Working on our 2015 summer trip. So far we are looking at:TopsailGrayton BeachHenderson BeachFt PickensSt Joseph PeninsulaI have been able to find alot of info and comments about all of the campgrounds except St Joseph. It seems to be the farthest removed from the "action" and since we'll be with a 5,14 and 16 Y.O., I dont know if there is enough to keep them entertained for a week.When we were in SC a couple of years back, we rented a house on Edisto Island. It was awesome, with the exception of having to drive into Charleston on a daily basis to see the sights and do the tourist stuff. I fear that this would be the same issue at St Joseph.If it were just the wife and me, then it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but with 3 boys I think that we would be spending alot of extra time on the road exploring the area.I welcome any and all comments on any of the campgrounds listed. What were looking for is electric, clean bathouses, nice beach with easy access, shade and a little privacy as opposed to the feeling of camping in a parking lot.

St. Joseph is nice but far from everything. Even the closest grocery store is about 30 miles away. We spent a week there and even I got bored about half way through. It is a beautiful area though.

St Joe...great sand dunes and beach. Canoe/kayak the bay. Sights like Charleston you would be doing an overnighter. :) :) It's for camping.Ft Pickens or Henderson offer the better choice of beach and tourist stuff. Both nice spots.

My wife and I have already made reservation for St. Joseph the week of Christmas (Monday Dec 22 through Friday Dec 26). Taking the first Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday to drive there, then Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday to drive back home. Last year we stayed at Falling Waters State Park in Florida during the same week. It was just the 2 of us and our dogs. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, as did the dogs. Being the week of Christmas and 50-60 degree weather, we were restricted on activities, but we did not mind.If you are going in the summer months, I think the beach itself would be enough entertainment to keep the kids busy for a year! But, if they don't have the immigration to keep themselves stimulated, then how about staying there for only a few days and then moving to a different state park? When we camp closer to home (Indiana) and have an entire week (10 days), we often stay 3 days at one place and then go to a different park. It keeps everything interesting.

Grayton Bch is halfway between the tourist meccas of Panama City Bch and Destin and has 1 FHU loop which makes it desirable. The beach is fabulous there.

I really like Grayton, but it seems like the beach access is the farthest. It seems like one of the most secluded which I like, but with the growth and vegitation, does it get hot/humid with no airflow, and how are the biting insects?

St Joseph Peninsula SP in Florida | Good Sam Community

PegLW
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
St. Joseph is nice but far from everything. Even the closest grocery store is about 30 miles away. We spent a week there and even I got bored about half way through. It is a beautiful area though.
Twomed
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
St Joe...great sand dunes and beach. Canoe/kayak the bay. Sights like Charleston you would be doing an overnighter. :) :) It's for camping.

Ft Pickens or Henderson offer the better choice of beach and tourist stuff. Both nice spots.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
My wife and I have already made reservation for St. Joseph the week of Christmas (Monday Dec 22 through Friday Dec 26). Taking the first Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday to drive there, then Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday to drive back home.

Last year we stayed at Falling Waters State Park in Florida during the same week. It was just the 2 of us and our dogs. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, as did the dogs. Being the week of Christmas and 50-60 degree weather, we were restricted on activities, but we did not mind.

If you are going in the summer months, I think the beach itself would be enough entertainment to keep the kids busy for a year! But, if they don't have the immigration to keep themselves stimulated, then how about staying there for only a few days and then moving to a different state park? When we camp closer to home (Indiana) and have an entire week (10 days), we often stay 3 days at one place and then go to a different park. It keeps everything interesting.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
Grayton Bch is halfway between the tourist meccas of Panama City Bch and Destin and has 1 FHU loop which makes it desirable. The beach is fabulous there.
patperry2766
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2014
I really like Grayton, but it seems like the beach access is the farthest. It seems like one of the most secluded which I like, but with the growth and vegitation, does it get hot/humid with no airflow, and how are the biting insects?
Crawfordville
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
Why not do St. George Island state park? There is much more to do there and will definetely keep your kids entertained. I've been to both places and prefer St. George Island for the reasons you mention.
PegLW
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
Crawfordville wrote:
Why not do St. George Island state park? There is much more to do there and will definetely keep your kids entertained. I've been to both places and prefer St. George Island for the reasons you mention.

We much prefer St. George Island too! We spend time there every year!
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
patperry2766 wrote:
I really like Grayton, but it seems like the beach access is the farthest. It seems like one of the most secluded which I like, but with the growth and vegitation, does it get hot/humid with no airflow, and how are the biting insects?

Hot and Humid? You do know this is Florida? A/C is great in the summer. The newer loop with FHU is not as thick as the older loop and bugs were not an issue when I was there in July. I will be returning next year as well. The beach access is no worse than St Andrews or St George and better than Topsail. The only one better would be Henderson Bch which has a nice boardwalk. I don't go to St Joseph anymore, to far out and the CG is nothing special but it is close to the beach. St Andrews lacks any semblance of maintenance but the campsites on the bay are great. St George is infested with mosquitos and I likely will never go back there. Henderson Bch has the best beach access and is a nice CG but is W&E only
BobR
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
I love St. Joe but I don't think kids will be happy for more than a day. You might want to replace it with a stay at St. Andrews in Panama City. Lots to do for the young.
cindik
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
Henderson Beach is great! Right in the middle of Destin with plenty to do for the kids. The beach is beautiful!