Primitive campsites near Bonifay, Florida combine Panhandle wilderness with waterfront access opportunities. The region sits within Florida's sandhills ecosystem featuring longleaf pine forests and coastal dune lakes. Most tent camping areas require reservations through Florida's forest management systems, with prices ranging from $10-25 per night depending on amenities and location.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Point Washington State Forest provides lake access for anglers. "I had a beautiful view of Eastern Lake and easy access to the water where there is a small dock. Great place to launch a canoe or kayak," notes a visitor at Eastern Lake Campground 2.
Hiking trails: The forest trail systems offer multiple loop options for day hikes. "I did the 10 mile single track flat bike route. I saw not much wildlife or birds. It was a foggy overcast day," reports one camper about their experience at Eastern Lake Campground 1.
Beach access: Coastal state forests provide camping with relatively easy beach access. "It was so quiet there and we were the only ones at the campground, we enjoyed the peace and quiet, and the alone time," explains a visitor at Point Washington State Forest.
What campers like
Natural isolation: Many tent sites offer significant separation from other campers. "Private maybe one person will drive down the road but they turn around pretty fast without a problem nice back country campground," notes a visitor at Pine Log State Forest Primitive Campsites.
Multiple camping loops: Point Washington offers two distinct camping areas with different advantages. "Campground 1 pros: can park in your site, further apart, no highway noise. Campground 2 pros: beautiful lake view and easy access to water, prettier view, more breeze," explains one experienced camper.
Lakeside views: Several tent sites offer direct water access. "I stayed at campground 2 site 1. I had a beautiful view of Eastern Lake and easy access to the water where there is a small dock," writes one visitor about camping at Eastern Lake.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest roads can become challenging after rainfall. "We camped here on our vacation and LOVED it! I will say that the mud holes are huge and you definitely don't want to take a small car through it, that's the only downfall," notes a camper at Eastern Lake Campground 1.
Gate codes required: Many primitive sites have locked gates requiring reservation codes. "This is a quiet Forest. I stayed at camp 1, site 1. There is a code to lock on gate when you go in," explains a visitor.
Limited facilities: Most sites offer only basic amenities. "Has a 'outhouse' no running water or hookups in the primitive camping area. Campsites provide picnic table and grill with a lantern pole and pea gravel area to set up tent," reports a camper describing Eastern Lake Campground 2.
Hard ground conditions: Some tent areas have challenging soil for stakes. "The sites are a fine gravel, which was fine, but the ground was so hard underneath we couldn't drive one of our stakes in," notes one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach proximity planning: While seemingly close to beaches, some campgrounds require longer drives than expected. "For those like us who are in the area primarily because of beaches, be aware that while these campgrounds are very close to 30A by the way the crow flies, it's about 20 minutes by car to Seagrove," reports a visitor to Neals Landing Park.
Vehicle requirements: Higher-clearance vehicles work best for accessing remote sites. "I came in a day after rain and there were numerous significant deep puddles to get through. I was grateful my Sprinter had knobby tires and was a little higher," explains one camper.
Wildlife awareness: Several areas have wildlife considerations. "Signs for active bears but we saw none," mentions a camper about their Point Washington experience.
Tips from RVers
Military facilities: For those with military ID, additional options exist. "The campground doesn't have as much shade or as many trees as it had before the hurricane in 2018, but it is back open for business and is a great place for military and veterans to park their campers short or long term," explains a visitor to Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB.
Nearby amenities: Some campgrounds offer proximity to towns and supplies. "It's close to Tyndall AFB and the Tyndall marina where you can rent kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, jet skis, bikes, and more. It's about a 15 minute drive from Walmart, Win Dixie, and a slew of restaurants," notes a Raptor Ranch visitor.
Weather considerations: Florida's panhandle experiences seasonal challenges. "Forest Road 2 to the campground took us 13 minutes to drive," reports a camper noting the extended access time after weather events.
