Best Tent Camping near Santa Rosa Beach, FL
State forests surrounding Santa Rosa Beach, Florida offer several primitive tent camping options within a short drive of the Gulf Coast beaches. Point Washington State Forest provides two tent campgrounds: Eastern Lake Campground 1 and Eastern Lake Campground 2, both accessible via forest roads from U.S. Highway 98. These primitive tent sites are located approximately 2 miles into the forest, requiring a gate code obtained through ReserveAmerica reservations. Black Water River State Forest, located farther north, offers additional primitive tent camping with free sites that can accommodate tent campers for up to 14 days.
The tent campsites at Point Washington feature gravel tent pads measuring approximately 12' x 20', with each site equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern pole. Access roads can become challenging after rain, with significant puddles forming that may be difficult for low-clearance vehicles to navigate. As one camper noted, "If it's been raining, small vehicles should think twice." Eastern Lake Campground 1 has four walk-in tent sites with a shared pit toilet, while Campground 2 offers waterfront sites with similar amenities. Neither location provides running water or showers, so tent campers must bring all necessary supplies. Hurricane Lake South Campground in Blackwater River State Forest offers tent-only sites with potable water available near campsites.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring nearby trails and waterways. Point Washington State Forest features a network of hiking and biking trails, including 3.5, 5, and 10-mile loops that are part of the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program. According to reviews, Campground 1 sites are "further apart with no highway noise," while Campground 2 provides "beautiful lake views and easy access to water" but experiences some traffic noise. The proximity to beaches is a significant draw, though reaching them requires a short drive rather than walking. Winter months (October through May) are reported as the optimal time for backcountry tent camping in these forests, as late spring and summer bring increased insects and rain. Most sites remain uncrowded, with campers often reporting having entire primitive tent campgrounds to themselves.
