Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground Review: Amenities, Beach & More
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground Review:
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is perfect for your next camping trip! This park offers RV sites, tent camping sites, and cabin rentals, so you’ll find there’s something for every camping style here. With miles of trails to explore, kayaking on the lake, a playground, beach access, and the swimming pool we had no time to be bored in the two weeks we were here.
OUR FAVORITE CAMPING RESOURCES
Getting Mail: Escapees
Roadschooling Classes: Outschool
Route Planning & RV GPS: RV Life
Unique camping stays: Harvest Hosts
Find other families on the road: Full-Time Families
Camp all year for $670: Thousand Trails Membership
Snag Reservations at Sold Out Campgrounds: CampNab
At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park you will enjoy relaxing in nature while still having access to all the amenities of an RV resort. Plus, it’s located right on Florida’s Emerald Coast so you’ll have the stunning views of white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
Amenities at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
The Amenities at Topsail Hills Preserve State Park Campground will rival any RV Resort. The campground features an on-site convenience store, a group activity center, and plenty of picnic areas, as well as a swimming pool and laundry room.
Pool
If you’re looking for a fun way to cool off, the pool at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is perfect for beating the summer heat. The pool goes up to 6 feet deep so it’s great for all ages. While it’s not a huge swimming pool, you could get some laps in if you go early in the day before the crowds.
While there are chairs around the pool, there aren’t many and only a few are lounge chairs, so you may want to consider bringing your own if you plan on lounging by the pool while the kids play. The pool is open from 9 am to dusk, so, unfortunately, there are no late-night swims here.
Camp Store
Fancy Camps is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is a cute shop with snacks, ice, firewood, T-shirts, ice cream, and souvenirs, as well as basic camping items. Here you will also be able to rent golf carts, bicycles, and carts – perfect for toting all your beach gear on the back of your bike!
Kith & Kin Café
Located next to Fancy Camps, the café serves locally sourced coffee from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm daily for park visitors as well as local visitors. You can also enjoy a variety of tea, smoothies, and beer on tap.
The café also hosts live music throughout the summer every other Tuesday. Stop by and enjoy some mimosas, live music, and a food truck (we had Fork It). They also had samples of their hard seltzer (served on tap in the cafe) when we went and it was really good!
Tram
The tram is a great way to get from the campground to the beach if you don’t have bikes. We thought we could make the walk and while it’s doable, it’s a LONG walk down the path in the Florida heat!
The tram is free and runs every 30 minutes starting at 9 am and ending at 7 pm, so take advantage! Wagons, bikes, paddleboards, chairs, etc are all welcome on the tram.
There is also a tram to Campbell Lake, this one runs twice per day at 10:30 am and again at 2:30 pm.
Laundry Room
A state park that has a laundry room?!! At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, you’ll find a decent-sized laundry room with 6 washers and 6 dryers. Don’t worry, there’s also a change machine in case you forgot quarters!
Shuffleboard
Next to the pool, you will find 4 shuffleboard courts. The shuffleboard courts are open 9 am – 4:30 pm and equipment is available in the camp store.
Bathhouses
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has two large ADA bathhouses in the campground, with another currently being built. The bathhouses are cleaned regularly so you don’t need to worry about any unpleasant surprises.
Horseshoes
If you want to try playing horseshoes, there’s a court available near the campground entrance, and the horseshoes can be found right there as well!
Playground
Near the tent camping area, there is a small outdoor playground with slides, monkey bars, and other climbing equipment. This area is well-shaded and there is a bench so you can sit and watch the kids play without being too hot.
Beach
One of the best features of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is its beaches. Here you’ll find 3 miles of white sand beach for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or just relaxing. There are also plenty of fishing spots, so you can catch your own dinner!
Outdoor showers for rinsing off are located at the end of the beach path near the beach bathhouse. Keep in mind, you can not drive (no golf carts either) to the beach, so you will either want a bike or take advantage of the tram. The tram is FREE and runs every 30 min from 9 am – 7 pm. You can get on at the front of the park or there is an additional tram stop in the center of the campground.
Be sure to follow the Warning Flag Signs posted at the tram stops and on
the beach.
Campbell Lake
Campbell Lake is a great destination for those at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Located within the park, it’s perfect for kayaking, fishing, and just enjoying nature.
The lake has crystal clear waters and plenty of wildlife to observe so you can spend hours exploring its beauty. For fishermen, there are plenty of species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, speckled perch, and more!
The distance to the lake is about 1.5 miles from the campground, so you will definitely need your bike for this one! You can also take the tram for free, but keep in mind this is a one-way ride, and you’re on your own for the return trip.
Hiking / Biking Trails
There are over 15 miles of marked hiking trails within the park. You can get up close and personal with nature while enjoying the scenic views of pine flatwoods, sand dunes, coastal scrub oaks, and many other native plants.
These trails also make for great biking trails! Just keep in mind that all bicycles should be ridden at a walking pace when on the trails to respect other hikers.
The Beach Tram Trail and the Campbell Lake Bike Trail are both paved, making them perfect for a beautiful bike ride among the longleaf pine trees.
The No Name Lake Trail leads to the smallest of the coastal dune lakes in the park.
Turpentine Trail allows you to witness remnants of the turpentining industry from the late 1800s and early 1900s. On the Gopher Tortoise trail you will see saw palmettos and longleaf pine trees where the gopher tortoises roam.
Along the Deer Track Trail, you will see Campbell Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, as well as carnivorous plants. The Old Growth Trail reaches the far western portions of the park.
Morris Lake Trail meanders through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Along this trail, you can see remnants of the JB-2 rocket development program during World War II.
Camping at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
The Campground at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is one of our favorites so far! There are both pull-through sites and back-in sites, and the campsites are well-shaded. Most of the sites have large pine trees that give you plenty of privacy from your neighbors. The amenities here are top-notch and the beach is gorgeous.
If you’re looking for beach camping, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park definitely needs to be on your list! Simply put, this state park offers something for everyone. Whether you’re an RVer, tent camper, or cabin renter, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to enjoy here.
Does Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Have Full Hookups?
Yes! Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has full hookup RV sites with 30-amp and 50-amp service.
How much does camping cost at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?
1. RV Sites
RV sites are $42 per night and include a picnic table and full hookups. Almost all of the RV sites are concrete pads, and some of the sites even have their own fire pits.
2. Tent Sites
The tent sites at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are $24 per night and come with a picnic table, fire pit, and clothesline. You will also find an electric box and water at each site.
3. Bungalow Rental (four people maximum)
- Aug. 1 to Jan. 31: $100 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
- Feb. 1 to July 31: $120 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
4. Cabin Rental (six people maximum)
- Aug. 1 to Jan. 31: $130 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
- Feb. 1 to July 31: $145 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
FAQ:
Is alcohol allowed in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?
Alcohol is allowed only in designated areas and your campsite is a designated area
What color is the water at Topsail Beach?
The water at Topsail Beach is gorgeous shades of crystal clear green!
Does Topsail State Park have cable TV?
No, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park no longer offers cable TV.
Is Topsail Beach good for swimming?
Yes! Topsail Beach is great for swimming, just make sure to stay safe and follow the flag warnings.
How far is it from Topsail Campground to the beach?
The beach is a little over 1/2 mile from the campground. No vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach trail, so you will need to either walk bike, or take the tram.
Can you have a golf cart at Topsail State Park?
Yes, you’ll find them for rent in the campground store too. Keep in mind though that golf carts are not allowed on the beach and lake trails.
Conclusion: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Camping Review
Overall, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is an excellent choice for those looking for a camping experience in nature with all the amenities and comforts of an RV Resort. Its beautiful beaches and wide range of activities make it perfect for families or groups looking to spend some quality time together.
If you’re looking for a beach camping experience, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is definitely worth considering. So pack your bags and head on over to this beautiful state park for an adventure that you won’t forget!
Happy Camping!
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