Best Campgrounds near Bagdad, FL

Campgrounds near Bagdad, Florida span from coastal settings to inland forests, with notable options including Fort Pickens Campground in Gulf Islands National Seashore and Blackwater River State Park. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds with full hookups, primitive camping areas, and cabin rentals. Most established sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several parks offering waterfront access along rivers, bays, or the Gulf of Mexico. Campgrounds like Milton-Gulf Pines KOA and Avalon Landing RV Park provide amenities specifically designed for RVs, while state parks typically offer more natural settings with a balance of facilities and outdoor experiences.

Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with hurricane season potentially affecting coastal campgrounds from June through November. "We arrived and everything was dry. The next morning, our site had literally turned into a pond," noted one camper about River's Edge RV Campground, highlighting the importance of weather awareness when camping in this region. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended during winter months when snowbirds flock to Florida's panhandle. Many campgrounds feature paved or gravel pads with electric and water hookups, while state parks like Blackwater River State Park offer more spacious sites with natural buffers between campers. Cell service can be spotty in forested areas but generally reliable at larger commercial campgrounds.

The camping experience near Bagdad combines coastal and forest environments within relatively short driving distances. Campers consistently praise the white sand beaches at Fort Pickens and the pristine waters of Blackwater River. A review of Blackwater River State Park mentioned, "You don't need the beach when you've got the pristine white sands of the shores of Blackwater river." Wildlife viewing opportunities include alligators, various bird species, and marine life along coastal areas. Mixed-use campgrounds often feature fishing docks, boat ramps, and swimming areas, though swimming is prohibited in some lakes due to alligator presence. Tent campers will find dedicated loops at several state parks, while RV enthusiasts have numerous options with full hookups, including sewer connections. Proximity to military installations means occasional aircraft noise at some campgrounds, particularly those near Eglin Air Force Base or Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Best Camping Sites Near Bagdad, Florida (152)

    1. Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    100 Reviews
    Gulf Breeze, FL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 934-2622

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This might be my favorite place to camp in all of florida. The campgrounds are clean , quiet and steps from the beach. Great hot showers that are cleaned daily. A visit to the fort is a must."

    "Fort Pickins is a large National Park campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida. There are 4 camping loops. Loop D is tents only."

    2. Blackwater River State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Holt, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 983-5363

    $20 / night

    "Beautiful Setting With Nearby Trails There are a couple short trails and a swimming beach at Juniper Lake, but I can't get excited about swimming in an area that has alligator warning signs on the"

    "Yet another one of the state of Florida's fantastic state parks.  You don't need the beach when you've got the pristine white sands of the shores of Blackwater river. "

    3. Milton-Gulf Pines KOA

    16 Reviews
    Milton, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 623-0808

    "We were driving from California to Tampa Florida so we just used it as a stopping place but the lots are big and it was easy to get in and out of."

    "We enjoyed our stay here and will be back for future Florida stays. Great staff. Pool was nice! Great little putt putt area for kids."

    4. Avalon Landing RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bagdad, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 995-5898

    "Pelicans always roosting near bridge were fun to watch. Owners are delightful. Park along busy highway, so some traffic noise, but not bad."

    "Breathtaking views and we were able to fish behind our camper. You're so close to all the "action" without hearing or having to be part of it."

    5. Splash RV Resort & Waterpark

    7 Reviews
    Milton, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 600-8500

    "It's loud by the highway. You can't enjoy your camping on half of the campground. So, if you are one to stay in your camper after playing all day, this park is for you."

    "We live here locally and its great to have this place so close allowing us to save on the crazy gas prices for the holiday weekends or short distance getaway Highly recommended!!!"

    6. The Hideaway Retreat

    21 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 939-2717

    $89 / night

    "From the moment you enter The Hideaway – and trust me, you have to be looking for this place located due south of Highway 98 Or Navarre Parkway – you’ll be whisked away to a magical nature oasis completely"

    "We have a 44 ft toy hauler and stayed in a watefront site just steps away from a very small private beach. If you want a bi ocean beach this isn't it."

    7. Emerald Beach RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 939-3431

    "Super nice place always so clean nice concrete pads quiet lots of things close by to do had teenage boys they loved it there they could either go to the pool or down to the beach we loved it so much we"

    "This campground is a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of what is Navarre and surrounding communities."

    8. Navarre Beach Camping Resort

    16 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 939-2188

    "The campground is technically not in a traditional beach such as Miramar or Clearwater; rather, it’s a small bay front area with a small man-made beach area adjacent a pier out into the bay."

    "It is also a mile away from the public beach across the Santa rosa sound. Dont forget to stop at Tommy's Sno Balls we went there every day and tried a different flavor snow cone every time."

    9. Santa Rosa RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 936-4791

    $62 - $126 / night

    "Showers/ bathroom, pool area, fenced pet area, gas fire pit lit at night to meet and greet if you want, access to the small beach and water. Shops near by for anything you want or need."

    "This campground is super clean and conveniently located. We loved the waterfront site……however you have to book well in advance. We were close to several great restaurants and shops."

    10. Pelican Palms RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Bagdad, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (850) 465-4012
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Recent Reviews near Bagdad, FL

920 Reviews of 152 Bagdad Campgrounds


  • Aaron D.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Perfect Beach Getaway

    We stayed at spot E40 in Loop E. Somewhat easy to back into. The spot was relatively flat and only needed slight leveling side to side. Bathrooms weren't too far away, just a short walk. It was very quiet at night with barely any lights. The cell service wasn't really great in our specific spot, the closer you got to Fort Pickens, the better it was, as was going back towards Pensacola Beach. Having easy access to all the beach spots was very nice. Langdon beach was a great place with good restrooms and was very quiet when we went. Fort Pickens itself was a great visit and a must see. Overall the campground was great, good amenities, very quiet, access to the beach, ton of other activities in Pensacola Beachas well as Gulf Breeze.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Nice beaches but campground pretty packed

    First off, we stayed in space number E 24 and I want to caution that there is a tree over hanging the site that if you have more than 11 feet height in your RV you need to hug the driver side of the site or you’ll hit the tree. Site was nice and level. Short quarter mile hike over to the beach. Hike out to Fort Pickens was a nice trail, and the fort itself was pretty cool. We did not visit the bathrooms/showers so can’t comment on those. I would say 80 to 90% of the campsites are probably in the sun. Very few actually have trees with shade. It does cost an extra $25 or America the beautiful pass to get into the Fort Pickens national Park. We did visit the aviation museum over on the airbase which was fascinating and it was free.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Blackwater River State Park Campground

    Beautiful area right next to the river

    The main reason I did not get this campground five stars, which really isn’t their fault, but there’s quite a bit of air traffic noise with helicopters and planes flying overhead. I think there is an airport nearby. The campground itself is very well-maintained with nice level pads and full hook ups. Caution, if you’re coming from the east on 90 Google maps will have you turn at Cooper Lane. Continue on 90 until you get to Deaton Bridge Road. The other way will take you meandering through about 10 miles of small back roads and Deaton Bridge Road is only about 4 miles from the campground. Showers were nice and great hiking trails in the area.

  • M
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    great stay!

    such a great spot! The park is clean (i think new), well taken care of, and close to everything .... beaches, restaurants, and stores (but still at a great rate). The sites were easy to pull into (thank goodness, sometimes that is a challenge) and had everything we needed. The staff was friendly and hospitable. It’s a nice, quiet place to relax... park is safe feeling. Good stay overall, would come back

  • Jordan W.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    Clean Park, Good Size

    This park was perfect for us, and in a great location. We were able to save money but still enjoy the awesome costal town. There is great stufff all around, and we felt very safe in the park.

    It was clean, the grass looked wonderful, the pad were wide, the picnic pads were great and we had so much fun!

  • B
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    Brand New RV Park!

    This RV Park was beautiful, beand new, well maintained and in a great location. We enjoyed our stay here and plan to be back next year. The community center had laundry and the wifi was fast. The picnic table was sturdy and I liked the pavered sites, it felt very clean and elevated!

  • E
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Alabama Coast Campground

    Very nice spot!

    Extremely scenic and friendly staff. Great playground, 2 dog parks. Would stay again!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Island Retreat RV Park

    Change of Scenery

    Camping down in Florida earlier in week decided to go to Gulf Shores for a change of scenery. Nice RV park. Staff are great. Most sites are full sun. Great central location to the beach (bike ride or drive). Bike and walking path. It’s off the main tourist area so it’s nice and quiet. MO’s Landing is right across the street so you can put a boat in or you paddleboard/kayak and tool around Little Lagoon. The only reason for not a 5 star is a lot of the sites do not have the patio area right off the center of the trailer where you normally would hang out. Ours had 3 ft of concrete then drop off to sandy ground. Still a really nice RV park.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Pensacola Beach RV Resort

    Perfection!

    I'd give it 10 stars if I could! The parking spots are pristine, the showers clean, the tiki bar on the sound beach was incredible, with lots of chairs & bean bags to laze around in... The pool is beautiful & super clean, with lights all around & a fountain!


Guide to Bagdad

Camping spots near Bagdad, Florida range from bayfront settings with sunset views to wooded retreats along pristine rivers. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations under 100 feet, with the regional climate featuring high humidity from April through October. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with afternoon thunderstorms common, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing.

What to do

Water activities on Blackwater River: Visitors at Blackwater River State Park Campground can enjoy swimming, tubing, and kayaking in clear waters. "Tubing, kayaking canoeing are all super here as is the bike riding, if you know where to go, (hint: follow the road to the boat ramp just north of the entrance)," notes one camper. The river features soft, sandy shores perfect for wading.

Fishing opportunities: The Hideaway Retreat provides direct water access for anglers. "You can rent kayaks and paddle boards at the campground ($35/half day) which we did and enjoyed," shares a visitor. At Santa Rosa RV Resort, the 300-foot pier allows fishing access without a boat.

Military history exploration: Less than 10 miles from several Bagdad-area campgrounds, visitors can explore the Naval Aviation Museum, which one camper notes is "free," along with the Pensacola Lighthouse. These attractions make good rainy-day options when beach activities aren't possible.

What campers like

Private beach access: Emerald Beach RV Park features its own small beach area. "Fun little dog beach, great fishing pier and small beach," reports one visitor. Another notes, "Right on the water. Great facilities: a pier, dog parks, lounge chairs in the sand."

Heated pools during cooler months: Many campgrounds maintain heated pools year-round. At Santa Rosa RV Resort, "the pool was heated to 87 degrees!" according to one winter visitor. This extends swimming season well beyond summer months.

Quiet natural settings: The peacefulness of certain campgrounds draws repeat visitors. "So silent, clean bathrooms, nice people, rangers are really helpful," writes one camper about Blackwater River State Park. Another adds it's "secluded & not many campers when we went (February)."

What you should know

Storm damage concerns: Coastal areas may show hurricane effects. At The Hideaway Retreat, a camper noted, "The beach shore is very eroded and marked off with ugly cones and caution tape." Check with campgrounds about current conditions before booking.

Traffic challenges: Busy highways near some campgrounds create noise and access issues. A Splash RV Resort & Waterpark visitor mentioned, "It's loud by the highway. You can't enjoy your camping on half of the campground." Another camper warns about Navarre Parkway: "The traffic on the road the resort sits on is awful so plan ahead."

Site size variations: Many campgrounds feature tight spacing between sites. "Sites are pretty close together and some of the amenities like the mini golf course need to be updated," observed one camper at Milton-Gulf Pines KOA. When booking, request specific site dimensions if traveling with larger rigs.

Tips for camping with families

Water park amenities: Families with children particularly enjoy Splash RV Resort & Waterpark. "The lazy river and waterslides were her favorite. We especially liked the armband so the kids were able to purchase food, drinks, game tokens for the arcade," shares a grandmother who visited with family.

Kid-friendly beach options: Multiple campgrounds offer protected swimming areas safer for children than open Gulf waters. "The depth and calmness are perfect for younger children and parents who want to semi-chill on the beach without too much worry," notes a visitor to The Hideaway Retreat.

Activity planning: Milton-Gulf Pines KOA provides built-in entertainment options. "Great staff. Pool was nice! Great little putt putt area for kids. Spots are good sized," reports a family. Consider campgrounds with organized activities during school holidays when they're most crowded.

Tips from RVers

Hookup considerations: Full-service sites are widely available but vary in configuration. At The Hideaway Retreat, one RVer noted, "Sewer, water & electric were all at front of site, so had to pull into access road to dump." Always verify hookup locations before setting up.

Accessibility challenges: Some older campgrounds have tight turns and low-hanging trees. One visitor to The Hideaway Retreat advised, "There's a lot of trees, make sure you're an expert if hauling a trailer or driving a large RV because space is tight and the tree canopies are low."

Parking limitations: Several campgrounds restrict additional vehicle parking. "The campsites are very close together and limited parking area for vehicles," observed a visitor to Navarre Beach Camping Resort. Consider carpooling if traveling with multiple vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bagdad, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bagdad, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 152 campgrounds and RV parks near Bagdad, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bagdad, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bagdad, FL is Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore with a 4.6-star rating from 100 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bagdad, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Bagdad, FL.