Ten sunny campgrounds in Destin FL on the beach

The Destin Florida area also offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including beaches, golf courses, fishing charters, nature trails, and water sports. There are also many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues in the area. Destin is located on the Gulf of Mexico in an area called the Emerald Coast known for its endless family fun.

The Florida Panhandle is referred to as the Emerald Coast because of the beautiful, clear green waters of the Gulf of Mexico that wash up on its white sand beaches. The clear, emerald green waters are a result of the shallow, clean waters of the Gulf, which are home to a variety of marine life and coral reefs. The combination of the white sandy beaches and the crystal clear, green waters make for a beautiful and picturesque beach destination.

The beaches in this area offer a range of activities and amenities, including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more. Their is a variety of both state parks and privately owned RV parks that offer an ideal campground for your next vacation.

Henderson Beach State Park

The Henderson Beach State Park campground is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Destin, Florida, and offers a variety of 60 campsites, including tent sites and RV sites with water and electric hookups. The park also has a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, as well as a playground and a picnic area with picnic tables and six shaded pavilions. 

Amenities at the campground include a camp store, laundry facility, and a dump station for RVs. The park’s 0.75 mile nature trail offers 30 foot sand dunes and coastal scrub oaks dominated by myrtle oak, sand live oaks, and Choctawhatchee sand pines. 

 

Henderson Beach State Park

• Sixty campsites
• On the beach
• Nature trails
• Sand dunes
• Picnic Pavilion
• Fishing

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Try beach camping at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, located about 15 miles west of Destin. The park offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and is great for bird-watching and hiking. It also has a variety of campsites, including 22 tent-only sites, and over 150 RV sites with full hookups, bungalows and cabins.

Amenities at the campground include a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, a camp store, a playground, pool, shuffleboard, and a picnic area.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

• Campsites for RVs and tents
• 3 miles of white-sand beaches
• Nature trails
• Sand dunes
• Bike trails
• Lakes
• Shuffleboard
• Paddling
• Swimming

Grayton Beach State Park Campground

A top ranked option for campgrounds with lakes and beaches is Grayton Beach State Park located 23 miles east of Destin.

Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the top beaches in the United States. This state park offers a variety of campsites, including tent sites, RV sites with full hookups, and 30 cabins. 

Amenities include a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, a camp store, a playground, and a picnic area. The park offers several trails including the 4.2 mile Grayton Beach Hike and Bike Trail which is a great option for wildlife viewing.

Grayton Beach State Park Campground

• Campsites for RVs and tents
• On the beach
• Over 5 miles of nature trails
• Swimming and fishing
• Sand dunes
• Bike trails
• Three lakes
• Canoe rentals
• Boat ramp

Best Destin Florida RV Parks

The Gulf Coast is a popular destination for RVers, and there are a variety of RV parks to choose from, ranging from small, family-owned parks to large, amenity-filled resorts. The RV parks near Destin offer a range of amenities, such as full hookups, laundry facilities, swimming pools, and more.  Here are a few to consider.

Camping on the Gulf

Camping on the Gulf is a privately-owned RV park located in Miramar Beach, just a few miles from Henderson Beach State Park on the Emerald Coast Pkwy. 

This beach front RV park offers a variety of campsites for tents, RVs, and trailers, including sites with full hookups, water and electric sites, and primitive tent sites. The 215 sites includes cabins, small tents, glamping tents and 16 spots on the beach front. 

Amenities at the RV park include a heated pool, a playground, a laundry facility, and a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets. It also has a camp store and a recreational area with a basketball court and a shuffleboard court. In addition to traditional camping, the RV park also offers a variety of rental units, including park model rentals and cabins. You can make reservations for campsites at Camp Gulf through the resort’s website or by calling them directly. 

Camping on the Gulf

• 215 sites for RVs including cabins, and small tents.
• 16 beach front spots
• On the beach
• Swimming and fishing
• Two pools
• Water slide
• Playground
• Laundry

Geronimo RV park

Also located on the Emerald coast is Geronimo RV Park in Miramar Beach FL. 

Close to beaches and dining in Destin, this park offers 34 large RV sites for big rigs. Amenities include restrooms, private showers, and laundry. No tent camping is available. There is a large recreation field for activities and dog walking.

Geronimo RV Park

• 34 large RV sites for big rigs
• Recreational field
• Laundry
• Concrete pads and patio
• Full hookups
• Cable TV and Free WiFi

Destin RV Beach Resort

This private RV park in Destin offers 36 fully-equipped sites, each with its own patio and picnic table, along with two fully equipped condos. It has private beach access and includes a heated swimming pool, shower rooms and a general store. 

The resort is a gated resort for your privacy. This is a great place to enjoy the beach which is a short walk (200 yards) away from the resort. A variety of beach services are available including beach chairs, golf carts and bicycle rentals.

Destin RV Beach Resort

• 36 fully-equipped sites
• Patio and picnic table with each site
• Private beach access
• Laundry
• Beach services available

Emerald Beach RV Park

In Navarre FL, between Destin and Pensacola on the Santa Rosa Sound lies the Emerald Beach RV Park offering over 60 RV sites. 

It has a private beach directly on the Santa Rosa Sound, offering beautiful views of the water. There is a clubhouse, pool, private fishing pier, showers, restrooms and laundry.  Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available. 

It offers waterfront sites with their own deck to overlook the sound. This resort is minutes away from local shopping and restaurants.

Emerald Beach RV Resort

• Over 60 RV sites
• On the Santa Rosa Sound
• Waterfront sites available
• Clubhouse and pool
• Private fishing pier
• Laundry
• Paddleboard and kayak rentals

Destin West RV Resort

The highly rated Destin West RV Resort is located 5 miles west of Destin on Okaloosa Island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin offers over 50 brick paved RV sites with picnic table, patio, and landscape dividers. 

This luxury RV resort offers a water front pool, access to Choctawhatchee Bay (chok-tuh-hach-ee), fishing pier, laundry, restrooms, laundry and more. This resort also shares access to some amenities including beach access with a nearby waterfront hotel resort. Check with Destin West RV Resort for a complete listing of the wonderful amenities. The hotel includes the famous grotto waterfall and pool with bar inside. Walking distance to the beach and many water activities.

Destin West RV Resort

• 54 RV sites
• Waterfront sites available
• Clubhouse and pool
• Pet friendly
•  Bonfire and s’mores Tuesday and Thursday evenings
• Amenities at nearby Gulf front hotel with restaurants

Navarre Beach Camping Resort

Thirty minutes drive to the west of Destin, lies Navarre Beach Camping Resort on the Santa Rosa Sound. This resort offers white sandy beaches on the sound, and is 5 minutes away from Gulf beaches. 

Enjoy waterfront RV sites, cabins, a pier, heated pool and hot tub and spacious sites with hookups and clean restrooms and laundry. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and enjoy the water.

Navarre Beach Camping Resort

• Waterfront RV sites on the sound
• 300 ft fishing pier
• Basketball court
• Heated swimming pool
• Hot Tub
•  Kayak and paddleboard rentals

St. George Island State Park

Driving three hours to the east of Destin FL along State Highway 98 you will find St George Island State Park. Just four miles offshore near Apalachicola Bay, this state park is located on a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico.  

This Florida State park offers a variety of 60 campsites for tents and RVs, including sites with full hookups and sites with water and electric hookups. The campground has a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, as well as a dump station for RVs. 

There are also several nature trails in the park, as well as a playground and a picnic area. Enjoy stargazing on the observation platform.

Florida State Parks

You can reserve a campsite at a Florida state park up to 11 months in advance through the Florida State Parks reservation system. The reservation system allows you to search for available campsites by park, date, and type of campsite. Once you have found a campsite that meets your needs, you can make a reservation online or by phone. To make a reservation for a campsite at any of these Florida State parks, you can use the Florida State Parks reservation system. In high season, it is recommended to make reservations in advance, as the campground can fill up quickly during peak season. 

It is generally a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure that you have a campsite when you arrive. Keep in mind that campsites can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays, so it is recommended to book as far in advance as possible to secure your desired dates. Some state parks also have a minimum stay requirement, such as a two-night minimum on weekends, so be sure to check the reservation policies for the park you are interested in.

Recommendations on picking your spot

To determine if each place is a good fit for your needs, it may be helpful to research the resort or campgrounds and read reviews from other campers who have stayed there. You can typically find information about the resort and its amenities on their website or by searching online directories. 

Reading reviews from other campers can give you a sense of the overall atmosphere and level of service at the resort, as well as any potential issues or concerns you should be aware of. It is also a good idea to consider your own needs and preferences, such as the type of campsite you prefer, the amenities you require, and any activities or attractions you are interested in.

Pet Policies

The Florida State Park pet policy allows pets in designated areas of the parks, as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Pets are not allowed in park buildings, including visitor centers, restrooms, and cabins, or on designated swimming beaches. Some state parks may also have additional restrictions on pets, such as a no-pet policy for certain areas of the park or a prohibition on certain breeds of dogs.

It is important to follow the Florida state park pet policy to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors, as well as to protect park wildlife and natural resources. It is also recommended to clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in designated areas.

To find out more about the pet policy at a specific state park, you can visit the park’s website or contact the park directly. You can also check the Florida State Parks website for general information about the pet policy at state parks in Florida.

For any of the private resorts, please check with the resort management for their specific pet policies.