Florida's panhandle has sugary sand and is Florida's self-proclaimed Emerald Coast because of sparkling green water, and a visit to Grayton Beach evokes the sense of a long-ago beach community. Grayton Beach State Park safeguards beaches, a coastal dune lake, and other natural landscape features unique to north west Florida. Its campgrounds include camping cabins and regular camp sites that accommodate RV and tent campers alike. The 34 campsites have water and electricity; some of these sites also have on-site sewer. The campsite has showers and restrooms. Pets may camp at the campground but not at the cabins. The RV sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.
Grayton Beach State Park
357 Main Park Rd
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
850-267-8300
floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach
Halfway between Pensacola and the Everglades, Fort DeSoto hangs off the southern tip of Pinellas County and into Tampa Bay. The campground here caters to all walks of campers- the park's camp sites cater to tent campers, RV'ers, campers with pets, and campers without. Some campsites front the water (although not the beach, found in separate areas of the park) while others shroud themselves in mangroves and pine trees. This campground, part of a nationally recognized park of the same name, books quickly. It has many amenities, including a camp store, water, electricity, laundry, hot water showers, grills, and a pump out facility. Trailered boats have parking outside the campsite but within the park. The park itself has several beaches, two fishing piers, kayak, canoe and bicycle rentals, and a dog park.
Fort DeSoto
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
727-893-9185
pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm
Just before Florida's mainland disappears into the lush swamp of the Everglades, Collier-Seminole State Park greets travelers. Teetering on the precipice of mainland and marsh, this swampy park offers visitors the chance - albeit rare - to glimpse a Florida panther. More certain are the odds of seeing a Florida alligator lurking in the swamp or sunning on a paved road. Campers can choose from primitive sites nestled alongside trails (kayak and hiking) and full-facility camp sites that cater to tent and RV campers (up to 60 feet) alike. The campsites in the full-facility section have restrooms, showers, a screened-in clubhouse, water and electricity. Pets welcome at the campground.
Collier-Seminole State Park
20200 E. Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34114
239-394-3397
floridastateparks.org/collierseminole/default.cfm
