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Best Campgrounds near Pace, FL

901 Reviews

The Florida Panhandle region surrounding Pace offers diverse camping experiences within a short drive, from full-service RV resorts to primitive sites along pristine waterways. Blackwater River State Park, approximately 20 miles northeast of Pace, features meticulously maintained campsites with full hookups arranged in two loops (Magnolia and Titi Circles). Avalon Landing RV Park in nearby Milton provides year-round accommodations with waterfront views. Fort Pickens Campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore offers beachfront camping about 30 miles south. The area's camping landscape includes both inland forest settings with tall pines and coastal options with sugar-white sand beaches.

Hurricane season significantly impacts camping conditions from June through November, with potential for sudden closures and flooding. As one camper noted, "We arrived and everything was dry. The next morning, our site had literally turned into a pond." Many campgrounds require reservations months in advance, especially during winter when snowbirds flock to the region. Cell service varies considerably, with forest campgrounds like those in Blackwater River State Forest offering limited connectivity. Highway 98, which connects many coastal campgrounds, presents challenging driving conditions for those towing RVs or trailers. Visitors report seeing "several bad accidents every single day" along this route.

Water recreation defines the camping experience in this region, with the pristine Blackwater River being particularly popular for paddling activities. According to one visitor, "You don't need the beach when you've got the pristine white sands of the shores of Blackwater river. Tubing, kayaking, canoeing are all super here." State park campgrounds typically receive high ratings for cleanliness and maintenance, with Big Lagoon State Park praised for "good separation between campsites with shade." Wildlife considerations include alligators in freshwater areas, with swimming restrictions at some lakes and ponds. Military activity from nearby Eglin Air Force Base creates occasional noise at inland campgrounds, with campers reporting "fighter jets and helicopters buzzing overhead" at certain locations.

Map showing campgrounds near Pace, FloridaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Pace, Florida (159)

    1. Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    99 Reviews
    Gulf Breeze, FL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 934-2622

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This might be my favorite place to camp in all of florida. The campgrounds are clean , quiet and steps from the beach. Great hot showers that are cleaned daily. A visit to the fort is a must."

    "Fort Pickins is a large National Park campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida. There are 4 camping loops. Loop D is tents only."

    2. Avalon Landing RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bagdad, FL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 995-5898

    "Pelicans always roosting near bridge were fun to watch. Owners are delightful. Park along busy highway, so some traffic noise, but not bad."

    "Breathtaking views and we were able to fish behind our camper. You're so close to all the "action" without hearing or having to be part of it."

    3. Blackwater River State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Holt, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 983-5363

    $20 / night

    "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"

    "Yet another one of the state of Florida's fantastic state parks.  You don't need the beach when you've got the pristine white sands of the shores of Blackwater river. "

    4. Milton-Gulf Pines KOA

    16 Reviews
    Milton, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 623-0808

    "Close enough to Milton and Pace to allow for some extra activities, though. Overall, it was a good place for us to try out our new camper and we had a good week."

    "We were driving from California to Tampa Florida so we just used it as a stopping place but the lots are big and it was easy to get in and out of."

    5. Pensacola RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Gonzalez, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 944-1734

    "Close to a lot of food. Close to a lot of things to do.

    One of the things I like is that you have everything here. The staff is very friendly and very helpful."

    "Highly recommendable- a very clean, friendly and well run family RV park - close to major highways, restaurants, groceries and other amenities. Popular with pet owners."

    6. Big Lagoon State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Perdido Key, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 492-1595

    $20 / night

    "Located only a short 10 minute drive from Pensacola, Florida this is a great state park!"

    "Bathhouses clean and close to most campsites. Plenty of walking trails. Love the Bird tower and kayak launch. Sandbar near launch to hangout when paddling."

    7. Splash RV Resort & Waterpark

    7 Reviews
    Milton, FL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 600-8500

    "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."

    "We live here locally and its great to have this place so close allowing us to save on the crazy gas prices for the holiday weekends or short distance getaway

    Highly recommended!!!"

    8. Gulf State Park Campground

    102 Reviews
    Orange Beach, AL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (251) 948-7275

    "Gulf State Park is the one by which all other parks in the region (NW Florida/Alabama) are to be compared.  Everything you want: Hiking, BIKING, access to the beach, fishing, etc. "

    "Spacious sites, some with foliage, some with Lake or canal views. Grills but no fire pits. Right now there's a shortage of usable bath houses because of hurricane damage repairs in progress."

    9. Five Flags RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Gonzalez, FL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 453-5247

    10. Mystic Springs Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Jay, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 539-5999

    "Trash and a porta potty are located on site. There is also a boat launch for access to the Escambia River."

    "I camped for 4 nights at site 7 next to the river. Beautiful and quiet."

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Recent Camping Photos near Pace, FL

157 Photos of 159 Pace Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pace, FL

901 Reviews of 159 Pace Campgrounds

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Nice beaches but campground pretty packed

    First off, we stayed in space number E 24 and I want to caution that there is a tree over hanging the site that if you have more than 11 feet height in your RV you need to hug the driver side of the site or you’ll hit the tree. Site was nice and level. Short quarter mile hike over to the beach. Hike out to Fort Pickens was a nice trail, and the fort itself was pretty cool. We did not visit the bathrooms/showers so can’t comment on those. I would say 80 to 90% of the campsites are probably in the sun. Very few actually have trees with shade. It does cost an extra $25 or America the beautiful pass to get into the Fort Pickens national Park. We did visit the aviation museum over on the airbase which was fascinating and it was free.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Blackwater River State Park Campground

    Beautiful area right next to the river

    The main reason I did not get this campground five stars, which really isn’t their fault, but there’s quite a bit of air traffic noise with helicopters and planes flying overhead. I think there is an airport nearby. The campground itself is very well-maintained with nice level pads and full hook ups. Caution, if you’re coming from the east on 90 Google maps will have you turn at Cooper Lane. Continue on 90 until you get to Deaton Bridge Road. The other way will take you meandering through about 10 miles of small back roads and Deaton Bridge Road is only about 4 miles from the campground. Showers were nice and great hiking trails in the area.

  • M
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    great stay!

    such a great spot! The park is clean (i think new), well taken care of, and close to everything .... beaches, restaurants, and stores (but still at a great rate). The sites were easy to pull into (thank goodness, sometimes that is a challenge) and had everything we needed. The staff was friendly and hospitable. It’s a nice, quiet place to relax... park is safe feeling. Good stay overall, would come back

  • Jordan W.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    Clean Park, Good Size

    This park was perfect for us, and in a great location. We were able to save money but still enjoy the awesome costal town. There is great stufff all around, and we felt very safe in the park.

    It was clean, the grass looked wonderful, the pad were wide, the picnic pads were great and we had so much fun!

  • B
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Fort Walton Beach RV Park

    Brand New RV Park!

    This RV Park was beautiful, beand new, well maintained and in a great location. We enjoyed our stay here and plan to be back next year. The community center had laundry and the wifi was fast. The picnic table was sturdy and I liked the pavered sites, it felt very clean and elevated!

  • E
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Alabama Coast Campground

    Very nice spot!

    Extremely scenic and friendly staff. Great playground, 2 dog parks. Would stay again!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Island Retreat RV Park

    Change of Scenery

    Camping down in Florida earlier in week decided to go to Gulf Shores for a change of scenery. Nice RV park. Staff are great. Most sites are full sun. Great central location to the beach (bike ride or drive). Bike and walking path. It’s off the main tourist area so it’s nice and quiet. MO’s Landing is right across the street so you can put a boat in or you paddleboard/kayak and tool around Little Lagoon. The only reason for not a 5 star is a lot of the sites do not have the patio area right off the center of the trailer where you normally would hang out. Ours had 3 ft of concrete then drop off to sandy ground. Still a really nice RV park.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Pensacola Beach RV Resort

    Perfection!

    I'd give it 10 stars if I could! The parking spots are pristine, the showers clean, the tiki bar on the sound beach was incredible, with lots of chairs & bean bags to laze around in... The pool is beautiful & super clean, with lights all around & a fountain!

Guide to Pace

Camping near Pace, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Explore the beaches: Many campers enjoy the nearby beaches. For instance, at Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore, one reviewer mentioned, "Perfect for anyone wanting to have a nice quiet stay near the beach."
  • Bike trails: The extensive bike trails at Gulf State Park Campground are a hit. A visitor noted, "The biking trails were amazing, very wide, with a good amount of shade."
  • Fishing and nature walks: Big Lagoon State Park Campground offers great fishing spots. One camper shared, "The campground has electric sewer and water. The restrooms were very clean here."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Henderson Beach State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms are clean. The camp site has a picnic table and a fire ring."
  • Spacious sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. At Meaher State Park Campground, a visitor remarked, "Awesome state park! Plenty of room between spaces which are staggered so you aren’t looking out your door at another trailer."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One review for Blakeley State Park Campground highlighted, "Super easy check-in after hours. Host was very nice."

What you should know

  • Crowded during peak season: Some campgrounds can get busy. A visitor at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground noted, "The only downside is that you cannot drive to the beach. You have to walk or bike the 2-mile round trip."
  • Limited trash disposal: Campers have pointed out that trash disposal can be inconvenient. One review for Gulf State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a lack of places to throw trash and the dumpsters are all the way back at the front of the park."
  • Noise from nearby roads: Some campgrounds are close to busy roads. A camper at Meaher State Park Campground said, "The only downside I could find was I10 is close enough to be heard."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. At Dauphin Island Campground, a family-friendly spot, one reviewer said, "The beach is beautiful white sand and is not crowded at all."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A visitor at Camp On The Gulf mentioned, "It’s perfection. Beautiful beach, TWO pools, water slide, shop, activity center."
  • Bring bikes: Many campgrounds have bike trails. A camper at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground noted, "We rented bicycles and enjoyed the paved paths and private beach over the dunes."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Blackwater River State Park Campground noted, "Nice sized campsites and some are concrete pads."
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. At Fort Pickens Campground, a camper mentioned, "Almost every spot had full hookups."
  • Be prepared for wildlife: Keep food secure to avoid raccoons. One camper at Blackwater River State Park Campground warned, "I had a problem with raccoons every single night as soon as it got dark."

Camping around Pace, Florida, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Pace, Florida?

Pace offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Blackwater River State Park Campground stands out with its 30 full-hookup sites divided between Magnolia and Titi Circles, featuring meticulously maintained grounds. For a more rustic experience, Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping provides true wilderness camping near the Florida-Alabama state line, perfect for those seeking solitude. Other nearby options include River's Edge RV Campground for riverside camping and Avalon Landing RV Park for convenient amenities close to town.

What are the most family-friendly camping options in Pace for kids?

Fort Pickens Campground offers an exceptional family experience with clean, quiet grounds just steps from the beach. Kids will love exploring the historic fort, and the campground features hot showers cleaned daily. Another excellent option is Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, which provides a safe, gated environment with friendly staff and clean facilities. The park's proximity to grocery stores makes family trips easier, and its affordability gives access to some of Florida's best beaches. Both locations offer walking trails and water activities that keep children engaged throughout your stay.

What amenities are available at tent camping sites near Pace?

Tent campers near Pace will find varying amenity levels to match their preferences. Big Lagoon State Park Campground provides clean bathhouses within walking distance of most sites, electric and water hookups, and private campsites with good separation between neighbors. The grounds feature beautiful white sand trails and a kayak launch. At Open Pond Recreation Area, tent sites include clean shower houses, spacious shaded spots, and helpful camp hosts. Most tent sites in the region offer fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, though amenities decrease at primitive camping locations.

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