Carrabelle's fishing town roots and Gulf Coast location create distinct camping conditions year-round. This section of Florida's Forgotten Coast experiences warm summers with highs around 90°F and mild winters averaging 65°F during the day. Annual rainfall exceeds 55 inches, with most precipitation falling during summer thunderstorms between June and September.
What to do
Kayaking the Ochlockonee River: Rent equipment and paddle near Ed and Bernices Fish Camp and RV Park, which offers direct river access. "We kayaked and loved and I mean absolutely love being on this river. Did some swimming and fishing off the side. Caught some huge brim, they were delicious," shares a camper.
Fishing from piers: Many rv campgrounds near Carrabelle provide fishing opportunities without needing a boat. At Ho-Hum RV Park, "At the end of the fishing pier you can see the crabs clinging to the support poles," notes one visitor.
Exploring local museums: The Crooked River Lighthouse and small maritime museums showcase local history. "We found a museum .02 miles away and crooked lighthouse to explore," mentions a traveler staying at Carrabelle Beach RV Resort.
Visiting St. George Island: Just 10 minutes from several Carrabelle campgrounds, these beaches offer pristine shorelines. "Short drive to beautiful St George Island. It is beautiful, white sand beach and was empty on Thanksgiving weekend," reports a camper.
What campers like
Sunset views: Waterfront spots at Coastline RV Resort & Campground provide prime viewing. "The view. Wow! Just wonderful. This is my new favorite place to stay along the Florida Panhandle coastline," shares one enthusiastic reviewer.
Wildlife watching: Dolphins and shore birds are common sights from bayfront sites. "You can watch dolphins in the bay. They keep the facilities very clean," notes a visitor to Coastline RV Resort.
Private bathroom facilities: Several parks offer individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. "The bathrooms were spotless. I felt like I walked into a spa when I opened the door calming music started and the lights came on," reports a camper.
Beach shell collecting: Cape San Blas beaches offer excellent shelling opportunities. At RV by the Sea, "my daughters were able to find several perfect sea shells," mentions a family camper.
What you should know
Yellow flies seasonality: These biting insects can be problematic during certain months. "The yellow biting flies are the spawn of satan. I read they are most prevalent April-June and they were horrible," warns a visitor to Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort.
Limited grocery options: Stock up before arrival as shopping is limited. "You're about 10 miles from a grocery store and restaurants (we planned meals). But there is a general store that is surprisingly well stocked," notes a camper at RV by the Sea.
Sandy conditions: Prepare for sand in and around your unit. "Bring a good rug for the outside because you'll get sand everywhere," advises an RV camper at Cape San Blas.
Water color expectations: The Gulf water here isn't crystal clear. "Reminder the water here is brown," mentions one reviewer about the shoreline at Ho-Hum RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Some parks are better suited for children than others. At Panacea RV Park, "There is a small pool that is open mostly all the time. Very friendly people," notes a long-term camper.
Beach wildlife exploration: Children enjoy discovering small marine creatures. "The dogs had a great time chasing crabs on the beach," and "could not keep the kids from playing by the water they scooped up minnows and found crawdads," share family campers.
Age-appropriate parks: Some Carrabelle RV parks cater more to adults than children. "Not kid friendly. Dog friendly," notes one visitor about Ho-Hum RV Park, while others mention Ed and Bernices Fish Camp is "a great place to go with family."
Swimming safety: Water conditions vary by location and season. "We kayaked, went swimming. Cooked out, had a camp fire," reports a family at Ed and Bernices, indicating suitable water conditions for swimming during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning challenges: Some RV campgrounds in Carrabelle require careful placement. "Getting the RV positioned was a little tricky. While the site is long enough, the sewer connection is closer to the front of the site, so we could not park at the back," explains a visitor to Carrabelle Beach RV Resort.
Power backup considerations: Weather conditions may affect electricity. Carrabelle Beach RV Resort permits generators for backup power during outages.
Wind exposure: Coastal sites can experience strong winds. "The site has no shelter from the wind and a storm could damage your RV which happened to us," cautions a camper at RV by the Sea.
Leveling and stabilization: Sandy or gravel surfaces affect stabilizer effectiveness. "Gravel makes stabilizers not as effective but not horrible," shares an RVer about the conditions at Ho-Hum RV Park.
