Do you enjoy camping but don't want to rough it? Glamping is a great option. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Panama City Beach experience while glamping. You're sure to find glamping for your Panama City Beach camping adventure.
EAST
$28 / night
Welcome to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Topsail Hill is named for its dunes, which rise like a ship's sails over soft sand beaches and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem — freshwater dune lakes — which teem with aquatic wildlife. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants. Topsail Hill offers three miles of pristine beaches and is a bird-watching and hiking paradise.
$24 - $145 / night
The Sand Pond Campground can be found at the Pine Log State Forest Recreation Area. All sites are fully equipped with electric and water hook-ups. Restrooms with showers and a sanitary dumping station are located on-site. The Sand Pond Group Camp is available for youth groups. There are two small picnic pavilion areas, fire rings and access to water. The area is near the restroom and shower facilities but separate from other camping. Primitive campsites are available and are dispersed along Pine Log Creek. Primitive campers are not entitled to use of restrooms or shower facilities. A gate combination is required to access the primitive campsites. To make reservations and receive the combination to the locked gate for the primitive campsites, visit Reserve America.
In 1937, our grandmother took her first trip to the panhandle of northern Florida and found pristine beauty in the crystal white beaches and the aqua blue waters. This unforgettable experience prompted her to take many more trips to South Walton with her family over the years. In 1968, our family's love for the area culminated with the purchase of this property, and we have been operating as a campground ever since.
South Walton has experienced a tremendous transformation over the decades, but our goal of sharing this area with our guests has never wavered. Whether you have been staying with us for years, or if you have never visited us before, we are excited for you to experience the same beauty that captivated our grandmother over 85 years ago!
Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere at our Panama City Beach RV resort. At Emerald Coast RV Resort you’ll have a great selection of big-rig-friendly sites available, plus gorgeous park models to rent or buy. Take a dip in one of our two heated pools; unwind in the hot tub; stay in shape at our fitness center; or challenge a friend to a game of bocce ball or volleyball. Emerald Coast RV Resort also boasts a prime location for fun. Take the family to Coconut Creek Family Fun Park or Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Swim with the dolphins at the Gulf World Marine Park or take a walk on the wild side at the ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory.
$48 - $100 / night
Effective Oct. 25, 2023: Shady Pines campground has opened at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Reservations can be made by visiting the Florida State Parks reservations website or calling 800-326-3521.
$24 - $100 / night
Twin Lakes Camp Resort is located on a peninsula between Holley and Kings Lakes so everything has a view. With 60+ campsites, Cabin Suites, Lake Houses, Tiny Homes, and Glamping Tents! A very calm, peaceful place to fish or just relax. And won 2023 Small Park of the Year Award from FARVC!!
$75 - $85 / night
For Active and Retired Military only.
$55 - $65 / night
$69 / night
Ranger
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.
Scout
Great facilities. Very helpful staff. Stayed in Panama City beach. Going back ASAP!
Traveler
I love this camp ground you can camp right on the waterway. It has a lagoon right over the dune from the beach. Areas great for fishing, snorkeling and swimming.most beautiful water ive ever been in and ive been to Hawaii so that says A lot. Right in Panama city beach Florida, our great secret. Has a big bath house and bathrooms paved roads very well kept and not as expensive as most camp grounds.
GuideAwesome area to camp and relax. Campsites are clean and taken care of. 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.
ScoutBeware of your billing. They will over charge you. Just a FYI to my camping friends. We are staying at Sun Outdoors Panama City Beach. While it’s a beautiful place with lots of amenities, don’t pay extra for the LOCK SITE. We have had a reservation for over 6 months and paid the Lock Fee for Site 73. We cancelled one night on the end of our stay within there guidelines. Julie, THE MANAGER, sent us an updated bill. She increased the lock fee to$50, increased the price of each night stay AND CHANGED OUR SITE. When I called her she did cancel the site lock fee and corrected the price per night but told us SITE 73 is under construction and she had to switch a lot of people around because of it. We get here and Site 73 is not under construction and she gave it to someone else. I sent her a message and ask her why she did that and she won’t respond. BEWARE OF YOUR CHARGES AT THIS PARK. UPDATE: She issued us 10% credit for not getting the Site we chose that she moved us. THE POINT IS YOU ABSOLUTELY LIED AND DID NOT FOLLOW YOUR RULES AND POLICY. This park was EMERALD COAST RV RESORT in Panama City Beach at 1957 Allison Ave. SUN OUTDOORS took it over.
LegendNot crowded on a week day. State park requires small entry fee or annual pass. Large, interesting jetty rocks protect the end of the beach. Small beach/ snack shop near parking lot, but this beach avoids the touristy feel of other local beaches.
The lower numbered sites are great for viewing water fowl. The higher numbered sites are where the deer visit. The campground map does not show the jetty in front of sites 2 - 15. The location in Panama City Beach is perfect. From the Park gate it is literally a 5 minute drive and you're in the touristy beach area of PCB.
RangerNewly renovated following Hurricane 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/Panama City Beach. There’s great opportunities for beachcombing, snorkeling and diving, particularly on the south end of the park on Shell Island, which is accessible by water taxi shuttle during the season. Recent viewing includes the lower mount and traverse rings of gun turrets constructed 1942-43, when the 166th infantry regiment was stationed here to guard Gulf shipping from German U-Boats following the sinking of the Empire Mica.
GuideFar yet close…that’s the first thing that comes to mind. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the beach areas but close enough to enjoy them just the same. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try if you are in the Panama City beach/bay county/Walton county area. Quiet, serene, easy to get to if you don’t mind dirt roads that are amazingly maintained for a state forest campground! Site 10 was fabulous and all sites have 50/30 amp hookup and water. Dump station nearby and a hood bathhouse area with showers. You have a pond with a fishing dock and a camp host in site 1. I can’t say enough good things about this little gem just 15 miles north of PCB. Off hwy 79 it’s a short drive off interstate 10 exit 112. My wife, 12 yr old and mini Aussie are having a blast, so much so maybe I need to just keep this a secret??!!! Haha happy camping!
Legend*This campground is currently under renovation post-hurricane and is taking walk-in camping only, no reservations.
My cousin was in from Germany and had always heard about Panama City Beach... we are campers at heart so we went to the nearest campground! However it’s a very short drive to PCB if you have someone along that wants to see the city...
Now, there are two beach areas. One is on the gulf, and one is between the gulf and the bay. The gulf water is a lot choppier but clearer, and the swimming in the spot by the bay is much calmer HOWEVER the purple flag was up and we got eaten alive by jellyfish (as did many others). There is a boat ramp on the bay side.
The sites are all VERY different. Some are tiny, some are huge. Some have waterfront and many don’t. We booked late and got a very small (although not the smallest) site. If you want a good spot once they reopen, definitely book early and pay attention to the measurements on the website.
There is also a nature trail with a freshwater swamp (featuring gators, of course). We saw lots of other wildlife around, including deer and rabbits.
Guide
Lake surrounds all sites. Beautiful setting.private baths.huge amenities center. Fishing and glamping tents
Legend
Keep in mind, this is a Preserve. Good trails, coastal dunes with lakes, fishing, paddling, beach, cabins, and tent camping including Glamping!
GuideA private, gated road leads to level, stamped concrete pads landscaped with red lava rock around 2 lakes with great fishing either on the water or newly renovated or rebuilt piers lighted for night fishing. They have, likely, the nicest shower rooms you'll encounter on the rv trail. A well equipped camp store has everything you need to get by and some things you didn't realize you need ( hello hammock seats that I had to drop $200 on). They have townhouse cabins and glamping yurts as well as a community center, pool, and laundry room. Full hookups and Wi-Fi. Sites not located on the waterfront are elevated so they still have a water view. Since buying this resort a few years ago, the new owners have poured their hearts and souls into updating this resort into a next level haven for the new generation of the rv lifestyle.
Guide
This park has something for everyone. Up top away from the beach the level sites have plenty of shade. Beachfront sites are tight but you have the ocean at your doorstep. Campgulf has several cabin and glamping options to give the non-camper plenty of options.
RangerWe had an awesome time at Camping on the Gulf (Camp Gulf). My husband and I took our 4 kids and they loved it there. They can’t stop talking about it and are ready to go back. The campground is right on the Gulf of Mexico with some sites right on the sand. We were in a pull through and it was a bit tight and small, but really that was my only complaint with the campground. The sites in the back of the park were roomier and had some shade, which I think made up for them not being as close to the ocean. The bath houses were awesome! They had individual bathrooms with a toilet, sink and fully tiled shower with glass enclosure. These were by far the best bathhouses I have ever seen. There is a large laundry in the middle of the campground and it was very clean with a huge table for folding clothes on and large rolling carts to put your laundry in when you take them out of the washer or dryer. There were also 2 pools, one of which was heated. This was great because it was still pretty cold at the beginning of April. There is a large water slide beside the main pool. They also had lots of activities for the kids. My kids made lots of friends and really hated to have to leave. In addition to campsites they also have glamping tents which looked really neat and cabins/tiny houses for rent. Additionally they offered golf cart rentals and had a food truck located inside that park. We ordered nachos from it one night and they were great.
LegendCampground Review:
If you are ever in the Florida Panhandle, you have to stop at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. I have been coming here for years as a visitor and the past four volunteering in the campground because I love it so much. The campground used to be a private RV park so there are lots of amenities with really nice campsites but once you leave the campground there are over 1,600 acres to explore and 3.2 miles of pristine white sandy beaches to walk on. The park is divided into three sections: the RV park, a 22-site tent-only section, and 32 one and two-bedroom bungalows and cabins for rent.
There are 156 RV sites that are level and a mix of paved and crushed gravel with full hook-up and cable television (75+ channels). Park roads are paved and easy to navigate in any size RV. There are plenty of tall trees for shade and bushes that provide privacy. There are no fire pits but you are allowed to have a fire if you bring your own pit. The fair majority of sites are back-in but there are a handful of pull-thru sites and all are level. The water sewer and electric hook-ups are all well-placed at the site and there is a light at the end of each driveway. There are 22 tent sites with an elevated gravel tent pad, fire ring, water spigot, and 110 electric hook-ups. Most of the tents are set under tall pine trees while a few are more in the open and are sunny. A concessionaire offers “glamping tents” with beds, lamps, carpet, chairs and outdoor furniture. There are also one and two-bedroom cabins that can be rented year-round.
Within the park is a free wifi hotspot, a non-heated swimming pool, beach access with tram service, club house, camp store, bike/kayak/canoe rental, laundry, amphitheater, shuffle board, and a host of park activities and ranger-led tours. The restroom and laundry facilities (which are only $1.50 per wash/dry) are clean and seemed adequate to handle the crowds. The campground is located ¾ mile from the beach which is accessible via a walking/biking trail or a tram operated by the park. During the winter months the tram runs every two hours, but during peak season it runs once an hour. Once you are on the beach you have miles and miles of unspoiled white sand and blue water to enjoy. There are also numerous ponds and coastal dune lakes scattered throughout the campground for the fishing enthusiasts. The coastal dune lakes are a globally rare ecosystem occurring in only a handful of places around the world and definitely worth exploring (which you can do with watercraft rental).
Nearby are thousands of acres managed by the state forestry department which have miles and miles of hiking trails. The park is located within a mile of a Walmart (with food), gas station, Subway and other restaurants. Within 5 miles are tons of shopping opportunities, movie theater, restaurants, grocery, etc.
What we really liked about this campground are the level, paved, full-hookup sites and the fact that it is in a state park so you have access to miles of hiking/biking and a gorgeous beach. The beach here is the most beautiful in Florida and can be completely empty in the winter. The not-so-good things about this park are the cost and how crowded it can be in the peak season. During peak season this park is very busy and you have to book very early. The cost is $42/night (unless you are a Florida senior resident and then it is half price) which is high for state parks . . . but compared to other private parks in the area that is reasonable.
Product Review:
As a Ranger for TheDyrt I occasionally get outdoor products to test and on this trip I was able to test a High Hopes Hammock. I was pretty excited to receive a hammock because I am one of the few people I know that does not own a hammock putting me a little behind the times. One cool feature of this company is that for every hammock purchased, they donate either a hammock, various survival supplies or money to organizations helping the homeless, impoverished countries or those affected by natural disasters.
High Hopes offers many different colors of hammocks many of which are bright and fun and the large selection made it hard for me to choose because I like so many of them. The hammock is lightweight at just 1 ½ pounds and tucks nicely into a pouch attached to the side of the hammock. The hammock fit perfectly into my small day pack so I took it with me on a long hike and set it up when I wanted a break. I chose the hammock and strap bundle which is $10 more than just a hammock but definitely worth it (bringing the total without tax to $59.99). The straps are 9 ½ feet long with 15 loop holes so you can make this fit in a lot of different locations where trees may be pretty far apart. The hammock is large at 9 ½ feet long and 6 ½ feet wide and easily fits two people or you and your furry friend. The capacity is a whopping 400 pounds so it is good that the tree straps and steel carabiners are heavy duty. The setup is super easy as you just wrap the straps around a tree or other supportive post and clip the carabiner into the loops on the strap. Then, in you go. Once inside you can use the attached Velcro to close the hammock so you feel like you are in a cocoon. This is also a nice feature if you want privacy. The Velcro closure may help keep some pesky insects out but not all as there are only three Velcro patches which leaves gaps.
Click here for my video review.
The downside of this company is their customer service. I was on a “live chat” with them and when I asked about a mix up with an order they went totally silent and I never got another response. I tried emails and those went unanswered. They offer various promotions online and discounts if you sign up for their email list. They were advertising free two-day shipping on orders over $50 which is great but keep in mind there is processing time which in my case was about five days.
In addition to hammocks they sell clothing, accessories and hats. There are a lot of hammocks of this type on the market but High Hopes sets themselves apart from the competition because of their involvement helping those less fortunate. Since I haven’t owned another hammock, I can’t attest to quality differences but this one seems to hold up well so far.
LegendBrand new campground. Nice gravel sites. Some are waterfront. A little less “outdoor feeling” than other Florida state parks but very comfortable. The park itself is great with an amazing beach.
TravelerMy wife and I are frequent campers in NW Florida and Alabama. Topsail is certainly one of our favorites. Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking (many miles), lakes, great campground. One of the best!
Scout
Enjoy the beach, snorkel in the bay, rent a kayak at the marina, go hiking, go fishing. One of the BEST Florida parks!
GuideFlorida State Parks did a great job redoing this campground after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Brand new facilities, excellent camping pads, and good beach access. You can still see some of the hurricane damage which is a testament to the severity of Michael in the area.
GuideThis place is great! A beach within a short walk, palm trees,clean bathrooms, wildlife, sunsets………… And the Florida State Parks system is contactable and friendly!!! There are hike in spots for those with tents who want to. There are very nice screened in cabins available.
ScoutWe are Connecticut residents, we took a winter trip to Destin Florida. Camp gulf was an amazing experience for the whole family. The grounds were very clean and well kept, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The beach puts these grounds over the top. Amazing water and sand. I would recommend camp gulf to anyone looking for beach front camping...
TravelerThis is a RV park that is done right! We actually had a three month extended stay here while we wintered in North Florida and this place is a gem. The staff was super, the park always clean and the other RVers were quite and respectful. Cute store, nicely planned and maintained facilities. Would recommend to anyone whether a night or a month.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful campground. The sites are full hookup with cable. Wooded sites create privacy. So many hiking and biking trails on property you will be busy for days. 30A is right out front which has a great bike path to take you to many restaurants and seaside towns. The park rangers are knowledgeable and super helpful. There is a tram to take you to the most beautiful undeveloped beach in Florida. 3.5 miles of sand and sea, no condos, buildings or distractions.
GuideWe had a reservation for one night and on the reservation I specifically said we would be arriving after hours. The website said to call a number the day of before 5 to get the gate code. No problem, normally. BUT, I called multiple times that day and nobody ever answered. Then I called the general Florida Park number and the lady tried to help. She also could not get anyone to answer and said she didn’t have any other number to use. So, we just hoped to arrive and maybe someone would be there. Nope!! Arrived, gates closed, nobody there to help, slept in the local Walmart parking lot. 😡.
ScoutGreat spot! Cool shorter hiking trails to take you to lakes or the gulf, or as we call it Lake Florida now. For hammock campers the tent camping spots are okay for hammock camping. I made due but I was in spot 21 and there are no trees accessible enough to hang a hammock up how you would want, BUT they had a couple 4x4s in the ground so I used one of those and a tree, everything went up properly. It was windy, rainy and around 30° and I was extremely comfortable.
Fire pits are great, it looks like all spots have a picnic table.
All in all great spot. I’ll be back soon!
TravelerThe campground and park were beautiful and clean. There is room to ride bikes and walk/hike on the trails. The trip to the beach is a bit hilly for Florida standards and the walk down the boardwalk is a bit long, but the beauty of the almost untouched dunes and coast is worth it all. Typically there is a trolley from the campground but it was closed due to COVID while we were there, but we would have taken our bikes either way. There is a pool, which was also closed due to COVID. We suggest bringing your bikes and a light beach rig you can pull down to the sand. Topsail is one of our favorites so far and we look forward to going back!
LegendPROS
Security gate that closes at sunset and requires code for entry.
Site 81- level; gravel parking pad; 8x30 ft concrete patio; moveable picnic table; partial shade
Very nice beach
Hourly tram to the beach
Good bike paths
Very nice Campbell Lake
Bathhouse very clean and cleaning hours were clearly posted
Loved the in-park coffee shop and their cruffins
CONS
Fee charged for making my own on-line reservation
No veteran or senior discount
Arrived to a large pile of dog poop in our site
Site 81- no firepit
Site 81- absolutely no privacy from neighbors
Military jet noise from 3 nearby military installations
Roads tight
Don’t Miss In park coffee shop, Kith& Kim, cruffin pastry
Fish On Restaurant Destin
Old Florida Fish House Seaside
Acme oyster House Sandestin
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Panama City Beach, FL is St. Andrews State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 54 reviews.
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