Camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Gulf Islands National Seashore, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Gulf Islands National Seashore camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Gulf Islands National Seashore (146)

    1. Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    98 Reviews
    Gulf Breeze, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 934-2622

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Located on the barrier island of Gulf Island National Sea Shore. Bordered on the south by the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and on the north by Pensacola Bay. Best of both worlds!!!"

    "Fort Pickins is a large National Park campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida. There are 4 camping loops. Loop D is tents only."

    2. Big Lagoon State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Perdido Key, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 492-1595

    $20 / night

    "Located only a short 10 minute drive from Pensacola, Florida this is a great state park!"

    "Bathhouses clean and close to most campsites. Plenty of walking trails. Love the Bird tower and kayak launch. Sandbar near launch to hangout when paddling."

    3. Pensacola Beach RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Pensacola Beach, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 932-4670

    $70 - $100 / night

    "We have visited many places in Florida and many beaches, but since we loved this place without words, I want to visit it again"

    "This resort is the perfect location to visit Pensacola Beach. Lots of tourist things to do: playing in the sand, eating in every restaurant imaginable, fishing, recreation, etc.

    Close to Ft."

    4. Avalon Landing RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bagdad, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 995-5898

    "Pelicans always roosting near bridge were fun to watch. Owners are delightful. Park along busy highway, so some traffic noise, but not bad."

    "Breathtaking views and we were able to fish behind our camper. You're so close to all the "action" without hearing or having to be part of it."

    5. Military Park Pensacola Naval Air Station Oak Grove Park and Cottages

    11 Reviews
    Perdido Key, FL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 452-2535

    $24 - $30 / night

    "I love to run and the path through the campground leads to the sea wall. The campground is walking distance to the lighthouse and a short drive to the museum on base."

    "We checked in at the little campground(CG) office at the entrance then backed in to site 25 with FHUs. We couldn’t find the cable connection so checked with the office."

    6. Gulf State Park Campground

    102 Reviews
    Orange Beach, AL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (251) 948-7275

    "Spacious sites, some with foliage, some with Lake or canal views. Grills but no fire pits. Right now there's a shortage of usable bath houses because of hurricane damage repairs in progress."

    "Gulf State Park is the one by which all other parks in the region (NW Florida/Alabama) are to be compared.  Everything you want: Hiking, BIKING, access to the beach, fishing, etc. "

    7. 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."

    8. Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA

    20 Reviews
    Lillian, AL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (251) 961-1717

    "We loved walking to the waterfront. My son enjoyed the basketball court. My kids loved the pool. It was quiet at night."

    "Guy next to us threatened to beat his dog with a pipe at like 2am. A truck, big diesel started at 5 and ran for 30 minutes. People walking all hours of the night. Dogs barking continuously."

    9. Santa Rosa RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 936-4791

    $62 - $126 / night

    "Showers/ bathroom, pool area, fenced pet area, gas fire pit lit at night to meet and greet if you want, access to the small beach and water. Shops near by for anything you want or need."

    "This campground is super clean and conveniently located. We loved the waterfront site……however you have to book well in advance. We were close to several great restaurants and shops."

    10. The Hideaway Retreat

    21 Reviews
    Navarre, FL
    20 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."

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Recent Reviews near Gulf Islands National Seashore

835 Reviews of 146 Gulf Islands National Seashore Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Pensacola Beach RV Resort

    Perfection!

    I'd give it 10 stars if I could! The parking spots are pristine, the showers clean, the tiki bar on the sound beach was incredible, with lots of chairs & bean bags to laze around in... The pool is beautiful & super clean, with lights all around & a fountain!

  • m
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Pelican Palms RV Park

    Great site

    this is an RV park and is quiet and accommodating, the WiFi works well, had laundry facilities and mailbox to have your mail sent to , cannot complain

  • Bobbie S.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Avalon Landing RV Park

    Absolutely Amazing Stay

    I have stayed many places and this is by far my favorite! We stopped over for one night on our way home from Texas. As soon as my husband backed the camper in, I asked if we could stay two nights. So glad we did! Breathtaking views and we were able to fish behind our camper. You're so close to all the "action" without hearing or having to be part of it. They have a boat ramp, rent fishing poles & kayaks, swimming pool, club house, bathrooms, laundry room and a wonderful covered deck/outside area. The office staff were absolutely wonderful. Hope to stay here again ❤️

  • Amy L.
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Mystic Springs Recreation Area

    Remote Primitive and Wild

    Pros: Covered tent sites (we tent camped) portapottys, free for up to a week, boat launch, spaced out sites (pretty private). Has picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. Cons: Sites flood, lots of gaters (if you have small pets this is sketchy), gets a little busy on the weekends with the boaters, it's reaallllly far from the next town but there's a gas station 15mins away. Get gas before you go back to camp. It's beautiful and clean. About 45mins to pcola

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Emerald Beach RV Park

    Great Place

    My wife and I and my two furry friends(dogs) give Emerald RV Park a Five Star rating. We thought we had lost our little Yorkie in the park somewhere or she even left the park. We set out on a frantic search for her. I am riding my bike, and my wife is on foot yelling out her name. I go into the park office and tell them what has happened, and a member of the park staff puts out an immediate bulletin by text message to all current registered guests to look for her. I could not believe the immediate help we had from other RVers that came out to help search for the dog. Making a long story short, we found the dog in maybe 20 minutes in good health. We are so thankful for the help of the residents of the park and especially the staff at Emerald RV Park. We may add that the park is well kept and very dog friendly. It has all the facilities (in working order) needed for a long stay. The staff are friendly and especially helpful in unusual circumstances as we experienced. Thank you to the staff at Emeral RV Park.

    From Lake Nebagamon WI

  • Wendee W.
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA

    Older but nice

    The sites are a combination of dirt and grass. Ours is level enough no problems there. WiFi is okay they publish that it doesn’t work for streaming but it worked fairly well for our TV. We would stay here again for the price in comparison to other RV parks close by.

  • madison M.
    Jun. 18, 2025

    Bay Breeze RV on the Bay

    Love it!

    Small, homey campground! Clean bath houses, lots of shady trees, and plenty of parking! The campground sits a max of 75 yards from the bay (depending on where your camper sits). A long peer leads out to the water making a beautiful sitting and fishing spot. The boat ramp is right beside the peer! The beach is a short drive down the road!

  • Jenny The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Sugar Sands RV Resort

    Nice place w/pool & fitness

    We camped here a couple days in our way to FL. The campground was great, they could stand to have a few more tall trees for just a little more shade - it got a bit hot being about 5 miles north of the beach.


Guide to Gulf Islands National Seashore

Camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: The area is known for its stunning beaches. Campers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. One reviewer mentioned, “Campers get free parking at several beaches in the Park, which we utilized (beach was pretty quiet in the morning)” at Gulf State Park Campground.
  • Bike trails: There are amazing biking trails around the campgrounds. A visitor noted, “The biking trails were amazing, very wide, with a good amount of shade” while staying at Gulf State Park Campground.
  • Nature activities: Many campgrounds have nature centers and playgrounds. One camper shared, “There is also a very awesome nature center, several playgrounds, pickleball courts, a boat ramp, and free bicycle rentals!” at Gulf State Park Campground.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review stated, “Clean restrooms and nice clean showers, nice big pool, beach nearby” at Gulf State Park Campground.
  • Friendly staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the campground staff. One camper said, “The staff at Fort Pickens Campground are friendly and attentive,” highlighting the welcoming atmosphere at Fort Pickens Campground.
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having enough space at their sites. A review noted, “The actual campsites and facilities are nice. Individual campsites are spacious and level” at Gulf State Park Campground.

What you should know:

  • Busy seasons: The campgrounds can get crowded during peak times. One camper mentioned, “We did make the mistake of coming here during one of the busiest weeks of July” at Gulf State Park Campground.
  • Limited trash disposal: Some campgrounds have limited trash disposal options. A visitor noted, “There is a lack of places to throw trash and the dumpsters are all the way back at the front of the park” at Gulf State Park Campground.
  • Noise levels: Depending on your site, noise can be an issue. One camper said, “There can be a little traffic for bayside beach access” at Fort Pickens Campground.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the right site: Look for sites that offer privacy and space for kids to play. A camper advised, “The sites are TINY...but it would have been nice to have a little space to hang out at our site” at Magnolia Beach Campground.
  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. One review mentioned, “The campground has a playground area lighted with a box of sand toys” at Navarre Beach Camping Resort.
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep everyone happy. A camper noted, “They serve food, ice cream, and drinks” at Navarre Beach Camping Resort.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some sites can be tight, so check the dimensions before booking. A reviewer mentioned, “The sites are pretty tight” at Emerald Beach RV Park.
  • Use your cell service: Wi-Fi can be spotty, so rely on your mobile data. One camper said, “The wifi is terrible. Have to use my cell service to access the internet” at Island Retreat RV Park.
  • Explore local eateries: Don’t miss out on local food options. A visitor shared, “We tried out Windjammers by the pier. Awesome food, great views” at Magnolia Beach Campground.

Camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you’re with family or just looking for a peaceful getaway, there’s something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gulf Islands National Seashore?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gulf Islands National Seashore offers a wide range of camping options, with 146 campgrounds and RV parks near Gulf Islands National Seashore and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gulf Islands National Seashore?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gulf Islands National Seashore is Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore with a 4.6-star rating from 98 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore?