Best Tent Camping near Crestview, FL
Black Water River State Forest offers several primitive tent camping options within 30 miles of Crestview, Florida. Hurricane Lake South Campground provides lakeside tent camping in a scenic setting with grassy sites, each equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping areas allow up to 14-day stays in more remote locations suitable for traditional tent camping experiences.
Most tent sites have level, packed-ground tent pads, though Hurricane Lake South features grassy sites that accommodate hammock camping between trees. Access roads may become difficult after rain, with significant puddles that require higher-clearance vehicles. While some campgrounds offer limited amenities like pit toilets and potable water spigots, most primitive camping areas require campers to bring all supplies and practice leave-no-trace principles. Tent campers should be prepared for possible wildlife encounters, as the forest is home to various Florida wildlife, including alligators in lake areas.
Tent campers at Black Water River State Forest enjoy considerable privacy with spacious, well-separated sites that provide a genuine wilderness experience. Many sites offer direct access to Hurricane Lake for fishing and paddling, though only trolling motors are permitted on the water. The forest provides extensive hiking opportunities with connections to Alabama's Conecuh National Forest for longer backpacking trips. According to one visitor, "Hurricane lake south is a beautiful spot to relax and decompress. I suggest bringing fishing gear if you are into fishing." Point Washington State Forest, located further south, offers additional primitive tent camping with sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and gravel tent pads near Eastern Lake.
