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Best Campgrounds near Vernon, FL

590 Reviews

The Florida Panhandle surrounding Vernon offers a diverse camping landscape with options ranging from state parks to forest service campgrounds. 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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Vernon, Florida (106)

    1. Falling Waters State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Chipley, FL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 638-6130

    $18 / night

    "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!"

    2. Sand Pond Campground — Pine Log State Forest

    19 Reviews
    Ebro, FL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 535-2888

    "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."

    3. Cotton Landing

    2 Reviews
    Vernon, FL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 539-5999

    4. Lakeview Campsites

    1 Review
    Vernon, FL
    5 miles
    +1 (850) 768-6806

    $60 - $120 / night

    "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!"

    5. Hitchinpost RV Park and Campground

    12 Reviews
    Chipley, FL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 849-3741

    $30 - $45 / night

    "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."

    6. St. Andrews State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Panama City, FL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 233-5140

    $28 / night

    "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."

    7. Southern Grace Lavender Farm

    4 Reviews
    Ebro, FL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 740-8399

    $45 - $55 / night

    8. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Santa Rosa Beach, FL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 267-8330

    $24 - $130 / night

    "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!"

    9. Blue Spring Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Fountain, FL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 539-5999

    "Nice tiny campground in the Florida forest. There are only 3 sites and you must reserve online through the water management district even though it is free."

    "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. Already made reservations for next year. Beautiful and quiet only 3 sites."

    10. Outback Springs RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Panama City, FL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (850) 258-3110

    $45 - $50 / night

    "A beautiful new pool, hot tub and outside lounge are available. The pool and surrounding area was clean and well kept."

    "It is one of our homes away from home. The staff is very friendly, the bathrooms are very clean and the pool/hot tub area is super nice. It's well worth the stay if you're in the area."

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Recent Camping Photos near Vernon, FL

101 Photos of 106 Vernon Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Vernon, FL

590 Reviews of 106 Vernon Campgrounds

  • Randi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Falling Waters State Park Campground

    Nice Quiet Stay

    Falling Waters is a convenient stop, close to the interstate and easy to access. The campground is gated with an access code for after-hours entry, which made us feel secure. Sites are level gravel with a picnic table, fire ring, and even a handy towel-drying rack. They’re spaced nicely, not too close to neighbors, which we appreciated.

    The bathhouse facilities were clean and well-kept (we didn’t use the laundry facilities), and there’s a dump station since none of the sites have full sewer hookups. Cell service with T-Mobile was excellent.

    The park itself has a small but nice swimming area at the ‘lake’ with its own restroom house. Unfortunately, there hadn’t been any rain during our visit, so the falls were dry, but the trails were still worth walking. We brought our e-bikes, but aside from riding around the campground and down to the lake and trailhead, there really aren’t bike-friendly paths—definitely wouldn’t recommend taking bikes on the trails.

    Oh, and the play ground was very nice and the covered pavilions were nice.

    We checked in after hours without any issue, but Joey came knocking at 8 AM sharp the next morning like the police 🚨 to give us our parking pass—definitely a wake-up call we weren’t expecting!

    The nightly rate was advertised at $18, but after fees it came to around $30 per night, which still isn’t bad for what you get. Overall, it’s a peaceful, clean campground with good amenities and a nice location, just don’t expect to be able to ride bikes on the trails or always see water at the falls.

    Highly recommend the 45-minute drive to Econfina creek, we rented a canoe and did the 8-miles to see 7 springs.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground

    Exploration Trip

    We continue to visit the Gulf to look at where retirement may end up. Another great state park. Lots to do hiking to the dunes or lake. Checking out if the gators will let you see them. Hanging at the beach. Bike riding down 30A or around the park. Everything is close by. Great weather. Most sites are shaded. If you have satellite or Dish setup you may be limited to get signal. Also you will need to bring your own fire ring and grill as many sites do not have either. You cannot go wrong with this park.

  • Bobbie S.
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Stay n Go RV Resort

    Great nights rest

    This is our second stay here. It is so easy to book online or over the phone. They have restrooms, a bathhouse and restaurant options within walking distance. I. Forgot to take pictures AGAIN. Would definitely stay here again and will try to remember to take photos 😂

  • S F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Florida Caverns RV Resort

    Nice Stay

    We stayed here for two nights/three days of a ten day trip. It was hands-down the nicest of the locations. Clean, concrete pads, excellent location and good wi-fi that was not up-charged. The pool area was nice and clean. Service and staff were excellent/friendly and they escorted us to our site upon arrival. They also have trash pickup at your site daily. We saw a security truck drive through several times and had no problems from our neighbors. The location near the water cannot be beat. We were located near the docks and I was able to launch my paddle board easily. The water was gorgeous and clear on the adjacent spring/pond. Our AT&T cell service was good. 

    My only(very minor) complaints are that there are very few trees or shaded areas at this location and it would have been nice to have the fire pits included at the site. We did not spend any time sitting outside our camper and we only did about ten minutes in the dog park because of the sun, but then again, it's Florida in July in an area that's still recovering from tornadoes and a major hurricane. And by the time we thought it had cooled off enough to enjoy s'mores in the evening, the office had long since closed so we couldn't rent a fire pit. We have family that we visit often in the area, so we will definitely stay here again! We camped at Florida Caverns RV Resort at Merritt's Mill Pond in a Travel Trailer.

  • Randi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Retroville 1960s-70 Drive In Movie/TV Themed RV Park

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 – Quiet, Clean, and Super Responsive Owners

    We stayed at Retroville in Freeport, FL from Thursday to Sunday in early August. It’s a very small, peaceful campground—just one gravel road with a cul-de-sac at the end, where there are a few waterfront sites. The grounds were very clean, and although the waterfront area is a marshy slope (more like a slew off the river), it added to the quiet, tucked-away atmosphere.

    Sites are all gravel and full hookup, and while there’s not a ton of space between them, the campground never felt crowded or noisy. We didn’t see a bathhouse or laundry area, and the small office/store was closed while we were there, but it looked like it sold things like ice cream and small essentials.

    The owners were extremely helpful and responsive, even though they were out of town during our stay. I booked last-minute after 9PM en route, and they still responded quickly and offered help—great customer service even from afar.

    There’s not much to do at the campground itself, but we planned for that. It’s in a great location for day trips—about 30–45 minutes to beaches like Seaside, Miramar, Destin, and PCB. We swam at Vortex Springs (30 minutes away), biked trails around Seaside, and had dinner with live music at North Beach Social just across the bridge south of the campground—highly recommend that spot for food, drinks, and beachy vibes.

    The campground has a fun retro theme with gas pumps and vintage signs, perfect for photos. Wi-Fi and cell service were spotty during our stay, but we expected that based on reviews. If you’re looking for a quiet, clean basecamp with super nice owners and don’t mind driving to the action, Retroville is a solid pick.

  • b
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Falling Waters State Park Campground

    Tent camping at falling waters

    Pretty nice small campground. 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.

  • a
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Retroville 1960s-70 Drive In Movie/TV Themed RV Park

    Nostalgic Stay

    We really enjoyed our few days at this park. Its newly open and full of details and has a great hollywood museum thst must not be missed. Its very close to the 30a beach area but is hidden. There were a couple of famous Nashville musicians there also camping! The owners take great care of the park and its small and they have mo plans to make it into a parking lot with too many campers.

Guide to Vernon

Camping near Vernon, Florida, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the beaches: Many campers enjoy the stunning beaches nearby. At Henderson Beach State Park Campground, one visitor said, "The beach was beautiful! We didn’t camp here but drove in to use the beach while we were there."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails abound in the area. A reviewer at St. Andrews State Park Campground mentioned, "We camped here in 2022 and loved it! Water views, tons of trails, both walking and biking."
  • Fishing: The waters around the campgrounds are great for fishing. A camper at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground noted, "Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking... One of the best!"

What campers like

What you should know

  • Reservations are recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at St. Andrews State Park Campground advised, "Make reservations early, they book up quick!"
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A camper at Falling Waters State Park Campground noted, "The dump station does not have the hose hookups for flushing your tanks."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A camper at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground mentioned, "We even had a big black bear walk across the road while we were here."

Tips for camping with families

  • Bring bikes: Many campgrounds have bike-friendly paths. A family at Henderson Beach State Park Campground enjoyed, "My daughter was able to ride her bike all over the park on their well-paved roads."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A visitor at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground suggested, "We rented bicycles and enjoyed the paved paths and private beach over the dunes."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand makes outings easier. A camper at Grayton Beach State Park Campground recommended grabbing a fish taco right outside the park.

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Some sites can be tight for larger RVs. A reviewer at Camp On The Gulf mentioned, "Sites are close together, but man, people squeeze in!"
  • Use leveling blocks: The ground can be uneven. A camper at Florida Caverns State Park noted, "The crushed gravel pad base can allow your jacks to settle too far down."
  • Stay connected: Some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi, but it can be spotty. A visitor at St. Andrews State Park Campground mentioned, "You have to sign in with the company providing it for $7 a day."

Camping near Vernon, Florida, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Vernon, FL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Vernon, FL offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Vernon, FL and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

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 27 reviews.

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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