A
Amanda T.
Scout
ScoutSand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest
Beautiful and peaceful
Small campground. Peaceful. Mostly older people in small RVs. Oddly enough no issue with mosquitoes which was shocking! Very nice sites
Camping near Vernon, FL
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Camping near Vernon, FL spans developed state park sites with electric and water hookups to primitive forest service camps along wooded waterways. Falling Waters State Park, located just 15 miles northwest in Chipley, features Florida's tallest waterfall and provides developed campsites with electric and water hookups. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Sand Pond Campground in Pine Log State Forest and Cotton Landing, which offers more primitive camping experiences along waterways. The region balances RV-friendly destinations with tent camping areas, many situated near lakes or within forested settings that provide natural shade and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Florida state parks in this region typically require reservations up to 11 months in advance, especially for popular destinations. As one camper noted about Falling Waters, "Home to the tallest waterfall in Florida. Easy to park, level sight, quick access to I-10 but very quiet." Forest roads accessing more remote sites can become challenging during wet weather, with several reviewers cautioning against attempting these routes in standard passenger vehicles. Summer brings high humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter offers milder conditions ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Hurricane season (June through November) occasionally impacts camping availability and conditions.
Natural features distinguish many campgrounds in the area, with several sites offering access to swimming holes, fishing spots, and paddling opportunities. Florida Caverns State Park, approximately 30 miles northeast of Vernon, provides a unique camping experience near the state's only publicly accessible cave system. According to a visitor, "The campsites are very nice with good bathroom facilities. The swimming hole rocks and the water is crystal clear." Campgrounds closer to the Gulf Coast, about an hour south, feature access to the region's famous white-sand beaches. Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between developed state parks and more primitive forest service campgrounds, with the latter sometimes offering only basic amenities.
Best Campgrounds near Vernon (123)
1. Falling Waters State Park Campground
"Home to the tallest waterfall in Florida. Easy to park, level sight, quick access to I-10 but very quiet."
"Falling Waters boasts Florida's largest waterfall and in the wet season it is a sight to be seen!"
from $18 / night
Check Availability2. Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest
"Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the beach areas but close enough to enjoy them just the same."
"In site 3 we had a great view of the river and easy access to the hiking trails! If you like primitive camping, this place is the way to go."
from $23 / night
Check Availability3. Outback Springs RV Resort
"Outback Springs RV Park in Bonifay Florida is one beautiful place."
"A beautiful new pool, hot tub and outside lounge are available. The pool and surrounding area was clean and well kept."
from $54 - $66 / night
Check Availability4. Cotton Landing
5. Lakeview Campsites
"Lakeview Campsites have access to a huge lake and several other places to visit nearby. Check them out and share some pictures of your stay!"
from $60 - $120 / night
Check Availability6. Hitchinpost RV Park and Campground
"We were here for an overnight stop on the way back to Florida. The owner is great and we had a pull through site so we didn't have to unhook."
"It is close to the highway so there is a little noise."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. St. Andrews State Park Campground
"A little less “outdoor feeling” than other Florida state parks but very comfortable. The park itself is great with an amazing beach."
"Clean and peaceful and beautiful walking trails and easy access to the beach. Beautiful sunsets on the beach."
from $28 / night
Check Availability8. Southern Grace Lavender Farm
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability9. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground
"My wife and I are frequent campers in NW Florida and Alabama. Topsail is certainly one of our favorites. Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking (many miles), lakes, great campground. "
"Beautiful beach, trees between paved spots, bike path, cute coffee shop on site, bike rentals, & a great location!"
from $24 - $130 / night
Check Availability10. dead river landing
Drive Time
- 39 min from Panama City, FL
- 50 min from Crestview, FL
- 54 min from Dothan, AL
- 1 hr 24 min from Tallahassee, FL
Recent Camping Photos near Vernon, FL
107 Photos of 123 Vernon Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Holmes Creek Camping & RV Resort
dead river landingT
My Father's Sanctuary
Tom Johns Landingh
Falling Waters State Park Campgroundb
Blue Spring Recreation AreaK
Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest
Pine Lake RV ParkB
Hidden Cypress Farm LLC
Up the Creek RV Resort
Retroville 1960s-70 Drive In Movie/TV Themed RV ParkD
Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State ParkA
Recent Reviews near Vernon, FL
648 Reviews of 123 Vernon Campgrounds
- JJeremy H.
GuideGrayton Beach State Park Campground
Grayton Beach State Park in December
Grayton Beach State Park is an outstanding place to camp in December, especially if you enjoy birding, hiking, and spending time outdoors without the heat and crowds of the summer months.
December is a great time to explore the park. The cooler temperatures make walking the trails much more comfortable, and the campground has a peaceful, laid-back feel during the winter. Tent camping is especially enjoyable if you come prepared for the weather. Days can be mild and beautiful, but mornings and nights can get surprisingly cool, so warm layers and a good sleeping bag are definitely worth bringing.
For birding, Grayton Beach is a fantastic location. The combination of coastal dunes, pine forest, wetlands, Western Lake, and the Gulf creates several different habitats within a relatively small area. Early mornings are particularly enjoyable when the park is quiet and wildlife is active. Bring a good pair of binoculars and take your time around Western Lake and the trails through the wooded areas.
- JJeremy H.Guide
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground
Great Spot for a December getaway.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is an excellent place for tent camping in December, especially if you enjoy hiking, wildlife, and having easy access to the beach without the summer crowds.
December is a great time to experience the park. The cooler temperatures make hiking much more enjoyable, and the campground is generally quieter and more relaxed than during the warmer months. The nights can get chilly, so I would definitely recommend bringing a good sleeping bag, warm layers, and something to block the wind. During the day, though, the weather can be perfect for exploring.
My biggest advice for December tent campers is to prepare for changing weather. You could have a beautiful mild afternoon followed by a cold and windy night. Bring layers, rain protection, and a windproof jacket rather than relying on one heavy coat.
Overall, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is one of the better winter camping destinations on the Florida Panhandle. You get the Gulf, hiking, birding, dune lakes, wildlife, and a comfortable campground all in one place. For someone who prefers quiet trails and beaches over hot weather and summer crowds, December may actually be one of the best times of the year to camp here.
- EEthan T.
TravelerTopsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground
Great beach spot
Excellent location for camping and having easy access to the beach. Bathhouse was incredibly clean and well maintained. Camp store has plenty of equipment to rent and there is tons of trails to ride bikes around and to the beach.
- jjohnny W.Scout
Outback Springs RV Resort
Weekend Escape
What can be said that I'm sure hasn't already been said. Outback Springs RV Park in Bonifay Florida is one beautiful place. Magnificent pool/hot tub area, fantastic duck pond with a fountain in the center of it, newly paved roads throughout, stellar staff and so much attention to detail in the grounds/landscaping. My husband and I found this gem during an online search for nearby campgrounds related to where we live. We have visited Outback Springs several times since and we absolutely hate leaving. Out of curiosity I asked a staff member ( Debbie) if I could take a look at the inside of the only cabin that's offered and was completely blown away by what I saw. This cabin is absolutely amazing, full kitchen, huge separate living room and a very well appointed bedroom and bathroom. I had the privilege of finally getting to meet the owners during our stay this weekend and immediately got attached to them. So very friendly and accepting of our lifestyle. The RV sites are large, level and for the most part very shady. The staff is amazing, the clubhouse/on-site store are out of this world and there is even a large separate clubhouse that has everything anyone needs from movies, books, board games, pool table and dartboard. Free coffee every morning and if you don't want to cook in your RV no worries, you can cook in the full kitchen that's available for free in there as well. Got pets? No problem because there is also a very nice dog park on site as well. I could go on and on about this place but I'm sure you get the picture lol. If your travels take you anywhere near Bonifay Florida Outback Springs RV Resort is the little slice of Australia that must be on your list of places to visit. Give them a try, I promise you will not be disappointed. Mike in the office will take good care of you and if you see a lady moving at light speed that's Debbie. She'll make double sure that all of your needs are met and any exceptions are exceeded. 100% the place to be!!!!!
Christi B.ScoutPonce de Leon RV Park
Quite place
Very quite, right off the interstate and less than a mile from the Ponce de Leon springs. Super friendly and helpful owner, full hookups and very easy access and parking. Walking distance from a Pilot truck stop, family dollar and dollar general. Would definitely come back
- SSherri B.Guide
Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park
Cool caves
Florida Caverns State Park offers tours of underground caves, the focal point of the 1,500 acre grounds. Blue Hole Campground located within the Park offers 32 full hookup sites in a loop convenient to bathhouse and laundry. Quiet setting, well spaced sites with gravel surface, paved roads.
Chaence M.ScoutStay n Go RV Resort
Horrible! Not family friendly as advertised
Found this stop searching for a quick location on the way back home to S FL. The only positive is that there was online check-in. The website did not list their rules that pertained to children. Once we arrived the camp host was very rude. She informed us the kids couldn't use scooters (actually not in the written rules, bikes and skateboards were listed but nothing else) and that we couldn't watch them from our camper. The door and the window was opened. They were on our site. They never left our view. It was dark and we drove several hours and were setting up. Honestly they probably had closer supervision then they did when we were hooking up. The photos of the place also show a pool. Theres no pool. It is extremely dark, theres no lights anywhere. The website states its secure and gated. There is a gate but it was opened. I didnt have high expectations but I also expected what I paid for. It was also extremely over priced and the only reason we stopped was to get the kids out to run around, and we were unable to do that. There are other places that do not allow children if this place doesnt want children it should be on their web page and if theres rules that pertain to children those should be presented prior to payment rendered. At that point I had no choice but to agree or not pay, and honestly we didnt even break the rules yet were told we were.
- BBarbara S.Guide
Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park
Quick overnight
We were making our way back from the Midwest to Sarasota and stayed overnight. We didn’t have time to explore, but from what we saw, there is a lot to do in the campground! The Blue Hole campground was great - only 32 sites and each site is spacious. We can’t wait to go back for a longer stay!
Guide to Vernon
Camping spots near Vernon, Florida often feature varying terrain from piney woods to swampy lowlands. The area sits within Holmes County where elevations range from about 40 to 120 feet above sea level. Sites near freshwater springs stay cooler in summer, while inland locations experience temperatures sometimes reaching 100°F with high humidity during peak months.
What to do
Waterfall viewing: 15-minute hike at Falling Waters State Park Campground takes you to Florida's highest waterfall, though water flow varies with rainfall. One camper notes, "The hike trails are not that exciting with little to no reward at the end. There is a tiny 'waterfall' but not something that's gonna make you say wow once you get to it."
Freshwater swimming: Clear natural pools near Blue Spring Recreation Area provide relief from summer heat. The spring is a short walk from campsites. "Site #1. May. No one else there. Pretty hot during the day - 90s and around 70 at night. But the spring is about a 5 min walk and one can swim whenever."
Canoe rental: 45-minute drive to Econfina Creek offers paddling through multiple springs. As one visitor to Falling Waters mentioned, "Highly recommend the 45-minute drive to Econfina creek, we rented a canoe and did the 8-miles to see 7 springs."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Secluded sites at Pine Log State Forest offer peaceful surroundings away from crowds. "There are 2 different camps in the forest. Sand pond, which has hookups for water and electric, very nice, well maintained and enjoyable. Then there is Primitive camping - absolutely the best way to reconnect with nature."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning deer sightings common in several parks. At St. Andrews State Park, campers report, "The deer around were practically tame." The park also features "lots of birds for birdwatching" according to visitors at Falling Waters.
Free camping options: No-cost sites at Cotton Landing require advance reservations. "Real nice campground that is free by reservation only, book at camplife.com. Three small spots that are ideal for smaller setups or tents. The sites are pretty close together, but each has it's own pavilion, fire ring, grill and trash can."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding affects accessibility: Several campgrounds including Cotton Landing and Blue Spring may become inaccessible during wet seasons. "This campground does flood so be mindful of that when planning a visit."
Limited cell coverage: Service varies widely between campgrounds. At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, "T Mobile is 4 bars," while other locations may have spotty service.
Reservation lead times vary: Some locations require booking months ahead, others accept same-day arrivals. For primitive sites at Pine Log State Forest, one camper advised, "There are only three primitive camping sites out here and they are very secluded. In site 3 we had a great view of the river and easy access to the hiking trails!"
Sand and dirt road access: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. At Sand Pond, "We have about 1 mile of dirt road to get here. Some campsites can be tight if you have a big rig. Within the past year, they have removed some trees to make it easier to maneuver in the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Protected areas at St. Andrews State Park provide safer water access. "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."
Nature exploration: Short, manageable trails for children at multiple parks. "The hiking trails were small but very nice, great for walking the dog" noted one visitor to Falling Waters.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife spotting becomes a learning experience. The park "has interpretive center" and "wildlife viewing is good" according to recent campers.
Open play spaces: Several campgrounds feature open areas for games and activities. At Sand Pond, sites are "spacious and well set up" with some adjacent to "open field area, which would be great for kiddos who want room to spread out and play games."
Tips from RVers
Levelness matters: Most campgrounds have some leveling challenges. At Falling Waters, "Sites are level gravel with a picnic table, fire ring, and even a handy towel-drying rack."
Off-season visits recommended: Lower humidity and temperatures make winter camping more comfortable. "Summer brings high humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter offers milder conditions."
Alternative options for mechanical issues: Local repair services are available if needed. At Hitchinpost RV Park, one camper shared, "Convenient and big rig friendly. There are goats. It is close to the highway so there is a little noise."
Access limitations: Size restrictions apply at several locations. "Not a very good spot for huge rigs or big fifth wheels unless you are a master at tight turns and backing in" reports a camper at Blue Spring Recreation Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vernon, FL?
What camping is available near Vernon, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vernon, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Vernon, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vernon, FL?
Which is the most popular campground near Vernon, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vernon, FL is Falling Waters State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vernon, FL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vernon, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Vernon, FL.
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