Grayton Beach SP?

[2manytoyz]

Anyone got a report on this campground?  It's been more than 30 years since I've been camping at Santa Rosa Island.  I was digging through old photos and got a hankering to go back there.

Excellent shell collecting, sugar sand beaches, clean water.  Too much to ask that it remote resembles what it used to be?

[Papaso]

Grayton Beach is one of the parks we wish to explore also, we have not camped up in the panhandle as of yet. It's a long ride up there, the furthest north we've been up on the west coast is Lake Manatee, it's about a half hour out of Anna Maria Island and Long boat key which are beautiful, Lake Manatee was OK especially if you like drag racing there's a strip right across the road, other than that we ended up going to Anna Maria and the beaches, been to most of the SP's on the peninsula from Anastasia down to Bahia Honda and everywhere in between on both coasts. Nice to see you posting again, maybe someday we'll meet at some campground. BTW we're headed up to Ft. Wilderness this weekend to do the Disney Marathon on Sunday.

[2manytoyz]

The past few years we've been trying to go to mostly new campgrounds.  Fun to go back to some of the exceptional ones, but like the adventure of going somewhere new.

I see that you're down in Miami.  That's a ways South of me.  Very long haul for you to get to the Panhandle, but worth going.  St. Andrews SP is a nice place with an incredible beach.  I have some info online about it: http://www.2manytoyz.com/andrews.html    I think we had the best campsite too, so take note of that if you're looking to make a reservation.  Only stipulation is you, or anyone else reading it, is not allowed to reserve that site when WE want to go there!     The pics of the beach at our campsite is NOT the Gulf.  Just part of the waterway leading to it.  It was too wet to haul the digital camera to the beach.  We did pick up a handful of dime sized sand dollars.

According to my Street Atlas software, Grayton is about 8 hours from home for us.  That's about as far as I want to haul the wife and 2 1/2 & 4 1/2 year old boys.  The longest I've driven, when I was still single, was 26 hours, only stopping for fuel.  Emptied "my" tank, and got food/drink at the same stop.  Them days are OVER.      

Even tonight we are scheduling more trips for the year.  I've met several others from the board in days past.  Hope to meet more of you.  I'll post my camping schedule when the dust settles.  That way I might meet someone, or someone may be able to avoid me.   :J

Temps are dropping tonight.  Haven't seen the forcast for the weekend, but I imagine it should be nice.  Don't get too goofy at the rat shack!

[Sltrawick]

I'm from Panama City and we camp at Grayton and St. Andrews all the time. Mostly St. Andrews. What would you like to know about it? Or either park?
 
Grayton is a smaller park and they also have cabins.  SASP is a much bigger park and they have waterfront camping(when I say waterfront...it's not on the Gulf, but the bay area).  
 
If you are looking for seclusion, GB is it.  If you want more things to do SASP is it.  
 
Just let me know what you are interested in and I can help ya out.

[2manytoyz]

We're hoping Grayton has some privacy between campsites, a playground for our yahoos, and a nice section of beach for shell collecting.

Appreciate you giving the scoop!

[Sltrawick]

Yes, Grayton does have the privacy between the sites.  The sites are not really big, but they will fit your popup with room to spare.  The campground is just 1 loop with sites (I believe about 37 sites, or something in that area).  You will have to drive your car to the beach (you could walk, but it is a ways) or ride your bike.  

The shell collecting is so-so....unless there has been a storm and then it usually washes up.  Be very, very careful for rip tides.  If there is a RED flag.....STAY OUT OF THE WATER.  That area all the way to Pensacola is know for the rip currents.  So, like I said, red flags, don't even put your feet in the water (no kidding).

[moaugie]

We made the trip to GBSP last summer and had a great time. The beach is a long walk or a short car/bike ride away. The campsites are very secluded and the park was very quiet. We stayed on the interior of the loop and were far enough from the showhouse to avoid traffic but close enough for convenience.

If you go I recommend you take your bike. There were nice bike/walking trails into town if you choose to go.

GBSP is about a half hour from Panama City Beach. While we were in PCB, we visited St. Andrew's State Park. Although it appears to be a beautiful park, the camp grounds did not appear to be very secluded. The 'kiddie pool' at SASP was nice for the kids to swim in. While we were at the beach, we experienced many 'Red Flags'. Even though the beach has a red flag, you can still swim in the 'kiddie pool' because it is sheltered from the tide by large rocks.

While in PCB, we took an excursion on the Sea Dragon Pirate Ship. If you have young children (ours are 7 & 9) I would strongly encourage you to take the two hour trip. We had a great time. The crew kept the children busy with various activities (the duck dance, cannon blasts, face panting, sword fights, limbo, treasure findings, squirt gun fights, and swabbing the deck (from all of the fun from the squirt guns). During the excursion, my wife and I never left the top deck. The crew entertained the kids the whole time.

All in all we had a great time in the pan handle. My wife and children are already planning the return trip!

[2manytoyz]

Excellent info!  Our youngest son will be 3 when we go, the oldest will be almost 5.  They are very big into pirates.  I found a website with the pirate ship you mentioned: http://www.panamacitybeachmall.com/seadragon/  That's going to be a "must do" on our list!

I prefer quiet, secluded campsites.  Much to the dismay of some, I did not go camping to see people, or hear their music, or ...  

Not worried about the rip tides.  I grew up with them here on the Space Coast.  Swim parallel to the beach, and you'll soon be out of the rip tide, and can swim back in.  People who don't know this detail, swim against the current until they are swept away or die.  Our two younguns aren't old enough to bust waves yet, so they'll be on a short leash if the tides are rough.

We really enjoyed SASP, but we are trying to stay at different campgrounds on each trip.  There are a few exceptions, but we both really enjoy staying at new places.  Besides, it's been 30+ years since I've been to Santa Rosa Island.

Thanks for the info gang.  Looks like we'll be headed there March 28-31st.

 :W

[Sltrawick]

Excellent info! Our youngest son will be 3 when we go, the oldest will be almost 5. They are very big into pirates. I found a website with the pirate ship you mentioned: http://www.panamacitybeachmall.com/seadragon/ That's going to be a "must do" on our list!
 
I prefer quiet, secluded campsites. Much to the dismay of some, I did not go camping to see people, or hear their music, or ...
 
Not worried about the rip tides. I grew up with them here on the Space Coast. Swim parallel to the beach, and you'll soon be out of the rip tide, and can swim back in. People who don't know this detail, swim against the current until they are swept away or die. Our two younguns aren't old enough to bust waves yet, so they'll be on a short leash if the tides are rough.
 
We really enjoyed SASP, but we are trying to stay at different campgrounds on each trip. There are a few exceptions, but we both really enjoy staying at new places. Besides, it's been 30+ years since I've been to Santa Rosa Island.
 
Thanks for the info gang. Looks like we'll be headed there March 28-31st.
 
:W

YOu will love SeaSide....they have the best resturants and it's just so nice to go and look at the houses over there.  Go into Destin to the Outlets and go shopping.  STay on Hwy. 98 and you'll run right into it.  Plus a couple of miles just west of the outlets is the Pro Bass shop and and Old Navy store.
Our favorite place to shop (my son anyways) is a place called Sockeyes (you can't miss it, it's the only building with a huge mural on the side of it).  Beach wear, OP, ONeil, Volcom, etc.

[2manytoyz]

Restaurants?  Yes, we CAN do that.

Bass Pro Shop?  Yes, that's a must.  I bought our pontoon boat from them over the phone.  I spent a bunch of money, and never even went to their store.  They delivered it to a local boat ramp.  Dare I set foot inside?  Hmmm, YES!

Outlet malls?  NO - NO - NO!!!  Don't tell the wife either!  I must distract her with chocolate or something.  These things aborations should be avoided at all cost.  They steal your time and eat your money.  Again, NO!   :p

[Sltrawick]

Restaurants? Yes, we CAN do that.
 
Bass Pro Shop? Yes, that's a must. I bought our pontoon boat from them over the phone. I spent a bunch of money, and never even went to their store. They delivered it to a local boat ramp. Dare I set foot inside? Hmmm, YES!
 
Outlet malls? NO - NO - NO!!! Don't tell the wife either! I must distract her with chocolate or something. These things aborations should be avoided at all cost. They steal your time and eat your money. Again, NO! :p

It's a very nice outlet center....it's a must NOT miss!  
 
While you are there, go and check out Henderson STate park which is just down the street from the Pro Bass shop.  That park is wonderful.  It's only been open for camping for a few years and the sites are spacious/secluded and very nice.    We haven't camped there yet, but plan on it.  Have driven and gone through it many times. (we have a Florida state park pass)

[2manytoyz]

It's a very nice outlet center....it's a must NOT miss!  
   

Let me guess, that was a response from Sharon, not DH!

Thanks for the other info.  I love the panhandle area.  Just an 8+ hr drive for us, and we're located in the middle of the same State.  

FWIW, I am printing out this info so I'll have it when we go!

[Sltrawick]

Let me guess, that was a response from Sharon, not DH!
 
Thanks for the other info. I love the panhandle area. Just an 8+ hr drive for us, and we're located in the middle of the same State.
 
FWIW, I am printing out this info so I'll have it when we go!

Tee-Hee...of course this is Sharon!  LOL
 
If you need any more info when the time gets closer...just post or email me...I'll be happy to help you out!  Also, as you know that PCB is just about 20 min away and we have an amusement park and water park for the kids.  Of course, it might be too chilly for the water park.