Tent and RV camping near Freeport, Florida offers access to the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed with its blackwater creeks and coastal dune lakes. The region's sandy soil means quick drainage after rain, with summer temperatures averaging 90°F between June and September. Cell service varies significantly between inland campgrounds and coastal locations, with Verizon coverage stronger throughout rural areas while T-Mobile shows better performance closer to Highway 98.
What to do
Beach access trips: At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground, visitors can "ride your bike or take the tram the mile to the boardwalk and beach." The park features "good trails, coastal dunes with lakes, fishing, paddling, beach, cabins, and tent camping including Glamping!"
Freshwater swimming: Located 30 minutes from Freeport, Vortex Springs offers a refreshing alternative to saltwater beaches. A camper at Retroville 1960s-70 Drive In Movie/TV Themed RV Park mentioned they "swam at Vortex Springs (30 minutes away), biked trails around Seaside, and had dinner with live music at North Beach Social just across the bridge south of the campground."
Hammock camping opportunities: Some tent sites accommodate hammock setups with varying degrees of difficulty. One camper noted: "For hammock campers the tent camping spots are okay for hammock camping. I made due but I was in spot 21 and there are no trees accessible enough to hang a hammock up how you would want, BUT they had a couple 4x4s in the ground so I used one of those and a tree, everything went up properly."
What campers like
Privacy in tent camping areas: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of tent sites at some parks. As one reviewer at Destin RV Beach Resort shared: "This place is a very nice place to stay. Very small a quiet. Very close to the beach and campground has its own beach access."
Level concrete pads: RV sites with concrete pads are highly valued. A camper at 30A Luxury RV Resort reported "The sites are very large and have plenty of space between them. All are concrete and level. The bath houses are very nice and clean. About 5 minutes from the beach, they do offer a shuttle."
Waterfront views: Some campgrounds offer scenic water views. A guest noted, "The park is on the bay, which is a pretty nice view of the emerald clear water." Another camper mentioned, "This RV park is small with just 34 RV sites(no tents). Sites are paved as are the patios and roads inside the park and all sites are perfectly level."
What you should know
Beach proximity varies significantly: While some campgrounds advertise beach access, the actual distance and accessibility differ. "The campground is about three blocks from the beach down a fairly busy road with no shoulder so it's best to walk in the grass. Once near the beach, there is a paved walking/biking path and a bike lane that goes for miles."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural areas around campgrounds offer wildlife viewing. "Hit the beach at sunset for lovely views and grazing deers." At Black Creek RV Park, a camper described it as "off the beaten path, in the woods about 15 minutes from the closest ocean."
Seasonal closures and limitations: Weather and seasons affect campground operations. "It's in a great location for day trips—about 30–45 minutes to beaches like Seaside, Miramar, Destin, and PCB." During hurricane season, be prepared for potential evacuation orders or campground closures.
Tips for camping with families
Beach shuttle services: Some resorts offer transportation to beaches. "About 5 minutes from the beach, they do offer a shuttle. Nice pool area with fire pits." This saves families from navigating busy parking areas during peak season.
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Family-friendly amenities vary by park. At Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, a visitor praised "two heated pools, clean nice playgrounds for the kids, nice laundry area, great layout to take walks, level clean spots."
Open play spaces: Some campgrounds feature open areas for children. One camper noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Varying site dimensions: RV site sizes differ substantially between parks. "We brought our 17 foot long tow vehicle and 33 foot camper and had no problem getting into our spot. Plenty of space between sites." Another camper mentioned, "We stayed for 2 days so I could visit my sister. It was super quiet and clean. Our space fit us perfectly. It was a pull in so we had to unhitch our tow to back out our class A tiffin but this wasn't a problem."
Electrical services: Most RV parks offer both 30 and 50-amp service, but not all. "There is a potable water faucet and a two plug 30 amp electrical outlet at each site." Another camper mentioned, "Pros: 50 amp hookup, Water, Sewer, Concrete site with pavers."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet service varies widely between parks. "The Wifi was bullet fast and I could actually work on it." Another camper noted, "Checked in Friday 01/17 and extended my stay from 2 nights to 7 nights. I'm enjoying the solitude. I'm at a tent site, no WIFI. T Mobile is 4 bars."
