Waterfront sites and nearby beaches characterize RV camping near Crestview, Florida, with options ranging from 10 to 40 miles from town. The region sits at the western end of Florida's panhandle, where RVers can access both freshwater and saltwater recreation areas. During summer months, temperatures typically exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter camping offers mild 50-70°F daytime temperatures.
What to do
Kayaking on Yellow River: River's Edge RV Campground offers direct river access for paddlers. "We had just enough time for kayaking after a drive. Just an overnight but the river was fun," notes one visitor about the easy water access.
Beach exploration: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground features unique coastal dune lakes and pristine beaches. "Cool shorter hiking trails to take you to lakes or the gulf, or as we call it Lake Florida now," shares one camper about the natural amenities.
Fishing from piers: Santa Rosa RV Resort provides a 300-foot fishing pier. "The 300 foot pier allows you to walk out and have an even more expanded view. If you prefer, you can throw out a line and test your luck or rent a kayak or paddleboards and get on the water for a while," explains one visitor.
What campers like
Private beach access: Navarre Beach Camping Resort offers waterfront relaxation without leaving the campground. "The campground is technically not in a traditional beach such as Miramar or Clearwater; rather, it's a small bay front area with a small man-made beach area adjacent a pier out into the bay," describes one camper.
Privacy between sites: Emerald Beach RV Park receives praise for its landscaping. "Super nice place always so clean nice concrete pads quiet lots of things close by to do had teenage boys they loved it there they could either go to the pool or down to the beach," shares one satisfied camper.
Heated pools: Temperature-controlled swimming options extend the camping season. "Clean, comfortable park on the Santa Rosa Bay, which is right across from the Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful sunsets and the pool was heated to 87 degrees!" notes a visitor to Santa Rosa RV Resort.
What you should know
Water issues after rain: River's Edge RV Campground sites can flood during heavy precipitation. "We arrived and everything was dry. The next morning, our site had literally turned into a pond. By the time I finished packing up to leave, I literally looked like I jumped in the river with all of my clothes on. Haha I guess that's camping in Florida for ya," warns one camper.
Military noise proximity: Some campgrounds experience disruptions from nearby bases. "It's near a huge air force base which does large ammunition testing late at night. A couple nights, our camper shook. Not the resorts' fault obviously, but just know in advance if you hear loud noises, that's what it is," explains a Santa Rosa RV Resort visitor.
Road noise variation: Traffic sounds affect different sites within the same campground. "If you happen to get a site next to the road, especially towards the back of the park, the road noise is intense and unending. There is a traffic light down the road and there is constant loud noise," cautions a Santa Rosa RV Resort reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks for kids: Splash RV Resort & Waterpark offers extensive aquatic amenities. "We have been to Splash RV two times now. Last time was before school started, and it has been our granddaughters favorite RV park so far. There are a lot of activities planned for the kids...the lazy river and waterslides were her favorite," shares one grandparent.
Convenience purchases: Some resorts offer spending options for young campers. "We especially liked the armband so the kids were able to purchase food, drinks, game tokens for the arcade, which was great on the day that it rained," notes a Splash RV Resort visitor.
Tent site selection: When tent camping with children, look for sites with extra space. "We stayed with two small tents in T6, which had some shade but was also adjacent to an open field area, which would be great for kiddos who want room to spread out and play games," recommends a Topsail Hill visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site angle challenges: Milton-Gulf Pines KOA provides long sites but with access considerations. "RV sites are long enough for 44 ft motorhome and toad. However sites are at 90 degree angle and hard to get into for big rigs, but doable," shares one RVer with a large motorhome.
Reservations essential: Advanced booking is crucial for certain parks. "Can never get a site here always full we have tried for 4 years now," reports one frustrated camper about River's Edge RV Campground.
Utility reliability: Infrastructure varies between parks near Crestview. "There is a potable water faucet and a two plug 30 amp electrical outlet at each site," notes a Topsail Hill camper, while Fort Walton Beach RV Park offers "The picnic table was sturdy and I liked the pavered sites, it felt very clean and elevated!"
