134 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Florida Panhandle region surrounding Sumatra offers a diverse range of camping experiences within state forests, parks, and coastal areas. Tate's Hell State Forest, spanning over 200,000 acres between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers, provides numerous primitive camping options with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Nearby Camel Lake Campground in Bristol features electric hookups and tent sites around a small swimming lake. For coastal camping, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground offers sites between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with full hookups and beach access. The region balances remote wilderness experiences with more developed options, all within an hour's drive of Sumatra.
Camping permits and reservations are essential throughout the area, with many sites booking months in advance, especially at popular coastal locations. As one camper noted, "For roughing it in the woods, nothing I have found beats Tate's Hell. With 36 primitive campgrounds and 4 campgrounds with facilities, there is plenty of room to camp and explore." Roads in state forests can be challenging, particularly after rain. A visitor to High Bluff Primitive Campsites advised, "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." Summer brings intense heat, humidity, and insects, making fall through spring the preferred camping seasons. Cell service varies dramatically, with better coverage at coastal campgrounds than in forest interiors.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers visiting the region. At Ochlockonee River State Park, visitors appreciate the serene river setting: "Campground is lovely, with live oak trees providing ample shade and privacy. Trail network connects directly to the campground so you can just walk right out onto the trails." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the area, with campers reporting deer, various bird species, and occasionally alligators and snakes. Many campgrounds feature boat ramps and water access, making fishing and paddling popular activities. The relative remoteness of the area means limited shopping options, with campers advised to bring supplies. As one St. George Island visitor noted, "You bring your own fun here. If you have kayaks or paddle boards bring em. If you have bikes, those would be good too."
"Seeing that Wright Lake opened up recently, and with the majority of sites listed as First Come First Served, I figured I would make the drive and check it out."
"The lake was pretty but small, more of a pond."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"It's a perfect location for bird or dolphin watching, fishing, sunbathing, or beach walking. The campsites are spacious, secluded, and relatively hard to come by."
"The most private site seemed at the very tip opposite of the entrance/exit. Mostly RVs and adventure vans when we were there, saw a handful of camps and hammocks. really clean, updated bathrooms."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"The trails were nice and maintained. There is a swimming area and I was able to put my kayak in for a nice paddle. Will definitely return once the Florida sun gets tucked in for winter."
"It is very quiet, the beach is nice (there are 2 gators that live on the other side of the lake), the bathrooms are clean, the shower was decent & the host was great!"
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Each spot is so far away from each other that you feel completely secluded, which is nice. We stayed at Pidcock Rd. "
"Nice place for dogs (req'd on leash) as no other campsites nearby. Very quiet, no water or electricity. Don't trust google map for road directions, you have to approach from the east or north. "
from $9 / night
Check Availability"You need to make reservations in advance with the Northwest Florida Water Management District."
"Remote campground that has fishing and off-roading opportunities. I like that it’s free, but they also have fire rings and tables unlike the hunt camps."
"Pros: Right on the water, 1 minute walk to the beach."
"It’s a bit crowded but there’s plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs being that it’s steps away from the beach."
from $45 - $69 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away in the National Forest, you turn on a forest service road to find this spot. Drive on a solid 3.5 mile dirt road. Meaning, it’s quite flat with some bumps but easily done."
ScoutGood times fishing local people come to launch their boats and are very friendly and share information about fishing and the local area freely staff is very nice and the prices are very cheap all around a great place clean bathrooms and nice people
ScoutTranquil location, pristine beaches, the sand is like white powder and the boardwalk to the beach is a peaceful walk. Plenty of nature trails, biking areas and the RV/tent sites are off in their own area which keeps traffic to a minimum. The campgrounds are extremely well kept. It is isolated so if you forgot anything, stop at the store because it’s a haul back into town. Being a beach front state park, there is very little shade. Only issue we had was concerns leaving our awnings out - you have water on both sides, so wind gusts were an issue in June when weather would roll in. The campsites are immaculate, gravel is level. Each site has a small bbq grill, small firepit and picnic table. We will definitely come back. The little town of Port Saint Joe has a cute downtown area with some great little shops.
ScoutNice quiet spot by the lake, this place is clean and peaceful.
Each spot had an electrical box and a water spigot. When I plugged into the electrical box, there was no juice even though the breaker was turned on. Water was working fine though.
Their website still lists it as primitive and it was 10 bucks to camp.
RangerThis is a small but very relaxing campground right by the water, surrounded by wildlife. You can spot several alligators, and at night there are lots of frogs creating a truly impressive natural soundtrack. Considering the waterfront location, there are surprisingly few mosquitoes, which was a nice bonus. The showers and restrooms are simple and clean. For the price, this campground is an absolute gem and offers really good value.
TravelerThis place is not *your typical campground. It is an uppercrust park and is worth the extra cost. Our sites were backed up to the bay with private docks. A local jet ski vendor delivered and picked up our rentals the docks. If you're in the Keys treat yourself.
TravelerOne of our favorite campgrounds to visit. Multiple sites with great views of the bay and easy oceanfront access. Would describe the experience as rustic.
ScoutNot worth it unless you have 4wd got 2 vehicles stuck got out at 2am
GuideVery small county campground. Went selected for location to bike trails and beaches. Bathhouses were mostly clean but well worn. No personal on site most of the time. Handful of long term people who are friendly.
TravelerThe location was beautiful with lots of birds chirping and not a lot of people around. The road to get here is flat and compact sand/dirt, but has a huge divots so you have to be careful and not go too fast.
We ended up leaving early because of the number of ticks that were present. Within a span of 30 minutes, I found and killed 7 just on myself.
Pets are allowed. Fires are allowed. There is a dumpster close to this campground. There are a couple picnic tables.
Camping sites near Sumatra, Florida range from remote primitive locations in Tate's Hell State Forest to established campgrounds along coastal waterways. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and milder winters where nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s. Many forest camping areas have sandy or dirt access roads that can become difficult to navigate after heavy rainfall, particularly from June through September during the rainy season.
Paddling opportunities: Wright Lake Campground offers access to a small lake perfect for beginner paddlers. "The lake was pretty but small, more of a pond," notes Dawna J., though the serene water provides a peaceful setting for morning paddling.
Wildlife watching: At Indian Pass Campground, the waterfront location creates excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Nicole C. reports, "Lots of very squirrels, they beg for food (so cute). The beach is just a few steps away," while Seth P. mentions seeing "Lots of beautiful birds and even dolphins."
Biking trails: The extensive trail systems throughout the region provide excellent biking opportunities. Laura M. at St. George Island State Park Campground notes, "Sand on the beach is hard packed enough that we were able to ride our bikes right on the beach. The trail had a lot of washed out areas and we were constantly getting on and off the bikes, so the beach route is maybe better if you're going to bike."
Waterfront access: Camel Lake Campground offers sites surrounding a small swimming lake. "The site was clean and quite large. The trails were nice and maintained. There is a swimming area and I was able to put my kayak in for a nice paddle," shares Dawna J.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural barriers between camping spots. Chris K. notes that at St. George Island State Park, "There isn't a bad site, they all have privacy. Big pines mixed with palms and lovely breeze to keep it comfortable."
Stargazing opportunities: The relative remoteness of Tate's Hell State Forest High Bluff Primitive Campsites creates excellent night sky viewing. Vince F. specifically chose "Pidcock Road Campsite #49 during the 2020 Leonid meteor shower" and noted it was a "Nice place for dogs (req'd on leash) as no other campsites nearby. Very quiet, no water or electricity."
Insect preparation essential: Bug protection should be your top priority when camping in this region. Becca S. warns about St. George Island: "The only downside to this location was the bugs— definitely recommend mosquito nets and a thermacell. We only stayed one night, but the management did spray for bugs around sunset."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to more remote campsites can be challenging. Laura M. describes reaching Florida River Island: "There are about 10 sites total at this free campground. There is a tent-only side with about 4 sites, with a pit toilet. The tent sites are much nicer than the RV sites. They are among the trees, they are more spread out, and on the water."
Limited shopping options: Plan to bring supplies with you. T. D. advises those heading to St. George Island to "Bring all necessities because options are limited for shopping in the area and considerably more expensive than normal."
Cell coverage spotty: Connectivity varies widely across the region. Vince F. reports "Marginal cell phone coverage (AT&T)" at Tate's Hell State Forest, while Laura M. found "Good cell service with ATT and Verizon" at Florida River Island.
Swimming options: Coastline RV Resort & Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a pool. Joyce T. notes, "The pool was wonderful and the clubhouse amazing! You can cook a dinner in the clean kitchen."
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campgrounds provide chances for children to observe local wildlife. September H. at Indian Pass Campground shares, "We loved this campground! It's a bit crowded but there's plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs being that it's steps away from the beach. They are also extremely dog friendly which is a huge plus for us because our pup loves to swim."
Clean facilities: When camping with children, clean bathhouses become particularly important. Madison C. notes that Coastline RV Resort offers "facilities were very private with 4 individual bathrooms (shower, toilet, vanity) no 'stalls'."
Site selection: At primitive campgrounds, carefully consider your RV size and site location. Robert G. shares about Wright Lake: "I made the trip over from Panama City at the relative last minute for a quick night in the Apalachicola National Forest. Seeing that Wright Lake opened up recently, and with the majority of sites listed as First Come First Served, I figured I would make the drive and check it out."
Road navigation: Forest roads require careful driving, especially with larger rigs. Ray & Terri F. note about High Bluff Primitive Campsites: "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 roads and sites are sandy gravel. Our site had a little bit of slope side to side, but not too bad."
Hookup availability: Know what utilities are available at each campground. Jeff at Indian Pass Campground advises, "The only negative is there's no septic, so you have to have your black/gray water pumped, but even that's not worth a rating deduction."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sumatra, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sumatra, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Sumatra, FL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sumatra, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sumatra, FL is Wright Lake Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sumatra, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Sumatra, FL.
Keep Exploring
