Maybe because of its location right next to the busy tourist town of … This 34,000 acre preserve surrounds the western end of Santa Rosa Island and the eastern end of Perdido Key which are both typical examples of undeveloped barrier islands. The Florida Panhandle (also West Florida and Northwest Florida) is the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida; it is a strip of land roughly 200 miles (320 km) long and 50 to 100 miles (80 to 161 km) wide, lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. "The sites were well-spaced with decent privacy, campground was well off the road so very quiet, other campers were friendly, and … Primitive sites, tent sites and big-rig friendly RV sites offering spectacular views, easy access to award-winning trails and out-of-this-world natural features dot the entire state… Campground Basics. By Kevin Mims. Many state parks in the area burst with tranquil beaches, natural sand dunes and wildlife refuges, while others serve up rivers and waterfalls to explore. St. George Island State Park – All beach, and lotsa oysters Add these and more to your travel plan Here is a list of Northwest Florida State Parks with beaches in the Walton area: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Topsail Hill offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Florida Caverns is home to the only air-filled cave system open to the public. This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. If you plan on staying at one or more of these state parks, you should consider getting a state park pass. The tour itself lasts for about forty-five minutes and involves some relatively tight squeezes and low-ceilings. We left Manatee Springs on Tuesday, heading for the Florida panhandle and Grayton Beach State Park. South From uninhabited areas full of wildlife to urban centers full of nightlife, south Florida is a place of contrasts. We like the state park feel. Northwest Florida’s Panhandle Beaches and State Parks With the warm, green waters of the Gulf of Mexico as its setting, Northwest Florida boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Best Camping in Florida Panhandle on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 89 camping in Florida Panhandle, Florida. As if the park wasn’t unique enough to begin with, it also … Related stories: Beaches Canoeing Nature Ecology: APALACHICOLA BRISTOL CHIEFLAND CEDAR KEY CHIPLEY CRESTVIEW DEFUNIAK SPRINGS DESTIN EASTPOINTE GULF BREEZE: … What makes the Panhandle region distinctive is its lower population, a greater number of exquisite beaches, and a blend of big city life as … … Exploring Five State Parks in the Florida Panhandle. Parks of the North Central region in Florida. Panhandle sanctuaries include nine aquatic preserves, 36 state parks, the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the 234,000-acre Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – one of the most important bird habitats in the United States' southeastern waters. Fodor's Expert Review Grayton Beach State Park Grayton Beach Beach–Sight Fodor's Choice This is the place to see what Florida looked like when only Native Americans lived here. You can experience the best of Florida’s coast and come home to an elegant and cozy setting. Picnic facilities and a swimming area are located near the scenic point where the … Many of these beaches are part of the Florida State Park system and for a small fee, are available year round to enjoy in Florida’s mild … Luckily, the accommodations at Adagio have exactly what you need for your family vacation. St Andrews, Camp Helen, Grayton Beach, Eden Gardens, Ponce de Leon are featured in this video of Florida State Parks located in Florida’s Panhandle close to Panama City Beach. Answer 1 of 3: We are wanting to take our family down to camp in our rv. As the authors of Explorer’s Guide: North Florida & The Panhandle, we’ve probably crisscrossed Northwest Florida more than most visitors.. Pets: Yes, but not on beaches . Northwest Florida, often called the panhandle is one of the areas most often visited by out of state guests. St. Andrews State Park. 5 Great Camping Spots in Florida's National and State Parks. There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in the U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than 800,000 acres (320,000 ha), providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists.. Enjoy the wildlife protection state parks and the manatees who make the region their home for the winter months. Featuring Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve, Cedar Key State Memorial and Museum, Stephen Foster State Memorial, Sunland Center State Park, Suwannee River State Park, Manatee Springs State Park In such a state, it’s hard to choose one area to visit, yet many RV owners turn their steering wheels towards Panhandle without a second thought. It will save you money within the first few uses. Exploring state parks in the Florida panhandle is a rewarding summer activity, but it can be tiring! We want to be on the beach. Where: The Panhandle, between Panama City and Pensacola Located in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States - no doubt a reason why this is one of the most popular parks in the state. Last year we came down & … For campground reservations up to 11 months in advance, call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) or TDD (888) 433-0287, or online at Florida State Parks. Compared to some of the other well-known state parks in the panhandle, St. Andrews tends to be overlooked. Panhandle is located on the northwestern side of the state. Whether you’re looking to rough it or camp in style, Florida has you covered. The region is surrounded by Alabama, Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico as well. In fact, Florida is the only state whose parks system has won the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence three times. 2020's top water & amusement parks in Florida Panhandle include Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park, Shipwreck Island Waterpark + Coconut Creek Family Fun Park. State parks along the Florida Panhandle offer a great deal for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the notable white sand beaches and emerald waters stretching from Panama City Beach to Pensacola, this region has compelling terrain for hikers, particularly along the Florida … Florida's Panhandle State Parks Click the area of interest on the map on the left, or the list on the right for the nearest State Park in the area. "The kids loved the splash pad and having us drive them on the go karts (they we’re too young to drive) Service was excellent, staff was friendly and it was a perfect all in one stop for the whole family!" Check out this guide to famous Florida wildlife and the state parks they inhabit. A state park pass also gives you a nice little discount at places other than state parks. Top Florida Panhandle State Parks: See reviews and photos of state parks in Florida Panhandle, Florida on Tripadvisor. "Hello, If you are looking for a little more adventure than driving around in a riding area and would like to go sightseeing as well as … Our second stop in the panhandle was only 45 minutes down the road at St. Andrews State Park. Almost half of the state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, often styled, "Friends of {park name} State … I’m pretty sure that Walkabout is the only Aussie-themed campground east of the … The second state park to visit in the Panhandle is Florida Caverns State Park. November 2020. Florida campgrounds and RV parks in State Parks. In addition, the Chipola River and Blue Hole spring provide visitors areas for fishing, canoeing and boating. Getting a State Park Pass for the Florida Panhandle. And adventure-loving types in Northwest Florida have even more to celebrate when it comes to appreciating the outdoors—namely, 12 state parks that showcase the best the state has to offer. Making our way south, we spent a night near the Florida border at Walkabout Campground in Woodbine, Georgia. Another opportunity to enjoy Florida’s landscape away from the beaches, central Florida boasts stunning springs which are easily accessible and filled with creatures native to the area. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. As the southernmost jewel of the US, Florida is filled with golden sandy beaches, coastal cities, and moss-draped oaks. The campsites as close as possible to that beach, but up to a mile or so away would be alright. 11 National Parks ; 12,009,271 Visitors to National Parks; $1,003,200,000 Economic Benefit from National Park Tourism » $1,117,592,148 of Rehabilitation Projects Stimulated by Tax Incentives (since 1995) » $151,030,793 of Land & Water Conservation Fund Appropriated for Projects (since 1965) » 74 Certified Local … We took photos at two other state parks as well. December 9, 2020 Sally Comments 1 comment. Florida Caverns State Park is one of the few state parks with dry caves and it is the only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public.. Florida is known for the variety and abundance of its native wildlife, and Florida State Parks are a great place to catch a glimpse of the state's most iconic creatures. Florida, called the Sunshine State, is known for its sandy whites beaches and emerald green ocean water. While many of the Florida state parks in the panhandle offer tent or RV camping, Wakulla Springs State Park is the only one in the state offering a lodge. From pristine, sandy beaches to the interior areas that boast rivers, lakes and woodlands, this is one area of the country that truly offers The Fort Pickens State Park Aquatic Preserve is located in the southwestern corner of the Florida panhandle. Motor to Apalachicola for some of the nation’s best oysters. That’s not the main reason people come to this park, though – many come because it’s the largest – and the deepest – freshwater spring in the world. Top Florida Panhandle State Parks: See reviews and photos of state parks in Florida Panhandle, Florida on Tripadvisor. Why Panhandle, Florida is Such a Great Place to RV . 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