state parks on the gulf

[MO_Rookie]

We are looking going first week of August and wondering which state park is the best we are traveling with two kids ages 12 and 8. We like to hang out at the beach, snorkel, bike riding, hiking on nature trails. Which park do you think would work best for us St. Andrews, Grayton or Gulf state park in Gulf Shores or if there is any others in this area you would suggest let us know. We are looking for any ideas on things to do in this area also.

[Iluvrvcamping]

Good luck with getting reservations for any of those State Parks in Florida. We were just in that area. Could not get any reservations a month out from arrival in the area. I am going to make reservations for next winter/spring for those parks 6 months ahead.
Thanks for the heads up about the flooding in St. Andrews.
The Buccaneer SP in Bay St. Louis is very nice. Didn't stay there this last trip but when in that area again we will stay there. They have a water park for the kids. And the state park is right across street from beach. This is a large park.
Good Luck with your reservations.
Safe Travels
Kim & Ed

[Executive45]

#1 Henderson... About a 300 yard walk to the beach.
#2 St. Andrews...snorkels, pontoon boats etc.
#3 Topsail Take the tram to get to the beach, but full hookups.
#4 Gulf Shores Not on the beach. Nice pool though. Alligators visit your site.

Gulf Shores is on a lagoon and about a 3 mile drive to the beach. Watch out for alligators. They'll come steal your food off the bbq....Dennis

[MO_Rookie]

NHIrish if you had to pick to state parks out of the four you listed which two would be your favorite.

[MO_Rookie]

Thanks for all of the good info keep it coming we are still doing some researching. I like the idea of hitting three or four of the campgrounds to see which area you like the best. We are from Missouri so we are trying to stay as close to home as possible.

[NHIrish]

At Henderson now...came from St. Andrews and heading for Topsail and then Gulf Shores...you hit em all.

On edit....

Be careful at St. Andrews...they have a bunch of sites that flood in heavy rain...worst are 33, 35 and 37... but a lot of the inside sites between Lagoon and Pine Grove also flood....some of them have little marshes between them. This park is a little more loosely run than some other FL state parks....a bit on the nosier side sometimes.

Grayton beach has 2 distinct loops...the newer one has full service and is very nice.

We love Henderson...very well run. Same with Topsail and Gulf.

A whole lot of bang for your buck in the panhandle. Enjoy.

Feel free to pm if questions. We spend a lot of time here.

[TPUC]

We like Big Lagoon because your 3 miles from NAS Pensacola and about 15 miles to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Great local to venture out east and west

[Bird_Freak]

laradl wrote:
I am looking at that area too. I have not had much luck with making a decision.
Why do you guys recommend the ones you named?
are they on the beach, close to hiking?

Fort Pickens has great beaches and the kids would enjoy the fort. Good food close by and the Naval Air museum in Pensacola is free and great.
Topsail Hill is a very nice state park with a great beach for swimming and a huge lake for canoes. Nice paved trails for walking or biking. The beach is 7 tenths of a mile from the CG but has a nice paved trail to it. Also has a tram that runs from the cg and back every hour. When at the beach you are in the middle of a 3 mile stretch of beach and no building other than the restrooms there. Also minutes away from Destin and anything you want.
Henderson has a very nice beach also but just water and electric. Big Walmart across the road but far enough away so you get no noise.

[laradl]

I am looking at that area too. I have not had much luck with making a decision.
Why do you guys recommend the ones you named?
are they on the beach, close to hiking?

[Bird_Freak]

TopSail hill in Santa Rosa, Henderson Beach in Destin. Fort Pickens in Pensacola.

[TPUC]

Big Lagoon is nice in the Pensacola area. Its not on the beach but its less than a mile to the beach.

[K_Charles]

Buccaneer State Park, MS