Best Tent Camping near Fort Walton Beach, FL
Tent campsites near Fort Walton Beach, Florida provide access to both coastal and forest environments within driving distance of the Emerald Coast. Primitive tent camping is available at Point Washington State Forest, offering Eastern Lake Campground 1 and 2 with lakeside sites, and at Black Water River State Forest which provides more remote primitive camping options approximately 30 miles north of Fort Walton Beach. The Hurricane Lake South Campground in Blackwater River State Forest offers additional tent sites with lake views.
Access to most tent campgrounds requires navigating forest roads that can become challenging after rainfall. A camper noted, "The road leading in is sandy and gravely," and many reviews mention significant puddles that may make access difficult for low-clearance vehicles. Eastern Lake Campground in Point Washington features sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and gravel tent pads, while Black Water River State Forest primitive sites are more rugged. Most tent areas have vault toilets or pit toilets but no showers. Most primitive areas in these forests require reservations through Reserve America, and some locations like Point Washington State Forest use gated access requiring an entry code upon reservation.
The tent camping areas provide separation from RV camping sections, creating a more peaceful outdoor experience. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "It was so quiet there and we were the only ones at the campground," highlighting the solitude many tent campers seek. Sites at Eastern Lake Campground offer lakeside locations ideal for kayaking and canoeing, with a small dock for water access. Walk-in tent sites at Point Washington feature varying levels of shade and privacy, with some campers preferring hammock setups between trees rather than using the designated gravel tent pads. The proximity to beaches is a significant draw, with tent sites serving as affordable base camps for day trips to nearby Gulf Coast beaches, though driving is required as no direct beach trails connect the campgrounds.
