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Best Tent Camping near Carrabelle, FL

285 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

National Forest lands surrounding Carrabelle, Florida offer several primitive tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Camp Mack provides seven tent campsites along a river with a boat launch, while Whitehead Landing NF Campground offers spacious tent sites with basic amenities at affordable rates. Hickory Landing Campground features secluded tent sites accessible by boat, drive-in, or walk-in methods, making it ideal for tent-only camping experiences. Cotton Landing and Vilas Campsite round out the tent camping options in the area, each offering primitive sites with minimal facilities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Carrabelle region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with some offering pit toilets and trash receptacles. Campers should be prepared for primitive conditions, as most locations lack potable water, showers, and electrical hookups. At Whitehead Landing, non-potable water spigots are available, but bringing your own drinking water is recommended. Surface conditions vary from packed dirt to forest floor, with minimal site preparation. During hunting season, some campgrounds experience increased traffic, and wildlife awareness is essential as alligators and snakes inhabit the area.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Carrabelle offers genuine seclusion and natural surroundings. According to reviews, Whitehead Landing remains peaceful even during peak times, with one camper noting, "At only $3/night, you can't beat the peace and quiet." Temperatures in February range from 70s during the day to low 50s at night. Hickory Landing Campground provides private tent sites with excellent paddling opportunities on Owl Creek. One visitor described it as "very secluded with fairly private sites." Camp Mack maintains a quiet atmosphere with typically low occupancy, even on weekends. Campers should be aware of ticks and sticker bushes when gathering firewood, with recommendations to collect along dirt roads rather than venturing deep into wooded areas. Cell service varies by location, with Verizon generally providing better coverage than other carriers.

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Best Tent Sites Near Carrabelle, Florida (25)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Carrabelle, FL

8 Photos of 25 Carrabelle Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Carrabelle, FL

285 Reviews of 25 Carrabelle Campgrounds

  • irena J.
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Tate's Hell State Forest

    Tate's Hell State Forest

    Tate's Hell State Forest is a primitive dispersed camping area slightly north the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle region. Instead of a single campground with multiple sites, Tate's Hell provides individual camps sites through out the forest, many of which are along the Carabelle River. Sites offer fire ring, picnic table and cleared tent area. All sites are accessed by dirt roads that are fairly well maintained. Many of these sites can accommodate a popup or RV, but there are no electrical, water or sewage hook ups in the state forest. If you are looking for an authentic backwoods, roughing it camping experience - this is your place!

    Sites can be reserved 1 877 879 3859. The regional ranger station is located at 290 Airport Rd, Carrabelle, FL 32322.

    More info https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest

  • Vince F.
    Mar. 7, 2021

    Tate's Hell State Forest High Bluff Primitive Campsites, FL

    Secluded sites, great night sky

    We camped at Pidcock Road Campsite #49 during the 2020 Leonid meteor shower.  Nice place for dogs (req'd on leash) as no other campsites nearby.  Very quiet, no water or electricity.  Don't trust google map for road directions, you have to approach from the east or north.  Dirt roads could be an issue if wet and for larger RV-type set-ups.  Marginal cell phone coverage (AT&T).

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Tate's Hell State Forest High Bluff Primitive Campsites, FL

    Great!

    There are 3 separate High Bluff Primitive campsites, one at Dry Bridge, one at Rake Creek and one at Pidcock Road.  Each spot is so far away from each other that you feel completely secluded, which is nice.  We stayed at Pidcock Rd.  Even though nobody was around we still kept the dogs on leash because the spot is surrounded by water on 3 sides, and we didn't want to risk any alligator attacks.

    Site wasn't totally clean but definitely not the worst we've seen.  There is a fire ring, picnic table, and grill.  No toilet or garbage facilities so please pack out your waste.

    Road in was bumpy with some huge pits but easily navigable even in our 26ft class c, just watch the road and take it slow.  There was no cell service on the roads once we entered the dense forest but the spot itself was cleared of trees enough that we got service on ATT and Verizon.

    We followed the step by step directions that were in the confirmation email and not google maps' directions and we had no problems.

    Site was $9/night plus tax and fees which brought it to $16.79 for the one night.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2024

    Buckhorn Hunt Camp

    Quiet spot

    Easy to find and roads in are OK. Not all that busy outside of hunting season. Four spots have a picnic table. Spots are reasonably private. Did have portable toilets but some drunk idiots smashed them. Does have a trash bin.

  • C
    Feb. 27, 2021

    Ed and Bernices Fish Camp and RV Park

    Very peaceful place with great people!

    Nice pavilions with a picnic table and new fire rings. We had a flat spot and not needing to bust out the levelers is always a treat! The staff here is so kind and helpful. The others here have great knowledge about the area and we got some tips on what kinds of fish to catch...if you are into that sort of thing! If not, it is a great relaxing place to watch the river float past. Great cell signal and friendly four legged friends came to great us and our pups. Definitely stop here! Fantastic find!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 11, 2022

    Florida River Island

    Free! Reservations Required.

    There are about 10 sites total at this free campground.  There is a tent-only side with about 4 sites, with a pit toilet.  The tent sites are much nicer than the RV sites.  They are among the trees, they are more spread out, and on the water.  The RV sites are all lined up in a row in an open field with no shade.  The RV sites have a concrete pad as well as a fire pit and a grill and a picnic table.

    We were here over a weekend and it was really, really quiet.  There was only one other RV camper here besides us and no hooligans coming through, surprisingly.

    Good cell service with ATT and Verizon.  There are garbage bins (no recycling).

    Not a fancy place but great for free.  You need to make reservations in advance with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

  • Dale W.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Womack Creek Campground — Tate's Hell State Forest

    Primitive, rustic, and deserving of its name.

    At over 200,000 acres, Tate's Hell is the second largest State Forest in Florida, second only to Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rose County. That's Hell is located off of U>S> Highway 98 in  Franklin County, between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers. Check out The Ledgend of Tate's Hell on the State Forest webpage, https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest.

    For roughing it in the woods, nothing I have found beats Tate's Hell. With 36 primitive campgrounds (tent space, fire ring, and picnic table) with multiple campsites and 4 campgrounds with facilities (restrooms and some RV sites) there is plenty of room to camp and explore Tate's Hell.

    The Womack Creek campground, where I spent one night, has both RV and tent campsites and a boat ramp with access to Womack Creek. 

    Recreation opportunities include the High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail which is part of the Forest Service's Trailwalker Program.

  • J
    Dec. 22, 2025

    53 Deep Creek Campsite

    Great experience at 53 Deep Creek Primitive Site

    Our group really enjoyed this campsite. We had 7 of us, the site technically lists that the campsite can accommodate 8, but there was plenty of space. The site also lists that it can accommodate up to 2 cars, but logistically we had to drive separately and it wasn't difficult to park everyone's cars and still have room for tents.

    The site has a fire ring, charcoal grill, and a picnic table, and is a short walk away from Deep Creek. The stargazing was incredible, especially during a new moon. Very little light pollution in Tate's Hell, easily able to make out the Milky Way, especially around 8-9pm.

    Seems like the picture on the website (included here) indicates that the campsite used to be closer to the creek, and it has since been moved. The creek is about a three minute walk away now, and you can see areas where a grill and table used to be near the creek. Just keep in mind that you're looking for a clearing with a picnic table, that's your campsite, don't drive until you see a creek. It is not visible from the site.

    It's not required to have a 4x4 to get to the site, the dirt road that you drive on for about 2.2 miles is not in terrible shape, but there is a pretty massive puddle that you have to go through about 0.3 miles from the camp. There's a measuring stick to the left of the puddle as you're coming in that will tell you how deep it is. We just sent it and it was fine, but it could be an area of concern if there has been a lot of rain lately. One of our friends took a 2wd Camry through it no problem, so make of that what you will.

    All-around good campsite, and would come back to this site.

  • k
    Dec. 11, 2021

    High Bluff Campground — Joe Budd WMA and Lake Talquin State Forest

    Nice site

    No complaints about this site; plenty of campsites to pick from even with about 6 other campers; space to spread out from others. Good for primitive tent camping. Had a fire pit with grill and picnic table. Right on the lake with pier access and boat ramp- pretty cool spot. Only lost a star because of previous campers leaving some trash behind.

Guide to Carrabelle

Tent camping near Carrabelle, Florida offers budget-friendly outdoor experiences in the Apalachicola National Forest. The campsites range from $3 to $10 per night with varying levels of accessibility. During summer months, temperatures typically exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop into the 40s, requiring appropriate seasonal gear.

What to do

Paddling opportunities: Hickory Landing Campground provides direct access to Owl Creek with calm waters suitable for beginner paddlers. According to a visitor, "The paddling is great on owl creek," making it an excellent base for kayak and canoe day trips.

Boat fishing: Camp Mack accommodates anglers with a dedicated boat launch adjacent to the camping area. "River runs along the border of the camp there is a boat launch," notes one camper, providing convenient water access for fishing enthusiasts.

Wildlife photography: Smith Creek Landing serves as a strategic location for photographers seeking native Florida wildlife. The area surrounding most campsites contains numerous wading birds, deer, and occasionally river otters during morning hours.

What campers like

Affordability: Whitehead Landing NF Campground offers some of the most budget-friendly tent camping in the region. One visitor reports, "Decent Verizon signal, no T-Mobile. Non-potable water spigot. There's a nice little boat ramp on the river," highlighting the basic amenities available despite the low cost.

Privacy between sites: Cotton Landing provides well-spaced sites that maintain privacy even during busier periods. "Loved my stay at this location... people I met there were great, no drama and bathrooms were decent," reports a camper who appreciated the peaceful atmosphere.

Safety factor: Camp Mack maintains a secure environment with regular Forest Service patrols. One camper noted, "Small campground in National Forest. 10 sites. Very quiet. We felt very safe. Pulled in around 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon. Only 3 other sites were being used. Felt very safe."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds provide only basic amenities. At Whitehead Landing, "These campsites include a metal fire ring and picnic tables. There is also a pit toilet that is surprisingly clean, trash receptacles, and water spigots," according to a recent visitor.

Hunting season considerations: Several campgrounds serve dual purposes as hunt camps during deer season (October-January). This increases traffic and noise levels, particularly at Wood Lake Recreation Area where hunters gather before dawn.

Firewood collection challenges: When gathering firewood at Cotton Landing, stay on established paths. A camper advises, "get fire wood along the dirt road on your way in to avoid the ticks and sticker bushes."

Tips for camping with families

Best beginner sites: Vilas Campsite provides level tent pads suitable for family camping with younger children. The minimal elevation changes make it accessible for those with limited mobility.

Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper food storage protocols as raccoons are common visitors to all campsites. Magnolia Landing Campground requires additional precautions due to its proximity to alligator habitat.

Weather preparedness: During summer months (May-September), afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Carrabelle area. Pack rain gear and ensure tents are properly secured with additional stakes and guy lines.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas near Carrabelle have limited turning radius and narrow access roads. Camp Mack accommodates smaller RVs but restricts larger rigs. The narrow entrance road requires careful navigation for vehicles over 22 feet.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most sites by bringing extra leveling blocks. Water hookups are unavailable, so fill tanks before arrival and plan water usage accordingly.

Generator etiquette: While generators are permitted at several campgrounds, observe quiet hours typically from 10pm-7am. Bring solar options when possible to maintain campground tranquility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carrabelle, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carrabelle, FL is Camp Mack with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Carrabelle, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Carrabelle, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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