Campgrounds in the Florida Panhandle

[derh20]

We will be traveling from the West Coast to the Keys. We are concerned about campground availability along Hwy 10 toward the middle of January. Should we be concerned?

[Kit_Carson]

Twin Lakes RV Resort....I think this park is in DeFuniak Springs. We stayed there on our way to May port. Very nice and I recommend it.

[lizzie]

I guess I am going to have to break down and write a guidebook to camping in Florida, especially the Panhandle. I have been writing recreational and destination guidebooks since 1979 but felt the camping side was covered by other publications, evidently not. I only have one book that is on E-book, The Complete Scenic Circle: and I didn't put it there (Amazon did), but I can try if there is a need.lizzie

[RvNewbieFl]

I bought my rv back in November and have been at home making changes and setting it up to the way I want it. I also moved to Florida awhile back, and thought getting the rv would be a great way to travel with my fur babies and see more of the state. However, in my excitement I started looking at State and federal rv camping sites online. I found that alot of the more popular ones were already booked. I set my Florida Keys trip up in December of 2016... however i couldn't find openings in the 3 state parks I booked till September of 2017. John Pennekamp, Bahia Honda, and Long Key...I was extremely lucky to find those locations back to back. However when I started looking that was not initially on my radar. After talking with other local Florida experienced rv ppl here. They told me that unfortunately they have to plan State and Federal Park trips here in Florida. However they say finding other places like KOA, ect is alot easier. But it can be pricey. Often $67.00 a night... Also I hear parking at Walmart here in Florida is almost impossible unless you just get lucky. I really haven't experienced any of this first hand. I have only tent camped until now. However this is what I've heard about it so far...

[2012Coleman]

derh20 wrote:
We will be traveling from the West Coast to the Keys. We are concerned about campground availability along Hwy 10 toward the middle of January. Should we be concerned?

I think some missed "middle of January". Check out the numerous Florida State Parks along hwy 10.

[one_strange_tex]

Two public campgrounds where we have stayed that are acceptable and near I10:

- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Madison, Madison, FL
- Pensacola RV Park, Pensacola, FL

This February we will be staying at Sunset King RV Resort, Defuniak Springs, FL on our way to the Keys.

I agree that some of the best parks would be Florida state parks, but they may be generally farther off the interstate and less "easy in/easy out." I would make reservations for them, though they should have vacancies this time of year.

[floridacamper]

Check out Falling Waters state park, very cheap, nice little campground right off the Interstate 10 Great for a overnighter!

[rmn72]

Checkout Destin West in Ft Walton. Very nice private cg.

[derh20]

Thanks so far for the replies. Of course we always try to make reservations, but on this trip, we are not sure when we will be at the panhandle. Once we get a better idea of the time, we will certainly try to get a reservation.

[TrailerTravele1]

Just spent the last few weeks in the panhandle and Gulf Coast. Currently in Gulfport, Mississippi, no problem with an inexpensive commercial campground. As you go east, Gulf State Park is a good option on Gulf Shores Alabama - about half empty two weeks ago. Meagher State Park on Mobile Bay is another option - almost empty today. We've encountered no full park campgrounds this trip across the panhandle west to Texas. But remember, it rained 10" two days ago in Gulfport and it's supposed to SLEET on Saturday. Not exactly paradise weather in January! But it was 73 and sunny today! TGF small favors. 🙂

[bigred1cav]

Casinos are a good and inexpensive option check them out

[lizzie]

There are lots of places to camp in the Florida Panhandle; state parks, state forests, WMA, national forests a few COE's and private CG's. I can't imagine that you would need reservations in January. For the most part public campgrounds are not located right off I-10, you might have to drive a few miles but it will be so worth it!lizzie

[padre1944]

I never travel without much research and making reservations as far in advance as possible. Even then we've had some places that don't live up to the reviews in Good Sam or RV Park Reviews.

[Dennis12]

I have been in the spot that i could not find a place to stop for one night.
Wal- Marts are out of the question in Fla. I don't know if the Lord is riding with you or not but one night I could not go another mile and I stopped at a church parsonage and ask if i could stay in the church parking lot for the night. They not only said yes but they gave me electric. They would not take a dime but when I left in the morning I put $25.00 in an envelope and stuck it in the front door of the church and signed it Sleepy. Remember he always has a place for you to lay down in peace.

[MandKJohns]

I live in PC and the CG's around here will be and are dead until March. You can really pull into any here and have a spot.