Panhandle Florida Campgrounds

The Panhandle Florida campgrounds are, for the most part, the least visited in the Florida State Park system. The advantage is that there probably won't be as much of an issue getting a campsite. And because there usually aren't as many people in the campgrounds, it's a quieter, more peaceful experience.

The disadvantage is the Florida Panhandle has the most variable weather of all the areas of the Sunshine State. It can get mighty chilly in the winter - tent camping can get uncomfortable during the really cold snaps, unless you are well-prepared. It's not all that uncommon for night temperatures to dip into the teens.

The summers are generally hot and humid, with frequent thundershowers. Insects are at their worst in the summer. However, those fantastic beaches call, and they are some of the prettiest ones in Florida! And Summer is the best time to enjoy them. There are quite a few of the Florida Panhandle campgrounds that have beach access.

Spring and Fall can be variable. For the most part the weather is fairly mild, but you can get cold snaps, especially at the beginning of Spring and the end of Fall. It's generally drier in Spring, when we are ending our Winter dry season. Drier weather means fewer mosquitoes and other flying insects (a very good thing)!

This is also the part of Florida that gets a little bit of a leaf season in late Fall. Yes, leaves can turn colors in Florida! No, it's not the spectacular display you'd see farther north in the country. But hey, it is here!

Spring is glorious. The trees are green, the flowers bloom and the skies are crystal-blue. For my money, it's the best time of year to visit the Florida Panhandle campgrounds!

Tent campers -- The interior parts of the Florida Panhandle are thunderstorm and lightening-prone in the Summer. This means that it's not the best camping weather for you. Think about reserving a cabin if you have your heart set on Summer, or decide on a different time of year.

Reservations for most Panhandle Florida campgrounds can be made through Reserve America through their website or by calling (800) 326-3521. You'll see links in the Reservation section for each park if Reserve America will book for you. Otherwise, call the phone number listed for the campground for more information.

Most campsites are accessible by small to medium RVs and pop-ups. If you have a really big RV (you know who you are), check with the individual campgrounds to verify that they can accommodate you.

One final note: if you need to pick up some camping supplies before you head on out for your adventure, check out Basspro.com. Don't let the name fool you -- they are not just fishing, but have tons of camping, clothes and hunting goods too! (My husband likes them so much he asks for gift certificates every year for his birthday.)

So, what are the campgrounds in the Florida Panhandle? Here they are, in alphabetical order: