The best waterside camping in Florida Panhandle

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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.

96% (2.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Florida Panhandle

1. Bay Forest Retreat

96%
(362)
7 sites · Tents, Lodging · Navarre, FL
Explore 11+ acres of rustic and untamed woods. We are a military veteran family who enjoys the land as a place for family and friends to explore, camp, and relax at the 250+ feet of the East Bay beach. We do not have WiFi, but we do have 5g service throughout the 11 acre property. Our camping sites DO NOT have electricity These are hike-in only campsites ☺️ 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 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). We have two primitive campsites these campsites are first come first serve, they are not assigned when booking. Plesea see pictures. Our Glamper tent is a 10x12 canvas furnished full size bed with bedding, pillows and enough floor space for two sleeping bags. The tens are located off a short trial, but rugged 2-minute hike from the parking area. We provide the opportunity to go camping without having to pack the tent. Closed toed shoes are highly suggested as well as plenty of lighting with batteries or solar charging capability. This is a rugged, fun and serene camping experience. Locates justminutes 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: St. Michael's Brewery which has rotating food trucks and is family friendly, Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, Dewey Destin’s, Andy D's on Navarre Beach, Stripe's Pub, Johnny Huston's, Windjammers, TC’s Front Porch, Deb’s Coffee, The Eatery food truck park, 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

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.

96% (2.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Florida Panhandle

1. Bay Forest Retreat

96%
(362)
7 sites · Tents, Lodging · Navarre, FL
Explore 11+ acres of rustic and untamed woods. We are a military veteran family who enjoys the land as a place for family and friends to explore, camp, and relax at the 250+ feet of the East Bay beach. We do not have WiFi, but we do have 5g service throughout the 11 acre property. Our camping sites DO NOT have electricity These are hike-in only campsites ☺️ 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 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). We have two primitive campsites these campsites are first come first serve, they are not assigned when booking. Plesea see pictures. Our Glamper tent is a 10x12 canvas furnished full size bed with bedding, pillows and enough floor space for two sleeping bags. The tens are located off a short trial, but rugged 2-minute hike from the parking area. We provide the opportunity to go camping without having to pack the tent. Closed toed shoes are highly suggested as well as plenty of lighting with batteries or solar charging capability. This is a rugged, fun and serene camping experience. Locates justminutes 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: St. Michael's Brewery which has rotating food trucks and is family friendly, Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, Dewey Destin’s, Andy D's on Navarre Beach, Stripe's Pub, Johnny Huston's, Windjammers, TC’s Front Porch, Deb’s Coffee, The Eatery food truck park, 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

Public campgrounds in and near Florida Panhandle

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Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Florida Panhandle

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside 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.