Camp on the Gulf in Destin FL, your Experience?

I live here in Fort Walton Beach and we camp at Grayton Beach State Park. Not as fancy as Topsail, but you can drive to the beach there, across the little bridge. I also camp at Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach. It's federal so seniors pay half. Top Sail is on my list for the next trip. I did a recon of Top Sail while I was at Grayton Beach. It is more of a RV resort.

Camped there in my popup several times in '71 and '72. It was a Holiday Inn Campground back then.

Only two problems were that the nearest grocery store was about 10 miles away in downtown Destin and the beachfront sites were a ridiculous $8/night.

Other than being isolated back then and I'm sure the price has gone up a little, it hasn't changed much.

We just spent a week at Port St. Joe State Park, about 20-30 miles South of Panama City. We had a great time an we were there over the week of Christmas. Inspite of a Tornado Warning and some rain, we had a great time! It out on the Peninsula. We were on site 40, which was almost right next to the board walk going over the sand dunes. From that point Northward, you've got about 7 miles of beach on the Gulf side and about 7 miles of beach on the bay side. Absolutely great! Now granted, you're out there on Peninsula, and there's not much in San Blas. Port St. Joe is close, and if you go on Eastward on 30A there's St. Vincent Island, Apalachcola, and St. George Island.

If you want beach, this State Park is great!

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Top Sail was nice but we were not physically able to make the 1.5 mile round trip walk to the beach. And you are not allowed to drive there. There was a shuttle but it only ran every other hour in the off season. Campground was nice but IMHO that all Just nice.
Gulf SP in Gulf Shores AL was my preference. You need to drive to the beach but it was great when we got there. Full hook ups and good price. Just my opinion.

Didn't know there was an off season there at Topsail. But if a shuttle every other hour is what is happening while you were there, then it sounds like you just need to plan your trip to the beach. Or perhaps you can get some bikes and ride it.

Grayton Beach State park would be my second choice and Henderson third. You can drive to both the beaches with them. Henderson soesn't full hook ups, but Grayton has some. We really like the location of Grayton over any of the parks. Seaside is awesome.

Camping on the Gulf is expensive and spaces are close, but you cannot beat walking our of your rv and being on the beach in 1 or 2 minutes. Distance from the beach is my only negative about Topsail, otherwise a nice park. At Camp Gulf,there are two fresh water pools in the resort, and the restrooms/showers and laundry are nice. The showers/restrooms are self-contained and have A/C. We have stayed there three times, and stayed in the lower level each time and love it. Sites 600 to 614 are good back-ins, 700 to 708 are elevated and have great views out front to the ocean. Sites 534 to 556 are narrow, and very close together. Anywhere in the infield is pretty good. We prefer the 600 to 614 sites. Hope this helps.

sch911 wrote:

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Go To TOPSAIL State park, need I say more.

X 3

Topsail has a shuttle year round. Camping on the Gulf is very tight.

In Destin, Topsail or Henderson Beach gets my vote! True, COG is right on the beach, but you are packed in like sardines with no privacy and the last time we stayed there it was very pricey.

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Go To TOPSAIL State park, need I say more.

X 3

Topsail has a shuttle year round. Camping on the Gulf is very tight.

Top Sail was nice but we were not physically able to make the 1.5 mile round trip walk to the beach. And you are not allowed to drive there. There was a shuttle but it only ran every other hour in the off season. Campground was nice but IMHO that all Just nice.
Gulf SP in Gulf Shores AL was my preference. You need to drive to the beach but it was great when we got there. Full hook ups and good price. Just my opinion.

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Go To TOPSAIL State park, need I say more.

Agree.. unless you want to be right on the beach and packed in like sardines...and of course pay nearly 3 times the amount.

Go To TOPSAIL State park, need I say more.