Apalachicola National Forest spans over 630,000 acres across Florida's panhandle, making it the largest national forest in the state with elevations rarely exceeding 200 feet. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, while winters remain mild with occasional frost. Most dispersed camping sites in the forest are accessible via forest service roads that can become difficult to navigate during the rainy season from June through September.
What to do
Fishing in remote areas: At Florida River Island, campers enjoy bank fishing near their sites. "There are about 10 sites total at this free campground. The tent sites are much nicer than the RV sites. They are among the trees, they are more spread out, and on the water," notes Laura M.
Paddling opportunities: Ochlockonee River offers multiple access points for kayaks and canoes. "Beautiful oaks and live oak, the campground is private with some sites very private and others not at all. There are some really nice trails along both the Ochlockonee and Dead Rivers," reports Annie C.
Wildlife observation: The forest contains diverse ecosystems supporting unique wildlife. At Ochlockonee River State Park Campground, "Boasts a herd of dappled deer and white squirrels. Not albino but white with a small patch of gray on top of their head. Supposedly brought here by a gypsie from Spain," explains Jamie P.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good sanitation standards despite remote locations. "This place is very nice. It has hot showers. One for men and one for women. Separate, of course. The campground host was super nice. He (Glen) never bothered anyone unless it was for a wave 👋 or a stop to say hello," writes Curtis D. about Camel Lake.
Spacious sites: Camp Mack offers room to spread out. "Small campground in National Forest. 10 sites. Very quiet. We felt very safe. Pulled in around 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon. Only 3 other sites were being used," reports Travels W.
Quiet atmosphere: The remote location provides peaceful camping experiences. At Myron B. Hodge City Park, visitors enjoy "A beautiful little park with a nice children's playground. Boardwalk, trail, clean bathrooms, secure showers with passcode given to campers only. Security gate that closes at night," according to Sheryl R.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the forest. "Verizon 2 bars, Starlink 20 to 114 Mpbs with cloudy skies, which allows me to get my work done," notes Sheryl R. about Myron B. Hodge City Park, but most remote areas have minimal coverage.
Wildlife awareness: Alligators inhabit many water bodies in the area. "We stayed for 4 nights. It is very quiet, the beach is nice (there are 2 gators that live on the other side of the lake), the bathrooms are clean," shares Brianna B.
Weather considerations: Porter Lake Dispersed Camp can be challenging after precipitation. "The camping area gets very boggy when it rains. No trash cans but they do have a pit toilet. I've never seen TP stocked in it though so bring your own," warns Hilary G.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for children. "The CG overlooks a small lake. Nice open day use waterfront area. Swimming area as well. The lake has a hiking trail encircling it," describes R C.
Playground access: Some parks include facilities specifically for children. At Myron B. Hodge City Park, there's "A beautiful little park with a nice children's playground," which complements the pet-friendly camping near Apalachicola National Forest.
Educational wildlife opportunities: St. George Island State Park Campground provides unique nature experiences. "This state park is pristine! I love that the Audubon society works so closely with this park to preserve its fine feathered inhabitants," writes Savannah C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on shade and level ground. "All pull through sites except for waterfront. Pier to fish from. Right on the Gulf. Facilities are clean," notes Amber H. about Ho-Hum RV Park.
Access considerations: Some forest roads can be challenging. "The road to it is terrible very very bumpy like driving over a river. You need to be almost in an off-road SUV vehicle to get to it and it's 2 miles," cautions Mia F.
Hookup availability: Limited electric sites exist at certain campgrounds. "There are about 10 sites total at this free campground. The RV sites have a concrete pad as well as a fire pit and a grill and a picnic table," explains Laura M. about Florida River Island's pet-friendly camping options near Apalachicola National Forest.
