVs · Gonzalez, FL

Welcome to Liddell's Paradise! The perfect spot for full time or part time RVers to rest between places or to stop & explore our amazing town! We have a unique property (big rig friendly) and also have many amenities available to our guests. (Bathhouse, water & power hookups.) We are located in Beulah, FL and are known for our huge animated christmas light display during the christmas season. We are located about 30 mins from Pensacola Beach and nearby many local places to Eat. Publix & Walmart are about 3-5 min away. Our spot is the best of both worlds private and spacious but close to the amenities in town.

7. Twisted Oak Country Retreat

99%

(73)

3 sites · RVs · Monticello, FL

Twisted Oak Country Retreat is found in rural Jefferson County where there are only 14,000 residents. The quiet and peaceful property is home to many birds, from hummingbirds to falcons, in addition to squirrels, fox, and deer. Personal animal residents include chickens and Mandy, a well behaved dog that is happy to be leashed during your visit.

8. The Red Barn

96%

(28)

7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Crestview, FL

Nestled on 3 acres right next to blackwater national forest & yellow river management area. Lots of swimming, kayaking, fishing, hunting! Hunters delight! Also less than a hour drive to local beaches! Pensacola, Navarre, Ft. Walton! We offer kayaks on site for a small fee! There’s also several swimming areas on Blackwater river close by as well!

9. Dockside Campground

95%

(11)

4 sites · Tents, RVs · Steinhatchee, FL

Dockside campgrounds is on the Steinhatchee River. We are located only 1.5 miles from the public boat ramp and offer day use and overnight dockage. Our campground offers 4 beautiful lots with large palm trees and beautiful water views. We have full hook-ups at all spots offering water, sewer and 50V hook-up.

Camper favorites in and near Florida Panhandle

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Gateway Trails

99%

(117)

8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Holt, FL

🌲 Gateway Trails – Wooded, Gated & Peaceful Getaway Welcome to Gateway Trails, a 14-acre gated and wooded campground bordering Blackwater River State Forest—your basecamp for North Florida’s best rivers, trails, and beaches. Whether you’re tent camping, van traveling, or bringing your RV, you’ll find spacious, private, and well-maintained sites surrounded by pines and native forest. 🦌 Enjoy both forest and coast — explore the creeks, canoe routes, and hiking trails of Blackwater River State Forest, or head 45 minutes south to the Emerald Coast beaches of Destin, Navarre, and Okaloosa Island. 🏕️ Campsites • 3 Full Hook-Up RV Sites – Water, electric & sewer (1 × 50 AMP, 2 × 30 AMP) • Water & Electric Site – Ideal for smaller RVs or vans • Tent/Car/Van Site – With water & electric hookup • Boondocking Site – Dry camping; dump station available ($10 fee) • Primitive Tent Site – Quiet, secluded forest spot 🚿 Amenities • 🧺 Washhouse – Full bathroom with shower, flush toilet & coin washer/dryer • 🚰 Dump Station – $10 use fee • 🚗 Secure Gated Entry for guest privacy • 🌐 Wi-Fi (spotty in some wooded areas) • 🐾 Pet Friendly – Off-leash time possible with host coordination • 🥾 ½-Mile Trail – On-site hiking & biking loop 📍 Location Highlights 3 mi → Baker or Holt for groceries & restaurants 7 min → I-10 Holt Exit 45 1.9 mi → Bone Creek Recreation Area 5 mi → Blackwater River access (via dirt road) 35–50 mi → Destin / Pensacola / Pensacola Beach Convenient stop for travelers from TX, LA, AL, or GA en route to Tampa or Walt Disney World! 🌿 Sounds of Nature Gateway Trails is a peaceful setting, but you may hear the friendly chorus of nearby farm life—donkeys braying, roosters crowing, cows mooing, or the occasional dog announcing deer in the forest. It’s all part of the charm of country camping! 🧺 Washhouse Courtesy & Cleanliness The washhouse is a shared courtesy space for all campers. Cleanliness and respect are mandatory. No one cleans up after you. Failure to follow rules may result in loss of access or removal without refund. Please ensure you’re aligned with our washhouse expectations before booking. 🌐 Find Us 📸 gatewaytrails850.com 📱 Instagram: @gatewaytrails850 💬 Facebook: Gateway Trails

Moonpie Farm and Creamery

97%

(378)

7 sites · Tents, RVs · Cottondale, FL

The property has been in my family since the early 1930s. the old homestead was my Great Grandparents, it still standing and I currently under demo once complete we are building a small cabin The old barn is now where most of the birds roost. The Greasy Skillet is now a big chicken coop. during hurricane Michael a big tree uprooted and up-rooted the concrete slab with it. What is now my home was my grandparent's house. I renovated some of it and moved in after the loss of my grandma. We are a WORKING FARM You will see and hear all the farm sounds! You can pet the goats . You never know their might even be baby goat to hold and bottle feed. There are chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, quail and turkeys galore. We now have Peacocks!!! We also have 4 BIG PIG that love ear scratches. We offer farm tours!!! There are livestock guardian dogs that protect the farm. They sleep lots during the day and patrol at night so they bark lots at night... We are a REAL WORKING FARM. You can join in on morning feeding or collet eggs. You can watch or help with morning milking! If you are real adventurous you can help around the farm!!! You can pitch you tent in the pine forest or in the open area next to the ponds! We make and sell homemade cheeses. Please check out our Farm Store ! We are conveniently located off of I-10 and hwy 231. We have numerus Florida State Parks within minutes of our location! Please DO NOT take Sapp Rd or Admiral Rd they do not go to the farm.

The Liddell's Paradise

100%

(69)

2 sites · RVs · Gonzalez, FL

Welcome to Liddell's Paradise! The perfect spot for full time or part time RVers to rest between places or to stop & explore our amazing town! We have a unique property (big rig friendly) and also have many amenities available to our guests. (Bathhouse, water & power hookups.) We are located in Beulah, FL and are known for our huge animated christmas light display during the christmas season. We are located about 30 mins from Pensacola Beach and nearby many local places to Eat. Publix & Walmart are about 3-5 min away. Our spot is the best of both worlds private and spacious but close to the amenities in town.

Twisted Oak Country Retreat

99%

(73)

3 sites · RVs · Monticello, FL

Twisted Oak Country Retreat is found in rural Jefferson County where there are only 14,000 residents. The quiet and peaceful property is home to many birds, from hummingbirds to falcons, in addition to squirrels, fox, and deer. Personal animal residents include chickens and Mandy, a well behaved dog that is happy to be leashed during your visit.

The Red Barn

96%

(28)

7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Crestview, FL

Nestled on 3 acres right next to blackwater national forest & yellow river management area. Lots of swimming, kayaking, fishing, hunting! Hunters delight! Also less than a hour drive to local beaches! Pensacola, Navarre, Ft. Walton! We offer kayaks on site for a small fee! There’s also several swimming areas on Blackwater river close by as well!

Dockside Campground

95%

(11)

4 sites · Tents, RVs · Steinhatchee, FL

Dockside campgrounds is on the Steinhatchee River. We are located only 1.5 miles from the public boat ramp and offer day use and overnight dockage. Our campground offers 4 beautiful lots with large palm trees and beautiful water views. We have full hook-ups at all spots offering water, sewer and 50V hook-up.

Stories from the community

Site 2 living area with lots of wood furniture, charcoal grill, and firepit, along with fabulous river views!

K

Kenneth

1 week ago

31 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

Awesome site! Always love staying here! Wish we could’ve stayed longer.

S

Sara

1 week ago

13 ft pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gateway Trails

Really enjoyed our time at gateway trails. The host welcomed us when we got there. The property is beautiful and loved the walking trails. And the washhouse was well stocked and clean. Would definitely recommend.

C

Colleen

1 week ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

Beautiful scenery, and very clean. Very enjoyable

T

Trisha

2 weeks ago

26 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

The site was beautiful and so peaceful! Directions were great. Loved the chairs and brick fireplace! Thank you!

J

2 weeks ago

30 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

Loved everything about this place…will definitely be back!!

Natalie

3 weeks ago

25 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at Gateway Trails

The site feels safe. Their trails are nice and shaded. It’s easily accessible, pet friendly and has FHU.

N

Nathan

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Moonpie Farm and Creamery

My girlfriend and I had a phenomenal experience here!!!

S

Sarah

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

Very well, kept with a beautiful scenery, the fact that there’s only three campsites is really nice as well so you don’t feel overcrowded. The firewood, being chopped and ready for you for $.50 a log was awesome. Beautiful sunrise, and sunset, I highly suggest you try to stay up just for a little bit because we were able to see a ton of shooting stars.

C

Casey

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

We had another great stay at Sweet Tupelo! I just wish the weather would have been a little cooler. Facilities are awesome and the smores still tasted great. Definitely recommend this spot.

J

James

November 2025

31 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

We loved camping on site 1 ar sweet tupelo. The hosts were absolutely phenomenal whenever we need anything they were always there to answer any questions and help us. We certainly will be coming back and would recommend this location to anyone wanting some peace and quiet next to the river. If you want to relax sweet tupelo is your place.

K

Kyle

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gateway Trails

We got to our campsite pretty late and after dark and it was very easy to find ! The welcome packet they provided was soo extremely helpful and we added on firewood to our booking and that made getting set up super easy. Having electric and water was also great ! The washhouse was incredibly clean and well stocked and I had a great shower with hot water. Would recommend to anyone who needs a safe, clean place to camp. There are donkeys and other wild life as well as fellow campers dogs that made sleeping a little tricky as it was a bit loud so i would recommend packing ear plugs if u are a restless sleeper.

S

Shamus

October 2025

Tent

6 nights at Gateway Trails

Like the title says, this is a perfect place for a getaway or extended stay. I stayed in a tent during my stay & loved it. I picked this site for the electric & water hookups, which also makes ideal for anyone with a small camper. The (seemingly brand new) bathroom facilities are a 30 second walk away… which includes very well kept full bathroom, hot shower, & coin operated washing machine & dryer. They even have a soda/snacks pay-as-you-go honor system general store. I had access to WiFi from the site too. I spent most of my days relaxing by the fire in the comfy Adirondack chairs. The site is nestled in the back corner of the property, which gave me all the privacy I wanted, but close enough to all of the amenities that Jay & Suzette (owners) have to offer. Speaking of which, they are really lovely, down to earth people… they’ll make sure you get what you need with timely communication, yet they don’t intrude on your camping experience. All in all, the whole experience was great: peaceful, relaxing, & yet still had all the creature comforts of modern day living within reach if I wanted. Great spot, great owners, & an overall great trip.

J

Jason

October 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Gateway Trails

Tent camp site was level and free of debris. The picnic table, fire pit, and Adirondack chairs were nice. This site is close to the laundry and bathhouse - which was super clean. Complimentary alarm clock: Awoke every morning to roosters crowing. Would recommend.

William

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Gateway Trails

Return visit to this amazing HipCamp space. Beyond the hosts being super amazing communicators, the bathroom is spotless…. And I loved being able to take a nice hot shower, in a super clean shower stall. On this trip, while driving over, some deer crossed my path about a mile out (3 babies with mom)… so be careful…. Deer in the area! I will absolutely be coming back, and I hope to stay a few days next time. Thank you Jay and Suzette!

J

James "Steve"

October 2025

12 ft pop-up camper

4 nights at Kokomo Farms

Beautiful farm! Lovely campsites/cabins. The hosts are wonderful people. Love the animals. Great experience! Highly recommend staying at Kokomo Farm!

At Tent Site 1, Great signage! They have lots of details like this addressed

William

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Gateway Trails

Jay and Suzette are amazing Hipcamp hosts! They did everything they could to ensure I had the best possible stay. When they heard about my particular camping rig setup (overlanding truck), they offered to move me to another location that they said I would enjoy even more. WOW! That was proactive on their part! They truly were attentive to my having a positive experience. It is very easy to find their location and they provide very detailed instructions on how to not only find your specific spot (with a detailed map!!), but also how everything works. They have laundry facilities on site (at a reasonable price I might add), and their shower space is fantastic! Very very clean with plenty of hot water. The lending library was great; the honor system based pantry was nice too. The other campers I encountered were all nice and everyone minded their own space. The camping spot was clean and level for me. It is tough identifying one amazing thing as there are so many great things to love about the experience. I will absolutely be back and I hope to stay more than one night next time. Thank you Jay and Suzette! You are Hipcamp hosts who do it right!! -Will

L

L.

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Moonpie Farm and Creamery

We love the farm and interacting with all the animas

R

Rhonda

September 2025

35 ft travel trailer

7 nights at "Sweet Tupelo" on the "Big River"!

We absolutely loved staying at Glens place it’s such a gorgeous and peaceful place…. Would definitely recommend

E

Elizabeth

September 2025

17 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to The Wandering Path

The Rv site was perfect and the creek is such a nice spot to swim and relax. Amanda was friendly and kept the bath houses very well maintained.

C

Chris

September 2025

12 ft pop-up camper

With pets

2 nights at The Wandering Path

Beautiful area. Very quiet and well maintained. Amanda is a great host, very accommodating.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best private sites RV camping in Florida Panhandle guide

Where to go

Apalachicola National Forest

As the state’s largest national forest, Apalachicola National Forest caters to all kinds of campers, whether you’re looking to hike, bike, or hop on your horse. Pitch your tent alongside the Ochlockonee or Apalachicola River. Or, check in to a campsite with restrooms and picnic tables. The birdwatchers among you will flock to the flocks at the nearby Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.

State Forests

State forests crop up across the Panhandle. Tate’s Hell State Forest merges Florida’s various ecosystems into one fascinating landscape where campers can experience everything from wet prairie to forest to swamp, right from their Panhandle campsite. Further west, Point Washington State Forest likewise sits along the coast offering backcountry campsites. If you’d rather camp inland, Blackwater River State Forest boasts a namesake river—and a stream of activities.

Along The Coast

Beaches in the Panhandle range from Pensacola Beach, where sea turtles seasonally nest, to Destin, whose clear waters claim the title of Florida’s best. If you’re not big on the water, don’t discount a coastal campground yet. State parks—like Henderson Beach State Park—also scatter the area. You can rent an RV campsite surrounded by longleaf pines. Or, listen to the sound of lapping waves from your tent site.

When to go

In the summer, tourists crowd the Panhandle—for good reason. In July, temperatures run in the 80s, so if you’re an avid beachgoer, now is the time to swim to your heart’s content. The heat, however, may bring thunderstorms, so if you’re looking to hit both the beach and the trails, choose the shoulder months. The slightly cooler temperatures make forest and park explorations all the more enjoyable.