A Local’s Guide To Camping In Pensacola, FL: The 10 Best Campgrounds, Free Camping Info & More!

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Last updated on October 8, 2022 by Wandering our World

With luscious scenery, white sandy beaches, and a wealth of history, it’s no wonder we love camping in Pensacola, FL. Channeling every aspect of Florida’s charm, this city on the Gulf of Mexico offers visitors some of the best sea views around, warm weather, and a laid-back holiday.

Luckily Pensacola is filled with excellent RV resorts and camping opportunities where guests can appreciate everything the town offers, like water activities and magnificent scenery.

We know this place well, so to save you time we’ve put together our favorite Pensacola campgrounds below.

Some are situated right beside the city, while others are nestled in the national parks nearby. But all have something unique that will make your Pensacola camping adventure special.

We then look at dispersed camping – otherwise know as free camping – in Pensacola further down.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/pkanchana

Camping In Pensacola: The Ten Best Campground for Fun, Views, & Adventure

1. Playa Del Rio RV Resort

Playa Del Rio RV Resort is a quaint boutique RV resort situated right on the waterfront. Located in the southwest section of Pensacola, this is one of the smallest RV parks in the area, but it has so much to offer because of its prime location. The park is flanked on either end by water and gives off an “old Florida” feel with its laid-back atmosphere and postcard scenes.

This park has much to offer guests, with private beach access, boat slip rentals, a full RV hookup, accessibility, and a pet-friendly environment.

The beach, riverside grilling, fishing, and dolphin watching all make this boutique RV resort an excellent place for a vacation. That seaside atmosphere is exactly why it’s one of our favorite Pensacola camping options.

What’s Close By:

This campground is just ten minutes away from the action in the city, but also close to nature. So guests can go hiking, visit restaurants in Pensacola, and visit the Flora Bama Yacht Club.

The park is an easily accessible drive to Alabama too. Plus we have to mention the magnificent sunsets that the park has to offer as well!

Rates: Start at $89 but vary throughout the season. 

Address: 16990 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/CreativeNature_nl

2. Gulf Shores/Pensacola West Koa

KOA campgrounds are known for their impressive amenities and family-friendly camping adventures. Although the park is technically in Alabama, it sits just over Perdido Bay from Florida. There is the option for tented camping and RV parking at the campground, which is nestled in the quiet of a wooded area but overlooks the pretty Perdido Bay.

The campground is filled with amenities for a fun and enjoyable stay on the water and offers full hookups for RVs, cabins, and tented camping. There is a fishing pier, a great saltwater pool, and even a hot tub! There’s also many activities organized for kids and adults alike, as well as the great outdoors to enjoy of course.

KOA parks are packed with great amenities and adventures for the whole family to enjoy, and this one is no exception.

What’s Close By:

The resort is a short trip into Pensacola, where the whole family can enjoy outdoor activities, enjoy the great food on offer, and explore the history of this beachside Florida town.

The area the campground is situated in is great for golfing, sailing, canoeing, and more outdoor activities too.

Rates: Prices vary, starting from $20 per night.

Address: 11650 Co Rd 99, Lillian, AL 36549

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Apicha Thumvisead

3. Pensacola Beach RV Resort

Situated near the beach, the Pensacola Beach RV Resort is located on the barrier of the Pensacola Beach Island. Overlooking Santa Rosa Sound and with a private beach, the park offers seriously magnificent views and a multitude of incredible amenities that take RV camping to the next level on the balmy Florida Coast.

This RV resort is right on the beach with a wealth of amenities for guests to enjoy, making it a perfect spot for a vacation. The scenery and Florida feel of this resort make it an attractive vacation spot. Pets are welcome at the resort too!

Packed with facilities, the clubhouse features a restroom, a laundry room, and the Tiki Shop. If you’ve had enough of the beach, there is even a swimming pool in the center of the resort to enjoy!

There are also two playgrounds for the kids to play in. There is something for adults too – the fun Sneaky Tiki Bar has many drinks and is open from March to November.

Not only is there a private beach for guests to enjoy, but there are two access points to the Gulf of Mexico for guests to enjoy splashing in the waves.

What’s Close By:

The resort is within walking distance of Casino Beach, the Gulf Pier, the boardwalk, shops, and restaurants. There is so much to do nearby, including many activities and events for guests to enjoy.

Rates: Start at $70 per night and changes according to the season.

Address: 17 Via De Luna Dr, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/welcomia

4. Pensacola North RV Resort

Owned and operated by the same company as Pensacola Beach RV Resort, the Pensacola North RV Resort makes for an excellent family getaway. The resort has excellent amenities and is close to many of the activities that make Pensacola the tourist attraction it is.

This resort is pet-friendly and offers full hookups for RV parking. There is a pool and clubhouse to add to the fun of the resort too. Whilst the clubhouse has showers, a restroom, and a laundry room.

The park’s best feature is the amazing natural area to the south and east of the resort, with Eight Mile Creek running through the center of that wooded area.

What’s Close By:

What makes the park particularly attractive is the proximity to the famous Five Flags Speedway, where you can enjoy all-year-round racing events, including the Snowball Derby.

Pensacola Interstate Fair Grounds are just five minutes from the resort too, and offer many fun events to enjoy while staying in Pensacola. Perfect for families!

The resort also has several trails nearby for guests to hike where you can enjoy a butterfly garden, bird watching, and a foliage preserve. There are plenty of places to visit nearby, making this a really great place for camping in Pensacola.

Rates: Start at $60 per night.

Address: 7800 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola FL 32526

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only. iStock.com/photoschmidt

5. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park RV

The Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp Resort may just be the best Pensacola camping option for family vacations in the sun.

Although it’s just over the border in Alabama, it’s a short drive from Pensacola and is full of many kid-friendly amenities and activities. There is a multitude of things to do at this cartoon-themed camping resort that will keep kids entertained throughout your stay.

There is a wide range of facilities for tented camping, and they offer several RV parking options. The park also offers cabins for those who prefer to enjoy a more formal dwelling while vacationing.

The campsites are equipped with fire pits perfect for storytelling and a picnic table, whilst the shared facilities are modern and clean.

Camping amongst the stunning pines in the area, you will also get to enjoy fantastic family-friendly amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, wagon rides, a video theatre, and countless organized activities. The kids will have an excellent time at the park and sleep well every night. What more could you ask for!

What’s Close By:

The campground is just 40 minutes outside of central Pensacola, situated amidst the wonderful nature of the area.

While there is much to do in the city, there are attractions and activities for the entire family to enjoy in the campground too. So you can enjoy a day in the city or a day in nature – or both as they are so close together

Rates: Tented camping starts at $39 per night, and RV parking starts at $46 per night.

Address: 12160 Wortel Rd, Elberta, AL 36530

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/nortonrsx

6. Perdido Key RV Resort and Marina

The Perdido Key RV Resort sits on the island of Perdido Key, which is just west of Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico. The resort is situated right on the bay, so has a private beach and exceptional views over the water!

As the resort is on the bay, the site also offers boat slip rentals for those coming by sea. In fact this park’s spot on the bay makes dolphin watching easy to do directly from the site!

This resort offers a full hookup for RV parking, with sewer hookups, a bathhouse, and a laundry facility. The site features a swimming pool and a private sandy beach for lots of fun in the sun. They hold activities for guests too, like Craft Days and Pancake Breakfasts.

The area in which this RV park is located in is perfect for any type of outdoor activity too because of the many beaches, bays, rivers and intracoastal waterways.

What’s Close By:

Pensacola has a rich history to offer, and this resort is in the perfect location to take it all in. Guests can enjoy fishing, sailing, diving, parasailing, and beach visits all within walking distance.

The city of Pensacola itself is a short drive away, and offers amazing seafood dining options, among many other city activities.

Rates: From $80 in the off-season and $95 during Spring/Summer.

Address: 13770 River Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/welcomia

7. Big Lagoon State Park Camping

Big Lagoon State Park offers camping in the heart of 704 acres of nature that separate the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico.

Camping is available in designated areas in the park, surrounded by the Pine flats. The campground has water, a picnic table, a fire ring and grill, and access to electricity hook ups. There are also full-service restrooms.

RVs can be hooked up, but the park also offers primitive group camping for those that love to rough it outdoors.

This spot is particularly excellent for stargazing due to the lack of artificial light. But there are many other activities to enjoy: fishing, bird watching, geo seeking, paddling, picnicking, and swimming are just a few.

There is much to do in this part of the world, and this State Park is perfect for getting in touch with nature in Pensacola. It’s also one of the most affordable Pensacola camping options too.

What’s Close By:

The park offers several miles of hiking and nature trails. Although the campground is nestled in nature, it is a short car ride to the many attractions in Pensacola and the other natural wonders to enjoy in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rates: Starts at $20 per night.

Address: Campground Loop Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Eshma

8. Avalon Landing RV Park

The Avalon Landing RV Park is a waterfront campground set across the Escambia Bay from Pensacola and is near the town of Avalon Beach. The small inlet of the Indian Bayou runs through the RV park, which makes for a picturesque setting.

The site offers picturesque campsites with full hookups, a laundry room, and a pool. No tented camping is allowed, but the RV sites are landscaped and appealing.

The best feature of this park is probably the fishing opportunities. The area offers many opportunities for guests to enjoy saltwater fishing. 

What’s Close By:

The site is within walking distance of the beach and is close to the Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park.

The area is also very close to Pensacola, which has many opportunities for shopping at flea markets and restaurants. The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is nearby, and the Naval Live Oaks National Park offers some of Pensacola’s best natural features.

Rates: Start at $51 per night.

Address: 2444 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL 32583

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Bobex-73

9. Fort Pickens Campground

The Fort Pickens Campground is incredibly popular and is in America’s top 10 most visited campgrounds. No wonder too, as Fort Pickens is found in the stunning Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The campground offers tented camping for those who want to be close to nature and truly enjoy the outdoors. There is potable water, a dump station, and a laundry service. Although the camp is on the rustic side, there are hot showers and flush toilets for campers to use.

One of the best features of this campground is its proximity to white sandy beaches and hiking trails, including the Florida National Scenic Trail. The nearest store is 15 miles outside the campground, making this spot especially secluded. 

What’s Close By:

This campground is very remote, but that means guests can enjoy many available outdoor activities. That includes great bird watching, boating, night skies perfect for stargazing, fishing, hiking, swimming, and waterfowl hunting.

The area’s military history means that there are many historical sites to visit, like Fort Pickens itself. The Fort was nicknamed the ‘Guardian of the Gulf’ and was designed to ward away attacks from foreign invaders. It’s a great educational visit for anyone interested in history.

Rates: $40 per night.

Address: 1463 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/bokan76

10. Oak Grove RV Camp

Oak Grove is a FamCamp, which means that only members of the military and their families can stay there. But it’s an affordable option for members and families of the military for RV and tented camping in Pensacola. 

The site offers full hookups for RVs and tented camping for guests. There are laundry facilities, a playground, showers, and a fitness center. 

The site is nestled amongst oaks and offers picturesque views, while close to many fun activities that make camping in Pensacola a great experience.

What’s Close By:

The campground is beside the beach, offering swimming, fishing, and other water sports activities.

The National Museum of Naval Aviation is within walking distance of the campground and other activities in the area.

Rates: Begin at $20 per night.

Address: 190 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508

Website

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/doble-d

Dispersed Camping In Pensacola

DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go backcountry camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.

The fantastic thing about Florida is that free camping in Pensacola is legal, as long as you are camping on state ground and adhere to a few simple guidelines.

Land looked after by the Bureau for Land Management, National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, will be state owned. Typically any areas that are green on Google Maps are also publicly owned. A great map, such as this one, could help in finding free camping spots too.

However camping on the beach is not tolerated in Florida.

If you still want to camp on a beach, then make sure you choose a beach that is far from buildings and towns. Pitch your tent at dusk and take it down at dawn, and hopefully you will avoid a fine.

But with 37 state forests covering 1.1 million acres, you should be spoiled for choice in Florida when it comes to camping in woodland. Furthermore, there’s over 90 free camping areas that have been set up within these forests in order to try and minimize dispersed camping and it’s impact on the environment.

You can see these camping areas by following this link, many of which have corresponding maps.

Florida’s five water management districts are also made up of millions of acres of public property that include thousands of miles of hiking trails and countless great primitive camping spots.

Several areas offer primitive camping in Pensacola, where campers are charged a small fee for enjoying a campsite without any features but the most basic amenities. Bayside Campground at Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area is popular for dispersed camping near Pensacola.

Photo via Unsplash+

What To Do In Pensacola

This sunny beachside town has much to offer anyone who wants a seaside vacation. One of the most notable features of the area, besides the beach and lush natural scenes, is the Blue Angels. The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron practice over Pensacola and put on an official display twice a year. 

There are large flea markets for anyone who fancies a little bit of shopping. Alternatively, visit Fort Pickens to appreciate the area’s rich history.

Embrace the great outdoors and enjoy the beach while in Pensacola. And when the sun goes down, enjoy the abundant nightlife on offer in town. Seafood, sports, and fishing are all activities to enjoy in this beachside town.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/photobyravis

Camping In Pensacola: The Best Time Of Year

The best time of year to visit Pensacola in our opinion is between mid-September and October, once the spring breakers and vacationers have left the city. Hurricane season in Florida begins in August and continues through to October.

Pensacola has so much to offer: sunshine, white sandy beaches, amazing culture and history, and nature. Everyone will find something to enjoy when camping in Pensacola. Whether it be on the dunes on the Gulf of Mexico or a forested area, there is a perfect spot for every camper.

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.