Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Apalachicola National Forest
Camel Lake Campground offers spacious pet-friendly sites in a quiet setting 2 miles down Forest Road 105 in Apalachicola National Forest. The campground features 10 sites with fire rings and picnic tables, with tent and RV camping options available. All sites accommodate pets with no additional fee, though dogs must remain leashed throughout the camping area. Camp hosts maintain clean facilities including restrooms with hot showers and a swimming area along the lake shore. Porter Lake Dispersed Camp provides a more primitive free camping option with vault toilets but no shower facilities. Campground reviews indicate the sites are well-maintained with ample space between them for privacy.
Dogs can enjoy the hiking trail that encircles Camel Lake, providing an easy quarter-mile walk suitable for most pets. River Island Campground offers another pet-friendly option with fishing opportunities and picnic tables at each site. The campground areas in Apalachicola National Forest typically require pets to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles, and owners must properly dispose of pet waste. Water access points allow dogs to cool off during hot Florida months, though owners should watch for wildlife including alligators that inhabit the lakes and waterways. The remote location means limited cell service and no nearby veterinary facilities, so campers with pets should come prepared with emergency supplies and current vaccinations. Bug spray is essential for both humans and pets, as reviewers note mosquitoes can be particularly abundant after rainfall.












