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
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
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
