A Camping Guide to Pensacola

Camping is one of those unique family experiences that can give you just the right amount of adventure and down time.

My husband grew up camping and knew it was something he wanted our family to do, so over the past year we have dabbled and tried a few spots and finally splurged on our own RV. Our trips consist of our two dogs and 2.5-year-old son. Luckily, Pensacola has no shortage of camping locations.

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Fort Pickens

Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Fort Pickens is one of our favorite locations. It’s full of wildlife, a historical fort, beaches and close to Pensacola Beach and downtown. This park is also dog friendly (on leash within the RV park and walking trails).

Gulf Islands National Seashore is one of the top visited national parks in the country and Fort Pickens is one of the most popular camping sites along the Gulf Coast of Florida, so book early. Be sure to make your reservation up to six months in advance. Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive days and 42 nights within a year. Some sites have restrictions due to low trees and shrubbery, make sure to pick a site that accommodates your camping size. The booking website provides excellent specifics to ensure you can fit well in your site. Loop C is our favorite because it accommodates larger RVs and with it being the larger loop, allows for plenty of walks while our toddler rides his tricycle.

Fort Pickens offers both electric and non-electric sites, and each site has water hook ups. Full sewer is not available and dump sites are provided on site. The bathrooms and showers are always clean, but they are well-loved. Pack shower shoes and if you have an infant-toddler, consider bringing a tub for bathing needs.

When packing, ensure to create a checklist of camping essentials that include firewood, food, water, ice, sunscreen, bug repellant, beach chairs and umbrella. There is no camp store within the park; you can find a few well-stocked gas stations on Pensacola Beach if you leave something at home. Don’t forget to pack bicycles or rent one when you get here, there are several places to check out for a bike rental.

While we set up our site, we give our toddler a popsicle or fun treat. It keeps him happy and we can get the basics set up. Pack a picnic dinner and walk or bike to the Fort along the multi-use trail. You will come to a small bridge that houses lots of fish and probably the oldest turtle I’ve ever seen in the wild. We call him “Gigantor” and the park rangers have shared that he is believed to be over 50 years old. Our son thinks he is part dinosaur and trust me you may agree when you see his tail.

Once at the fort, check out if there are any fun tours set up by the park rangers. Download the NPS mobile app for self-guided tours, recommendations on what to do (like catch the Blue Angels practicing) and more.

Check out the Ferry schedule for the weekend to plan a quick trip to downtown Pensacola or Pensacola Beach. This large vessel can accommodate up to 149 guests and has covered outdoor seating and indoor air-conditioned seating as well. You can bring items such as bikes or coolers to accommodate your adventure for the day.

Take advantage of early morning bike rides or walks while it's still relevantly cool. There are several gravel paths between each camping loop, which make perfect dog trails as well.

Catching fish from shore or the park pier is a great activity. Visit FWC for licensing and to see what is in season. Our favorite is to catch Pompano from shore in March and April. Remember to leave only your footprints when visiting the beach.

While camp cooking is one of our favorite activities, save time to visit Flounder's Chowder House. We pack our own beach chairs and sit behind the restaurant and enjoy a Tropical Diesel fuel with a splash of mango, and our son plays in the calm water. Later in the evening you can watch beach volleyball and enjoy delicious eats like sushi or Firecracker tacos at the outside bar.

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park is located near Perdido Key and gives the wooded nature feel with views of the beautiful intercoastal waterway.

The 75 campsites are equipped with electric, water, a picnic table and fire ring. Restrooms and a dump station are available on site. Be mindful of the site length restrictions of 40 feet and check site sizes. This park is very wooded and the sites are secluded. The maximum stay is 14 days. Pets are welcome.

There is no shortage of outdoor amenities including picnic pavilions, canoe/kayak launch, boat ramp, beaches, amphitheater, and a playground (for campsite guests). Be sure to visit the lookout tower and keep your eyes peeled for some unique wildlife. Enjoy the 5 miles of hiking and nature trails, 2.5 miles paved biking and the limitless waterways. There are lots of boardwalks to take you over the marsh, and if biking be mindful as some of the paths are narrow if pulling a bike cart. The hiking trails are great for walking but not friendly for bikes as most are sandy. The park is very accessible and provides a beach wheelchair, call the ranger station for more details.

Our favorite activity here is to pack the inflatable paddle boards and enjoy the endless waterways. The park offers shallow areas that make the perfect environment for paddling. Use the hand launch for paddle boarding and kayaks. In our last visit we also learned its very accessible, you can request a beach wheelchair from the ranger stage for no cost.

The campground is closed Feb 1-Aug 1, 2025 for a renovation project.

Pensacola Beach RV Resort

Located in the heart of Pensacola Beach, the Pensacola Beach RV Resort is for RV campers only with an array of amenities such as a pool, club house, complimentary beach chairs, playground, pet friendly and a tiki store. Tiki Trailer Rentals are available for those who are exploring the camp lifestyle but don’t have their own RV yet. Daily, weekly and monthly bookings are available.

Located at the back of the resort is one of the hottest spots on Pensacola Beach, The Sneaky Tiki Bar. With its famous colorful LOVE sign with the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Sound, snap a selfie and throw it on Instagram. Every Tuesday they offer drink specials for resort guests. Be sure to check out The Sneaky Tiki’s website for other fun events like sunset yoga, karaoke, trivia and more.

Our favorite perk of this resort is the location, directly on the waterfront with sites on the sound site and within walking distance of everything on Pensacola Beach. Be sure to check out the boardwalk and local favorites like Native Cafe and UFOs Pensacola Beach Mini Golf.

Perdido Key RV Resort & Marina

The Perdido Key RV Resort & Marina is a luxurious campground located right on the intercoastal waterway in Perdido Key. And when I say luxury I mean a clubhouse, pool, and a raised beach for guests to enjoy - it is spectacular. Bonus points that it’s right in the heart of Perdido Key and offers easy access to beautiful beaches, fun water activities, and local restaurants.

Down to the brass tacks on RVing, each site has full hookup amenities including sewer, water, electric, cable TV, Wifi and is pet friendly. Daily, weekly and monthly stays are available.

When staying here, our favorites include paddle boarding on the intercoastal waterway, visiting the gorgeous white beaches at Johnson Beach and eating at the famous Flora-Bama Yacht Club - a fantastic casual dining option that is kid friendly.

This is the time to relax and really enjoy your beach time. The park is located a half-mile from Gulf Islands National Seashore- Johnson Beach and 2-4 miles from public beach accesses. We really enjoy Johnson Beach because it has parking, accessible boardwalks and a pavilion. To help kids (and adults) battle the heat, pack freeze pops in a thermos full of ice and enjoy mid-morning and make sure to bring your sand toys!

Lake Stone Campground

A great spot as you exit I-65 and located on the north side of Escambia County, near Century, Lake Stone Campground shows the diverse terrain our area holds. While most of our campgrounds highlight the beach, this gives you the unique open-air feel and includes a beautiful lake.

If you are new to camping, this is a great campground to try it out on; wide open spaces and low park fees. Pack your fishing gear and enjoy the well-stocked lake.

The 100-acre campground has 77 campsites and accommodates tents and RVs. The facilities include a boat ramp (gasoline engines are not to be used on Lake Stone), indoor community building, restrooms, showers, electric and water hookups, dump station and picnic areas.

Get out and adventure!

Now it’s time to start your adventure! Just remember, most campsites book six or more months in advance, so start planning (and booking) now. But if you get a wild hair and don’t have a reservation, check mid-week to see if you can snag a last-minute cancellation.

If you are traveling with kids, pack safety items such as life jackets and glow gear to keep your eyes on them in the evenings.

Camping allows you time to really disconnect from your phone (park wifi is often very weak) and instead connect with those you love and enjoy most. Best of luck and happy adventuring!

Author

Katherine Ford

Katherine is a proud Pensacolian and lived here her entire life. She has a true love of the outdoors and you can find her playing tennis, boating and camping most weekends with her husband, son and two pups. Katherine leads a communication team at a large financial institution. She finds true joy in showing others how to get outside and add fun to their life.