Our visit to Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park was a surprise but a very nice one. The weather was pretty good except for the little tornado watch we were told about by the Ranger in the middle of our stay. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing. We were told that if we heard something like a freight train to head off to the bathhouse and hope for the best. Not the most reassuring thing to say but it was probably as accurate as one can get under the circumstances. The bath house is extremely nice with heating for the winter and air conditioning in the summer. It is large, clean and well-maintained. The showers are hot with pretty good water pressure as well. It has two washers and dryers for $2.00 each. That came in real handy.
When we checked into the park we had to go into the office. Once inside you notice that they sell bait, ice, rent canoes and kayaks, along with the safety equipment, firewood, and some other camping supplies and souvenirs. The prices were not too bad and comparable to just about anywhere else. The park’s location is near an Air Force Base with a munitions disposal place just down the road. During the work week just after 9:00 am we could hear the bombs and stuff being exploded. That was a surprise but didn’t really detract from our visit. There are lots of shopping areas within a short distance of the park’s entrance. From the material and website, we learned that the area was owned by a retired Air Force Colonel who created a recreational area for military families. And then it was donated to the state for a park. Thank You for doing that it is a very nice place that doesn’t cost a lot to stay.
There is a large body of water called Rocky Bayou that runs along the park that you can put in a boat, fish from the shore or canoe around in. However, they discourage swimming anywhere along the shore. The Gulf of Mexico is located directly west of the park over a toll road into Destin, Florida. The park is located on a busy highway and we got excellent cell phone and internet service. The sites are very wide and deep along the back lane and a little smaller facing the water. There are playground and picnic areas between the water and the camping area as well as a ranger lecture space. There are a few trails in the park but we didn’t have to time to actually walk any of them while we were there. We hope to visit them again.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
4281 State Road 20
Niceville, Florida 32578
(850) 833-9144
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Rocky-Bayou
Admission Fee:
$5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Camping Fee:
$16.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity. Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a social security disability award certificate or a 100 percent disability award certificate from the Federal Government are permitted to receive a 50 percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility
User Fees:
$5.00 Boat ramp fee.
$75.00 per day, plus tax, Pavilion rental.
Has 2 – Washer/Dryers $2.00 each for 30 minutes
Bathrooms are cleaned every day 9:00 am to 10:00 am
CAMPSITES: (38)
20 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 2
30 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 12
40 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 8
45 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 2
50 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 14
GET WHAT YOU NEED
GAS
Kangaroo Express
4563 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-6800
Exxon
4580 Florida 20
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 897-0070
Fly By Convenience Store
4651 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-8928
GROCERIES
Winn-Dixie
4512 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-3968
LP GAS
L’Orange Auto Care & UHAUL
203 Early Street
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-3744
FAST FOOD/RESTAURANTS
Lenny’s Sub Shop
4550 Highway 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-0282
Whataburger
4450 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-0271
Sammy’s Pizza and Subs
4677 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 279-4790
McDonald’s
4570 Florida 20 32578
Niceville, FL
(850) 897-7353
Subway
4508 Florida 20
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 897-7827
MEDICAL CARE
Twin Cities Hospital
2190 Florida 85
Niceville, Fl 32578
(850) 678-4131
http://tchospital.com/
Emerald Coast Urgent Care
12598 U.S. 98 #101
Destin, Fl 32550
(850) 654-8878
http://www.emeraldcoasturgentcare.com/
SUPPLIES AND STUFF
Walmart
1300 E. John Sims Pkwy
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 389-3013
K-Mart
1140 E. John Sims Pkwy
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-2244
Map of the Area>/strong>
We hope you will take a few minutes and view a short video we created from the pictures we took while camping at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park.