Whether you are camping in an RV, or a tent, there’s plenty to see, do and explore in the Pensacola, Florida area. Visitors arrive here from all across the United States to enjoy Gulf Islands National Seashore, watch the Blue Angels practice from the Pensacola Naval Air Station and visit the white sandy beaches at Santa Rosa Islands, Perdido Key, and the National Seashore.
We’ve put together a convenient list of places to camp, camping grounds near Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and information about some of the most popular hot spots including the Fort Pickens Campground at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Big Lagoon State Park, Perdido Key State Park and Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Just click on any of the links below to learn about the many places to camp, including beach camping.
Campgrounds in Pensacola
Pensacola Beach Campgrounds
Campgrounds near Pensacola
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Fort Pickens Campground
Big Lagoon State Park
Perdido Key State Park
Big Lagoon State Park
12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 492-1595
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Big-Lagoon
Facilities and Amenities:
•75 full-facility campsites
•30/50amp electric
•Water
•Picnic table
•Fire ring/ground grill
•Full-service restrooms
•Dump station
•Pets are welcome in the campground
•Maximum RV length = 40 ft
•Primitive Group/Youth camping – Minimum size of group: 11 persons. Maximum size of group: 40 persons.* •Vehicle limit: 10 vehicles in the youth camp
•Big Lagoon Beaches along the Intracoastal Waterway
•Three story observation tower overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and the National Seashore
•Amphitheater
•Bicycling
•Birding
•Boat Ramp
•Canoe/Kayak Launch
•Canoeing & Kayaking
•Drinking Water
•Fishing
•Geo-Seeking
•Hiking/Nature Trail
•Parking
•Picnic Pavilion
•Shower Station
•Star Gazing
•Swimming
•Walking
•Weddings
•Wheelchair Accessible
•Wildlife Viewing
Blue Angel Park (Navy DOD Military)
2100 Bronson Road
Pensacola, Florida, 32506
Navy DOD Reservations Telephone (850) 390-6133
Website: https://www.militarycampgrounds.us/florida/blue-angel-naval-recreation-area
Facilities and Amenities:
•Camp Site – RV Space 40 Ft
•Bathhouse
•Boat Ramp
•Camping
•Concrete Pads
•Dump Station
•Equipment Rental
•Fire Ring
•Full Hookup Sites
•Laundry Facilities
•Outdoor Shower
•Partial Hook-up
•Pavilion
•Pet Friendly at RV/Campground
•Picnic Area
•Playground
•Propane
•Camping cabin
•Mobile home
Drifters RV Park
9110 Untreiner Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32534
Telephone (850) 484-2488
Website: http://www.driftersrvpark.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•21 back-in sites – 25 feet wide, 65 feet back-in length
•Full Hookups and 30/50 AMP at all sites.
•Cable TV
•Free Wi-Fi
•Picnic tables at all sites
•Restrooms and Showers
•Laundry
•Pets Welcome
•Good Sam Discount
•Daily, Weekly and Monthly Rates
Five Flags RV Park
2605 Wilde Lake Blvd, Pensacola, 32526, FL
Telephone: (844) 453-5247
Website: https://www.fiveflagsrvpark.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•Free Wi-Fi
•Cable TV
•30 & 50 amp service, Sewer, and Water at every site
•80 to 90 foot long sites
•Many pull-through sites
•Pet friendly
•Laundry facility
•Big rig friendly
•Free vehicle wash stations for every site
Heritage Oaks Mobile Home and RV Park
1523 Gulf Beach Hwy. Pensacola, Fl. 32507
Telephone: (850) 466-3954
Website: http://www.heritageoakspensacola.org
Facilities and Amenities:
•38 RV campsites available
•Dail, weekly, and monthly rates
•Full hook up rates include water, sewer, trash, and electric
•Wi-Fi
•Coin laundry
•Shower facilities
•Vending machines available.
Leisure Lakes RV Park
5565 W 9 Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526
Telephone: (850) 941-4030
Website: https://leisure-lakes-rv-park.business.site/
Mayfair Motel & RV Park
4540 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, FL 32506
Telephone: (850) 455-8561
Oak Grove Park Pensacola (Navy DOD Military)
Building 3696 A
Pensacola, Florida, 32508
Navy DOD Reservations Telephone (850) 452-2535 DSN: 459-2535
Website: http://get.dodlodging.net/propertys/Oak-Grove-Park-Pensacola
Facilities and Amenities:
•Bathhouse
•Camping – RV Space 30 Ft
•Community Center
•Concrete Pads
•Dump Station
•Fire Ring
•Free Wi-Fi
•Full Hookup Sites
•Grill Area
•Laundry Facilities
•NMCI Computer Access
•Outdoor Shower
•Pet Friendly at RV/Campground
•Propane
•1 and 2 bedroom cottage available
Old River RV Park
17150 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 497-8886
Website: https://www.facebook.com/oldriverrvpark
Facilities and Amenities:
•Yearly or monthly!
•We may also be able to accommodate daily or weekly rates
•Concrete pad
•Water, sewer & trash pickup
•Electric paid by the tenant
•Easy access to the beach
•Fishing and crabbing on our docks
•Great kayaking &
•Dolphin and bird watching
•Pet Friendly.
•No tent sites
Pensacola RV Park
3117 Wilde Lake Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32526
Telephone: (850) 944-1734
Website: http://www.pensacolarvpark.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•23 pull-thru sites
•Daily, Weekly and Monthly Rates
•No Tent Camping Available
•Big rig friendly
•Pet friendly
•Full hookups with water/sewage
•30/50 amp hookup at each site
•Cable TV
•WiFi throughout the park
•Kitchen facilities
•Showers
•Laundromat on site
•2 dog runs
Perdido Key RV Resort
13770 River Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 492-7304
Website: http://perdidokeyrv.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•56 RV Sites
•Full Hook-Ups
•30/50 Amp Electricity, Water, Sewer
•Cable
•Wi-Fi
•24 Deep Water Marina Slips
•3 Bedroom, 2-1/2 Bath Fully Furnished Beach Condos
•Clubhouse
•Swimming Pool
•Coin Laundry
•General Store
•Picnic Area
•Horseshoes
•Activities
•Fishing Pier
Playa Del Rio RV Park
16990 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 492-0904
Website: http://playadelrio.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•30 and 50 amp
•Cable TV
•Water and Sewer
•Wi-Fi Most RV Sites
•Private beach access
•Waterfront Fire Pit
•Dog park, dog sitting park, and dog walk
•Riverside Lounger, Swings, Gliders
•Beach chair and umbrella rentals
•Kayaks and Pedal Boat Rental
•Kitchen at Waterfront Pavilion
•Picnic Tables available upon request
•Boat slip rentals available
•Fishing and crabbing from the pier
•Dolphin and Bird Watching
•Kayaking, Boating, and Boarding from the resort bayside
•Clean restrooms with showers
•Laundry room
•RV Slips accommodate up to 45′
•Handicap accessible
•Resort Camp Hosts
•On-site Security
•Community BBQ area
•Waterfront pavilion
•Pet friendly
Tall Oak’s Campground RV Park
9301 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32534
Phone: (850) 479-3212
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tall-Oaks-RV-Park/111624255541652
Tanglewood Gardens RV and Mobile Home Park
6530 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32503
Telephone: (850) 476-9212
Website: https://tanglewoodgardensrv.com/
Facilities and Amenities:
•RV, mobile home sites, and mobile home rentals
•Owners and management on site!
•Full hook-up service
•Cable television (basic)
•Wi-Fi
•Paved interior roads
•Parking, and patio!
•Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and seasonal rates
•Mardi Gras festival and parades!
•30/50/120/200 amp lots available for older and newer model RVs
•Back in sites 45 X 100
Fort Pickens Campground – Gulf Islands National Seashore
1463 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Telephone: (850) 934-2622
Website: https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Facilities and Amenities:
•200 campsites
•Campsite length varies from 16 feet to 50 feet
•One group tent site
•Sites in Loops A, C, & E have water, electricity, grills/fire rings, and picnic tables
•Sites in Loops B & D are tent-only and centralized water stations are located throughout Loops B & D
•Restrooms and showers
•Dump stations
•Stays are limited to 14-day increments and no more than 42 days annually
•Fort Pickens Road is prone to frequent flooding
•Campers with an Interagency Senior Pass receive a 50% discount on camping fees
•Fishing pier
•Historic Fort Pickens
•Camp store
•Hiking trails
•Miles of white sand beach
•Picnic pavilions
•Accessible Sites
•Beach Access
•Biking
•Birding
•Boating
•Campfire Rings
•Cultural Activities
•Educational Programs
•Flush Toilets
•Gift Shop
•Campground Hosts on site
•Lifeguards
•Parking Area
•Scuba Diving
•Snorkeling
•Swimming
Pensacola Beach RV Resort
17 Via De Luna Dr, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Telephone: (850) 932-4670
Website: https://pensacolarvresorts.com/home/pensacola-beach-rv-resort/
Facilities and Amenities:
•72 Campsites
•No tents or pop-up campers
•Electric, water, and sewer hookups
•Cable
•Wi-Fi
•Pool
•Laundry
•Restrooms and showers
•19 Premium waterfront sites
•1 Premium pull through site
•35 Deluxe sites
•17 Standard sites
•Daily, Weekly, and Monthly rates
•Pet friendly
Pensacola North RV Resort
7800 Pine Forest Rd
Pensacola, FL 32526
(850) 285-0574
Website: https://pensacolarvresorts.com/home/pensacola-north-rv-resort-home/
Avalon Landing RV Park / Pensacola East
2444 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL 32583
Telephone: (850) 995-5898
Website: https://avalonlandingrvpark.com
Facilities and Amenities:
•Rigs Up to 45′
•Pet Friendly
•Pool w/Deck
•Waterfront, Pull-thru & Off Water Sites
•Daily, Weekly and Monthly Rates
•Fishing Pier
•Private Boat Dock
•Located Directly on the Indian Bayou Water Way
•Saltwater Fishing
•Private Boat Ramp
•All Sites Full Hook-up
•50-30-20 Amps
•Pull thru, Pull-in and Back-in Sites
•Cable TV
•Free Limited Wireless Internet Access
•Restrooms with Shower Facilities (Handicap Accessible)
•Laundry Facility
•No Tents Allowed
Gulf Shores / Pensacola West KOA
11650 County Road 99, Lillian, AL 36549
Telephone: 800-562-3471
Website: https://koa.com/campgrounds/gulf-shores/
Facilities and Amenities:
•50 Amp
•100′ Maximum RV Length
•Wi-Fi
•Cable TV
•Pool
•Hot Tub / Sauna
•Propane
•Fishing
•Firewood
•Pavilion
•Bayview Lodges
•Poolside cottages
•Fishing
•Big Rig Sites
•Pet Friendly – Doggie playground
Pelican Palms RV Park
3700 Garcon Point Road, Milton, FL 32583
Telephone: (850)623-0576
Website: http://pelicanpalmsrvflorida.com/
Facilities and Amenities:
•Daily, Weekly and Monthly Rates
•Restrooms
•Pool
•Laundry
•Pets Welcome
•Book Exchange
•Outdoor Games
•50 amp & 30 amp Available
•Full Hookups
•Pull Through & Back In Sites Available
•Big rig friendly
•Picnic Area
•Rec Room
•Convenience Store
•Dump Station
•Sewer Hookups
•Propane
•Tent Sites Available
•Credit Cards Accepted
•Wi-Fi
Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Gulf of Mexico embraces this 160 mile stretch of barrier islands that begins at Cat Island, Mississippi, and ends at the Okaloosa Area. The distinctive white sand is made from grains of white quartz and makes a squeaking sound beneath your bare feet while you enjoy your walk.
Of interest to visitors are the two developed campgrounds Fort Pickens Campground in Florida and Davis Bayou Campground in Mississippi. We’ll mainly be discussing the portion of the National Seashore located in Florida composed of Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key. You’ll probably want to visit one or more of the visitors centers in the Pensacola area listed below:
Visitor Centers
Fort Pickens Visitor Center
1400 Fort Pickens Rd.
Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Phone: (850) 934-2600
Fort Barrancas Visitor Center
3182 Taylor Rd
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: (850) 455-5167
Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center and Park Headquarters
Andrew Jackson Trail
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
Phone: (850) 934-2600
Fort Pickens Campground in Florida
In Florida, the National Park Service operates Fort Pickens Campground which is located between Pensacola bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This section of the island has a mix of scrub oaks, pine trees, and sea oats. Osprey sightings are common and it isn’t unusual to spot a Bald Eagle.
Taking the time to visit the historic sites of Fort Pickens is definitely worth your time. The famous Apache warrior, Geronimo, and his tribe members were once held at the Fort as prisoners and for a time became a major tourist attraction to the island.
Here are a few resources for you to explore before you visit:
•Ranger-led guided tours https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm
•Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/Advanced-Redoubt.htm
•Swimming opportunities and safety tips https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/swimming.htm
•Boat-In Camping https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/boat-in-camping.htm
•Santa Rosa Day Use Area https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/santa-rosa-day-use-area.htm
•Hike-In Backcountry Camping https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/hike-in-camping.htm
•Perdido Key Area https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/perdido-key-area.htm
•Naval Live Oaks Area https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/naval-live-oaks-area.htm
Davis Bayou Campground – Mississippi
Another developed campground operated by the National Park Service is the Davis Bayou Campground located in Mississippi near Ocean Springs. All of the campsites have water and electricity and additional amenities include restrooms and showers. With 52 sites – some campsites are available for RVs up to 45 feet in length – you can enjoy the saltwater marsh, pine, and live oak trees, hiking, viewing the abundant wildlife including alligators and a few miles away is the beach and beachcombing opportunities.
Davis Bayou Campground
3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Telephone: (228) 875-3962
Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250796
At Pensacola Beach, Florida you will drive west on Fort Pickens Road until you arrive at the Gate House which closes at 8:00 PM. There you will need to pay the entrance fee or buy an annual pass. If you have the Interagency Senior Pass there is no charge to enter the park but you still have to pay camping fees discounted by 50%.
A few miles west of the GateHouse you’ll need to stop at the Ranger Station on the right-hand side of the road to check-in if you are camping and get the sticker for your campsite. From there you continue west to the loop where you’re camping.
During the trip from Pensacola Beach, you’ll be surrounded by sparkling white sand and Pensacola Bay on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south side of the road. Both the Bay and the Gulf will be visible during the first part of the drive and then sea oat-covered sand dunes and the Gulf of Mexico will dominate the scenery the rest of the way.
At the entrance for the second campground loop is a camp store where you can buy ice, firewood, and basic supplies, groceries, and fishing gear. Continuing west you will arrive at the historic structures of Fort Pickens, the bookstore, and finally at the fishing pier.
There are two amazing unadvertised things you’ll get to enjoy during a camping trip at this National Park. One is enjoying the stars on display in the night sky whether you’re relaxing on the beach or sitting around a cozy campfire at your campsite. The other pleasant surprise is watching the Blue Angels practice twice a week over the campground between March and November. Practice flights are typically on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and last slightly less than an hour. You can check the National Naval Aviation Museum website to verify the Blue Angel practice times at this link —-> http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/blue-angels/.
For most people, the main attraction is the beach. Depending on when you’re there you’ll see Dolphins, massive schools of mullet, stingrays, sea turtles, crabs, and many other forms of aquatic life. On the beach, there are plenty of shorebirds to observe and pelicans flying in formation is a common sight. The ubiquitous ghost crabs are fun to watch as they scurry in and out of their sandy holes.
Situated on Santa Rosa Island, Fort Pickens Campground is sandwiched between Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The campground is open year-round and most of the campsites in Loops A, C, and E have water and electric hookups paved pads for RVs ranging in length from 16 to 50 feet, bathhouses with hot water and restrooms, a picnic table, a grill/fire ring, and dump stations. The sites at Loops B and D are for tent camping only and have a grill/fire ring, picnic table, and centralized water stations situated throughout the loops.
The Fort Pickens road is prone to flooding during heavy rain and Gulf storms. Do yourself a favor and check the webpage maintained by the National Park Service regarding road conditions at the park. Temporary Road and Facility Closures
You may need to make reservations several months in advance, depending on when you plan to arrive. You can make reservations and book your campsite online at ReserveAmerica.
Big Lagoon State Park is located at the southeast of Pensacola at 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, Florida. This popular State Park is located on the shore of Big Lagoon. Just across the lagoon are Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico with easy access at the nearby bridge.
In 1977 Big Lagoon became a State Park and features RV and tent camping with 75 campsites that each have water, 30/50 amp electrical connections, grill/fire ring, and a picnic table. RVs are limited to 40 feet in length. Additionally, there are full-service restrooms and a dump station. Hot water showers are available within the campground and open outdoor showers are located at various picnic areas.
There’s also primitive adult and youth group camping which is limited to 11 people with total campers and day visitors limited to 40 people. You’ll want to check the State Park website at https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Big-Lagoon for restrictions.
If you have a dog or cat, you’ll be happy to know that pets are welcome in the campground area. Be considerate of your neighbors and keep your pet leashed and pick up after them. Pets are not allowed on beaches or waterways.
Water activities are very popular and kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes can be rented at the Ranger Station. For launching small craft the park offers a hand launch. Along the Intracoastal Waterway, you’ll be able to launch your boat at the park’s two-lane boat ramp.
Popular activities include bicycling along the park’s 2 1/2 mile paved main drive, birding for migratory, shore, and sea birds, viewing wildlife including deer and small animals, spotting alligators, enjoying the small beaches on the parks lagoon border, crabbing, and cast netting for mullet in the lagoon, geocaching in the park, hiking five miles of nature trails, dining and enjoying gatherings at 15 available pavilions and swimming along the Intercoastal Waterway at designated areas. If you do go swimming be aware that there are no lifeguards so please exercise caution.
For large gatherings with up to 250 people, the Governor’s Pavilion with picnic table seating is available. The facility includes restrooms, electricity, water, a built-in grill, a built-in fireplace, and trash receptacles. If you want to plan a unique wedding, the park does offer facilities for rent, but the planning is up to you.
An amphitheater located in the park provides stadium seating for up to 250 people for special events. As you would expect, restrooms, electricity, and water are available at the amphitheater.
Another popular feature at Big Lagoon State Park is the multi-story observation tower where you can enjoy panoramic views and photo opportunities of marshes, the barrier islands, and the Gulf of Mexico. The tower is located in the southeast section of the park.
There is an entrance admission/entrance fee to enter the park unless you have a Florida State Parks Annual Pass. With the annual pass, you may also get camping and other discounts. Many restaurants are nearby and if you aren’t interested in RV camping or tent camping there are hotels not far away.
Before you go, you may want to make reservations through ReserveAmerica.
Big Lagoon State Park
12301 Gulf Beach Highway
Pensacola, Florida 32507
Telephone:(850) 492-1595
Perdido Key is approximately 16 miles of barrier island beginning at the Perdido Pass bridge in Alabama and terminates at the western ends within view of Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa Island, all part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
If you are entering Perdido Key from Florida on Perdido Key Drive (Highway 292) you’ll continue traveling east until you get to Perdido Key State Park. If instead, you take a left from Highway 292 heading west on Johnson Beach Road you’ll arrive at the Johnson’s Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore area.
Although there are no tent or RV camping facilities in the State Park, there are three private campgrounds and camping available at Big Lagoon State Park across the lagoon. The campgrounds are listed below:
Just north of Perdido Key on Big Lagoon:
Big Lagoon State Park
12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 492-1595
Just across the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge between Big Lagoon State Park and Perdido Key:
Perdido Key RV Resort
13770 River Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone (850) 492-7304
RV Parks east of Perdido Key State Park on Highway 292:
Playa Del Rio
16990 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 492-0904
Old River RV Park
17150 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Telephone: (850) 497-8886
Additional camping is primitive only at Johnson’s beach, however, be sure to check before you go because the National Park Service recently closed the area to camping due to campers leaving behind excessive garbage and is reevaluating how to manage camping for the area in the future.
Perdido Key State Park offers visitors almost two miles of beautiful white-sand beaches. There is a small access fee to enter the park. From two beach access parking lots, you will be able to access the beach over boardwalks designed to protect vegetation such as sea oats and fragile dunes. You’ll have access to eight covered picnic tables and restrooms are available at both of the beach access areas. There are also drinking fountains and outdoor cold water showers for visitor use.
A few of the things to do at the State Park include shelling, birding, surf fishing, surfing, and swimming. There are no lifeguards available so be aware of undertow currents when you’re in the water. Also, you will want to pay close attention to the Warning Flag signs posted at the beaches. Double red flags are not to be ignored and you should stay out of the water. Yellow flags indicate that caution is to be exercised by remaining closer to shore in shallow water and Green flags indicate safe water conditions. If you see Purple flags then there are potentially dangerous creatures in the water such as jellyfish. In any case, always be on the lookout for sharks.
Snorkeling is another popular activity in the area. If you’re interested in snorkeling here are a reference to help you at Perdido Key:
•http://florida-divepros.com/perdido-key-reef/
Additional information about Perdido Key State Park and Perdido Key can be found at these websites:
•Perdido Key State Park Website https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Perdido-Key
•Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key Area https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/perdido-key-area.htm
