Camping sites near Chipley, Florida include a mix of rustic to developed options within the state's panhandle region. The area features more pronounced elevation changes than typical Florida terrain, with some campgrounds situated around 200 feet above sea level. Forest camping predominates in this region where pine and cypress trees create natural boundaries between campsites and water features.
What to do
Cave tours: Explore natural formations at Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park, located 20 minutes from Chipley. A visitor noted the guided tours are well organized: "Very beautiful but small cavern. The caverns are a must see in this park. Come early before they open as there is a line."
Fishing: Cast a line from dedicated docks at Florida Caverns RV Resort. The clear waters make spotting fish easier. "The water is AMAZING! You can see all the way to the bottom," according to one camper. Another mentioned, "From here it's a short paddle to Cypress Springs."
Trail walking: Follow forest paths through diverse ecosystems. At Pine Log State Forest, the campground trail offers an easy route. One camper described it as "a nice and easy, well-maintained, level trail" that "winds along the banks of Cyprus Pond, through the mixed hardwood/pine forest, and around Sand Pond."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer decent spacing between campsites. At Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest, campers appreciate that "spaces are not right on top of each other." Another visitor mentioned, "You really feel like you are in a pine forest all by yourself."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural settings attract diverse fauna. One camper at Falling Waters State Park Campground enjoyed "Lots of birds for birdwatching!" while others report seeing deer and rabbits at various campgrounds. A visitor at Hidden Cypress Farm "Caught sight of 3 deer and multiple rabbits."
Farm experiences: Some camping areas offer unique agricultural encounters. At Hidden Cypress Farm LLC, visitors can explore the property's Christmas tree farm. One camper enjoyed getting "a private tour of the farm in his 4 wheeler" and noted the "Cypress pond is gorgeous and the trails were a lot of fun to walk."
What you should know
Water features vary by season: The availability of water at natural features depends on recent rainfall. At Falling Waters, "there hadn't been any rain during our visit, so the falls were dry, but the trails were still worth walking." Another camper noted the waterfall "wasn't very exciting."
Reservations recommended: Most campgrounds near Chipley require advance booking, especially during winter months when snowbirds visit. "Bring your kayak or rent one" at Florida Caverns State Park for the full experience of paddling the springs.
Access roads can be challenging: Some campgrounds require traveling on unpaved routes. At Moonpie Farm and Creamery, campers can setup in the pine forest or open areas after navigating to this working farm. Sand Pond Campground requires "about 1 mile of dirt road to get here," though a camper noted the roads are "amazingly maintained for a state forest campground!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. One visitor to Falling Waters State Park Campground mentioned, "the playground was very nice and the covered pavilions were nice."
Swimming opportunities: Natural water features provide cooling options during hot months. Florida Caverns has "a small but nice swimming area at the 'lake' with its own restroom house." Another visitor recommended: "Highly recommend the 45-minute drive to Econfina creek, we rented a canoe and did the 8-miles to see 7 springs."
Farm animal interactions: Children can enjoy meeting animals at certain camping areas. At Hitchinpost RV Park, "There is a petting zoo with baby goats and piglets." Another family-friendly option is experiencing a working farm: "Help out on the farm! Collect eggs or milk cows."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Sand Pond Campground, "Some campsites can be tight if you have a big rig. Within the past year, they have removed some trees to make it easier to maneuver in the campground."
Overnight stopover options: For those just passing through, Stay n Go RV Resort offers "Level concrete FHU pull-throughs. Bare bones with no other facilities. Really designed just for an overnight." Another camper called it "Great for a nights rest" with "restaurant options within walking distance."
Full hookup availability: Access to utilities varies by campground. Hitchinpost RV Park provides "full hookups — we used the 30amp plug, water hookup, and sewer connection with no issues. Our pull-through spot had plenty of room, making setup easy."
