Dog-Friendly Camping near Port St. Joe, FL

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Campground sits on a narrow peninsula bordered by St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The area's coastal environment features sugar-white sand and clear waters that maintain 70-82°F temperatures from May through October. The flat terrain allows for easy navigation between campsites and water access points, with elevation typically less than 10 feet above sea level throughout the camping areas.

What to do

Beach exploration for shelling: Head to the white sand beaches where campers find abundant seashells. "Beautiful location on the water. Lots of beautiful birds and even dolphins," notes a visitor to Indian Pass Campground.

Scallop hunting: The shallow waters around Port St. Joe provide ideal conditions for scallop season (typically July-September). One camper mentioned missing "snorkeling for scallops" at St. Andrews State Park Campground, noting it among their favorite activities before hurricane damage temporarily closed some areas.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations offer excellent fishing without leaving the campground. A visitor to Indian Pass notes their tent sites are "ON THE WATER and the fishing is spectacular!" while another camper recalls "Good fishing! Gorgeous dunes! Shells, shells, shells!!!" at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

What campers like

Rebuilt facilities: After hurricane damage, many campgrounds have been renovated. "Florida State Parks did a great job redoing this campground after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Brand new facilities, excellent camping pads, and good beach access," reports a visitor to T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Campground.

Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse wildlife you can observe from campsites. "The deer frolic in the ponds at sunset," notes one camper at St. Joseph Peninsula, while another mentions the "very squirrels, they beg for food" at Indian Pass Campground.

Beach proximity: Many sites offer immediate beach access. "We stayed on the water. It is close to a 9-mile bike path, boat launch to beautiful St Joseph's and Apalachicola Bays, and the gorgeous beaches of Cape San Blas," reports a camper at Water's Edge RV Park.

What you should know

Weather impacts: The area remains in hurricane recovery. "Still recovering from the many storms that have directly impacted them over the last few years," notes a visitor to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

Seasonal pests: Yellow flies can be problematic during warm months. A camper at Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort warns: "The yellow biting flies are the spawn of satan. I read they are most prevalent April-June and they were horrible."

Sand management challenges: Beachfront camping means constant sand. "2 warnings: the site has no shelter from the wind and a storm could damage your RV which happened to us, and bring a good rug for the outside because you'll get sand everywhere," advises a camper at RV by the Sea.

Tips for camping with families

Primitive camping considerations: Not all sites are suitable for children. "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. The campground is probably more family friendly if your kids are not backpacker ready," recommends a visitor to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

Beach safety awareness: Gulf waters can have strong currents. "The bay side often provides calmer waters for swimming compared to the Gulf side with its waves," notes a visitor to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

Grocery planning: Remote location requires preparation. "Cape San Blas is secluded. You're about 10 miles from a grocery store and restaurants (we planned meals). But there is a general store that is surprisingly well stocked," explains a visitor to RV by the Sea.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Waterfront sites offer the best experience but book quickly. "This recommendation is based on our site location which was oceanfront. We were there over Thanksgiving and the location with the sunset and views was worth the slightly higher cost we normally pay. Check out the campground site map, and if there is an oceanfront site, you won't regret booking this RV resort," advises an RVer at Presnell's Bayside Marina.

Spacing considerations: Many RV parks maximize space usage. "The sites are long enough and level - my only complaint is that they are very close together," notes a visitor to Water's Edge RV Park, while another camper at Presnell's mentions "the only drawback is the tightness of the spots. Right next to your neighbors - but that's just utilizing real estate. It's going to be that way in FL."

Connectivity limitations: Cell service and wifi can be unreliable. "WiFi is very spotty and Verizon is very weak. AT&T phones worked well. Wife was not able to connect for a work meeting," reports a camper at Presnell's Bayside Marina and RV Resort.