Bristol, Florida camping encompasses an area with significant elevation changes uncommon for Florida, with bluffs rising 130 feet above the Apalachicola River. The region sits within the eastern edge of the Florida Panhandle where the terrain transitions from coastal flatlands to more varied topography. Campgrounds in this area often require reservations during spring and fall when temperatures are most moderate.
What to do
Hiking challenging trails: Torreya State Park offers unusually difficult hiking paths with steep elevation changes. One camper noted, "There's a hiking loop called the Great Challenge. It's so difficult, meandering up and down in elevation for 9 miles, that you may give up." The park's rare Torreya trees and diverse plant life make the effort worthwhile.
Fishing in Lake Seminole: Seminole State Park Campground provides excellent access to lake fishing. "Great campground hosts. Beautiful lake with good fishing," reports one visitor. The lake remains popular year-round with less crowding during winter months.
Kayaking the Apalachicola River: River Landing RV Park offers direct river access. A camper shared, "The place is beautiful and clean and sits on the prettiest river the Apalachicola river." Paddlers can explore miles of riverfront with minimal boat traffic except on weekends.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Eastbank campground features generous lakefront camping areas. "Due to the warm weather there were many sites available to us in early August. We were able to get a waterfront site with a long gravel drive, picnic table and fire pit," one visitor reported. Sites accommodate larger RVs and provide partial shade.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the Bristol area maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. At Three Rivers State Park, campers noted "Very clean facilities. A pleasant surprise when we arrived, after miles of rural driving!" The park manages to keep amenities maintained despite its remote setting.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife unusual for more developed areas. At Torreya State Park, one camper shared, "Incredible. Park rangers were so nice. Beautiful scenery of the Apalachicola River. The steephead ravines are remarkable! Diverse flora. Rare animals seen: gopher tortoise, copperhead." Early morning offers best wildlife sighting opportunities.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access roads to certain camping areas require careful navigation. At Camel Lake Campground, a visitor warned, "If your GPS sends you onto Forest Rd 121 or 105 find another route unless you are in 4WD." Many forest roads become difficult or impassable after rain.
Remote location requires preparation: Most Bristol camping areas sit far from amenities. One camper at Florida River Island mentioned, "No cell signal, peaceful near the river." Bring all necessary supplies as the nearest full grocery stores are 30+ minutes away.
Seasonal insect challenges: Summer brings heavy insect activity. A camper at Eastbank reported, "I was battling them with our Repel insect spray. If you stay get a site with no trees and that's not near the water. The dragonflies at a certain time of day are outrageous too!" Spring and fall camping reduces this issue.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas with safety considerations: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming spots with varying amenities. At Camel Lake, a visitor noted, "We stayed for 4 nights. It is very quiet, the beach is nice (there are 2 gators that live on the other side of the lake), the bathrooms are clean." Always supervise children near water.
Playground availability: Three Rivers State Park Campground offers play areas for younger children. A recent visitor mentioned, "The playground close to the camping loop is nearly complete and looks super fun for the Littles." These facilities provide activity options during hot afternoons.
Nature education opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led programs that engage children. At Torreya State Park, "Tour the Gregory House - it's worth the couple bucks! 130 ft bluffs and great view of the Apalachicola River." These programs typically run weekends during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup options: Most campgrounds offer electric and water only. At Florida Caverns State Park, a camper noted, "Nice full hookups campsites. A lot of nice hiking trails. The caverns tour is worth it." Reserve these limited sites well in advance during peak season.
Site selection considerations: RVers should carefully select sites based on access and level ground. At Seminole State Park, one visitor explained, "The waterfront sites are pullthroughs on a halfmoon loop. The sites are level gravel pads with a walkway that leads to a raised gravel sitting area for each site." Request specific site numbers when booking.
Generator restrictions: Many parks limit generator use to specific hours. A visitor to River Landing RV Park shared, "She figured out how to get water to us and welcomed us with food and music." Call ahead to confirm power options, especially during hurricane season when outages are possible.
