Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground offers a mix of natural settings with developed camping options near Mary Esther, Florida. The park maintains 20 isolated tent sites alongside RV spots, providing privacy within coastal wilderness. Winter temperatures average 60°F while summer brings consistent 85-90°F heat with high humidity. The park's unique freshwater dune lakes create distinctive ecosystems not found in most Florida coastal areas.
What to do
Beach access without crowds: Topsail Hill features pristine beaches with minimal development. According to one visitor, "The beach backs onto the preserve so there is no development for miles. It's a truly unique experience!" The 3.2-mile roundtrip tram ride from the campground to the beach runs regularly during summer months.
Freshwater fishing opportunities: Navarre Beach Camping Resort provides fishing access without requiring licenses when using their facilities. "The water in the bay is clear with a dark sandy bottom. The campsites are very close together and limited parking area for vehicles. Even with the crowded sites, the park is nice and quiet and a short drive west to the main Navarre Beach," notes one reviewer.
Water recreation rentals: Destin Army Recreation Area provides equipment for water activities. "They have a boat ramp and marina where you can rent boats, and a 300' fishing pier," writes a visitor. Military ID required for access to these facilities, with equipment rentals starting at $25 for half-day kayak rentals.
Hammock camping: For those who prefer elevated sleeping, several parks accommodate hammock setups. As one Topsail visitor explains, "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."
What campers like
Private beach access: Camp On The Gulf offers direct beach access from campsites. A camper shares, "We had great but tight camping just 10 steps from the beautiful sandy beach. Lots of great and clean amenities. Very nice people running the campground and very nice people around us. The beach is beautiful." Beach camping permits easy access to water without hauling equipment.
Historic attractions: The area contains significant military history sites. At Fort Pickens Campground, campers appreciate the dual benefit of beach access and history. "The campground is about 10 miles from the nearest convenient store or restaurant so it is best to stock up on groceries before you come. There is a camp store that has a wide selection of food items, souvenirs, baits, and beach supplies," notes one detailed review.
Protected natural settings: The preservation aspects of state parks provide undisturbed landscapes. One Topsail visitor mentioned, "Keep in mind, this is a Preserve. Good trails, coastal dunes with lakes, fishing, paddling, beach, cabins, and tent camping including Glamping!" Nature trails generally range from 0.5 to 3 miles in length.
Waterpark amenities: Newer glamping in Mary Esther areas include full recreation facilities. "The pools, lazy river and water slides were open. There is still quite a bit of construction going on, but as Texans, we're used to it. The staff was super nice, and the grounds are beautiful kept," reports a visitor to Splash RV Resort.
What you should know
Military operations nearby: Eglin AFB FamCamp proximity means aircraft noise. A camper warns, "Be aware however Camp Robbins is located just south of Eglins airfield so if roaring and screaming fighter jets first thing in the morning is not for you scratch this camp off your list. On the other hand if roaring jets don't bother you then you'll probably enjoy the free airshow every morning."
Reservation requirements: Most luxury camping spots require substantial advance planning. "We booked 5 months in advance for a 1 week stay," notes one military camper. Summer reservations often need 4-6 months advance booking for premium sites.
Site spacing considerations: Many campgrounds maximize capacity with tight arrangements. A Camp Gulf visitor noted, "Parking your rig is TIGHT. Like super tight. 2 nice pools and all other amenities like Wi-Fi, laundry, sewer, etc. Easy access to local shopping and dining."
Off-season benefits: Winter camping provides different advantages. One Topsail visitor mentioned, "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." Winter temperatures generally remain comfortable for glamping in Mary Esther area parks.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Milton-Gulf Pines KOA offers structured recreation options. "We camped here over Memorial weekend and we had a great time. Staff was very helpful and friendly. The campground store came in handy on more than one occasion. We had a lot of fun playing putt putt and swimming in the pool," shares a family visitor. Daily activities often run from 10am-4pm.
Beach setup logistics: Most beaches require carrying equipment from parking areas. A Fort Pickens visitor advises: "We were less than a 10 minute walk from the beach and walked about 30 minutes to the old fort. The showers were separate from the bathrooms and what you might expect for a beach, the water was nice and hot."
Quiet area selection: Request sites away from highways when possible. "It's loud by the highway. You can't enjoy your camping on half of the campground. So, if you are one to stay in your camper after playing all day, this park is for you," notes a Splash RV Resort visitor.
Supervised swimming areas: Some parks provide controlled water environments. "They have 2 pools one is covered and heated with a hot tub. They have basketball courts, corn hole, a playground even pool tables," describes a Camp Gulf visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on access requirements. "Sites are literally right on top of each other. We had a premium back in site and literally almost took out 2 signs trying to get into because of how they 'optimized' the spaces," warns a Splash RV Resort visitor.
Water access priorities: Waterfront sites command premium prices but deliver convenience. "The tent sites are all separated and private, the facilities are clean, and best of all they have access to the most lovely beach!" shares a Topsail Hill visitor.
Elevation considerations: Some sites require attention to approach angles. "The site itself was level however there was a bit of an incline to get into it which my hitch took a big chunk of concrete out of," notes an RV owner at Splash Resort.
Utility hookups: Service levels vary significantly between parks. At Topsail Hill, "There is a potable water faucet and a two plug 30 amp electrical outlet at each site," which meets basic needs for most smaller rigs.
