Tent camping options near Altha, Florida center around the Apalachicola National Forest, Florida's largest national forest spanning over 630,000 acres. The region's subtropical climate creates camping conditions with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing, particularly from December through February.
What to do
Wildlife observation at isolated spots: Cotton Landing provides secluded tent sites where campers can observe native wildlife. "Loved my stay at this location. Trash needed to be emptied and ticks are definitely out at this campsite but only in the woods so get fire wood along the dirt road on your way in to avoid the ticks and sticker bushes," notes one visitor at Cotton Landing.
Fishing at multiple access points: Hall Landing Campground offers good fishing access with boat ramps. A camper mentioned, "This campground is for tents only... Lots of day use traffic with boaters coming and going. It's in a residential neighborhood so you could walk around there," in their review of Hall Landing Campground.
Hiking trail exploration: Fort Braden Tract in Lake Talquin State Forest features three loop trails with varying terrain. "Three wonderful loop trails, 2 primitive camp sites and a great view through the trees. Nice elevation changes (refreshing for Florida hiking)," reports a hiker at Fort Braden Tract Primitive Campsites.
What campers like
Proximity to water features: Tent sites at Fort Braden Tract provide lakeside access. "Primitive, which is exactly what we wanted. Fetch your own water from the lake. No modern amenities. Brilliant view of Lake Talquin, right on the water. Thickly treed so hanging hammocks and bear lines was no problem," explains an experienced camper.
Clean facilities at developed sites: Neal's Landing Park maintains good basic facilities. "Quit, clean, remote, great fishing, picnic tables, close to Marianna Florida, and Donalsonville, Ga... relaxing," says one visitor about their stay at Neals Landing Park.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer low-cost tent camping. "With tax it came to about $11/night, good deal! Free hot showers, not the cleanest or best smelling bath house but it was ok," notes a camper about Hall Landing Campground.
What you should know
Limited privacy at some locations: Despite primitive settings, some sites offer minimal seclusion from trails. A Fort Braden Tract camper explains, "The camp sites are about 30 feet off the trail. So there is virtually no privacy... The trail wasn't heavily trafficked but it was travelled so we had maybe 9 or 10 people pass the site over the course of the weekend."
Water quality varies by location: Some campgrounds have issues with water quality. "Water spigots at each site, but we filled up our jug with it and dumped it back out, water had a brownish tinge," reports a visitor at Hall Landing.
Wildlife encounters are common: Alligators and snakes inhabit many camping areas. "Even got a visit from your friendly neighborhood alligator in the middle of the night, which when I realized after the fact what the sound was was terrifying. Lol. Steep bank on this sight though so fewer worries about him actually visiting camp," shares a camper at Goat House Farm.
Tips for camping with families
Unique animal encounters: Goat House Farm offers a distinctive camping experience where children interact with farm animals. "We had such a fun time camping at the goat farm. Where you literally camp with goats. The male goats hang out right beside you and your tents. The kids absolutely loved it. They cried when it was time to leave and told all the animals bye."
Pack extra insect protection: During warm months, mosquitoes and ticks are abundant. A Cotton Landing visitor warns about ticks in wooded areas and recommends gathering firewood from dirt roads to avoid exposure.
Confirm facility conditions before arrival: Hurricane impacts have affected some campgrounds. "This park has not reopened since the area was devastated by Hurricane Michael in Oct 2018. However, it is being rebuilt," notes a camper about El Governor Motel & RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "Good cell service with Verizon and ATT," reports a Hall Landing camper, while more remote areas may have limited connectivity.
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Altha lack RV amenities. "This campground is for tents only, however, due to a mix up with our reservation at Walker Landing, they moved us to this campground even though we are in an RV. Most sites are big and level enough for an RV so it may be worth asking," suggests one RVer who stayed at Hall Landing.
Seasonal occupancy changes: Summer brings increased competition for sites. "Very peaceful during slow time of the year," notes a Cotton Landing camper, indicating off-season visits provide more solitude.
