Best Tent Camping near Port St. Joe, FL
The Port St. Joe area offers a variety of tent camping options in Florida's panhandle region, with several campgrounds situated along coastal areas and within the nearby Apalachicola National Forest. Cotton Landing and Hickory Landing Campground provide primitive tent camping experiences with limited amenities, while White Oak Landing Campground offers basic facilities for tent campers. These campgrounds are generally within a 30-60 minute drive from Port St. Joe, providing access to both coastal and forest environments.
Tent sites throughout the region typically feature minimal amenities, with many campgrounds providing basic toilets but no showers or running water. White Oak Landing stands out with drinking water access, picnic tables, and trash collection services. Most tent camping areas permit fires in designated rings, though some hunting camps like Smith Creek Landing and Harpers Hunt Camp lack fire facilities entirely. The sites are generally accessed via dirt roads that may become difficult to navigate during wet weather. Camp Mack offers just seven tent sites along a river with boat launch access, providing a more intimate camping experience.
The tent camping experience near Port St. Joe varies by location, with forest sites offering more shade and privacy than coastal options. Many campsites in the national forest remain uncrowded even during peak seasons, particularly at fee-based locations. Campers seeking walk-in tent sites will find options at Hickory Landing, which supports boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access. Those looking for beach proximity can use El Governor Motel & RV Park in Mexico Beach, though reviews note it offers "not much privacy" and sites are placed close together. At Whitehead Landing, a visitor noted: "Spacious and quiet camping area. At only $3/night, you can't beat the peace and quiet! These campsites include a metal fire ring and picnic tables."
