This is less an actual campground than it is a single gravel lane that runs parallel to A1A to the west and the white caps crashing down along a pretty spectacular piece of sand to the east where you’ll be treated to unbridled views of the Atlantic Ocean. So, technically I guess you could call this a CG, because there’s a designated place to park your RV or 5th Wheel (no, this is not a place for mi tent-pitchin’ bredren unless you like setting up camp on gravel with RVs on either side of you, and even then, I don't think they'll let you camp here in a tent), there’s a restroom / shower facility with a single coin-operated washer & dryer set and a perimeter complete with a key-coded security gate (which is pretty much open during the whole day), but other than the standard issued picnic table and fire ring at each site, there’s not much more to this place.
Oh, but hey, you have DIRECT access to the Atlantic Ocean on a pretty decent beach (albeit that had just been nearly completely wiped out recently courtesy of Hurricanes Ian and Milton).
The one thing I will say about this particular location – if you actually want to camp (er, park your RV) as close to the beach and ocean as possible, this is one of the very few places up and down the eastern Florida coastline that you can do this, while still having a fairly intimate, enjoyable experience. Add to this all of the other abundant natural amenities available in the other half of the park (just across the street, mind you), combined with being just a short drive to civilization back at Flagler Beach, and this spot is pretty difficult to pass up. Downsides? Sites are pretty close to one another and while there is decent brush-like perimeter that blocks you from seeing all the traffic passing by A1A, you will have next to no privacy between you and your neighbors here at this roadside CG.
Finding Gamble Rogers Memorial SRA couldn’t be easier, and if you’re heading to this CG, you’ll just want to turn towards the beach from A1A, where the entrance to the CG is immediately on your right. You need only drive down the single gravel lane until you find your spot among the 34 or so slots that exist after first checking in at the Ranger Station that sits opposite this location on the other side of A1A. Apart from the massive attraction that is the beachhead itself, for the most part, all of the other amenities that you’ll want to take advantage of here at Gamble Rogers will be found on the Intracoastal side of the SRA where you’ll find hiking paths, 6 different sized covered pavilions that are perfect for a small family of 4 or can fit a BBQing family reunion of 100 or so – but I would highly recommend for the larger sized planned group events to reserve well in advance. This entire SRA is pet-friendly and there is a sanitary disposal for RVs and 5th Wheels along with standard water & electric hook-ups.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you come toting a kayak or canoe, there is an excellent launch near the first set of covered pavilions on the Intracoastal, and if you don’t have your own, the good folks here at Gamble Rogers will gladly rent you one of theirs; (2) Whether you are staying beachside or riverfront, if you’ve got swimming on your mind, you’ll want to avoid going for a dip in the alligator-infested frackish waters of the Intracoastal and instead fare better in the ocean’s sea salt, but do beware of the warning flags as rip currents in this area can be quite unpredictable and thus dangerous; (3) There’s an excellent boat launch on the Intracoastal side with fairly wide access and a very minimal decline into the water, but you’ll want to motor slow given all of the manatees in the area;(4) The restroom facilities beachside are just mediocre and will certainly get the job done, but I found the bath house back on the Intracoastal side to be nothing short of spectacular, especially with the turbine-like ceiling fans that keep the place fresh and dry – not a bad place to hang wet clothes to let them dry; (5) When you grow weary of rummaging through your RV mini-fridge and wanna check out some local fare, while fairly touristy, we tried out the Funky Pelican, which has the long pier that was nearly destroyed from the last Hurricane that ripped through here, and have to admit that the seafood combination plate for $20 was most excellent; and (6) IMHO the best sites on the beachside are those located furthest south(#25-#34) as they are further away from the entrance and seem better shrouded from the traffic noise.
Happy Camping!
