All Itineraries
5-Day Gulf Coast Beach-Hopping Tour
Camp your way down Florida's best Gulf beaches from Pensacola to Naples
5 Days
Gulf Coast
Best: March – May
Easy1
Pensacola Beach — Sugar White Sand
Camp at: Fort Pickens Campground, Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Arrive at Fort Pickens on the western tip of Santa Rosa Island
- Set up camp steps from the Gulf of Mexico
- Explore the historic Civil War-era Fort Pickens
- Snorkel the jetties — great for tropical fish sightings
- Watch the sun set over the Gulf from your campsite
💡 Tip: Fort Pickens sites are first-come, first-served in off-season. The drive along the island is stunning — stop at pull-offs for empty beach stretches.
2
Grayton Beach — America's Best
Camp at: Grayton Beach State Park
- 2-hour drive east to Grayton Beach State Park
- Walk the beach consistently ranked #1 in America
- Paddle Western Lake — a rare coastal dune lake
- Explore the funky village of Grayton Beach for lunch
- Evening campfire in the coastal scrub forest
💡 Tip: Grayton Beach sites book fast for winter — spring is easier. The dune lakes here are globally rare — only found in a few places on Earth.
3
St. Joseph Peninsula — Wild & Remote
Camp at: T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
- Drive to St. Joseph Peninsula — a narrow spit into the Gulf
- Hike to the primitive wilderness area at the tip
- Some of the best shelling in the Panhandle
- Kayak the calm bay side for dolphins and rays
- Stargaze from one of the darkest beaches in Florida
💡 Tip: This is one of the most remote state park campgrounds in Florida. Stock up on groceries in Port St. Joe before arriving.
4
Fort De Soto — Tampa Bay's Gem
Camp at: Fort De Soto Park Campground
- Longer drive south (4 hrs) to Fort De Soto near St. Pete
- North Beach is consistently top-rated in the US
- Rent kayaks and paddle to the mangrove islands
- Bike the 7-mile paved trail through the park
- Visit the historic Spanish-American War fort
💡 Tip: Fort De Soto is Pinellas County — book online at pinellascounty.org. Sites with water views go first. Weekdays are much easier to book.
5
Lovers Key — Southwest FL Paradise
Camp at: Lovers Key State Park (day use) / Koreshan nearby
- Drive to Lovers Key State Park near Fort Myers
- Walk the boardwalk to the secluded beach
- Kayak through the mangrove estuary — manatee hotspot
- Watch dolphins play in the pass at sunset
- Optional: Camp at nearby Koreshan State Park
💡 Tip: Lovers Key doesn't have camping, but Koreshan State Park is 15 minutes south with great sites along the Estero River.
