Florida Panhandle ocean front camping

Do you guys not worry about excessive corrosion to the rig from being so exposed to salt spray? I have enough problems with rust on a 1989 bus that parking it directly on the beach is the LAST thing I'd want to do. We love to go to Edisto, Ocean Lakes, etc. but in those places there is a buffer between the campsite and the ocean.

Dolphin Island.

St Joseph State Park in the Gulf Breeze campground has sites that are very close to the beach. Google Earth will give you a great view of the campground and others you want to view on the Panhandle

Ho-Hum RV Park, east of Carrabelle, is directly on the water and offers some waterfront sites. They have a 250' lighted fishing pier and their beach area is small. However, there are numerous longer beach areas along Hwy 98 that you can pull over, go for a walk, drop a line, or take a dip.

The stretch of Hwy 98 from Mexico Beach, east to St. Marks Lighthouse, is known as the "Forgotten Coast". It's reminiscent of the Florida coastline some 60 years ago. No high-rise condos... just beach houses on stilts and miles of sandy white beaches. You'll pass through numerous small fishing villages. A small working waterfront keeps the local fish houses stocked with fresh seafood. So, the local dives have good food and the locals can get fresh seafood at below supermarket prices. If you hit the season right, you can find some gator tail.

You'll also find roadside stands with fresh fruits and vegetable that are in season. Some will have local gourmet sauces and preserves. The area in renown for Tupelo honey, the gold standard of measurement, the only honey that won't granulate.

If you make it to the eastern boundary, be sure to visit Edward Ball Wakulla Springs SP. It's one of the largest natural springs in the world, a nice relaxing day trip. No Camping. However, you can find FHUs at nearby Myron B. Hodge, a city park on the Sopchoppy River in the town of Sopchoppy, FL. Approx 15 W/E on the river and 15 FHUs along the fence, $15/night. The pace is real slow and the traffic is light.

NORM WADDELL wrote:
There are NO campgrounds ON the gulf BEACH.
Condos have taken all that space. There ARE
good campgrounds on the SOUND (protected by
off shore islands, so no surf).
Start by considering Gulf Shores AL.
Luxury R V is 2 blocks inland
Fort Pickens at Pensacola is between 2
beaches (inland and GULF) but it's a short
walk to each.
Navarre Florida has 3 on the (Sound) Beach
which are good campgrounds.

Do NOT expect ANY shade at gulf beach campgrounds.

P M me for more.

Excellent suggestions.

It's not the Florida Panhandle, but close. Try Gulf State Park at Gulf Shore, AL. Less than a mile from the beach.

Camp Gulf Campground is on the beach in Destin
Fort Pickins on Pensacola Beach is nice
Top Sail is nice

rbtglove wrote:
The coast near Port St Joe is really great. Not as congested as further west toward Pensacola. The St Park out on the Peninsula is right on the Beach and the sunsets are amazing. Kinda Far from stores and resturants bu we like that.

We LOVE this area...going there in Oct for fall break...last Oct we stayed at St. George Island...the only draw back there is that you have to drive to the beach...you can go to the guard shack and get a pass to go out to the very end of the island (there are only 20 parking spots)...awesome fishing out there....we saw pods of dolphins every time we were out there...caught several bonnet head sharks...if you do go to this area, drive over to Apalachicola and go to Up the Creek Raw Oyster Bar...it overlooks the bay and has AWESOME food!!!!

Topsail Hill SP - Santa Rosa Beach

Sites are 1/3 mile from the surf, and no condo's in the way!
And there is transportation to/from. Plus it's resort style with FHU.

The coast near Port St Joe is really great. Not as congested as further west toward Pensacola. The St Park out on the Peninsula is right on the Beach and the sunsets are amazing. Kinda Far from stores and resturants bu we like that.