Ed S.
Traveler
TravelerIndian Pass Campground
Laid back vibe
One of our favorite campgrounds to visit. Multiple sites with great views of the bay and easy oceanfront access. Would describe the experience as rustic.
Camping near Panama City, FL
111 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Panama City, Florida offers camping options across several state and privately operated facilities catering to a range of preferences. St. Andrews State Park Campground provides waterfront sites along the Grand Lagoon with full hookups for RVs and tent camping areas. Other established options include Panama City Beach RV Resort, Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, and Raccoon River Campground, all offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping sites. Military personnel can access Raptor Ranch at Tyndall Air Force Base, which provides RV sites, tent areas, and elevated cabins.
Camping is available year-round at most facilities, with Florida's warm climate allowing for comfortable winter camping when northern destinations become too cold. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites and during peak tourist seasons. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, water, and sewer connections for RVs, while tent campers can find designated areas with picnic tables and fire rings. Access to most campgrounds requires no special vehicles, with paved roads leading to well-maintained sites. A visitor noted, "St. Andrews State Park is a regular destination for our group of Dads and kids annual camping trip. The facilities are always clean and safe."
Several campgrounds feature water access as their primary attraction, with St. Andrews State Park offering both gulf and bay swimming areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer frequently spotted wandering through campsites. Pine Log State Forest's Sand Pond Campground, located north of Panama City, provides a more rustic experience with direct access to freshwater recreation. Campers frequently mention the convenience of having beach access while still enjoying a camping experience. One reviewer commented, "We loved this campground. Clean and peaceful and beautiful walking trails and easy access to the beach. Beautiful sunsets on the beach." The proximity to water activities, including fishing, kayaking, and swimming, remains the defining characteristic of the camping experience in this coastal region.
Best Campgrounds near Panama City (111)
1. St. Andrews State Park Campground
"Michael, the camp boasts great shower and laundry facilities, electrical hookups, back in and pull through sites among the quiet of the beach dunes and palmetto swamp... a great natural area minutes from Panama City"
"Hiking and biking trails within the park. Nice saltwater bay with a white sand beach to relax and snorkel. Good location next to Panama City Beach so you can have city time as well. Fills up quickly."
from $28 / night
Check Availability2. Panama City Beach RV Resort
"There are two pools and to laundry facilities. the clubhouse is spacious and clean there is a place to watch movies read books or just relax in the cool outside of the pool."
"Clean close to beach great sites"
from $79 - $105 / night
Check Availability3. Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort
"Stayed in Panama City beach. Going back ASAP!"
"Pickle Ball courts, basket ball court, dog walk areas and much more. Short drive to the beach."
from $48 - $100 / night
Check Availability4. Raccoon River Campground
"Panama City Beach is definitely short on dispersed camping so we tried out the Raccoon River Campground because it was close to the beach and some other things we wanted to do."
"The location of this campground was perfect. We were walking distance to the beautiful beaches and pier of Panama Beach. There are a lot fun activities here."
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability5. Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB
"It's close to Tyndall AFB and the Tyndall marina (requires a drive, not directly connected) where you can rent kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, jet skis, bikes, and more (again, call ahead to verify availability"
"Its conveniently located near the base and also near the bay for fishing and other fun water recreational activities."
6. Outback Springs RV Resort
"A beautiful new pool, hot tub and outside lounge are available. The pool and surrounding area was clean and well kept."
"It is one of our homes away from home. The staff is very friendly, the bathrooms are very clean and the pool/hot tub area is super nice. It's well worth the stay if you're in the area."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. NSA Panama City FamCamp Southside
"The downside is that there are “grass burrs” everywhere in the sparse grassy areas if you want to walk a dog but there is a dog park."
8. Camper's Inn
"Close to beach access and tons of stuff to do with in walking distance."
"Good location with boardwalk access to beach. Park amenities were as described. Drawback was traffic on Thomas Drive, except vehicle noise in evening with cyclists and roadster revving it up."
9. Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest
"Camped here in August of 2019 a quiet campground located about 25 miles from Panama City Beach. Mostly pine forrest nice campsites and a beautiful lake."
"Great little campground near Panama City! Almost all sites were water front. The sites were paved, spacious, and well spaced out. The grounds were well kept with many pine trees."
10. Tharp's Camp Cedar
"Waterfront with free use of marina and boat storage, for renters at Tharp's, on beautiful fresh water Deerpoint lake who's recent creel study by Game and fish commission ranked Deerpoint lake the most"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 15 min from Dothan, AL
- 1 hr 23 min from Crestview, FL
- 1 hr 38 min from Tallahassee, FL
- 2 hrs 5 min from Pensacola, FL
Recent Camping Photos near Panama City, FL
97 Photos of 111 Panama City Campgrounds
Carole B.
St. Andrews State Park Campground
Deborah T.
My Father's Sanctuary
Kathy D.
Blue Spring Recreation Area
hilary G.
Tom Johns Landing
Lorraine S.
Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest
Brenda A.
Pine Lake RV Park
Carlie G.
Holmes Creek Camping & RV Resort
Talia R.
dead river landing
Dale W.
Eastern Lake Campground 2 — Point Washington State Forest
Karen S.
Eastern Lake Campground 1 — Point Washington State Forest
Sonyia W.
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Campground
Black Creek R.
Black Creek RV Park
Recent Reviews near Panama City, FL
604 Reviews of 111 Panama City Campgrounds
Jim S.
GuidePort St. Joe RV Resort
Location Location
Nice enough level gravel sites and roads.clean pool and laundry
- AAnna W.
ScoutCamp On The Gulf
Beautiful beach!
We had a great stay. Everything was clean, staff was kind and helpful and the beach is amazing!
- KKen D.Scout
Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park
Beautiful hideaway
Nice small campground far from highway, very quiet
Greg M.GuidePine Log State Forest Primitive Campsites
Lots of ticks but nice otherwise.
I really enjoyed how remote this site was. I meant to book the site just north of this pin but booked this one by mistake and was glad I did. It’s definitely primitive, so no toilets or hook ups or anything. But you’ll get little to no traffic driving past your site as it’s past a locked gate, good sized site with table, grill, and fire pit right on a small stream. Only 3 sites total I believe. Only downfall was the ticks, they’re everywhere, pulled 2 off me and 5 off my dog, so beware. Would still go back though if I lived in the area.
Brian K.GuideSt. Andrews State Park Campground
Tops in my book
This campground has three camp stores, beaches, fishing, snorkeling, boat ramp, cafe and bike paths. All roads and bike paths are paved. Lots of wild life.
- Brian K.Guide
Falling Waters State Park Campground
Very quiet small campground
Has a lake for swimming, small playground for kids, nice trails. Waterfall depends on rainfall however was a nice addition to the hike. Site 7 was close to site 8. We could hear them walking around the inside of their trailer. It was the only site close to another site. 7
- mmichael H.Guide
Grayton Beach State Park Campground
Amazing Beach Campground
Clean facilities, level gravel lots on most sites, the beach is pristine, even some hiking trails. A must visit campground and State Park. Some sites even are direct waterfront.
- RRose B.Scout
Eastern Lake Campground 1 — Point Washington State Forest
Waste of money
The campground was about 20 miles off the main road. I could not find the road to go on for at least another 20 minutes due to horrible instructions. I left before getting to the campsites since it was in the middle of the woods. A waste of money.
Guide to Panama City
Campgrounds near Panama City, Florida range from state-operated sites to military facilities and private RV resorts along the Gulf Coast. St. Andrews State Park Campground provides waterfront camping with full hookups, picnic tables, and accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins. Other options include Panama City Beach RV Resort, Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, and Raptor Ranch at Tyndall Air Force Base, offering varying levels of amenities within the coastal ecosystem. Most facilities maintain year-round operations, with many sites positioned to take advantage of water access to the Gulf of Mexico or nearby lagoons.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended for most Panama City area campgrounds, particularly for waterfront sites and during peak seasons. St. Andrews State Park typically books 6-10 months ahead for prime locations. While most campgrounds feature paved pads and good road access, recent hurricane damage has affected some facilities. The region experiences hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and mild winters that attract seasonal campers. Many campgrounds offer full hookups with 50-amp electrical service, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed sites. A camper noted, "If you want a good spot once they reopen, definitely book early and pay attention to the measurements on the website."
Waterfront campsites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those in St. Andrews State Park with views of the lagoon or Gulf access. Several campgrounds feature beach proximity, with St. Andrews offering both Gulf-side beaches and calmer bay waters for swimming and kayaking. Wildlife observation opportunities include deer that often wander through campgrounds, dolphins in the bay, and various shore birds. A recent review noted, "We saw lots of other wildlife around, including deer and rabbits." Many campers appreciate the balance of natural surroundings with proximity to urban amenities, as most sites are within 15-20 minutes of shopping, dining, and entertainment options in Panama City Beach while maintaining a feeling of seclusion within the parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Panama City, Florida?
Where are the best campgrounds in Panama City, Florida?
St. Andrews State Park Campground is a premier camping destination with newly renovated facilities following Hurricane Michael. Located minutes from Panama City Beach, it offers beautiful waterfront sites, hiking and biking trails, and excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Another excellent option is Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest, which provides a quiet retreat about 25 miles from Panama City Beach. The campground features paved, spacious sites, many waterfront, surrounded by pine forest—perfect for hammock camping.
How much does camping near Panama City, FL cost?
How much does camping near Panama City, FL cost?
Camping costs near Panama City vary by amenities and location. Wright Lake Campground in Apalachicola National Forest offers more affordable options, with most sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. For state park camping, Grayton Beach State Park Campground provides well-maintained facilities at standard state park rates, typically ranging from $20-30 per night. Private RV resorts like those in Panama City Beach generally command higher prices, especially during peak season, with rates potentially ranging from $50-100+ per night depending on amenities and season.
What RV camping options are available in Panama City?
What RV camping options are available in Panama City?
Panama City offers several RV-friendly camping options. Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort provides excellent facilities with helpful staff in a convenient location. For those seeking a military connection, Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB is an option, though it's worth noting it was damaged by Hurricane Michael and availability may be limited. Additional RV accommodations include Panama City Beach RV Resort and Raccoon River Campground, both offering full hookups, amenities for larger rigs, and convenient access to area attractions.
Keep Exploring