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Best Tent Camping near Pensacola, FL

699 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Pensacola region are concentrated primarily in Blackwater River State Forest, where multiple primitive camping areas provide secluded spots for tent setup. Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping allows campers to stay for up to 14 days in designated areas with minimal amenities. Hurricane Lake South Campground offers water-accessible sites around a scenic lake, while Bluff Springs Campground provides basic facilities for tent campers seeking a more established location.

Most tent camping areas near Pensacola feature dirt or grassy surfaces with varying levels of shade from the pine forest canopy. Primitive sites in Blackwater River State Forest have no services available, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. A review mentioned, "This is all primitive camping so be sure to bring EVERYTHING you need to camp." Toilets are absent at many primitive locations, while Hurricane Lake South has communal bathrooms but no dedicated showers. Fire regulations vary by site and season, with designated fire rings available at established campgrounds like Bluff Springs.

The tent camping experience near Pensacola offers genuine seclusion, especially at sites farther from populated areas. Blackwater River State Forest connects to Alabama's Conecuh National Forest, providing extensive hiking opportunities across state lines. One camper shared that "The tall pines were beautiful and great for hanging." Sites adjacent to Hurricane Lake offer water views but require awareness of local wildlife, including alligators, though encounters are rare. During cooler months from October through May, tent campers experience fewer insects and more comfortable temperatures, making winter an ideal season for primitive camping in this region. Most areas permit stays up to 14 days, with sites typically available on a first-come basis rather than by reservation.

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Best Tent Sites Near Pensacola, Florida (10)

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15 Photos of 10 Pensacola Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pensacola, FL

699 Reviews of 10 Pensacola Campgrounds

  • Elizabeth G.
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Henderson Beach State Park Campground

    Quiet and secluded for the beach

    My family and I stayed here for one night in July 2020 as our midway point from GA to Texas. We stayed in site 44 and it was private and near the bathrooms. All the sites had gravel, a picnic table, and and a fire pit as well as a clothesline. There’s a path to the beach from the bathhouse. The bathhouse was very clean and there were men and women restrooms as well as private bathroom/showers.

    We fit 2 tents at our site. It was so humid and muggy I cowboy camped on the gravel with my picnic blanket and sleeping pad. Everyone else slept in the tents without the rain fly’s for some ventilation. It was a nice, clean, and quiet park and we felt very secluded in our site. There was WiFi and cell service (2 bars for Verizon).

    Each site has electric and water. There’s a dump station near the entrance/exit of the park. Overall, lovely experience and I would definitely stay here again.

  • Gregg G.
    Feb. 23, 2021

    Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping

    Small Camper/Truck Camper/Van

    Epic free spot just outside of the Black Water Forest State Park. Camp here for up to 14 days. The primitive area is really more geared for the tent camper with several nice flat spots to pitch a tent away from the parking area. However, there is room here for smaller rigs in the parking area. Please be respectful and don't hog the parking area so others can enjoy as well. We stayed here for 2 nights in late Febraury and were accompanied by a few others. I'd be willing to bet that this place would be heavily occupied by folks utilizing the boat ramp in the warmer months and wouldn't really be an option. This is boonedocking so no servics available. Pack it in and pack it out and be sure to leave no trace, so this can continue to be an option for be people to enjoy. On the edge of Verizon cell coverage service. Rigs over 40' not recommended.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Blackwater River State Park Campground

    Canoe, kayak or float near this small, quiet campground

    This small, meticulously maintained campground has 30 full hook up sites split evenly between Magnolia Circle and Titi Circle. My only minor complaints are that the usable site space is all on gravel (very small pieces so it should still be comfortable for tents) and some sites are too close to each other. I prefer a grassy area (and some privacy) with my campsite, but the gravel is better for drainage when it rains. 

    Beautiful Setting With Nearby Trails

    There are a couple short trails and a swimming beach at Juniper Lake, but I can't get excited about swimming in an area that has alligator warning signs on the trail along a marshy area near the lake. The Florida Trail for long distance hikers is nearby. The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is a paved trail you can access near Milton for biking, skateboarding, etc. It's 8 miles and then there's a 1.5 mile Military Heritage Trail that continues to a Naval Air Station, but then you'll have to turn around and return the same way.

    Canoeing, Kayaking and Tubing

    Blackwater River is a popular location for these activities. We passed a rental place that had lots of rental equipment.

    Site Notes

    • See photos for site map as well as several site photos.

    • All sites are back in with gravel pads except for concrete on 5, 6 and 19.

    • All sites have a picnic table and fire ring on the gravel. There's green space/trees between most sites.

    • No separate tent pad but the gravel is small and should be ok for a tent if you have a sleeping pad.

    • Magnolia Circle: Sites 3 through 5 on Magnolia Circle back up to sites 16 and 17 on Titi Circle. That's a bit close for me, but no one was behind us. Sites 1/2 and 12/13 have no green space between them. I would avoid them unless you want to socialize with your neighbors.

    • Titi Circle: Just stay at 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 29 on the outside of the circle of you want some privacy. The other sites are too close to neighbors for my comfort.

    • You're not allowed to tie anything to trees. That seems to rule out hammocks but there's a clothesline between 2 posts; I guess you could fit one hammock.

    Amenities

    • Full hookup, i.e. electricity, water and sewer hookup, at all sites. Our site had 20, 30 and 50 amp outlets.

    • Super clean restrooms/showers are located between the two loops. Showers had good water pressure and hot water. Even the sinks had hot water.

    • Dump station

    • Instead of trash dumpsters, you're supposed to put your trash by your site post between 8 and 11 am. And there's a recycling barrel for aluminum on the way to the restroom.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Educational Trails

    The park is set up on a historic site where they have several trails set up talking about civil war battles that occurred there. They have two separate areas for camping where one is for RVs and tents and the other is the more basic tent only sites. I visited the tent only area which had many many sites and most had a nice amount of space with a good bit of privacy. I was there in June though and it gets really hot during the day and night and also very buggy. If you were here in the fall or winter it could be a great place to camp though. The bathrooms were nice but nothing special. There is a single bathroom for all of the tent sites so if you are far you could have a pretty long walk. The sites are pretty cool to see so if you are a civil war buff it might be worth checking out. The camping is expensive though at $20 a night for the tent sites and $30 for an RV site. People were friendly though and it was one of the nicest places in the area.

  • Rachel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2020

    Blackwater River State Park Campground

    Dark water white sand!

    We stayed is site number 28. The sites are rather small and are equipped with table, fire ring, separate grill, clothesline, and some have hammock posts. Sites are gravel. All are full hook up with water, electric, and sewer. Bathrooms were great well stocked and very clean, hot water. Trash gets picked up daily from your site. There are many many trails to walk in this area. The campground has a great boardwalk trail that goes down to a Beach area and the river. There is also a parking area and boardwalk and Beach for day-use visitors. The river is excellent here it is dark clear water with white sandy banks. This park was immaculate everyone was so friendly you can tell they took pride in this park. There was a lot of rain when we went so river levels went way up. We launched kayaks from campground beach but there is also a boat ramp not far. This park is relatively small compared to others. There is not much in area. 30-45 minutes to Pensacola. Dollar general and Piggly wiggly grocery not far from park. Outfitter close to rent kayaks and shuttle on river.

  • lydia B.
    Mar. 19, 2022

    Henderson Beach State Park Campground

    Family Friendly

    We arrived at a very clean, gravel campsite with a picnic table, fire ring, water & electric access, as well as a clothes line. Because we were tent camping, the gravel made it difficult to pitch our tent on site. Luckily, we had enough space and privacy on our site to unload the car and sleep in the trunk of it. The bathrooms were kept very clean, and the showers were fantastic! The beach itself is kept extremely clean and is beautiful. The volunteers do a wonderful job around the campground. Here you will find a family friendly stay! I would for sure visit Henderson Beach again for the clean facilities, beautiful beach, and local attractions.

  • K
    Jan. 23, 2020

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Sarge Slept By The Seashore

    What's not to like about this campground? Nothing that I could find. Ample space to maneuver my camper in to my site, level ground, plenty of space between sites so you're not hearing your neighbors but close enough to make friends. The waves from the Gulf can be heard as well as the "bugle" calls from NAS Pensacola across the sound. The site (E20) has both 30/50 amp electric and water hookups. Bathhouse was clean with adjoining single, private showers close by each site. Nearby trails either lead you to the Gulf beach or along the sound side where the Pensacola lighthouse can be seen. Both tent and campers are allowed. No Wi-Fi and my phone signal (Verizon) was intermittent with 2-3 bars.

  • Karen L.
    May. 17, 2018

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Very large park, hiking, camping, battlegrounds

    Blakely State Park is a very large State Park, with different choices for camping. There are larger primitive tent sites, smaller tent sites with power/water hookups, RV sites, two primitive cabins and 2 newer cabins which are very nice. There's TONS of hiking, a battleground for history buffs, a playground, a boatdock, lots of hiking, horseback riding etc.

    I stayed in one of the two Squirrels Nest, which are primitive cabins. Basically open air cabins. 2 walls, a roof and 2 walls of screens. There are two wooden platforms for beds. A twin and a queen, and barstools to sit inside and look out into the woods, over the hill in which they are nestled. There's a sink (but no water) and a cabinet, and outside a large deck with bench seating. Below is a fire pit and picnic table. There is a shared porta potty outside of the two cabins. These cabins are a bit of a drive out in the woods, so make sure your vehicle is up to it. It's very peaceful out there. My cabin was inhabited by mice at night, so I kept my food in airtight plastic paint bucket containers & my belongings covered by garbage bags on one of the platforms and had my air mattress inside a pop-up mosquito tent, so the mice did not bother me. I was after all in their house. I sprinkled peppermint oil around my gear & my bed platform to keep the mice away. Next time I will have my food in a large cooler so that the wildlife is not attracted.

    There are hiking trails by these sites, as well as, steps down the hill, leading off into another trail.

    i would stay there again. Great place to get away.

  • Sonyia W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Excellent as always

    This was my third trip to Pickens and it was amazing as always.

    *The camping store is closed until they can find someone to run it. Wood and ice can be bought at the Tom Thumb just outside the park or at Walmart/Publix in Gulf Breeze.

    *Battery Cooper Rd was closed so those two batteries are inaccessible.

    *Loops B/D no longer have electric or dedicated water (there is a water spigot every few sites). Tent sites D24, D25, B6 have the best shade and space.

    *We stayed at A15 (right next to walking trail entrance) and my best friend on A14. Other good shaded sites on this loop are A4 (grass not level enough for tents), A6, A12, A19, A21, A24, A26, A35 (next to dumpsters though), A36 (okay but not great).

    *You can no longer hang anything from trees or power poles (hammocks, clotheslines etc). You also cannot having a shower looking tent (we have one for a changing tent only—no toilet or shower—and they made us take it down). Max two tents or camper and one tent per site (awnings/pop up shelter over picnic table don’t count towards the two).

    *I didn’t peek into the restrooms in loops B-E. A-loop restrooms were a little dated but clean and functional. The laundry/dish washing station was stellar.

    *The price for getting into Gulf Island National Seashore is now $20 and it’s a 7 day pass.

    *The campground now gives out two slips at check-in. One is for your car and one is to keep with you after 8pm so you don’t get kicked out of the area after dark.

    Everyone was very nice and helpful.

Guide to Pensacola

Tent camping near Pensacola, Florida offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Becks Camp provides picnic tables and trash disposal, ensuring a comfortable stay while enjoying the scenic views.
  • Mystic Springs Recreation Area features spacious sites with fire rings, grills, and covered structures, perfect for group camping and gatherings.
  • Bluff Springs Campground offers drinking water, showers, and toilets, making it a well-equipped choice for campers looking for convenience.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tips for tent camping near Pensacola

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites in Pensacola, FL?

Pensacola and its surrounding areas offer several excellent tent camping options. Hurricane Lake South Campground is particularly tent-friendly with spacious, grassy sites that include fire pits and picnic tables. Sites share water spigots and the campground is surrounded by Hurricane Lake, offering beautiful views and fishing opportunities. For a more primitive experience, Black Water River State Forest Primitive Camping provides free camping for up to 14 days with several flat spots specifically designed for tent setups. This area is less suitable for larger RVs but perfect for tent campers seeking a more rustic experience in nature.

Where can I legally set up a tent in the Pensacola area?

For legal tent camping in the Pensacola area, your best options are established campgrounds and designated primitive camping areas. Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite in Blackwater River State Forest offers reservable primitive sites for tent campers. For those seeking more amenities, Coldwater Gardens provides designated tent camping areas in a more developed setting. Remember that camping on public beaches, road pullouts, or private property without permission is prohibited. Always secure proper permits for backcountry camping in state or national forests, and respect fire restrictions, especially during dry seasons.

Is tent camping allowed on Pensacola Beach?

Tent camping is not generally allowed directly on Pensacola Beach. The beach itself prohibits overnight camping, and there are no designated campgrounds on the immediate beachfront. Instead, campers looking to stay near Pensacola Beach should consider nearby alternatives. Bluff Springs Campground is a privately owned option situated on over 500 acres of secluded land where you can disconnect while still being within driving distance to the beaches. Sunny Days Finca is another option located about 6.8 miles from Navarre Beach, making it convenient for day trips to the shore while having a place to camp overnight.

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