Tent camping options near Mexico Beach, Florida range from primitive forest sites to beach-adjacent locations. The region averages 230 sunny days annually, making late fall through spring the most comfortable seasons for campers. Summer brings high humidity and temperatures averaging 90°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can temporarily flood forest access roads.
What to do
Paddling Owl Creek: Hickory Landing Campground provides direct water access and serves as an excellent launch point for paddling adventures. One camper notes that "the paddling is great on owl creek" and the campground's location makes it ideal for water exploration.
Mountain biking trail system: Point Washington State Forest offers extensive biking opportunities on flat terrain. A visitor completed "the 10 mile single track flat bike route" though noted seeing limited wildlife during foggy conditions. The trail system includes 3.5, 5, and 10-mile loop options.
Beach access from campgrounds: While most forest campgrounds require driving to reach Gulf shores, El Governor Motel & RV Park provides immediate beach access. A camper mentions it's "literally across the road from the beach" with "beautiful" sunsets, though sites offer limited privacy.
Water recreation rentals: Military personnel and veterans camping at Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB can access the nearby Tyndall marina where "you can rent kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, jet skis, bikes, and more" though calling ahead is recommended to verify availability.
What campers like
Natural water sources: White Oak Landing Campground features a unique natural spring. A camper reports the site "has an everflowing water supply that has been there for decades. It's sulfer water but it's clean and cold."
Lakefront camping views: At Eastern Lake Campground 2, campers appreciate the waterfront location. One visitor stayed at "campground 2 site 1" and enjoyed "a beautiful view of Eastern Lake and easy access to the water where there is a small dock" perfect for launching small watercraft.
Privacy between sites: Forest campgrounds typically offer more seclusion than beachfront options. A camper at Point Washington noted their site "felt nicely distanced from the other three sites" allowing for comfortable hammock camping between trees rather than using the provided gravel tent space.
Clean facilities: Despite primitive camping conditions at most locations, some sites maintain clean amenities. At El Governor, a camper noted "the bath house and laundry room is always spotless" while others mentioned the outhouse facilities at forest campgrounds require more maintenance.
What you should know
Weather impacts on access roads: Forest roads in the region become challenging after rainfall. One Point Washington camper warned about "numerous significant deep puddles" where "at one point the puddle was so deep it covered my headlights!" Small vehicles may struggle after rain events.
Reservation requirements: Most forest campgrounds require advance booking. For Eastern Lake Campground 2, reservations must be made "through the ReserveAmerica system" and access requires navigating forest roads from Highway 98.
Gate codes for entry: Point Washington campsites have security gates requiring codes. A camper advises "your online reservation will include a four digit gate code, which you will need!" for access.
Site terrain considerations: Campground elevation varies within sites. At Point Washington, "Sites 1 and 2 slope down to their campsite, and would be difficult to sleep in your vehicle without balancers" while "Sites 3 and 4 are more flat and work fine for sleeping in your vehicle."
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Wooded sites harbor ticks in warmer months. A Cotton Landing camper advised "ticks are definitely out at this campsite but only in the woods so get fire wood along the dirt road on your way in to avoid the ticks and sticker bushes."
Recovery status awareness: Hurricane impacts continue to affect regional campgrounds. Raptor Ranch was "damaged by Hurricane Michael" but is now "back open for business" though with "not as much shade or as many trees as it had before the hurricane in 2018."
Tent pad conditions: Ground conditions vary significantly at tent sites. One camper at Eastern Lake Campground 2 noted "the ground was so hard underneath we couldn't drive one of our stakes in" despite the fine gravel surface.
Grocery access planning: Camping supplies require advance planning. The nearest major stores are "about a 15 minute drive from Walmart, Win Dixie, and a slew of restaurants both fast-food and regular" from Raptor Ranch, with similar distances from other campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV sites at beachfront campgrounds typically provide less separation than forest options. At El Governor, one RVer described it as "a very small campground where you park very close together" though noted the park is "very clean" with "full hookups."
Security considerations: Beach-adjacent RV parks have different security measures. One RVer at El Governor was "a little concerned as our lot backed up to the road and there was no security we could see. Gates open 24-7, but had no issues."
Price-to-location value: Beachfront camping commands premium rates. An RVer noted El Governor's gravel lots are "close to your neighbors and a little pricey but you are paying for location" with the benefit of being "across the road from the beach."
