Fort Pickens Campground offers tent and RV camping on Santa Rosa Barrier Island with beach access requiring a quarter-mile walk from campsites. The campground has two distinct sections with five loops containing 180 sites that feature paved driveways, grassy/sandy patios, and 50/30/20 amp electric and water hookups. Visitors need to be prepared for minimal shade in some areas and should stock up on supplies before arrival, as the campground is about 10 miles from the nearest stores.
What to do
Explore historic structures: Fort Pickens has more than just beaches for visitors staying at luxury glamping spots near Pensacola, Florida. At Fort Pickens Campground, campers can investigate the historic military installations. "Many parts of the fort and old batteries are open and available for exploring. Climbing on top of some of these areas offers spectacular views of the bay and gulf," notes Nancy W.
Take guided nature walks: Park rangers at Gulf Islands National Seashore lead informative tours throughout the year. "Ranger-led tours occur during the year and are very fun and informative. We went on a full moon night hike where the ranger talk focused on astrology and how moon phases impact some animals," shares a Fort Pickens camper.
Go fishing: For those looking for glamping opportunities with fishing access, Avalon Landing RV Park provides waterfront sites. "People were fishing right off the bridge that separates the two parts of the campground," reports Lawrence Robert T. The park allows fishing directly behind some campsites, creating a convenient option for anglers.
What campers like
Private beach access: Some glamping sites close to Pensacola provide secluded beach areas away from crowds. "Kinda don't want to share this hidden gem. This by far is the best camping destination ever. Super private, security is tight so you feel safe. Ocean is crystal clear," says Monica S. about Fort Pickens.
Cycling opportunities: The extensive trail networks at Gulf State Park Campground make it popular for active visitors. "Amazing State Park with lots of amenities including Pickle Ball, Pool, Restaurant, Trails, etc. Very relaxing and well kept," notes Jon K. The park features paved bike paths connecting various areas.
Water activities: Water-based recreation stands out at several luxury camping options. "We had the best time at Splash RV. Pool amazing is fun and clean," reports Melissa P. about Splash RV Resort & Waterpark. The resort features water slides and a lazy river that operate seasonally.
What you should know
Beach proximity varies: Not all glamping sites near Pensacola have direct beach access. "The campground is not near the beach. Campground not near the park restaurants. Would be a long walk to get to them," explains marilyn G. about Gulf State Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping locations fill quickly during peak seasons. "We were unable to get on the good side due to long term retired campers," reports a visitor at Blue Angel Park.
Wildlife awareness: Campers should be prepared for local wildlife encounters. "Beware of the ants! The whole campground is infested with stinging ants. There are ant piles all over the campsites. I was stung really bad after accidentally getting near an ant hill," warns a Gulf State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water park amenities: Kids enjoy the water features at specialized resorts. "We have been to Splash RV two times now. Last time was before school started, and it has been our granddaughters favorite RV park so far. The lazy river and waterslides were her favorite," shares L&A C.
Planned activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers organized events for children. "The kids loved all of the Saturday activities. Campsites have a fire pit, so we made s'mores. They have a store with everything we needed, which was really nice," according to Jaimee D.
Beach photography opportunities: White sand beaches provide unique photo settings. "Went here often for fishing with the kids! Had a great time walking the beaches and swimming. We would go down every Christmas and take pictures of the us on the white sand beaches for the family living in the north!" shares Paul G. about Fort Pickens.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully when booking RV glamping near Pensacola. "I would recommend looking at the map online, before booking, to make sure you choose the right spot for your RV as some are closer together than others," advises L&A C. about Splash RV Resort.
Level site importance: Many parks have varied site conditions. "Sites are a combination of dirt and grass. Ours is level enough no problems there," notes Wendee W. at Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA.
Connectivity considerations: WiFi quality differs between glamping locations. "WiFi is okay they publish that it doesn't work for streaming but it worked fairly well for our TV," reports an RVer staying at Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA.
