As much as we love the city for all of its hustle and bustle, sometimes you just need a break. If you’re looking for the perfect getaway to clear your head, how about pitching a tent and going camping?
According to an annual list recognizing the top campgrounds in the U.S., one of the best places to go camping in the Southeast is right here in Florida, so you don’t have to go too far! Located in the Panhandle between Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico, the park offers unparalleled access to sugar-white sand beaches. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Which Florida campground is one of the best in the region?
The Dyrt recently released its list of the 2026 Best Places to Camp in the Southeast Region, pulling data from its own user reviews and community ratings. And holding the No. 2 spot is St. Andrews State Park Campground just east of Panama City Beach, Florida. It’s a coastal sanctuary favored by both nature lovers and beachgoers.
With 176 sites between Grand Lagoon and the Gulf, the camping app praises the park for its vast water views. The lower-numbered sites face the jetty and are prime for waterfowl birdwatching, while the higher-numbered sites frequently see deer passing through at dawn and dusk.
Plus, St. Andrews has three separate camp stores scattered across the park, firewood and beach gear, a boat ramp, paved bike paths and spots for fishing and snorkeling. There’s also built-in cornhole and an oversized checkerboard around a shared fire pit, and post-Hurricane Michael renovations brought updated bathhouses, electrical outlets and new laundry facilities.
“The real draw is 24-hour beach access for registered campers, split between two distinct experiences: a choppier, clearer Gulf side and a calmer bay side. A nature trail winds through freshwater swamp habitat and interpretive programs cover the local wildlife,” the list reads.
If you’re thinking about camping there yourself, prices start at $28 per night, plus tax and a reservation fee for a standard tier.
According to The Dyrt, the top three campgrounds go as follows:
- Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites in Louisiana
- St. Andrews State Park Campground in Florida
- Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground in Georgia
See the full ranking here.
