Best Tent Camping near Apalachicola, FL

There are 3 separate High Bluff Primitive campsites, one at Dry Bridge, one at Rake Creek and one at Pidcock Road.  Each spot is so far away from each other that you feel completely secluded, which is nice.  We stayed at Pidcock Rd.  Even though nobody was around we still kept the dogs on leash because the spot is surrounded by water on 3 sides, and we didn't want to risk any alligator attacks.

Site wasn't totally clean but definitely not the worst we've seen.  There is a fire ring, picnic table, and grill.  No toilet or garbage facilities so please pack out your waste.

Road in was bumpy with some huge pits but easily navigable even in our 26ft class c, just watch the road and take it slow.  There was no cell service on the roads once we entered the dense forest but the spot itself was cleared of trees enough that we got service on ATT and Verizon.

We followed the step by step directions that were in the confirmation email and not google maps' directions and we had no problems.

Site was $9/night plus tax and fees which brought it to $16.79 for the one night.

Tate's Hell State Forest is a primitive dispersed camping area slightly north the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle region. Instead of a single campground with multiple sites, Tate's Hell provides individual camps sites through out the forest, many of which are along the Carabelle River. Sites offer fire ring, picnic table and cleared tent area. All sites are accessed by dirt roads that are fairly well maintained. Many of these sites can accommodate a popup or RV, but there are no electrical, water or sewage hook ups in the state forest. If you are looking for an authentic backwoods, roughing it camping experience - this is your place!

Sites can be reserved 1 877 879 3859. The regional ranger station is located at 290 Airport Rd, Carrabelle, FL 32322.

More info https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest

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.

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.

There are about 10 sites total at this free campground.  There is a tent-only side with about 4 sites, with a pit toilet.  The tent sites are much nicer than the RV sites.  They are among the trees, they are more spread out, and on the water.  The RV sites are all lined up in a row in an open field with no shade.  The RV sites have a concrete pad as well as a fire pit and a grill and a picnic table.

We were here over a weekend and it was really, really quiet.  There was only one other RV camper here besides us and no hooligans coming through, surprisingly.

Good cell service with ATT and Verizon.  There are garbage bins (no recycling).

Not a fancy place but great for free.  You need to make reservations in advance with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

We came to this campground after staying at St George Island state oro to complete a 2 week trip. We read the reviews of the small spaces for big rigs and we confirm it as we arrived.. although it is a fact we still made it with our fifth wheel on campsite#9 designated for a 35’. If the site had the front bushes trimmed out it would make it easier since it’s a curve to back it. But at the end we just back straight and the privacy of it was worth it.. it’s just back of the river and canoeing area and although we got rained at arrival since hurricane Sally approach same day we were able to see what we came for, quiet, peace, small not crowded campsite and got to see very close the unique white squirrel. Rangers at main gate were very friendly and gave us great information and tips due to heavy rain and winds expected due to hurricane Sally approaching same night. We walk thru a couple of trials and everything was well maintained. Also used the women’s restroom and although is not new the toilet and sink areas were really cleaned and the toilet paper was actually of a great quality. ( impressive knowing this to be badly rated restrooms). The tide creek Picnic Shelter is well maintained , lots of parking and there is a lot to do if you bring the kids including swings and slides. Canoeing, fishing, fire rings and all the uniqueness of the palmetto bushes and oak trees. If you like to be alone in the woods and no heavy city population this is the park to come. Did not got to enjoy the stars because of all the rain from hurricane path. We never experimented any bad winds during this Hurricane situation and the rain went so well for our taste of resting before heading back to our 7 hour trip back home. And yes looking forward to come again but will try other better sites for our fifth wheel now I know which they are.