Sunday, October 3, 2010

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Gregory E. Moore RV Resort, Destin (Santa Rosa Beach), Florida

If you're looking for a state park where the rednecks sit around the campfire, drinking beer, with the radios in their trucks blasting country music for half the night, this aint the place for you. If you want an RV resort with full hook-ups, cable TV and about 1/2 a mile from the beach, Topsail can't be beat.
Got a new video camera so I tried a quick "bike" tour of the campground. Just remember, it's unedited and it's me riding around on a bike so be sure to take your motion sickness medicine. (about 15 minutes long)
It's just east of Destin and the entrance is from hwy 30A. A short 1/2 mile bike ride (on a bike path) will get you to the beach. A 10 minute drive west and you're in Destin and the public beaches or you can drive a couple of miles down 30A to a small public beach that's usually not crowded. There is also a tram that runs between the campground and the beach, every hour during peak season and every two hours other times. Check the bottom of the page for links to some places to eat in the area.
They have a lot of rules: no parking on the grass, no clothes lines, don't tie anything to trees and others but just to keep the park as nice as it is. It's really laid back Florida style, one of the rules is: alcohol only in designated areas and your campsite is a designated area (by the way, don't lay your rug on the grass, they'll ask you to move it and the sprinklers will wet your chair if you don't watch were you put it). Don't worry about the rules, just be aware of them.

The campground can be divided into four sections; the entrance section (sites 1 to 24), the older/open section (sites 25 to 56), the older/shady section (sites 57 to 91) and the new section (sites 101 to 168). I'll separate the pictures that way anyhow.

The Entrance Section


I consider these the least desirable sites, just because they're really open and all the traffic comes right down the middle of them. Don't get me wrong, I'd take one if that was all they had open and not complain. The worst sites at Topsail are better than most parks.

The Older/Open Section



The sites here are fairly shady, just not much between them. The small pool is in this section.

The laundry is also here, this is the butterfly garden on one side of it.

The Older/Shady Section





We've stayed in this section two or three times. The larger pine trees and some privacy between sites make it nice. Most all the sites in the park have some shade but these are shaded for more hours of the day. Some of these sites are close together but generally staggered so your not right in your neighbors doorway. They are also fairly long if you need the space.

The New Section










I think this section was completed in 1999 or 2000. It is really nice, landscaped and all. Very neat and level sites, some greenery between the sites, except for a few of the pull-throughs right at the entrance to this section. The sites in the corners are more private but they are all great sites. All the pictures were taken about noon (I think) so you can see the shade they get. Some have more in the AM and some more in the PM, but most have some shade.

Tram Stop at the campground.

The tram leaves from the parking lot at the campground entrance, I think anyone can park there and ride it to the beach but don't know what it costs. If you take a bike, it's an easy ride, only one small hill. You could walk it if your really into walking.

The Cabins 
 
The older cabins (I think they call them bungalows) look nice with a screened in porch and carport.


The new cabins were just finished this year, they're nice but kinda wide open around them until the trees grow in.












Tent Area
 The tent area just opened this year with the new cabins. FYI, they don't allow tents anywhere else in the park. They sell firewood at the store, I guess you can have a fire in the tent section, no fires allowed at the RV sites. There is a new bath house here and all the bath houses are air conditioned.
You park and then there is a trail (very short) to the site. The tent sites are $24 a night, best I can remember.












Topsail is by far the best campground close to the beach. At $42 a night it's not cheap by state park standards but it puts other state parks to shame. We go at least once a year, sometimes twice but 4 or 5 times wouldn't be to much. I'd recommend getting reservations, especially during the summer.

Topsail/FL State Park Site

Eating places:
Fudpucker's
Jordano's Pizza
Country Folk's Buffet, Florala, AL
Bayou Bill's
The Crab Trap
The Donut Hole

24 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post...big help in decision making. We are staying here in May for five nights.

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  2. Thanks very much for all the terrific information and the video. We are staying there soon.

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  3. we are reserved for site 20 on memorial day weekend, we have a pop up. i did not see any other pop ups in this post. i hope we will be welcomed!!!!

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  4. Awesome! Headed there in June and cannot wait! Thanks for all the great detail! How late can you stay out on the beach at night and can you leave your umbrella if you plan on rolling out of bed and hitting the beach the next morning bright and early?

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  5. they don't let you leave anything on the beach or under the board walk.

    stay as late as you want, last trolley run is around 9 or 10 but if walking/biking, you can come back anytime as far as i know.

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  6. Thanks Bob,
    We reserved for June back in november and out of 156 sites there were only 6 left for our week...Glad we checked early

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  7. Thank you so much for posting all of this wonderful information, photos and footage! We are a big family w/ in-laws who need a cottage so this was very helpful.

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  8. Thanks for the video... this will be our first trip down at the end of August. We're looking at site 116 or near there.

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  9. Do they allow alcohol on the beach?

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  10. Anyone know if they have cable in the tent section or just electric and water...also I saw it mentioned that there was an "internet connection" at the visitors center...would this be wireless, and if so what are the chances one can pick up a signal in the tent section (since I wasn't able to determine where the visitors center is)?

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  11. best info i've seen on this campground. Well done, thanks! Can you do this for every campground in america please?

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  12. Are golf carts allowed at the part? can we use golf carts to get from campsite to the beach?

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    1. Golf carts must be driven by licensed drivers only. Golf carts must be electric and have working lights. Golf carts are not allowed on drain fields (including playground) or in utility easements (behind your camper). Carts are restricted to paved roads only. Lessee is responsible for all damage caused by golf cart. Please display your lot number on cart.

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  13. I know they don't allow clothes lines ...tied to trees for protection of the trees, but do they allow the portable umbrella kind for hanging wet beach towels? don't really want to have to dry towels everyday

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  14. Our family has camped at Topsail many times in a pop-up camper. It is one of our favorite campground destinations. We will be headed there this March pulling our new 27' travel trailer - a great destination for our maiden voyage!

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  15. Many thanks for this excellent, comprehensive review! What a terrific help you have been, my husband and I truly appreciate it!!

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  16. PS. YOU ARE AWESOME. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!

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  17. We will be staying at Topsail this July. Thanks so much for the very informative video. Can't wait.

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  18. We will be staying at Topsail this July. Thanks so much for the very informative video. Can't wait.

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  19. Thank you for the information but the way you started the comments was out of line. No need to label people in such a negative light. You don't have to be a redneck to be a camping ass! They come in all forms and walks of life.

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  20. We are working on getting reservations at Topsail Hills for next March. Your comments, tour, and pictures were very helpful! Thank you!!

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