Primitive tent campsites near Westville, Florida extend beyond the Eastern Lake camping areas mentioned previously. These camping options provide rustic outdoor experiences with limited amenities throughout Florida's panhandle region. Forest roads accessing these sites often require consideration for vehicle clearance, especially during or after rainfall when conditions can deteriorate.
What to do
Lake activities: At Eastern Lake Campground 2, sites offer direct water access with a small dock. "Great primitive camping with several spots on the water in camping area 2," notes Derek K. about Eastern Lake Campground 2. Campers can launch kayaks or canoes for water exploration.
Hiking and biking: Point Washington State Forest provides multiple trail options beyond Eastern Lake. According to Dale W., "Point Washington also offers three hiking trail options on the Eastern Lake bike/hike trial. The hiker or bicyclist can travel the 3.5-, 5- or 10-mile loop. This trail is part of the Florida Forest Service's Trailwalker Hiking Program."
Beach access: While forest camping feels remote, Gulf beaches remain accessible. "It's not far from Destin and other popular locations, but it's a gem itself," reports Savannah S. about Point Washington State Forest. Campers should note the 20-minute drive time to beaches despite appearing closer on maps.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Most tent sites offer good separation from neighboring campers. At Pine Log State Forest Primitive Campsites, Barb D. found "Private maybe one person will drive down the road but they turn around pretty fast without a problem nice back country campground."
Site design: Tent platforms and site configurations vary between locations. H.M. notes about Point Washington: "The site was pretty and felt nicely distanced from the other three sites in campground #1. We didn't use the gravel tent space, but hung up hammocks in the nearby trees."
Local getaway: Proximity to regional towns makes these forests ideal for short escapes. Karen S. describes Point Washington as a "Nice secluded little spot close to our home in Fort Walton but still manages to feel like you're far away. Would recommend for a local getaway!"
What you should know
Access challenges: Forest roads can become problematic depending on conditions. "The mud holes are huge and you definitely don't want to take a small car through it, that's the only downfall," warns Savannah S. Another camper reports puddles "so deep it covered my headlights" after rainfall at Eastern Lake Campground 1.
Reservation requirements: Sites require advance booking through ReserveAmerica. James M. advises: "CG is within the State Forest about 2 miles in, off US98, on Level 2 roads. Follow 'Primitive camping area' signs to parking area, watching for route."
Campground layout differences: Eastern Lake offers two distinct camping areas with different advantages. Beth B. explains: "Campground 1 Pros: can park in your site, further apart, no highway noise. Cons: only have access to a tiny part of the lake, breeze kind of blocked by trees. Campground 2 Pros: beautiful lake view and easy access to water, prettier view, more breeze. Cons: traffic noise, cannot park in your site."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs in these forests. Andrea S. reports from Point Washington State Forest, "Signs for active bears but we saw none." Proper food storage remains essential regardless.
Tent setup considerations: Site surfaces can present challenges for tent staking. One camper noted at Eastern Lake Campground 2, "The sites are a fine gravel, which was fine, but the ground was so hard underneath we couldn't drive one of our stakes in."
Facility expectations: Bathroom facilities receive varying maintenance. "The walls and floors of the pit toilet were covered with flies. With a little maintenance that could be mitigated," reports one camper about Eastern Lake Campground 2, highlighting the importance of bringing sanitation supplies.
Tips from RVers
Military options: Military personnel should consider Raptor Ranch at Tyndall AFB for its recovery from hurricane damage. Mark J. states, "It's back open for business and is a great place for military and veterans to park their campers short or long term. There are also some small, elevated cabins back in business and a rec center/lounge area."
Utilities and amenities: Some military camps offer more developed facilities. "Full hookups campsite with cable. Nice building with pool table, TV, games, laundry, bath and showers," notes one reviewer about Raptor Ranch, though they mention the "campground needs a little more TLC like mowing."
