State parks or campgrounds around florida panhangle suggestions?

[AR81]

We will be driving from Texas in a motorhome. So we are going to split up vacay with 2-3 days of beach before driving down to the fort. Now we are just in the planning stages and will be for next summer so haven't made any reservations yet. We are just trying to put together some ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions about state parks or campgrounds maybe around the pensacola area of Florida? Thanks

 

[tim5055]

Topsail Hill State Park

It has 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beach with dunes over 25 feet tall. The campground is a former RV resort that the State of Florida purchased and turned into a state park campground. It is first class all the way!

Paved roads lead to level concrete sites. Each site has a water, electric, sewer, cable and a picnic table. Campfires are discouraged, but if you bring a raised fire pit you can have a campfire (as long as fire bans are no in effect).

When I was there the campground provides a tram to/from the beach on an hourly basis but who knows what budget problems may have caused.

 

[bama_ed]

I will add that the Florida panhandle state parks on the beach (Topsail is RV friendly as Tim said but others are nice too) tend to fill up in the summer. You can reserve a site 11 months in advance via the ReserveAmerica site.

All I'm saying is don't expect to be able to just drive up in the summer and get a site. While I'm not in favor of over-scheduling a vacation I don't think you would want to be shut out.

Bama ED

 

[greengeen]

Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. It's actually not far at all from Topsail Hill. Book early though, it may already be too late...

 

[blu]

Fort Pickens in Pensacola has a decent campground. It is on the barrier island of Pensacola Beach so not much grassy areas but it has plenty to do with exporing the fort, and the beach, fishing etc.

Also Gulf Shores, Al has a state park with campground.

 

[DisneyWalle]

We love Cape San Blas in Port St Joe.. the best and beautiful beach plus you can enjoy the dolphins that play just off the beach

 

[AR81]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am researching these right now. Definitely want to stay as close to beach as possible. Once we make me some final decisions within the next couple weeks, we will be making reservations. Thanks again...

 

[rdaniel911]

Florida Caverns State Park in Marrianna Florida is very nice, you can tour the cave, or swim in the spring. Full hookups, water elec, sewer available. Just a few miles off I-10.

 

[rdaniel911]

The Beach parks are always crowded, Big Lagoon near Pensacola may have some openings.

 

[2goofycampers]

Navarre Fl. has 3 or 4 campgrounds.

 

[twelveone]

I will agree that if you are looking at staying at the beach, Topsail Hill State Park is a great place to stay. I believe the current rates are $42.00 per night.


Here is a link to someone who took pictures of every site at Topsail Hill.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/550164442DdovJn

 

[YellowXterra]

Big lagoon in P'cola. The National Naval Aviation Museum is a must see and it is free. 3 miles from Big Lagoon State Park. You can watch and meet the Blue Angles there on Tues and Weds.

 

[PJ]

Definitely agree with Topsail Hill - we first stayed there when it was still a private campground, and twice since its been a state property. If the tram isn't running, its also an easy bike ride to the water. We also really like St. Joseph Peninsula SP although its been a number of years since we've been there.

 

[blackdogg]

Fort Pickens in Pensacola has a decent campground. It is on the barrier island of Pensacola Beach so not much grassy areas but it has plenty to do with exporing the fort, and the beach, fishing etc.

Also Gulf Shores, Al has a state park with campground.

I second these suggestions

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. It's actually not far at all from Topsail Hill. Book early though, it may already be too late...

We drove down from Texas this past June. We stayed at Henderson Beach State Park. We really enjoyed our stay. We did tent camp though. It was an easy drive from Henderson to WDW.

 

[okeydokey]

Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. It's actually not far at all from Topsail Hill. Book early though, it may already be too late...

Our absolute favorite. Much smaller and more natural than Topsail and you can walk to the beach. It is gorgeous.

 

[m1tchells]

I live right down the street from Topsail Hill SP and agree it is very nice. But definitely prefer Grayton Beach SP which is right down the road from there. My choices would be...1. Grayton Beach SP
2. Henderson Beach SP
3. Topsail Hill SP
We love, love, love camping in Florida State Parks and you really can't go wrong at any of them.

 

[mikeymouse1]

St.George Island state park or St.Joe State park are both near Apalachicola Fl. and are both beautiful and fairly quiet. Campsites are with in walking distance of the beach!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Topsail Hill State Park

It has 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beach with dunes over 25 feet tall. The campground is a former RV resort that the State of Florida purchased and turned into a state park campground. It is first class all the way!

Paved roads lead to level concrete sites. Each site has a water, electric, sewer, cable and a picnic table. Campfires are discouraged, but if you bring a raised fire pit you can have a campfire (as long as fire bans are no in effect).

When I was there the campground provides a tram to/from the beach on an hourly basis but who knows what budget problems may have caused.

I will second Topsail all day long! We love Topsail, stay there every year (sometimes we're lucky enough to get multiple trips). Tram is still running (at least it was in mid June) and has as long as we've been going there, and it's been 9 years. You will love it.