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.
Zen Rustic Tiny Cabin - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
20 min away
Bella Terra of Gulf Shores
51 min away
$28 - $35 / night
"We're excited to welcome this new partner to our platform. Pull your RV into this flat, grassy area that's close to: East Bay Boat Ramp- 4.1 miles Navarre Beach- 6.8 miles Blackwater River- 20 miles."
"Epic free spot just outside of the Black Water Forest State Park. Camp here for up to 14 days."
"Black Water River State Forest is on the Florida and Alabama state line. This is all primitive camping so be sure to bring EVERYTHING you need to camp."
$26 - $500 / night
"There are two man-made lakes one of which can be used as a swimming area. However, a certified lifeguard must be present during the use of the lake."
$13 / night
"We were greeted by the kindest friendliest host as we were setting up. He made sure we knew the rules and amenities. We stayed in camp site 2. The sites were spacious and grassy."
"By far my favorite campsite in NW Florida. Remote but good roads all the way to it."
$18 / night
$18 / night
$18 / night
$18 / night
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.
*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.
LegendMy family and I stayed here for one night in July 2020 as our midway point from GA to Texas. We stayed in site 44 and it was private and near the bathrooms. All the sites had gravel, a picnic table, and and a fire pit as well as a clothesline. There’s a path to the beach from the bathhouse. The bathhouse was very clean and there were men and women restrooms as well as private bathroom/showers.
We fit 2 tents at our site. It was so humid and muggy I cowboy camped on the gravel with my picnic blanket and sleeping pad. Everyone else slept in the tents without the rain fly’s for some ventilation. It was a nice, clean, and quiet park and we felt very secluded in our site. There was WiFi and cell service (2 bars for Verizon).
Each site has electric and water. There’s a dump station near the entrance/exit of the park. Overall, lovely experience and I would definitely stay here again.
RangerEpic free spot just outside of the Black Water Forest State Park. Camp here for up to 14 days. The primitive area is really more geared for the tent camper with several nice flat spots to pitch a tent away from the parking area. However, there is room here for smaller rigs in the parking area. Please be respectful and don't hog the parking area so others can enjoy as well. We stayed here for 2 nights in late Febraury and were accompanied by a few others. I'd be willing to bet that this place would be heavily occupied by folks utilizing the boat ramp in the warmer months and wouldn't really be an option. This is boonedocking so no servics available. Pack it in and pack it out and be sure to leave no trace, so this can continue to be an option for be people to enjoy. On the edge of Verizon cell coverage service. Rigs over 40' not recommended.
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.
LegendThis small, meticulously maintained campground has 30 full hook up sites split evenly between Magnolia Circle and Titi Circle. My only minor complaints are that the usable site space is all on gravel (very small pieces so it should still be comfortable for tents) and some sites are too close to each other. I prefer a grassy area (and some privacy) with my campsite, but the gravel is better for drainage when it rains.
Beautiful Setting With Nearby Trails
There are a couple short trails and a swimming beach at Juniper Lake, but I can't get excited about swimming in an area that has alligator warning signs on the trail along a marshy area near the lake. The Florida Trail for long distance hikers is nearby. The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is a paved trail you can access near Milton for biking, skateboarding, etc. It's 8 miles and then there's a 1.5 mile Military Heritage Trail that continues to a Naval Air Station, but then you'll have to turn around and return the same way.
Canoeing, Kayaking and Tubing
Blackwater River is a popular location for these activities. We passed a rental place that had lots of rental equipment.
Site Notes
See photos for site map as well as several site photos.
All sites are back in with gravel pads except for concrete on 5, 6 and 19.
All sites have a picnic table and fire ring on the gravel. There's green space/trees between most sites.
No separate tent pad but the gravel is small and should be ok for a tent if you have a sleeping pad.
Magnolia Circle: Sites 3 through 5 on Magnolia Circle back up to sites 16 and 17 on Titi Circle. That's a bit close for me, but no one was behind us. Sites 1/2 and 12/13 have no green space between them. I would avoid them unless you want to socialize with your neighbors.
Titi Circle: Just stay at 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 29 on the outside of the circle of you want some privacy. The other sites are too close to neighbors for my comfort.
You're not allowed to tie anything to trees. That seems to rule out hammocks but there's a clothesline between 2 posts; I guess you could fit one hammock.
Amenities
Full hookup, i.e. electricity, water and sewer hookup, at all sites. Our site had 20, 30 and 50 amp outlets.
Super clean restrooms/showers are located between the two loops. Showers had good water pressure and hot water. Even the sinks had hot water.
Dump station
Instead of trash dumpsters, you're supposed to put your trash by your site post between 8 and 11 am. And there's a recycling barrel for aluminum on the way to the restroom.
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!!!
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
GuideWe arrived at a very clean, gravel campsite with a picnic table, fire ring, water & electric access, as well as a clothes line. Because we were tent camping, the gravel made it difficult to pitch our tent on site. Luckily, we had enough space and privacy on our site to unload the car and sleep in the trunk of it. The bathrooms were kept very clean, and the showers were fantastic! The beach itself is kept extremely clean and is beautiful. The volunteers do a wonderful job around the campground. Here you will find a family friendly stay! I would for sure visit Henderson Beach again for the clean facilities, beautiful beach, and local attractions.
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
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gulf Islands National Seashore?
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 10 tent camping locations near Gulf Islands National Seashore, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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