Best Camping near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Camping options near Eglin Air Force Base encompass both military-exclusive facilities and public campgrounds along Florida's Emerald Coast. The area features developed camping at Camp Robbins FamCamp and Post'l Point FamCamp on base property, available to military personnel, retirees, and Department of Defense ID holders. Nearby Henderson Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park provide camping alternatives for the general public, with accommodations ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces and cabin rentals.

The Florida Panhandle climate makes year-round camping possible, though humidity and temperatures peak during summer months when advance reservations are essential. Many campgrounds in the region provide waterfront access to either the Gulf of Mexico or Choctawhatchee Bay. As one military camper noted, "Camp Robbins is located on Eglin AFB just outside the Fort Walton Beach area. The camp is easy to find when you enter through the main gate and even the big rigs shouldn't have any navigational problems getting to the camp." Visitors should be aware that Eglin's airfield proximity means jet noise may be a factor, particularly during morning hours, and traffic congestion can affect travel times during peak tourist seasons.

The coastal setting defines the camping experience in this region, with many sites offering beach access or bay views. Military campgrounds like Destin Army Recreation Area receive consistently positive reviews for their affordable rates and prime locations. One visitor remarked, "This is a small park with only 20 or so sites... Each site has a concrete pad, water, 50 and 30 Amp service as well as sewer hook ups. At $35/night in Destin it's well worth it." Civilian campgrounds like Destin West RV Resort offer amenities including swimming pools, while state parks provide a more natural setting with hiking trails and beach access. The campgrounds surrounding Eglin Air Force Base offer diverse options for both military personnel and civilians seeking Florida Panhandle camping experiences. Most campgrounds feature full hookups for RVs, though some military facilities may offer only water and electric connections with dump stations available.

Best Camping Sites Near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (119)

    1. Henderson Beach State Park Campground

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

    $30 / night

    "Pad 13 is a roomy site surrounded by lush foliage and trees. Included on my site was a nice picnic table, fire pit and clothes line."

    "It was nice to have such close access to groceries, coffee, Target, etc but then leave it all behind when driving through the park entrance gate."

    2. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground

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

    $24 - $130 / night

    "My wife and I are frequent campers in NW Florida and Alabama.  Topsail is certainly one of our favorites.  Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking (many miles), lakes, great campground. "

    "Beautiful beach, trees between paved spots, bike path, cute coffee shop on site, bike rentals, & a great location!"

    3. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Niceville, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 833-9144

    $16 / night

    "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."

    "Close to everything and I now want to move to Niceville, Florida. Very quiet in the campground day and night."

    4. Camp On The Gulf

    29 Reviews
    Miramar Beach, FL
    14 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)."

    "We are Connecticut residents, we took a winter trip to Destin Florida. Camp gulf was an amazing experience for the whole family."

    5. Destin West RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Shalimar, FL
    5 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."

    6. The Hideaway Retreat

    21 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 939-2717

    $89 / night

    "From the moment you enter The Hideaway – and trust me, you have to be looking for this place located due south of Highway 98 Or Navarre Parkway – you’ll be whisked away to a magical nature oasis completely"

    "We have a 44 ft toy hauler and stayed in a watefront site just steps away from a very small private beach. If you want a bi ocean beach this isn't it."

    7. Eglin AFB FamCamp - Camp Robbins

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

    "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"

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

    8. Geronimo RV Beach Resort

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

    "We stayed at this park for 10 days because our original plan to stay at nearby Topsail Hill Preserve State Park was derailed by the closure of all Florida State Parks due to Covid-19."

    "Proximity to beach is about 10 mins. The staff were incredible. They advised on timing. They helped guide me backing in and walked the hook ups to explain. Restroom and laundry were clean."

    9. Destin Army Recreation Area

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

    $20 - $24 / night

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

    "Close to beach access and all the touristy things Destin has to offer. We will definitely be back!"

    10. Emerald Beach RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 939-3431

    "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 we loved it so much we"

    "This campground is a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of what is Navarre and surrounding communities."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 119 campgrounds

2026 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Eglin Air Force Base, FL

741 Reviews of 119 Eglin Air Force Base Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2026

    dead river landing

    Good free site

    Reserve online but completely free. No hookup. Semi decent solar and starlink service. Generators allowed except during quiet hours

  • Will P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2025

    Gateway Trails

    Great friendly campground

    Third stay at this campground. Hosts and fellow campers are very relaxed here. RVs, cars, vans, tents, trucks, are all welcome here. It is easy to find your spot. Att 5g, 2-3 bars. Camp offers free wifi and a washroom with a hot shower!! The water is always hot here. There is coin operated washer and dryer at a reasonable price. There is also a honor system cabinet for small items (snack foods, etc). I love stopping here. The price for everything is a deal!!

  • Maggie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2025

    Pensacola RV Park

    Very clean park!

    We enjoyed the appreciation that the parks shows to the military. And the park is great for pets, because it has multiple dog parks. Beautiful Oak trees surround the property. The staff was very helpful when arriving to help with parking.

  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 17, 2025

    Raccoon River Campground

    Nice campground near all the attractions

    We are normally dispersed campers and don't generally like campgrounds, however when there aren't dispersed sites in the area we will go to a campground. Panama City Beach is definitely short on dispersed camping so we tried out the Raccoon River Campground because it was close to the beach and some other things we wanted to do. They have 2 dry camping areas and the one in the back was completely empty. They have water and a few 20amp electric outlets so that is more then we normally need. The campground was pretty packed, not that we could tell from our area. Great location and nice amenities at the campground. I would recommend this one to both campground and non campground people.

    Check out all the sites in our 360° video

    https://youtu.be/o2yzlqoHIpU

  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 17, 2025

    Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping

    Great Walk-in spot above the Blackwater River

    We were pretty surprised by this site. As it had recently rained the road was a mess coming in, nothing real deep, just large puddles. There are no vehicles allowed past the barrier at the bluffs so it is great for walk-in tent camping or just leaving the RV in the parking area and setup your hang out on the bluff above the Blackwater River. It wasn't busy when we were there. Some trash laying around but not bad compared to other places we have been. I would recommend this campsite to others. 

    Check out our video 

    https://youtu.be/ZWi8jSOOKwc

  • Krystal T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 16, 2025

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Breathtaking area

    The gulf national seashore and fort Pickens area are in a word, unbelievable. The rangers at the station were super informative and helpful. You do have to pay 25 dollar entry fees per vehicle for 7 days. So be aware if you have more than one. There is also an abundance of overflow parking if the site doesn’t fit everything (ours did not). Tremendous access to hiking, biking, scooters(we have a bikes and scooters and had zero issues on the scenic trails). The beach access is all within walking distance and is gorgeous. The bathrooms….were well loved and used. They were clean though and they are undergoing renovations until spring 2026. It was patrolled regularly by rangers so safety was never an issue. Pensacola beach has bars and restaurants and gas stations. No diesel, groceries or a post office but gulf breeze is close. There is a toll road, so if you run a lot consider going through Navarre beach! It was a typical federal campground with kind fellow campers and a lot of outdoor opportunities. It’s worth it in my opinion for what that’s worth! Side note: loop A is alone and has a height restriction because of trees. Make sure to read the info closely before booking! Also last side note, we saw sharks, dolphins, stingrays and crabs! If that’s your bag.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 4, 2025

    River's Edge RV Campground

    Had a safe, comfortable and spacious

    This campground is a hidden gem, amazing people that lives here, they really take care of sites. Restrooms hoping to be develop more. Host/s and owner are friendly.

  • abigail A.
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Stayed here for 10 nights during Thanksgiving 2025 and it was an amazing experience. Very clean atmosphere and everyone who works here is so friendly! You can tell the people work here love nature and their jobs. There’s water and electric hookups, bath house with restrooms and showers, a dump station, parks for littlest ones to play, LOTS of hiking trails, places to fish and they are dog friendly. Also, 20 minutes away from Destin beach. We’re new with rv life and this was our second campground and so far the best. We will definitely be back!!

    There was one thing but doesn’t involve the campground and the lovely people who work here. We left to go spend Thanksgiving on the beach and when we returned our water hose was gone. We asked the front desk who then asked the park rangers and they both said they did not take it. They were very kind and apologized as we should not have to worry about someone stealing our belongings. They told us they’ll keep a look out and ask around. Again we’re new to this life style and have learned a lesson and this wasn’t on the campground or the people who work here. We’re very thankful for everyone’s help.


Guide to Eglin Air Force Base

Eglin Air Force Base in Florida serves as a central point for numerous camping options along the Emerald Coast. Military and civilian campgrounds dot the area, with notable locations including Camp Robbins FamCamp on base property and Post'l Point FamCamp overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay. The region encompasses established campgrounds supporting tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations in communities such as Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Niceville. Several campgrounds feature direct waterfront access, either on the Gulf of Mexico or along protected bay waters.

The campground landscape includes military-exclusive areas requiring Department of Defense ID alongside public facilities. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round with full hookups, though sites book quickly during peak tourist season. As one camper noted, "We booked 5 months in advance for a 1 week stay" at Destin Army Recreation Area. Camping at military facilities offers significant cost advantages, with reviews highlighting that multi-day stays at Camp Robbins cost about the same as a single night at nearby hotels. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and the potential for seasonal storms. Many campgrounds in the area feature paved sites and landscaping, though some military campgrounds may have dirt roads where "your gear and rig will get muddy or sandy."

Campground experiences near Eglin AFB vary significantly between the military and civilian options. Military campgrounds like Camp Robbins receive praise for value and security, with reviewers appreciating their proximity to base amenities: "The BX, commissary, class six, USPS, UPS, and Burger King are literally across the street." Beachfront locations command premium prices at civilian RV resorts, which can exceed $180 per night during peak season. Many campgrounds feature pools, laundry facilities, and bathhouses. Aircraft noise appears in several reviews of the base campgrounds, with one camper noting, "if roaring and screaming fighter jets first thing in the morning is not for you scratch this camp off your list." Water access remains a significant draw, with campsites offering bay views, fishing opportunities, boat ramps, and proximity to the renowned emerald waters of the Gulf Coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping at Eglin Air Force Base?

The primary camping option at Eglin Air Force Base is Eglin AFB FamCamp - Camp Robbins, located near Fort Walton Beach. For additional military-affiliated camping near Eglin, consider Mid Bay Shores Maxwell, formerly called Lake Pippin, which offers beautiful white sandy shores facing Choctawatchee Bay. The gated entrance is just before the Choctawatchee Mid-Bay Bridge. Alternatively, military personnel and families can access the nearby Destin Army Recreation Area for camping options. All these facilities provide convenient access to the stunning beaches and outdoor recreation opportunities of Florida's panhandle region.

What amenities are available at Eglin Air Force Base campgrounds?

Eglin Air Force Base campgrounds offer full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections for RVs. Facilities typically include clean restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and WiFi access. For nearby alternatives with excellent amenities, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground provides gated nighttime security, clean restrooms and showers, and convenient access to grocery stores while remaining affordable. Henderson Beach State Park Campground is another well-maintained option with friendly staff and excellent facilities. Most military campgrounds in the area also offer recreational amenities like fishing access, picnic areas, and proximity to beaches.

Do I need a military ID to camp at Eglin Air Force Base?

Yes, a valid military ID is required to camp at Eglin Air Force Base facilities. These campgrounds are specifically designated for active duty military, retirees, DoD civilians, and in some cases, veterans with proper identification. The same requirement applies at Destin Army Recreation Area, where military credentials are checked upon arrival. If you don't have military credentials, consider nearby alternatives like Blackwater River State Park Campground, which offers 30 full hookup sites split between Magnolia Circle and Titi Circle and is open to the general public. Always call ahead to verify current ID requirements and reservation policies.