5-Day RV & Camping Itinerary

Your day-by-day plan

1. 1

   Basecamp Henderson

   Morning:Roll in and pitch at Henderson Beach State Park's campground; the beach is a boardwalk away.

   Family fun:Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill

   Afternoon:Camp setup, then a first swim.

   Lunch:FATBOYS - Destin FL

   Evening:A sunset walk and a fire-ring dinner with the Gulf as the soundtrack.

   Drinks & nightlife:Local Catch Bar & Grill

   Insider Tip:Reservations open 11 months out and Gulf-front parks vanish that morning. Alarm set, coffee ready.

2. 2

   Zero-Drive Destin Day

   Morning:Beach at your doorstep, plus the scrub-trail loop.

   Breakfast & coffee:L J Schooners Dockside Restaurant

   Afternoon:Bike or ride to the Harbor Boardwalk for the catch unloading.

   Lunch:Juana's Pagodas & Sailors' Grill

   Evening:Campfire in the ring; the stars are the programming.

   Dinner:Old Florida Fish House

   Insider Tip:Firewood comes from the ranger station or a store run; gathering in the park is off-limits.

3. 3

   Crab Island on Camp Math

   Morning:Split a pontoon rental with camp neighbors or your crew; the sandbar day costs a fraction when the lodging is a campsite.

   On the water:Reel Legend Destin Deep Sea Fishing Charters

   Afternoon:Back to camp, outdoor shower, hammock hour.

   Lunch:Cajun Crab Company

   Evening:One splurge dinner out at Dewey Destin's original, then camp-breakdown prep.

   Dinner:Shrimp Basket

   Insider Tip:The fire ring the night before is where pontoon-split partners are found.

4. 4

   Move East to Topsail

   Morning:Break camp and relocate to Topsail Hill Preserve's RV campground, routinely ranked among Florida's best.

   Breakfast & coffee:Pizza by the Sea at WaterColor Crossings

   Afternoon:Take the tram (or the long walk) to a beach most tourists never earn.

   Lunch:El Paso Mary Esther

   Evening:A dune-lake stroll at dusk, then grill night.

   Dinner:Ye Olde Brothers Brewery

   Insider Tip:Topsail's access effort is the crowd filter; load the wagon once and stay all afternoon.

5. 5

   Springs Run & Roll Out

   Morning:A drive to Morrison Springs (free, 68 degrees, absurdly clear) with a Ponce de Leon Springs picnic.

   Breakfast & coffee:Pho Pier 77

   Afternoon:Back to break camp and head home.

   Shopping:Ross

   Evening:Next year's 11-month reservation date goes in the calendar before you hit I-10.

   Dinner:Fish Out of Water

   Insider Tip:Grayton Beach State Park's campground and cabins are the swap-in if Topsail's full; Camping on the Gulf is the private full-hookup splurge with surf through the screen door.