Seaside is a planned resort community on Scenic Route 30-A, a two-lane highway that stretches through southern Walton County along the northwest coast of the Florida panhandle. Seaside is part of a larger area known as the Emerald Coast, a reference to the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The area is renowned for its sugar-white sand beaches. Seaside may also look familiar to movie buffs, as the 1998 film "The Truman Show" was shot there. There are no RV campgrounds within the community of Seaside, but a few are nearby.
This state park is just a couple of miles away from Seaside and offers the closest RV campsites to the community. If that's not enough reason to set up camp, the beach at this park was chosen as "America's Best Beach" in 1994 by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," in his highly touted annual survey. Because the beach is protected, there are no campsites directly on the Gulf, but the ocean is a short stroll across the dunes. The maximum RV length allowed at this park is 40 feet. The campground is shared with tent campers, and water/electric hookups are provided at all sites.
Grayton Beach State Park
357 Main Park Road
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-8300
floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach
Topsail Hill Preserve is 10 miles from Seaside. The campsites at this state park are a little farther from the beach, but a short walk or bike ride along a paved trail will get you there in scenic fashion. Topsail Hill Preserve is a large park with two dune lakes, lots of woodland and more than three miles of pristine coastline. The campground here is popular, even in wintertime, so reservations are highly recommended. All RV sites have water/electric/sewer hookups. Other amenities include laundry facilities, a swimming pool, shuffleboard courts and a store offering camping supplies, snacks and beverages.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-8330
floridastateparks.org/topsailhill
Camping on the Gulf is a large resort that offers beachfront campsites for RVs. The resort is located on the eastern side of Destin, Florida, approximately14 miles west of Seaside. The sites here have full hookups. There are two swimming pools, one of which is covered and heated in winter. The gift shop at Camping on the Gulf also sells ice cream as well as basic beach and camping essentials. Golf carts are available for rent to make getting around the resort easier.
Camping on the Gulf
10005 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32550
(877) 226-7485
campgulf.com
