Best Campgrounds near Pace, FL
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.
