Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Apalachicola, FL

Lovely area, bring snorkels, kayaks, and bikes. Lots of wildlife. Really neat shorelines with sand and very tall trees, driftwood, dunes. Make sure to explore both sides of the peninsula. About 1.5 hours from Apalachicola National Forest, lots more to do in the area. Watch the sunset! Camp sites have nice privacy, some areas are wooded for shade. Some of my group stayed in the cabins and they were also nice (though sparcely stocked, call to know exactly what to expect). Very clean, great services as described.

We had a wonderful stay. The place was very clean. The staff at the office were cheerful and very pleasant. The dog park area in back had good grass and was clear of poop and such.

The view. Wow! Just wonderful. This is my new favorite place to stay along the Florida Panhandle coastline.

I truly believe that it is the soul of the RV Park that makes it wonderful. The owners and managers of this park are absolutely incredible. The most accommodating kindest, most friendly people I have ever run across in all of the travels I’ve done which is many and my RV! This place has not been on the map before it is new and it has only had about a month in operating at this location. I kind of accidentally ended up here when being evacuated from hurricane Milton in Clearwater and somebody else from another campground that turned out to be a bust suggested we go here because it was an unknown location. Well Joanie, the owner was packed, but she fit us in anyway she made a parking space she created a connection. She figured out how to get water to us and welcomed us with food and music. The park inside has tables and chairs and little beautiful hanging lights a big fire pit and a really nice bathhouse with laundry room… We were instantly welcomed and various churches brought over food to all the campers here who had been evacuated from their homes… the place is beautiful and clean and sits on the prettiest river the Apalachicola river. It’s pet friendly and lots of dogs and kids with a big bounce house for the kids to play on guys came over from churches with guitars and played music just a wonderful place to beif you’re on your way back down to Florida evacuating run don’t walk to this campground because there’s lots of space here that is unfilled at the moment just because she isn’t well known.

The staff was nice upon entry. We are overnightting here but the view is incredible. We arrived right around 3pm and the park was busy but nothing crazy. Pets are welcomed here as long as they respect boundaries, same as kids per the notes. Which we appreciate on both sides.

Pool looked clean and enjoyable by others.

We had been coming to St George Island for years, but this was the first time we had stayed at the state park campground. We already have reservations for next year! It's a beautiful island with white beaches and little commercialism. The state park is a strip of land between the Bay of Apalachicola and the gulf. So many places to explore on foot, by bike, or by kayak. It's a perfect location for bird or dolphin watching, fishing, sunbathing, or beach walking. The campsites are spacious, secluded, and relatively hard to come by. This is one of the state parks in Florida that books up very quickly. The Island is fun to explore. There are a few restaurants and some stores- you can get groceries at one of two small grocery stores near the entrance to the Island. There are two breweries in the area- one in Eastpoint and another in Apalachicola. Apalachicola also has several restaurants and many small stores.

Water's Edge is conveniently located if you love outdoor activities in northern Florida. It is close to a 9-mile bike path, boat launch to beautiful St Joseph's and Apalachicola Bays, and the gorgeous beaches of Cape San Blas. It is also close to Port St Joe and Apalachicola, two small, but lovely towns with shopping and restaurants. The campground itself is okay. The sites are for RVs only and are full hook-ups. They are long enough and level - my only complaint is that they are very close together. The little store at the campground is very convenient and stocks a good, diverse supply of groceries, beer and wine. The campground is also across the street from Indian Pass Raw Bar - known for their raw oysters.

RiverLanding is the cleanest, friendliest, and most beautiful park. Nestled along the banks of the Apalachicola River, it is just a beautiful site to see. Staff and owners are very kind and helpful. I recommend this park 10/10! Hands down one of the best I have ever been to! Don't miss out and stop by if your ever in the Panhandle area of Florida. You will not be disappointed!

At over 200,000 acres, Tate's Hell is the second largest State Forest in Florida, second only to Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rose County. That's Hell is located off of U>S> Highway 98 in  Franklin County, between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers. Check out The Ledgend of Tate's Hell on the State Forest webpage, https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest.

For roughing it in the woods, nothing I have found beats Tate's Hell. With 36 primitive campgrounds (tent space, fire ring, and picnic table) with multiple campsites and 4 campgrounds with facilities (restrooms and some RV sites) there is plenty of room to camp and explore Tate's Hell.

The Womack Creek campground, where I spent one night, has both RV and tent campsites and a boat ramp with access to Womack Creek. 

Recreation opportunities include the High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail which is part of the Forest Service's Trailwalker Program.

Let me say first that St. George Island State Park is perhaps the main reason we purchased our small travel trailer in the first place and found groups like The Dyrt for insight for other places to explore. We visited St. George Island in May on Florida’s“Forgotten Coast” but the State Park on the island really stole the show. 

The first thing you’ll notice about both the island and in particular the State Park is how remote it is. The beaches are seemingly empty even during busy seasons. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire state of Florida and as Floridian’s we are pretty particular. The beach is lined with beautiful sand dunes from one end to the other. The island is narrow with a single road maybe 5 miles long. The road was closed after the camp ground as they are still repairing the park from the last hurricane that hammered The Panhandle area of Florida. Not sure what's taking so long as State Park HQ is in Tallahassee only an hour or so away. 

The park has one camp ground and sites are very hard to come by. One visit and you’ll see why. Facilities are very well maintained with a friendly staff which is true for most Florida State Parks. There was a good mix of people camping in tents, small trailers and big rigs which is nice as many places in Florida are dominated by people who camp with everything they own and have rigs bigger than our house. 

You bring your own fun here so just chill on the beach. If you have kayaks or paddle boards bring em. If you have bikes, those would be good too. Fishing(check). You could probably catch dinner as there is little pressure on these waters. There is some hiking but just walking on the beach is great. Nice flat beach at low tide with hard packed sand from the outgoing tide will make it a great walk. 

Be sure to visit Apalachicola across the bay. A really good place to eat is the Owl Cafe and if you can get there for a Sunday Brunch, all the better. Very local, very southern, very authentic. 

We will be back for sure whenever we can secure a camping spot that fits our schedule. Hope it won't be too long!

I made the trip over from Panama City at the relative last minute for a quick night in the Apalachicola National Forest. Seeing that Wright Lake opened up recently, and with the majority of sites listed as First Come First Served, I figured I would make the drive and check it out. I was pleasantly surprised to find that only six sites were occupied and found myself Site 14 along the perimeter of the campground. Distance between the sites was pretty decent with at least some demarcation between each with vegetation. In the inner camp sites surrounding the bath house there however isn't anything that really breaks up one campsite to another. That being said, with most of the campground being empty, everyone had plenty of space. Things look a little refreshed with the grills and fire rings almost looking new, however some sites were missing grill plates for the fire ring. The lake itself isn't very big and there's an easy .25 mi trail that circles around it.

Crowded sites, but it’s right on the beach. Watch the tidal current when paddling/boating. Bugs may be gnarly. Amenable staff. Dog friendly for leashed pups.

This is a pretty nice campground. It is flat and sandy, with lots of palms and shrubbery dividing most spaces. We tent camped, but there were hammock posts at our site, as well as the usual fire ring and picnic table, and a water spigot. Our site was very roomy. There are tons of sand squirrels here--as soon as we got in, we took to the bath house (nice); when we came back our neighbors had weighted down our food totes as those (really cute, white) squirrels (read: jerks) had already tried to get into our food. I appreciated that the tent camping sites were clumped together so there wasn't an RV right on top of us.

The campground is right next to the river, which is part of the Ochlockonee River Paddling Trail (the lower part, map 5 I think). There is a very flat walking/biking trail with historical facts posted periodically, which goes around the small park, a swimming area in the river, a playground. Nearby there is another walking trail, for birding. There are no real strenuous activities here, I would say. There is a lot of neat flora and fauna (white deer!). There is also less neat fauna--horse flies. They bite and it hurts like heck. Cover up, with clothing or spray. No sitings of those big reptiles with teeth and dino tails.

Sopchoppy is the nearest town. There isn't a lot to do here, it's pretty remote. There is at least one fish shack. Head into Apalachicola for oysters, craft beer, beaches, etc.

We camped at Pidcock Road Campsite #49 during the 2020 Leonid meteor shower.  Nice place for dogs (req'd on leash) as no other campsites nearby.  Very quiet, no water or electricity.  Don't trust google map for road directions, you have to approach from the east or north.  Dirt roads could be an issue if wet and for larger RV-type set-ups.  Marginal cell phone coverage (AT&T).

Apríl 6, 2021 Site:49 Pidock Rd. Remote, secluded, primitive camping Use GPS coordinants but still very Difficult to find w/o assistance from Park Service Office about two miles north of access road. Very pretty site is off a woods road on a river with wetland on two other sides

I have two dogs so worried about gators which are no doubt here.

Too bad that thoughtless,idiot campers left fair amount of used toilet paper and empty cans and bottles a few feet away from the picnic table. Not putting up with that. Booked three nights, stayed one.

The beaches are like sugar (miles) and the campground is cozy with clean bathhouses. The park is not manned after sunset so if you're a campground guest make sure you call before 5:00 PM to make arrangements to get to your reserved spot because entry/exit into the park is only available by a coded gate after hours. Dogs are prohibited to roam the state park beaches however are allowed on the public beaches just a few miles away.

The sand is so solid and white, the sea shells are amazing and the water is deep, deep blue.

This recommendation is based on our site location which was oceanfront.  We were there over Thanksgiving and the location with the sunset and views was worth the slightly higher cost we normally pay.  Check out the campground site map, and if there is an oceanfront site, you won't regret booking this RV resort. 

We didn't experience too much of the town, restaurants or shops, but we did LOVE Mexico beach.  It is beautiful, white sand beach and was empty on Thanksgiving weekend.  The dogs loved it!  Highly recommend this park, but definitely get a site on the ocean.

Small, out of the way Fl state park. I’m guessing maybe 35 sites. A few concrete pads but most were dirt. Good level spots with electric and water. Sites are close but heavy vegetation gives the feeling of privacy. Decent trails to get the dogs out for exercise. Clean bathrooms and hot showers. The great part about this park was that it was incredibly quiet and peaceful. Only stayed one night. There is a lake with a boat launch so I would assume fishing is an option. Enjoyed the stopover here.

The campground is located at the end of an island away from city lights and is perfect for night photography of the stars. The sites are located about 3 miles from the ranger station and because of this there is almost no cell phone reception. There are two campground hosts on duty in case of an emergency. The sites are large and well kept however because of the site fill used (oyster shells) we do not recommend camping with dogs. These types of shells can easily slice feet and paws. The campground has 60 campsites, a playground, electricity, water hookups and dump station. Be sure to ask the rangers about the local wildlife! There's an alligator that lives in one of the two freshwater lakes at the entrance to the campground.