Best Campgrounds near Sumatra, FL

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."

Best Camping Sites Near Sumatra, Florida (128)

    1. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Eastpoint, FL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 927-2111

    $24 / night

    "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."

    2. Wright Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sumatra, FL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 643-2282

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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."

    3. Camel Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    Bristol, FL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 643-2282

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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!"

    4. Tate's Hell State Forest High Bluff Primitive Campsites, FL

    8 Reviews
    Eastpoint, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 697-0010

    $9 / night

    "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. "

    5. Hickory Landing Campground

    1 Review
    Sumatra, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 643-2282

    6. Florida River Island

    4 Reviews
    Sumatra, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 539-5999

    "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."

    "You need to make reservations in advance with the Northwest Florida Water Management District."

    7. Cotton Landing

    1 Review
    Sumatra, FL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 643-2282

    "Loved my stay at this location."

    8. Indian Pass Campground

    32 Reviews
    Port St. Joe, FL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 990-4833

    $45 - $69 / night

    "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."

    9. White Oak Landing Campground

    1 Review
    Sumatra, FL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 926-3561

    10. Coastline RV Resort & Campground

    9 Reviews
    Eastpoint, FL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 799-1016

    $80 / night

    "This is my new favorite place to stay along the Florida Panhandle coastline."

    "I felt like I walked into a spa when I opened the door calming music started and the lights came on. The showers are big! The pool was wonderful and the clubhouse amazing!"

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Recent Reviews near Sumatra, FL

474 Reviews of 128 Sumatra Campgrounds


  • Prinsean n kathy F.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Newport Park Campground

    Great spot

    Me and my husband have been camping here for three days now the campsite is very clean. The lady is very very nice. Great showers great bathrooms great people great location.

  • Colin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    Very Nice and Secluded

    Very nice and quiet camp site. Each site is very private, and the camp is very secluded. After entering the park, it's a four mile drive. The closest large town is about one hundred miles away.

    The beach is walking distance, but no pets are allowed on the State Park Beaches, but pets are allowed on the public beaches outside the park.

    There's not much shade for tent campers.

    This camp ground is hard to get into, so it's best to book early.

    Lastly, although the camp ground have electric outlets at each site, 20, 30, and 50 amps, the closest high speed EV charger is 56 miles away in Mexico Beach, about one and a half hours drive.

  • Matthew V.
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Indian Pass Campground

    Quiet and Relaxing

    This is a very low key campground., tucked away on a dead end road. Beautiful water front sites. Campground is just a tad compact when it comes to vehicle maneuverability, but very manageable. Wonderful and helpful staff. Will be returning.

  • Michael L.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Eastbank

    Lakeside view

    Very nice views of lake and shade also for the hot summers

  • B
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful location, but sooo many bugs

    This campground was really enjoyable. Sites are a decent size, close to each other but the trees and shrubbery provide enough privacy. The bathhouses were pretty nice as well. Spacious showers and hot water. 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.

    The activities on the island are amazing too. There were a couple boat ramps to launch kayaks from, lots of wildlife, a beautiful beach, and the stargazing was phenomenal.


Guide to Sumatra

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.

What to do

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."

What campers like

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."

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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'."

Tips from RVers

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 128 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 Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 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.