Tent camping near Navarre Beach offers access to Florida's diverse ecosystems where coastal pine flatwoods meet wetland areas. The region receives approximately 67 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest settings but also challenging trail conditions during wet seasons. Most primitive camping areas maintain year-round accessibility, though summer humidity levels regularly exceed 80% from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing at Eastern Lake: Several campsites at Eastern Lake Campground 2 provide direct lake access and small docks for launching watercraft. One visitor notes, "I had a beautiful view of Eastern Lake and easy access to the water where there is a small dock. Great place to launch a canoe or kayak."
Backpacking across state lines: The northern forest areas allow for multi-state hiking trips. At Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping, a camper explains, "It is connected to Alabama's Conecuh National Forest, so there's lots of ground to cover to get some miles in. My group of camping buddies and I decided we wanted to knock out two states in one weekend."
Fishing opportunities: Many tent sites offer lake access suitable for anglers. At Hurricane Lake South Campground, a reviewer advises, "I suggest bringing fishing gear if you are into fishing. I was motocamping so I couldn't fit my fishing gear on my bike."
What campers like
Lakeside views: Many campers appreciate waterfront tent sites at Hurricane Lake South Campground, where "Hurricane lake surrounds the campground so every camping spot has a view of the beautiful lake."
Privacy between sites: The layout of many camping areas provides seclusion. At Blackwater River State Forest, a camper appreciated that "tent campers are in a separate campground from RV campers. This makes for a more peaceful camping experience."
Winter season camping: The climate becomes more comfortable outside summer months. One camper at Hurricane Lake South Campground mentioned it's "Quiet and beautiful," while another advised that Blackwater River State Forest is "Beautifull place to stay in the Winter months October through May. Park open all year but late Sping and summer is insect and rainy season."
What you should know
Forest road conditions: After rainfall, access roads can become extremely difficult. At Point Washington State Forest, a reviewer warns, "I came in a day after rain and there were numerous significant deep puddles to get through. I was grateful my Sprinter had knobby tires and was a little higher; even then at one point the puddle was so deep it covered my headlights!"
Gate code requirements: Several camping areas require advance reservation codes. According to a camper, "This is a quiet Forest. I stayed at camp 1, site 1. There is a code to lock on gate when you go in."
Wildlife awareness: Bears inhabit some camping areas, requiring proper food storage. A visitor notes, "Signs for active bears but we saw none," while another camper cautions about other wildlife: "realize that there ARE gators in the lake and they have legs to crawl on land."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with grassy areas: For families with children, look for softer ground surfaces. A visitor at Sunny Days Finca described the area as "flat, grassy" and noted its proximity to family-friendly activities: "close to: East Bay Boat Ramp- 4.1 miles Navarre Beach- 6.8 miles."
Consider water proximity: Some family-friendly sites offer easy water access but require supervision. Hurricane Lake South Campground receives praise for family use, but one camper notes, "many sites are on the lake edge but realize that there ARE gators in the lake."
Examine bathroom facilities: Families should check restroom conditions before booking. At Eastern Lake Campground 2, a visitor reported issues with the pit toilet: "the walls and floors of the pit toilet were covered with flies. With a little maintenance that could be mitigated."
Tips from RVers
Site ground conditions: At Becks Camp, RVers should note limited options. One visitor warns, "I just called to ask about reserving an RV site. They no longer have those types of sites."
Maximum stay limits: RVers planning extended stays should know permit durations. According to a camper at Hurricane Lake South, "I believe you can stay up to 14 days at a time before being required to pick up and move."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Standard RVs may struggle on forest roads. A Point Washington visitor cautions, "I would not chance the forest roads in a sedan. You might be okay if it stays dry but if it rains you will not be in good shape."
