Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground offers a distinctive camping experience along Florida's Gulf Coast. Located 25 minutes west of Shalimar, the park features coastal dune lakes, rare ecosystems found in few places worldwide. While summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, most RV parks maintain steady occupancy from May through September.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: The inland freshwater lakes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground provide alternative water activities when Gulf conditions are rough. "Keep in mind, this is a Preserve. Good trails, coastal dunes with lakes, fishing, paddling, beach, cabins, and tent camping including Glamping!" reports James M.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning or evening walks yield the best wildlife sightings, particularly at less developed areas. One camper at Topsail noted, "Hit the beach at sunset for lovely views and grazing deers," demonstrating the park's balance of natural habitat alongside recreation areas.
Hammock camping: Several parks accommodate hammock setups, though preparation is necessary. Travis D. explains at Topsail: "For hammock campers the tent camping spots are okay for hammock camping. I made due but I was in spot 21 and there are no trees accessible enough to hang a hammock up how you would want, BUT they had a couple 4x4s in the ground so I used one of those and a tree."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between parks, with some offering natural separation. At Santa Rosa RV Resort, campers appreciate the "nice paved lots with privacy vegetation between lots," according to Kevin S., creating defined spaces despite overall density.
Beach access options: Many parks offer direct water access or provide convenient transportation. John O. notes that at Topsail, you can "Either ride your bike or take the tram the mile to the boardwalk and beach," giving campers flexibility to reach Gulf waters without moving vehicles.
Off-season tranquility: Winter months provide significantly different experiences than peak season. Michael D. shares his experience at Topsail: "Checked in Friday 01/17 and extended my stay from 2 nights to 7 nights. I'm enjoying the solitude. I'm at a tent site, no WIFI. T Mobile is 4 bars."
What you should know
Washboard effect: Heavy traffic during summer months creates rough sections on local roads, particularly near Destin West RV Resort. "The traffic was horrible and there are no sidewalks that allow us to make it to a crosswalk. With three small children it was nerve wracking," explains Justin S. about navigating between the campground and beach access.
Site layout considerations: Parks vary in their setup for RV hookups and outdoor living space. At Destin West, one camper notes, "The problems we had with the property were the steps to our RV folded down into the landscaping no matter how close we got to the edge of the site."
Noise sources: Proximity to Eglin Air Force Base means occasional military noise. Michael D. at Topsail mentioned, "I was here for the snow fall...Now this is in the flight path of Eglin AFB," alerting future campers about periodic disruptions.
Tips for camping with families
Field access: Parks with open spaces provide important play areas for children. Latika Y. describes Topsail: "We stayed with two small tents in T6, which had some shade but was also adjacent to an open field area, which would be great for kiddos who want room to spread out and play games."
Beach transportation: Planning beach access strategy is crucial with small children. At Emerald Beach RV Park, Anna W. explains, "We could play on the campground beach located on the sound or drive about 5 minutes to the gulf front beach," offering families flexibility based on weather and children's needs.
Pool alternatives: When Gulf beaches are crowded, park pools provide controlled environments for children. Judy S. recommends Grater RV Hideaway Cove because "Walmart and Publix, with a pharmacy and liquor store, and a Citgo, just around the corner, on Hwy 98," making supply runs with children more convenient.
Tips from RVers
Satellite and internet access: Coverage varies by location and service provider. A camper at Fort Walton Beach RV Park noted, "The community center had laundry and the wifi was fast," important for remote workers needing reliable connections.
Site selection strategy: Roadside sites often experience significantly more noise. At Santa Rosa RV Resort, Sam S. advises, "If you happen to get a site next to the road, especially towards the back of the park, the road noise is intense and unending. The sites in row 1 and 2 near the water have almost zero road noise."
RV washing policies: Some parks allow onsite RV washing while others prohibit it. James R. mentioned at Emerald Beach RV Park, "One big plus is they allow rig washing for free," saving travelers time and expense after driving through coastal salt air or inland dust.
