Best Campgrounds near Panacea, FL

Panacea, Florida sits along the Gulf Coast in Florida's Forgotten Coast region, offering a range of camping experiences from developed RV parks to primitive sites. Several established campgrounds dot the coastline, including Panacea RV Park with 42 sites and Holiday Campground on Ochlockonee Bay, both providing water access and full hookups. Within a short drive, Ochlockonee River State Park in nearby Sopchoppy features tent sites, RV spots, and cabins beneath live oak trees. For more remote experiences, Tate's Hell State Forest, spanning over 200,000 acres between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers, offers 36 primitive campgrounds and four developed areas with basic facilities.

Weather considerations significantly impact camping in this coastal region. Summer months (April through September) bring intense heat, humidity, and abundant mosquitoes and deer flies, prompting many locals to avoid forest camping during this period. As one camper noted, "I stay far away from forests in the Florida summer!" Winter and early spring provide more comfortable conditions with mild temperatures. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though hurricane season (June through November) occasionally causes closures or damage. Cell service varies considerably—generally reliable at developed campgrounds near Highway 98 but spotty in forest areas. Visitors should arrive prepared with supplies as nearby towns like Sopchoppy offer limited services beyond gas stations.

Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers in the Panacea area. Campers frequently mention the serene Ochlockonee River, with one reviewer describing "tiny beaches along it" and "trails that go along the river and through pine tree forest with prairie grasses." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with white squirrels, deer, and alligators commonly spotted. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities, though site privacy varies considerably. Tent campers should note that some RV-oriented parks offer limited tent spaces, often in less shaded central areas. The region's relative remoteness contributes to excellent stargazing conditions, with rangers at Ochlockonee River State Park encouraging campers to "limit outdoor lights at night" to enhance the experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Panacea, Florida (107)

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Recent Reviews near Panacea, FL

331 Reviews of 107 Panacea Campgrounds


  • Prinsean n kathy F.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Newport Park Campground

    Great spot

    Me and my husband have been camping here for three days now the campsite is very clean. The lady is very very nice. Great showers great bathrooms great people great location.

  • Colin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    Very Nice and Secluded

    Very nice and quiet camp site. Each site is very private, and the camp is very secluded. After entering the park, it's a four mile drive. The closest large town is about one hundred miles away.

    The beach is walking distance, but no pets are allowed on the State Park Beaches, but pets are allowed on the public beaches outside the park.

    There's not much shade for tent campers.

    This camp ground is hard to get into, so it's best to book early.

    Lastly, although the camp ground have electric outlets at each site, 20, 30, and 50 amps, the closest high speed EV charger is 56 miles away in Mexico Beach, about one and a half hours drive.

  • Mindie C.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Camp Runamuck

    Small but peaceful

    Small but cute. Sunsets are magnificent! The family that runs the park are rebuilding from hurricanes. They are amazing. The WiFi is top notch! We will visit again!

  • B
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful location, but sooo many bugs

    This campground was really enjoyable. Sites are a decent size, close to each other but the trees and shrubbery provide enough privacy. The bathhouses were pretty nice as well. Spacious showers and hot water. The only downside to this location was the bugs— definitely recommend mosquito nets and a thermacell. We only stayed one night, but the management did spray for bugs around sunset.

    The activities on the island are amazing too. There were a couple boat ramps to launch kayaks from, lots of wildlife, a beautiful beach, and the stargazing was phenomenal.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Whitehead Landing NF Campground

    Nice quiet off grid sites

    Decent Verizon signal, no T-Mobile. Non-potable water spigot. There’s a nice little boat ramp on the river.

  • T.  D.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    An itchy week

    The campground is easy to access with mostly level sites. Some sites have shade from overgrown brush/trees, enjoyed having the divide between sites. Easy access to the beach. BUT, the bathhouses need a lot more attention. Stayed a whole week, and the cleaning done was very minimal. It wasn't because campers were being destructive after a cleaning, it was clear it just wasn't being cleaned daily. My main complaint is, to no fault of the campground, was the amount of mosquitoes and other biting insects were unbearable. Insect repellent didn't work. Be careful of fire ant hills, they are everywhere. Bring all necessities because options are limited for shopping in the area and considerably more expensive than normal.

  • Ch C.
    May. 6, 2025

    High Bluff Campground — Joe Budd WMA and Lake Talquin State Forest

    Nice Experience

    This campground was a nice surprise. We reserved the very same day an there were several spots available. $17 per night with all fees included. Very quiet. A very well maintained dirt road to get there. It looks like most people go there to fish.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 15, 2025

    Coastline RV Resort & Campground

    Glorious View and Location!

    We had a wonderful stay. The place was very clean. The staff at the office were cheerful and very pleasant. The dog park area in back had good grass and was clear of poop and such.

    The view. Wow! Just wonderful. This is my new favorite place to stay along the Florida Panhandle coastline.


Guide to Panacea

Panacea, Florida camping options typically experience seasonal storm surges during hurricane season. Within this Gulf Coast area, the sandy, low-lying terrain sits just a few feet above sea level, creating drainage issues at primitive sites after heavy rains. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, but October through March offers the most comfortable temperatures for tent camping without the extreme humidity.

What to do

Fishing from dedicated piers: Holiday Campground features a fishing pier with cleaning stations for preparing your catch. One visitor notes, "Right on the water!!! There is a fishing pier and small beach. The bath house is sparkling clean and the pool is great!"

Wildlife viewing at forest sites: Ochlockonee River State Park Campground offers excellent opportunities to spot unique animals. "We saw the white squirrels. On our walk through the nature trails we saw a doe (not the resident white deer)," reports one camper. The park is known for its rare white squirrels with small gray patches on their heads.

Stargazing in low-light areas: The region's distance from major cities creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. At Womack Creek Campground in Tate's Hell State Forest, "You'll see lots of stars on a clear night and will not be disturbed by the rest of the world!"

Kayaking accessible waterways: Launch directly from Myron B. Hodge City Park with easy river access. A visitor describes it as having "a beautiful little park with a nice children's playground. Boardwalk, trail, clean bathrooms, secure showers with passcode given to campers only."

What campers like

Waterfront access: Holiday Campground provides direct bay views from select sites. As one reviewer states, "This campground's setting advertises great sunsets and it lives up to that. We had a waterfront site. The back of our site has lots of and trees to the bay beach."

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain above-average bathroom conditions. At Myron B. Hodge City Park, visitors appreciate the "clean bathrooms, secure showers with passcode given to campers only. Security gate that closes at night."

First-come sites: For spontaneous trips, Myron B. Hodge offers no-reservation camping. "Sites are first come, first served. Hot shower. (Ask Camp Host, Tom, for key when He comes by early evening to collect camp fee.) $20 per night," explains one camper.

Privacy between sites: Ho-Hum RV Park offers varying levels of seclusion depending on location. "It's the views that bring you to the Ho Hum RV Park. I had a waterfront site and thoroughly enjoyed letting the dogs run on the beach."

What you should know

Dirt roads and limited GPS coverage: Many forest campgrounds require careful navigation. For Womack Creek Campground, one visitor advises: "Hard to find on gps, use directions from your reservation confirmation email. Coordinates are 30.001026153564453, -84.53910827636719."

Variable water availability: Some primitive sites lack potable water. At Womack Creek Primitive Sites, "Just note that 'non-potable water' means that there isn't any, not that you cannot drink it. There is one road in, and its the same road out."

Internet connectivity challenges: Cell service varies dramatically between sites. At Myron B. Hodge City Park, "Verizon 2 bars, Starlink 20 to 114 Mpbs with cloudy skies, which allows me to get my work done."

Limited services in nearby towns: Small communities offer basic necessities but few options. A camper at Ho-Hum RV Park advises: "Come prepared with all supplies because they have little on offer to buy."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Bayside RV Resort & Marina provides family-friendly waterfront options. "Each riverfront has a cabana and picnic table with water and electric hookups," shares one visitor.

Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas or pools. At Holiday Campground, "The pool area is beautiful, although a bit small. The bathrooms are newish and tasteful."

Fishing opportunities for kids: Young anglers can enjoy catching local species. At Bayside RV Resort, "Right on the Ochlocknee River going out to the gulf so you can catch redfish and trout off the pier at the site."

Space considerations: Some sites provide more room than others for family activities. At Ochlockonee River State Park, "Our site was very roomy. There are tons of sand squirrels here—as soon as we got in, we took to the bath house; when we came back our neighbors had weighted down our food totes as those (really cute, white) squirrels had already tried to get into our food."

Tips from RVers

Site sizing challenges: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Ochlockonee River State Park, "This park is the tightest Fl State Park in our experience. The road among the sites and the sites are all dirt but level to the eye. Only the handicap space has a concrete pad (#23)."

Hookup considerations: Full hookups aren't universal in the area. For Womack Creek, "Some have electricity hook ups, and some do not. Only one site on the whole property has water."

Pull-through availability: Some sites offer easier access for large vehicles. At Ho-Hum RV Park, "Nice park. All pull through sites except for waterfront. Pier to fish from. Right on the Gulf. Facilities are clean."

RV site stability: Ground conditions affect leveling. At Ochlockonee River State Park, "Concrete pads are level and electrical hookup looks new. Our truck camper fits perfectly, but big rigs are a tight fit."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prices for Holiday Campground on Ochlockonee Bay in Panacea?

While specific rates for Holiday Campground aren't detailed in recent reviews, they typically charge by site type with waterfront locations commanding premium prices. Guests report staying for a full week on waterfront lots, suggesting weekly rates are available. For accurate pricing, it's best to contact the campground directly as rates may vary by season, site type (waterfront vs standard), and length of stay. Similar campgrounds in the area like Panacea RV Park have competitive pricing for the Ochlockonee Bay region.

What is the best time of year to camp at Ochlockonee Bay in Panacea?

The best time to camp in the Ochlockonee Bay area is during the cooler months from October through March. According to visitors at Ochlockonee River State Park Campground, the area becomes quite uncomfortable from April through September due to Florida's intense heat and humidity. Winter and early spring provide pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities like kayaking, which campers enjoy at places like Camel Lake Campground. Fall offers another sweet spot with moderate temperatures, fewer crowds, and the added benefit of being outside hurricane season which can affect coastal camping areas.

What amenities are available at Holiday Campground in Panacea, Florida?

Holiday Campground offers waterfront sites with full hookups for RVs. The campground features spacious areas between the RVs and the water, though sites are positioned relatively close to each other on the sides. Basic amenities include water, toilets, and the campground is big-rig friendly. The location provides excellent water access to Ochlockonee Bay. For additional activities, visitors might consider exploring nearby Torreya State Park Campground, which offers hiking trails, or visit the small aquarium in Panacea that campers recommend.