T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offers glamping near Port St. Joe, Florida in a unique coastal environment where St. Joseph Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. The park sits on a narrow peninsula with water on both sides, creating distinct ecosystems within walking distance of each campsite. Temperatures range from winter lows around 40°F to summer highs near 90°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months.
What to do
Beach exploration: The white sand beaches at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park stretch for miles with opportunities to find shells and observe wildlife. "This place is just nature at its best! Great fishing! Gorgeous dunes! Shells, shells, shells! If you have a boat....take it! You can walk from the waves across to the calmer water....short distance," notes one visitor.
Primitive camping: For those seeking solitude away from the established camping areas, wilderness permits allow backpacking into remote sections. "It's worth getting a permit to hike into the peninsula but don't let the sand fool you. It will wear out your legs hiking in and it is essential to hike in all water. Once you find a good spot you feel like you are the only person on the planet," reports Anna R.
Wildlife viewing: The park's diverse habitats support numerous wildlife species. "Deer frolic in the ponds at sunset. It is by far one of the best beach camping experiences I've ever had," says Tessa M. Many visitors report seeing dolphins, shore birds, and various marine creatures during low tide explorations.
What campers like
Post-hurricane renovations: St. Andrews State Park Campground has undergone extensive rebuilding since Hurricane Michael. "Nice park and CG. Park is under construction with improvements. Trails, paddling access, shelters, concession, food available. CG has back in, and pull thru sites with fire rings, water, electric, pads," explains James M.
Protected snorkeling areas: The jetties create calm water areas perfect for beginning snorkelers. "Best area for protected, near shore snorkeling. A small area located inside rock jetties provides the perfect area for amateur and intermediate snorkeling. Many divers also frequent the rougher/deeper areas near the jetties," shares Denise K.
Water access variety: Waterfront campsites at Indian Pass Campground offer immediate access to fishing and water activities. "Loved this oasis outside of Port St. Joe! Tent camping limited but the 5 tent sites are ON THE WATER and the fishing is spectacular!" states Shea A. The calm waters of the bay contrast with the more active Gulf waters, providing options for different water activities.
What you should know
Weather impacts: The area remains in recovery from major hurricane damage. "Still recovering from the many storms that have directly impacted them over the last few years. Clean and nicely maintained facilities. Staff was very friendly. Beach is amazing," reports Bille W.
Insects and wildlife concerns: The natural environment brings certain challenges. "The campground is located in an area with a lot of mosquitoes and raccoons that steal stuff as soon as you walk away, so bring tons of bug spray and put your food away even if you just walk to the bathroom," advises Tyler M.
Reservation timing: Luxury camping accommodations at Tate's Hell State Forest High Bluff Primitive Campsites require advance planning. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 64 for 4 days in mid April. This is a relatively small CG, with ~15 wooded sites that are reasonably spaced. The CG is very clean, recently renovated, well maintained and relatively inexpensive," explains Ray & Terri F.
Tips for camping with families
Beach proximity: When glamping with children near Port St. Joe, select sites with easy beach access. "We ended up here on an unplanned night of camping but were very pleased with the park and the campground. The campground was well maintained and not very loud and didn't feel overly busy. Our site was not overly private, but some of the other sites looked more private and some were even on the lagoon!" notes Sara S.
Kid-friendly swimming: Look for protected swimming areas. "A special treat for the kids each year is the white tailed deer walking through the sites and the bike ride over to the 'Kiddie Pool' at the jetties," writes Matt M., describing his annual family tradition at St. Andrews State Park.
Site selection: For families, Gulf View Campground offers well-maintained facilities. "Easy to navigate, super clean and well maintained. The view is spectacular. Bathrooms are laid out super nice, clean and comfortable," reports Rhonda S. Families particularly appreciate the layout which balances privacy with safety.
Tips from RVers
Military options: Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB provides affordable options for qualified military and veterans. "The campground doesn't have as much shade or as many trees as it had before the hurricane in 2018, but it is back open for business and is a great place for military and veterans to park their campers short or long term. There are also some small, elevated cabins back in business and a rec center/lounge area that can be reserved for groups," explains Mark J.
Connectivity concerns: Cell reception varies significantly throughout the area. "AT&T coverage was pretty dismal, with 1 bar of 5GE service and speeds only up to 0.9 MB/s. The CG has a lot of trees, but the pines only have top foliage, so access and coverage for DISH and Starlink was really good. Starlink was able to get speeds up to 20 MB/s with few if any dropouts," reports Ray & Terri F. about Tate's Hell State Forest.
Road conditions: Access to some of the more remote glamping sites requires careful driving. "Road in was bumpy with some huge pits but easily navigable even in our 26ft class c, just watch the road and take it slow," advises Laura M. regarding access to primitive sites.
