Near Panama City, Florida, RV campers find sites ranging from quiet bayside spots to state parks with coastal dune lakes. Located in the Florida Panhandle, the region has predominantly sandy soil with flat terrain averaging 26 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with average winter temperatures of 40-65°F and summer temperatures of 75-90°F.
What to Do
Beach access: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground offers a mile-long boardwalk to undeveloped beaches. As one camper noted, "The beach backs onto the preserve so there is no development for miles. It's a truly unique experience!"
Fishing opportunities: Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort provides marina access for anglers. "You can rent a boat to go out fishing. Price was reasonable," mentions a recent visitor.
Walking trails: Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort features a layout conducive to walking. One reviewer appreciated the "great layout to take walks, level clean spots, trash ran twice a day."
What Campers Like
Privacy in tent sites: At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground, tent sites offer seclusion. "The tent sites are all separated and private, the facilities are clean," notes one camper who found it to be "the nicest campground I've been to yet."
Large RV accommodation: Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort has Class A-specific sites. A visitor mentioned, "All concrete with class A sites facing a pond. Pickle Ball courts, basket ball court, dog walk areas and much more."
Pet amenities: Pineglen Motorcoach & RV Park offers special facilities for pets. A camper highlights, "There is an open field serves as a place for dogs to run. There is even an outdoor dog wash."
What You Should Know
Varying noise levels: El Governor Motel & RV Park has mixed reviews on noise. "This is a very small campground where you park very close together. The park is very clean. No shade. Full hookups," reports one visitor.
Site spacing considerations: Some parks have limited space between units. At Panama City Beach RV Resort, a camper noted, "We were in site 37. Barely long enough for a 27 ft camper. Room for only one vehicle."
Seasonal crowding: Winter brings "snowbird" visitors from northern states. A reviewer at Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort stated, "Nice campground, on beach, convenient to shopping," highlighting its popularity during winter months.
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool access: Panama City Beach RV Resort offers swimming facilities. "This campsite is wonderful. There are two pools and two laundry facilities," writes one family who booked a return visit.
Playground options: Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort features "clean nice playgrounds for the kids," according to a family that stayed during spring break.
Kid-friendly activities: Outback Springs RV Resort in Bonifay (about 45 minutes north) provides unique attractions. "So, it is a small but beautiful park with all the amenities you expect from the big parks just with ducks. There are some nice sites and some really narrow ones. There is enough to do and enough room in the park that the size of your site really doesn't matter in the long run because... ducks."
Tips from RVers
Site surface types: Pineglen Motorcoach & RV Park offers level sites with varied surfaces. "The sites are gravel and quite level. Full hook-ups. There is a cement pad for the picnic table."
Hookup reliability: Outback Springs RV Resort provides dependable connections. One RVer shared, "Site had full hookup. A beautiful new pool, hot tub and outside lounge are available. The pool and surrounding area was clean and well kept."
Big rig access: Hitchinpost RV Park and Campground accommodates larger vehicles. "Very Big Big Rig Friendly with state of the art full hookup 20 30 50 amp level sites 7 back in's 17 pull throughs up to 110 feet," notes the campground information, with one visitor confirming it's "convenient and big rig friendly."
