Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Destin, FL

While it’s closer to Alabama than most of Florida, Destin is a Florida destination you’ll want to make a note of. The main draw is water on both sides, with the ocean on one and the Choctawhatchee Bay on the other.

You’ll find plenty of beach campsites here, but the best camping near Destin, Florida is at Henderson Beach State Park. Set up at a campground with a good view of the Gulf and enjoy a warm weekend in the sun with your tent or RV. If you want to be on the other side of the Choctawhatchee Bay, head towards Seminole, FL and camp at the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. You can still get waterfront views when camping here, but you’ll likely see fewer visitors around.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Destin, Florida (96)

    1. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Santa Rosa Beach, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 267-8330

    $24 - $130 / night

    "Little pool, dog park, beach close by, tons of biking, deer, turkeys, birds galore. Highly recommend the Donut Hole for breakfast, brunch or lunch! So good! Service was awesome!"

    "Site 81- level; gravel parking pad; 8x30 ft concrete patio; moveable picnic table; partial shade 

    Very nice beach 

    Hourly tram to the beach 

    Good bike paths 

    Very nice Campbell Lake"

    2. Henderson Beach State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Destin, FL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (850) 837-7550

    $30 / night

    "a two-minute drive."

    "Lovely natural setting but with all of the craziness/amenities of Destin right out of the gate."

    3. Camp On The Gulf

    29 Reviews
    Miramar Beach, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 837-6334

    "Great proximity to the beach. Depending on your site several are just steps from the beach (actually on the beach if you don’t need sewer)."

    "Just as nice as a resort but here you have direct access to the sand, because you can park directly on the beach! No need for shoes if you get a site on the sand."

    4. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Niceville, FL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 833-9144

    $16 / night

    "Sites are large with split rail fencing around each site. Restrooms are very clean. Family showers are also available, which is very helpful with little kids. Park has boating ramp to the bayou."

    "Conveniently close to grocery stores. If you want to stay in Florida at affordable prices and have access to the best beaches in the US. This is the place to stay."

    5. Grayton Beach State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Santa Rosa Beach, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 267-8300

    $30 - $110 / night

    "Easy walk to Western Lake - some sites even back up to the lake. Longer walk to the beach/gulf, but we found the walk to be beautiful and saw quite a few birds along the way."

    "Grayton Beach is conveniently located right off 30A. It's really a convenient location to retail and grocery shopping while still offering seclusion."

    6. Geronimo RV Beach Resort

    10 Reviews
    Miramar Beach, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 424-6801

    "Easy walk to beach and restaurants. Dog park on site."

    "Pets allowed

    10/10"

    7. Destin West RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Shalimar, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 200-4533

    "Fantastic sites, great amenities, and access to resort and beachfront included.

    Some of the sites are real close to the busy highway, and there's an AFB nearby"

    "Short walk to beach. Full 50 amp hookup. Overlooks bay. Easily accessible. Picnic table with umbrella. Lot covered by pavers.

    Cons: No Wifi for week of stay."

    8. Eglin AFB FamCamp - Camp Robbins

    6 Reviews
    Eglin Air Force Base, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 883-1243

    "Camp Robbins is located on Eglin AFB just outside the Fort Walton Beach area."

    "It’s also a short walk to the water. Close to several towns including Ft Walton Beach. We are currently at the Family camp and will bounce between the two campgrounds on base"

    9. Destin Army Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Destin, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 837-6423

    $20 - $24 / night

    "Very clean, right on Choctawhatchee Bay, less than 5 minutes drive from Destin Harbor."

    "At $35/night in Destin its well worth it. On sound side which means calmer water usually. Close to beach access and all the touristy things Destin has to offer. We will definitely be back!"

    10. Mid Bay Shores Maxwell

    4 Reviews
    Destin, FL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 897-2411

    $10 - $50 / night

    " Mid-Bay Shores, Maxwell/Gunter’s military Florida resort was formerly called Lake Pippin, the new name, Mid-Bay Shores, was chosen to better reflect the beautiful white sandy shores of Choctawatchee Bay"

    "Most sites are very close to the water. There isn’t much of a beach as the strip of sand between the grass and the water is quite narrow. If you want to avoid the crowd this is the place."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Destin, FL

767 Reviews of 96 Destin Campgrounds


  • Savannah S.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Eastern Lake Campground 1 — Point Washington State Forest

    Wonderful nature retreat!

    We camped here on our vacation and LOVED it! It’s not far from Destin and other popular locations, but it’s a gem itself! There’s plenty room to walk and explore, the trails are very well kept up and clean, and it’s beautiful all around. I will say that the mud holes are huge and you definitely don’t want to take a small car through it, that’s the only downfall.

  • b
    Feb. 8, 2019

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Good but not very private

    We went tent camping for two nights with our pups at Fort Pickens and we really did enjoy it. The campground was nice and clean. They had nice showers and potties as well. The showers in the RV section have better shower heads btw. The beaches are gorgeous! A tip for travelers with pets, FL does not allow dogs on their beaches accept in specific "dog park" locations. Our dogs are not.. eh, normal .. so we ended up driving down to a private beach so they could enjoy the ocean. There is a lot of night life but We decided to skip that this trip. We enjoyed the beaches in the park at night and i highly recommend it! All in all we enjoyed our trip but we probably won't be back to Fort Pickens campground. The sites are very close together and we had a very nosey and drunk neighbor who really wanted to chat. We camp to get away from people, just saying. We were also bothered by RV and truck lights shining directly into our tent both nights from people driving through the campground. Not the best but we enjoyed camping at the beach.

  • True B.
    Jan. 18, 2024

    Raccoon River Campground

    An adventurous paradise away from the ocean paradise

    I have read a lot of the reviews. I think some of these people had other issues that caused them to give a bad review. Yes, this is known as a cat haven but with people who have dogs should stay in the dog parks, If they don't accept a place that cannot turn a blind eye to cats. This is an RV park and a campground and I'm not sure why people would expect more luxury than the outdoors experience. This is a beautiful getaway away from the ocean but right next door, and people would love this place if they knew the history behind it and maybe honor it a little bit more. The impact from people that don't like this place gives it a bad reputation. Why listen to someone who don't want you to know about the experience? Just want you to know what they think about it. This is a great place and there are a lot of hardworking, honest people. This is not just a campground, people are residents here and have been here a long time, some would even call it home. There's nothing wrong with anything about this place. It is a wonderful place to be.

  • J
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Destin Army Recreation Area

    Campground open to military and retirees and thier guests

    Awesome campground open to Active Duty/Reserve military, retirees, and their guests. The have 3 and 2 bedroom villas, studio rooms, and a hotel, in addition to some RV sites. The RV sites are limited (30 or so). Very clean, right on Choctawhatchee Bay, less than 5 minutes drive from Destin Harbor. They have a nice clean pool and splash area for kids, a boat ramp and marina where you can rent boats, and a 300' fishing pier. They have a playground for the kids and a community shelter with access to grills. A few minutes from a military exclusive beach also. This place fills up fast for the price. The RV area can get pretty tight at times.

  • Paul M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Open Pond Campground

    Open Pond

    The campground is nicely maintained. The bath houses are not the cleanest, but not anywhere near the worst I have seen. But definitely not Buc-ee’s level. LOL But for $16 a day and an hour from Destin you can’t beat that. You can fish the pond (large) for catfish, brim, bass, and one other I don’t remember. Hiking trails are kept in great condition with the exception of a couple of spots. Blue Springs is a short hike and is crystal clear and cool to swim in. RVs can stay in C and D loops.

  • e
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Pensacola Beach RV Resort

    Not Happy this stay

    This is our 3rd time here we pay a lot of extra money for premium site only to find out that they have a tiki bar directly behind us . Partly spoiling our view but the worst part is lots of people walking through our site to get to bar . This includes workers at bar pulling through supplies on carts . People drunk outside our camper cursing and swearing at night . We came for beautiful relaxing time not happening . The place looks lovely and we have enjoyed it immensely until this time . Also people not using dog park and dogs shitting on our premium site . Next to us had a family that had 4 RVs and they all congregated at the one beside us taking over part of our lot . I couldn’t hardly use my outdoor shower without 20 or more people there . This place has really changed . We won’t be back will look in destin probably for the future.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2024

    Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground

    One of our favorites in our home state!

    We have stayed here several times. We love it! Little pool, dog park, beach close by, tons of biking, deer, turkeys, birds galore. Highly recommend the Donut Hole for breakfast, brunch or lunch! So good! Service was awesome!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Geronimo RV Beach Resort

    Shaded RV Enclave Close to Gulf Shores

    I’m not sure if Geronimo ever visited this roadside RV depot, for which this and the road that you’ll have to navigate down to find this place are named for, but if he did, I am sure he would be happy to be somewhat removed from the crazy busy touristy town of Destin in favor of a plot of land that offers a bit of shade, respite from the sun as well as the noise and commotion of a Spring Break destination. Geronimo RV boasts about being a ‘hidden gem on the emerald coast,’ and if you are looking for a spot to park your oversized RV for the night, all the while being incredibly close to the pristine aqua green ebb and flow of slow moving Gulf coast waves that gently massage flawless white powder sand beaches here in a part of Florida where time seems to have stopped altogether, then Geronimo RV Resort might just be the spot for you.

    Located just 3 miles from Destin, this family-friendly, pet-friendly and big-rig-friendly RV hangout is situated in Miramar Beach and just two short blocks to the sugar sand beaches that you came here for. This RV parking lot has just 34 slots, the majority of which are located on the interior and exterior of a decent size simple circular loop, with about 4-5 slots located nearer what looks to be like the main office (although it is not), along with a few slots placed in front of this same building that you’ll easily be able to spot as you drive in. For those wanting to store their RV or boat, there is also additional storage space at the front of the property and the southern side. You will discover that the actual main office is located just as you approach the circular loop and it will be immediately on your left as you turn left into the loop with a handful of places to park and check-in.

    Amenities: level concrete large RV parking pads with patio, tree-shaded main RV parking loop, full hook-ups (30 / 50 electric amp, water (40-55 PSI) and sewage), free WiFI and Cable TV (70+ channels), 24 / 7 spartan clean bathrooms and showers, potable water and dump station, large recreation area for throwing the frisbee or taking the puppy for a walk, coin-operated laundr-O-mat as well as storage lots for boats, RVs and other vehicles.

    Driving Directions: From Emerald Coast Pkwy: Turn onto Old Hwy 98, stoplight across from Silver Sands Premium Outlet and Chic-fil-A (Scenic Gulf Dr.). Follow Old 98 for approximately half a mile, and you will see Embassy Suites on your right. Turn right onto S. Geronimo St. Drive a few hundred feet and arrive at Geronimo RV Park on your left. Or from Hwy 98 turn on to S. Geronimo St, head South a quarter mile, then turn on to Arnett Lane where our sign is located.

    Insider’s Tips: (1) One irritating element about Geronimo is that they will only allow you an RV+ another vehicle, but if you come packing a golf cart, motorcycle or even a boat, then they will charge you for two vehicles and make you park this in another spot (and charge you nightly for it), so think twice before you bring your entire caravan to this place; (2) For my tent-pitching bredren, there is ‘no luck at the Inn here’ as this is only an RV parking site, so head on over to nearby Henderson Beach State Park if you want to find a simply fantastic camping spot right near the Gulf; and (3) When you get tired of trying to fix a meal with the leftovers in your onboard mini-fridge and want to try out some local fare I HIGHLY recommend nearby Brotula’s for simply fantastic Dungeness, King and Snow Crab that you can wash it down with a local micro-brew or stunning glass of Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc.

    Happy Camping!

  • C
    Mar. 4, 2022

    Geronimo RV Beach Resort

    Close to Beach

    Very clean, friendly park. Cement pad sites with all hookups. Easy walk to beach and restaurants. Dog park on site.


Guide to Destin

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Destin, Florida, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your furry friends behind. With a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds, you can find the perfect spot to relax and explore together.

Dog owners appreciate the amenities offered at these campgrounds

Tips for camping with dogs near Destin

  • Always keep your dog on a leash while exploring the trails at Grayton Beach State Park Campground to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet when visiting Camp On The Gulf, as the beach can be hot and tiring for them.
  • Make use of the pet-friendly amenities at Navarre Beach Camping Resort, which includes a clean pet area and easy access to the beach for fun outings.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great features for your furry friends

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Destin, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Destin, FL is Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 68 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Destin, FL?

TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Destin, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.