Sumatra, Florida sits in a unique ecological zone where the Apalachicola National Forest meets coastal lowlands, creating diverse camping environments from pine forests to waterfront settings. The area maintains a subtropical climate with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters around 50°F. Roads to many primitive sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain when sand roads become difficult to navigate.
What to do
Fishing access points: At High Bluff Campground, anglers can use the fishing pier for lake fishing without a boat. "Caught a beautiful sunset over the lake and saw a massive gator hanging out by the fishing pier. The gator was back in the morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee out on the pier!" reports Tucker B.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Tate's Hell State Forest offers excellent wildlife viewing along its forest roads and waterways. One camper notes, "Grand Seclusion, quiet land. creek separating some sites," while another visitor mentions keeping "dogs on leash because the spot is surrounded by water on 3 sides, and we didn't want to risk any alligator attacks."
Hiking trails: The region offers hiking from easy to challenging terrain. One visitor to Torreya State Park described, "There's a hiking loop called the Great Challenge. It's so difficult, meandering up and down in elevation for 9 miles, that you may give up. Camping is grand— so much wildlife."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Campsites with direct water access rank highest among reviewers. A camper at Indian Pass Campground stated, "Loved this oasis outside of Port St. Joe! Tent camping limited but the 5 tent sites are ON THE WATER and the fishing is spectacular!"
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the seclusion available at certain campgrounds. "There are 3 separate High Bluff Primitive campsites, one at Dry Bridge, one at Rake Creek and one at Pidcock Road. Each spot is so far away from each other that you feel completely secluded, which is nice," reports Laura M. about Tate's Hell.
Budget-friendly options: Primitive sites offer affordable glamping near Sumatra, Florida with basic amenities. "Site was $9/night plus tax and fees which brought it to $16.79 for the one night," notes a camper at Tate's Hell State Forest, while another at High Bluff Campground mentioned, "$17 per night with all fees included. Very quiet."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. "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," advises Laura M. about Tate's Hell. Another camper notes, "The last 3 miles are dirt road, but in good condition as long as you can stay in the middle without traffic."
Seasonal factors: Hurricane impacts have changed many campgrounds in recent years. At St. Andrews State Park, campers report, "Great State Park. Under a little construction can't wait to see when completed." Similarly, after hurricane damage at Raptor Ranch, a visitor noted it "doesn't have as much shade or as many trees as it had before the hurricane in 2018, but it is back open for business."
Varying site quality: Even within the same campground, site quality can differ significantly. A camper at High Bluff noted, "The 3 star review is primarily due to the camping spots marked in cross ties are narrow and some spots are difficult to get a larger camper in."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom facilities: Plan accordingly for primitive sites. One camper at Tate's Hell mentioned, "No toilet or garbage facilities so please pack out your waste," while another at High Bluff wrote, "The vault toilet is pretty gnarly. Still a lovely place to stay."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife sightings. "We saw lots of other wildlife around, including deer and rabbits," notes a camper at St. Andrews State Park, while another at High Bluff warns about "spiders and they are all over the place here.. And HUUUUGEEE at that. Fishing dock is nice and you can see lots of gators."
Family-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer specific attractions for children. A visitor to St. Andrews explains, "St. Andrews State Park is a regular destination for our group of Dads and kids annual camping trip... A special treat for the kids each year is the white tailed deer walking through the sites and the bike ride over to the 'Kiddie Pool' at the jetties."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Verify site sizes before booking. "Our lot #5 was pretty even," reports a camper at High Bluff, while another noted, "If you want a good spot once they reopen, definitely book early and pay attention to the measurements on the website."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary widely between glamping sites near Sumatra. At Tate's Hell, "Most of the sites are water only, but there are a handful of them that also have 50A service," while High Bluff Campground is described as "Full primitive. The vault toilet is pretty gnarly."
Cell service: Coverage is spotty throughout the region. A visitor to Tate's Hell reported, "There was no cell service on the roads once we entered the dense forest but the spot itself was cleared of trees enough that we got service on ATT and Verizon," while at High Bluff, a camper mentioned "T-Mobile was very good with 300+ Mbps."
