The wilderness surrounding Bristol, Florida is dominated by Apalachicola National Forest with elevations rarely exceeding 200 feet. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can dip into the 40s. Campsites in this region typically feature sandy soil with pine and oak coverage providing moderate shade during warmer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks surround the area, including those at Three Rivers State Park Campground. "The hiking trail encircling the lake is particularly popular among pet owners," notes a camper. The Fort Braden trail network near Coe Landing provides additional options but requires driving to access. "Great hiking with huge trail network at Fort Braden on adjacent property but the bummer is that there was no way to connect to them from campground due to swamp and geography. Had to drive about 3 miles to trailheads," reports a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Florida River Island provides free fishing access. "Remote campground that has fishing and off-roading opportunities. I like that it's free, but they also have fire rings and tables unlike the hunt camps," mentions a camper. Three Rivers State Park offers bank fishing, pier access, and boat launches. "The boat launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station are a short walk," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Swimming areas are available at several locations including Camel Lake Campground. "The lake has a hiking trail encircling it. Swimming area as well," states one reviewer. Merritt's Mill Pond at Florida Caverns RV Resort provides clear water for paddleboarding. "The water is AMAZING! You can see all the way to the bottom," reports a camper.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Eastbank receives praise for its large sites. "Sites were absolutely level with gravel. Plenty of room between and little noise," notes one camper. Similar comments appear for other campgrounds in the area. "The campsite was spacious, level, and very clean. I was surprised at the number of campers on a Sunday night. Even with the crowd, it was quiet!" reports another camper.
Water views: Many campgrounds offer waterfront sites with notable views. "Lakefront, open, grassy campground with scattered trees that provide partial shade for many sites. Very friendly and helpful staff," reports one visitor to Eastbank. At Coe Landing Campground, "Nearly every spot is lake view. The keepers and residents are all very polite."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent mention. "Bathrooms were clean and well-maintained at most locations with showers available at the larger facilities," notes a reviewer. At Three Rivers State Park, "Bath house was super clean and always stocked. The grounds were beautifully kept."
What you should know
Access challenges: Some forest roads can be difficult without proper vehicles. "If your GPS sends you onto Forest Rd 121 or 105 find another route unless you are in 4WD," advises one Camel Lake visitor. Another notes, "2 mi dirt road to get to it," when describing access to the campground.
Wildlife awareness: Seminole State Park Campground and surrounding areas contain abundant wildlife requiring vigilance. "We had fun walking the nature trail and saw signs of deer and raccoons," notes one camper. Alligators inhabit many water bodies in the region. "The beach is nice (there are 2 gators that live on the other side of the lake)," warns a Camel Lake reviewer.
Insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly during warmer months. "The only reason I would drop a star (but it's not their fault) is because there were SO many mosquitoes at night," reports a Coe Landing visitor. Another camper describes "huge mosquitoes, huge bugs" at River Island campground.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly swimming: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Bristol offer swimming access for families. "We stayed for 4 nights. It is very quiet, the beach is nice, the bathrooms are clean, the shower was decent & the host was great!" reports a Camel Lake visitor. Seminole State Park also provides swimming opportunities according to reviews.
Site selection: For family camping, waterfront sites often provide the best experience. At Three Rivers State Park, "We had a beautiful lake view on a huge pull through site! Site was spotless, including the fire pit." Eastbank campers note, "Very pleasant with a lakeside view. Our site didn't have any shade but the adjoining site, with friends, had plenty."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. "The playground close to the camping loop is nearly complete and looks super fun for the Littles," mentions a Seminole State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: River Landing RV Park offers full hookups for RVs. "The park inside has tables and chairs and little beautiful hanging lights a big fire pit and a really nice bathhouse with laundry room," reports a camper. Hookup types vary between campgrounds, with some offering water and electric only, while others provide sewer connections.
Site conditions: Level sites are available at most campgrounds, though some require work. "Our site was right on the water. The sites are level gravel pads with a walkway that leads to a raised gravel sitting area for each site," notes a Seminole State Park visitor. At Coe Landing, "Sites are gravel and some take creative leveling of the rig."
Time zone awareness: Some campgrounds near the Florida-Georgia border present time zone confusion. "The gate closes at 10pm EASTERN Time. Once in the campground, your phone will go to central time, FYI," advises an Eastbank camper.
