Are you planning a tent camping trip to Gulf Islands National Seashore? We've got you covered. The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida's most popular destinations.
If you are looking for a spot to park your RV/Trailer/Motor home so you can hit up all the Emerald Coast has to offer.......this is it. The parking spot is right off the quiet home filled street on a flat grassy area with views of East Bay. Bike/walking path is right around the corner. Bring your kayaks, canoes, fishing gear and boat so you won't miss out.
Areas of interest:
East Bay Boat Ramp - 4.1 miles
Navarre Beach - 6.8 miles
Blackwater River - 20 miles
$28 - $35 / night
Campers must reserve a site via www.nwfwater.com or by calling (850) 539-5999.
$26 - $500 / night
Big Meadows Campground is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the Park, with three waterfalls and Big Meadows within walking distance.
Camping fee: $20 per night
Reservations: in early spring, Big Meadows Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis only. Beginning in early May, there are a combination of reserveable campsites and first-come, first-served sites available. Group sites are available and can be reserved up to one year in advance.
RV Information: features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. No electric or water hookups. Campground has potable water spigots and a dump station.
Generators: use is limited to certain areas and times designated on campground map.
$20 / night
Scout
I was really excited to stay here. I absolutely love tent camping, but sadly they do not have tent sites. The app is incorrect.
Legend
This was my third trip to Pickens and it was amazing as always.
*The camping store is closed until they can find someone to run it. Wood and ice can be bought at the Tom Thumb just outside the park or at Walmart/Publix in Gulf Breeze.
*Battery Cooper Rd was closed so those two batteries are inaccessible.
*Loops B/D no longer have electric or dedicated water (there is a water spigot every few sites). Tent sites D24, D25, B6 have the best shade and space.
*We stayed at A15 (right next to walking trail entrance) and my best friend on A14. Other good shaded sites on this loop are A4 (grass not level enough for tents), A6, A12, A19, A21, A24, A26, A35 (next to dumpsters though), A36 (okay but not great).
*You can no longer hang anything from trees or power poles (hammocks, clotheslines etc). You also cannot having a shower looking tent (we have one for a changing tent only—no toilet or shower—and they made us take it down). Max two tents or camper and one tent per site (awnings/pop up shelter over picnic table don’t count towards the two).
*I didn’t peek into the restrooms in loops B-E. A-loop restrooms were a little dated but clean and functional. The laundry/dish washing station was stellar.
*The price for getting into Gulf Island National Seashore is now $20 and it’s a 7 day pass.
*The campground now gives out two slips at check-in. One is for your car and one is to keep with you after 8pm so you don’t get kicked out of the area after dark.
Everyone was very nice and helpful.
LegendThis was my third trip to Pickens and it was amazing as always.
*The camping store is closed until they can find someone to run it. Wood and ice can be bought at the Tom Thumb just outside the park or at Walmart/Publix in Gulf Breeze.
*Battery Cooper Rd was closed so those two batteries are inaccessible.
*Loops B/D no longer have electric or dedicated water (there is a water spigot every few sites). Tent sites D24, D25, B6 have the best shade and space.
*We stayed at A15 (right next to walking trail entrance) and my best friend on A14. Other good shaded sites on this loop are A4 (grass not level enough for tents), A6, A12, A19, A21, A24, A26, A35 (next to dumpsters though), A36 (okay but not great).
*You can no longer hang anything from trees or power poles (hammocks, clotheslines etc). You also cannot having a shower looking tent (we have one for a changing tent only—no toilet or shower—and they made us take it down). Max two tents or camper and one tent per site (awnings/pop up shelter over picnic table don’t count towards the two).
*I didn’t peek into the restrooms in loops B-E. A-loop restrooms were a little dated but clean and functional. The laundry/dish washing station was stellar.
*There are dump stations (one in loop A and one for B-E) but no sewer hook ups per site.
*The price for getting into Gulf Island National Seashore is now $20 and it’s a 7 day pass.
*The campground now gives out two slips at check-in. One is for your car and one is to keep with you after 8pm so you don’t get kicked out of the area after dark.
Everyone was very nice and helpful.
ScoutCozy campground suitable for RV's and primitive campers alike. 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!!!
LegendWe tent camped at Ft Pickens for the first time. For $26 a night, you can't beat beach access, good tent sites, walking to historical areas and endless activities. The armadillos and ospreys were an exciting addition to our camping area, and the restroom facilities were decent.
The only downside is lack of supplies,ice,food nearby and it's a drive to get to any convenience store or restaurant. But when you watch the sun go down, and it's just your family, a few ghost crabs and the historic lighthouse behind you- all that is forgotten.
LegendFort Pickins is a large National Park campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida. There are 4 camping loops. Loop D is tents only. The others can accommodate small/medium RVs and travel trailers. There are water and electric hookups snd a dump station in all but D loop. Bathrooms and showers. Every site is just a short walk to the beach. Some sites have shade, bu those on the inside loop do not. Also, because of the trees, there are hight, length, and slideout restrictions on some outside loop on sites. Be sure to check before making reservations. Reservations can be made through the .gov website.
Scout
You could stay at this park for your whole trip and not have to leave. There is an awesome pool and splash pad, basketball courts, and boat launch on the property, plus a laundromat and impressive camp store. The restroom facilities are relatively nice and are always air conditioned during the warmer months. The only complaint I have of this park is that there are only 11 tent camping sites. They claim any site can be used for tent camping, but no one in a tent wants to set up on a concrete pad, especially when it is hot! The tent sites they do have are primitive without water or electrical hook ups - it would be nice to have some sites with hook ups. The sites they do have for tents are very shady and clean. They do back up to a swampy canal, but I have never seen any alligators although I am sure they are in there somewhere.
I would definitely recommend this park for families.
TravelerThis is located in the Gulf Islands National Sea Shore. It is on Santa Rosa Barrier Island just off the coast at Pensacola FL. They have left it as natural as possible. Paved roads and level paved sites. Water and electricity. Easy walk to the Gulf of Mexico or the bay. Park is exceptionally clean and well cared for. You will have to plan ahead to stay here it is always full
RangerThis park is like a small city, there are over 500 sites, only 11 tent sites. My husband and I tent camped at gulf state park in February, 2019 and it was very nice, they have so many amenities here you don’t ever have to leave. If you were looking for solitude time, this is not the site for you. The bathrooms were nicer than some hotels I have stayed in. There is a store on site, tennis/pickle ball courts, swimming pool, activities center, horseshoe pit, nature center and over 25 miles of very nice hiking trails, oh yea, and less than a 20 minute walk to one of the best white sand beaches in the USA. Also playgrounds for kids. There is a laundromat and they have a church service and other scheduled activities.
GuideSo many things to do here. You have several historic Forts to explore. A discovery center to learn the history of the island and the wildlife. A bookstore with wifi. Beaches to swim . Pier fishing and land fishing. Many trails to ride your bike or walk. And a gated group tent camping as well as tent camping in campground. And the Blue Angels practice and fly right over the campground and forts.
GuideThis place is very cool. I love the raised boardwalk style bike paths all over the place. Our kids rode their bikes all over the place here. You can also take a path to the beach or the pier. Just a nice place. We camped in a tent here... but we were literally the only tent here that week. Everyone was in an RV. We have since purchased a pop up camper so we will return and fit in better lol...
Traveler
a nice little campground on Hurricane Lake. the restrooms are clean. the tent sites have running water and the rv/tent sites have water and electric. very quiet expect for the frogs. a good place to fish where they built a dock out in the water so if you don't have a boat you can still fish away from shore.
Scout
They advertise as tent camping however that is not true until the end of May
TravelerTent camping was very peaceful and great location to everything. Such a great few days we had here
Traveler
Awesome stay. We actually tent camped here. Great facilities. Listen to the waves at night. Clean beach. Tons of fun.
GuideWe had a wonderful time tent camping. Great campsites and facilities with hot showers. Everything was kept very clean. Relaxing and friendly atmosphere.
ScoutYou cannot tent camp here anymore. Very unhelpful staff. When I informed them this application info wasn't updated, they didn't care.
Ranger
Roomy clean and very pretty area. Lots of amenities! Quiet and things for the kids too. Cabins and tent camping plus pull thrus.
Traveler
best, cleanest camp ground. Loved the clean bathrooms and location. tent sites were very nice. over all great.
ScoutI didn’t stay here. It seemed nice, but $75 for a tent site?!! Also next to a busy fast road.
Guide
Drove through the grounds looking for some nice tent camping spots while stationed down in the area. Sites seemed nice enough but more like a parking lot than anything. Not bad. Fun for the kids!
GuideWe tent camped at Henderson Beach in May 2020. The sites were large gravel with firepit, picnic table and full hookups.
They do have a senior discount, so don't forget to ask. No need to mention the beautiful beach, the grounds are well maintained as are the showers. Over all this may be my favorite place in Florida. Shopping and restaurants are literally across the highway, so many things to do. A must for everyone!
Guide
They have showers and laundry and Place to get books to read!! Perfect for RV and tent camping. Like 27 thru 33 have views of the Bay!! They have electric and water hook ups for rv and tents!! Lots of trees great place and really close to the bay and easy to get to the beach!!
Scout
This place is a ok campground, lot size is decent. Grounds keeper can't keep up with all the grass that's about 3ft high. Tent sites are way overgrown. Location is about 3 minutes away from OWA which makes it worth 3 stars.
ScoutWe have been camping here for six years and have always loved it. Some of the interior sites flood when it rains, so choose wisely as there is a good chance it will rain. This year they separated tent sites from RV sites and removed water and electric from the tent sites. There is still good access to water faucets, so not a huge deal. Our biggest annoyance this year was that they got reLly fussy about hanging hammocks from trees. We had purposefully picked a site with good trees so that was a bit frustrating. Also, the camp store has been closed down so you have to leave the park to get ice. Be sure you bring whatever you need with you. But they have clean bathrooms and the beach access is close. And since the beach there is really only campers it has never been very crowded.
GuideRV sites are cramped, but the tent site have lots of room. A bridge runs right over the campground and it can be loud at night with cars driving over it. The kitchen and common room is really nice to hang out in, and there are always events happening at the campground or nearby.
GuideThere's a lot to do in and around the park. There are alligators in the park so keep an eye out during the summer. There's a large pool, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking and food vendors along with a store and laundrymat. Lots of shade for tent camping. Much cheaper than renting a condo to visit the beach. Lots of stores within quick driving distance and a ton of things to do in the area.
Tent camping near Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gulf Islands National Seashore is Sunny Days Finca with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Gulf Islands National Seashore, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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