Campsites near Perdido Key, Florida provide access to diverse ecosystems including coastal marshlands, maritime forests, and protected waterways. The area sits at a low elevation of 10-15 feet above sea level, creating ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, particularly during spring and fall migrations. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round but experience significant temperature variations from winter lows around 40°F to summer highs exceeding 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: Fort Pickens Campground at Gulf Islands National Seashore offers excellent wildlife viewing platforms and trails. "The shallow waters in the bay are great for surf fishing and kayaking and there are many access points. The park has a nice museum that describes the history of the fort and impacts of hurricanes," notes Nancy W.
Beachfront exploration: Fort Pickens Campground provides direct access to pristine white sand beaches. "Campsites are a short ¼ mile from the gorgeous beaches. Just before entering the park is a great seafood restaurant called Peg Leg Pete's," according to one camper who appreciated the beach proximity.
Hiking trails: Big Lagoon State Park features extensive trail systems through coastal ecosystems. "There are sandy trails leading through the costal scrub vegetation and lots of animals to see and hear. The beach is the Intercoastal waterway so there is boat traffic and noise, but it's brackish water and calm compared to the gulf," shares Mary T.
Historical sites: The area contains significant military installations and museums. "The park has a nice museum that describes the history of the fort and impacts of hurricanes. 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," explains a Fort Pickens visitor.
What campers like
Convenient location: Gulf State Park Campground offers easy access to both beach and inland attractions. "Very nice park with the most unique layout that I have ever seen. We had a nice, level, paved pull-through site where all of the sites on our street faced their own private view of the wetlands," shares Rick B. who appreciated the thoughtful design.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note well-maintained bathhouses and common areas. "Bathrooms were convenient and they were working on new ones," mentions Shelby N. from Fort Pickens Campground, while another camper at Island Retreat RV Park states, "Amazingly clean restrooms with nice showers and full hook-ups."
Water recreation access: Multiple camping areas offer direct water access for various activities. "We loved walking to the waterfront. My son enjoyed the basketball court. My kids loved the pool," notes Jaimee D. about Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA, while a Blue Angel Park visitor mentions, "There is a small beach, which was roped off, and a great put in area for kayaks and paddle boards. You can rent there or bring your own."
Shaded sites: At certain campgrounds, tree cover provides relief from summer heat. "We prefer to stay in Loop A because there are way fewer sites in that section and you don't get the feeling of being crowded like in Loops B – E. There is also more shade in Loop A which is very welcomed in the summer," explains a Fort Pickens camper.
What you should know
Hurricane impacts: Facilities may show evidence of storm damage throughout the year. "We came to watch Blue Angels. Covid and Hurricane Sally messed up our plans but we were so thankful our reservation wasn't cancelled. We were able to fish and enjoy nearby Johnson Beach and had a wonderful time," shares Denise K. about Blue Angel Park.
Seasonal bug activity: Insect presence varies dramatically by season. "We have camped here twice - once in early April and once in mid May. There were noticeably more bugs -- specifically termites and what we think were deer flies in May. It was pretty bad and they would swarm at certain times of the day," explains a Big Lagoon State Park visitor.
Traffic noise: Some campsites experience road noise from nearby highways. "No wood fires and sites so small you're sitting on your neighbors, but clean, great full hookups, close to the beach. There is road noise from the bridge during the night," notes a camper at Perdido Key RV Resort.
Limited sewer hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "A beautiful place to visit. Good trails, excellent scenery an observation tower.... The staff was very helpful and courteous. We even had a free concert at the out door theater. Only down side is no sewer connection which is not an issue for a short visit," reports Steve B. about Big Lagoon State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous structured children's activities. "Enjoy taking the grandkids to Jellystone campground in Elberta, Alabama. Lots to do with their activities, wagon rides, group s'mores campfire, fishing, crafts, super clean restrooms," shares David C.
Swimming options: Choose campgrounds with protected swimming areas for younger children. "Lots of sites, great amenities, miles of biking and hiking trails," notes Mike H. about Gulf State Park, while another camper adds, "Kids love the splash pad, big sites, food trucks, site store, boat ramps, nice pool, access to the beach."
Fishing spots for beginners: Several campgrounds offer stocked ponds for easy fishing success. "This was our first campground experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it! The lake is full of bream and each of my kids caught their first fish, definitely a memorable trip," reports Ashley P. from Jellystone Park.
Playground facilities: Select camping areas with developed play structures. "There is also a nice playground near the lagoon for the kids," mentions a Big Lagoon visitor, while another adds, "We loved the heated pool and their freezer full of ice cream available in the office too. There's also a restaurant down the street that has a playground, which was nice for the kids!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose campsites based on shade and privacy needs. "If you are tent camping, I would highly recommend doing your research and picking a site with adequate shade because most of the sites are not shaded," advises a Big Lagoon State Park visitor.
Access considerations: Several campgrounds have specific entrance requirements or navigation challenges. "To get to Oak Grove use the West Gate via Blue Angel PKWY. If you come in the main gate, and don't thoroughly know your way through the base, you can easily end up at the old Seabees gate area where there are blockade weaves that are not RV friendly," warns MickandKarla W.
Utility placement: Some sites have unusual hookup configurations. "When we pulled into our assigned spot the water and electricity hookups were oddly placed. On top of that, the permanent resident in the spot next to the one we were to be in had their pickup parked in what would be our 'backyard,' had a tarp on our fire pit, and had moved and taken over what would have been our picnic table," cautions a Jellystone visitor.
Reservation timing: Plan well ahead for peak seasons at popular campgrounds. "We are new to pulling an RV and this was one of our first to visit. This place is awesome. Good trails, excellent scenery an observation tower.... Only down side is no sewer connection which is not an issue for a short visit," notes a camper at Big Lagoon State Park.
