topsail vs henderson beach

People's opinions will be different. We prefer a concrete parking pad, cable tv and sewer plus the pool and other things at topsail is important to us with having a kid. We prefer that much more than a state park setting. Especially when you are in a resort setting like Destin. If I can help it, I would rather have those additional amenities, especially for a destination. We were there for a week.

Now being that its just a 2 day stop for you, then I would probably opt for the state park feeling. You can dump the tanks on the way out.

You can always do camp gulf and be packed like sardines and pay $100/night. Hehe.

NolalSafari wrote:
Have been to Topsail several times, very nice reminds me of Fort Wilderness.

Is there more than one Fort Wilderness? Because Topsail is nothing compared to the Fort Wilderness at Disney World.

If you prefer the quiet and natural surroundings of a State Park and a semi private campsite, Henderson Beach State Park is definitely the campground for you. We stayed at Topsail and Henderson Beach on the same trip. We started at Henderson Beach and were sad to leave. When we got to Topsail, we were wishing we could have stayed longer at Henderson Beach.

Topsail is an okay campground. I know folks here love it, but I think it is over-rated. If we were in the Destin area, we'd definitely try for Henderson Beach State park first.

-Michael

It really is hard to choose between the two.......However, my wife and I prefer Henderson beach for a quite getaway. The bathroom and showers are some of the best I have come across, so the lack of full hook ups is a non issue for us.

I would not choose to stay at Topsail. Only thing that makes Topsail "better' is the full hook-up. To many rules needed because of the way it was built. More like a resort than a state campground. Fine if you like that.

To far to the beach for us. We ended up driving down a side road and found very nice public beaches.

No doubt. But it's not an excuse.

I would bet most don't read the rules.

eddie3260 wrote:


FYI, don't tie anything around any trees or drive any thing into the ground, you will be fined.

As the rules state

Joe in Texas wrote:
For the cable tv at Topsail......DO I NEED A RECEIVER BOX ? Is there a additional charge for the cable service ? We are there mid July for 10 days.
Thanks

We were there all last week. Cable hooks right up to your trailer connection, included in the price of the lot. You'll love Topsail, it's a very beautiful campground that is maintained meticulously.

FYI, don't tie anything around any trees or drive any thing into the ground, you will be fined.

For the cable tv at Topsail......DO I NEED A RECEIVER BOX ? Is there a additional charge for the cable service ? We are there mid July for 10 days.
Thanks

That's a hard one to call. Henderson's main fault is no sewer and smaller. "BUT" it's in the middle of everything if your wife likes to shop like Miss Sue. Sites are crushed limestone and roomy with large bushes separating you from your neighbor. Very quiet except for traffic noise from US98. No cable but you can get Ft. Walton, Pensacola, Panama City and Dothan?? on your antenna and good satellite reception.
Topsail is more remote as you can't really walk to anything outside the park but there's a Wally World just down the road and good restaurants within 5mi. It has it all, paved sites, 50A, sewer and cable. Quite a walk to the beach on a private path which the tram also runs. If you have bikes they will be appreciated. Same beautiful beach just 5+ mi. difference. Much more traffic within the park unless you're on a site near the rear. *And it has a pool.
Both are great parks and hard to make a choice so take whichever one has an open space.

Enjoy
Dave