Florida's St. Andrews and Topsail Hill State Parks

[RockHound]

I posted this in the Poll Forum, but just in case I figured I post it here too.


My family and I got our first pop up last summer. We've been camping for many years, just never had our own camper. My question today is for folks who have stayed at both St. Andrews and Topsail Hill state parks in Florida. We are trying to decide between the two, but are stuck as to which is better, never having stayed at either. We like the waterfront sites and fishing piers of St Andrews, but we like the concrete sites, full hookups, pool, etc. of Topsail. It looks like you have to walk/drive to the Gulf beaches at both, but we don't know which has the least distance to actualy get to the beach. If anyone has stayed at both, which did you like better and why? We will be driving around 8 hours and would hate to get stuck somewhere we didn't like for 2 weeks.

Thanks.

[Sltrawick]

I have never camped at Topsail, though have been there before.  It's a very nice campground.  It's paved sites and it's got a pool.  You have to take a 'tram" to the beach though.

 
St. Andrews, you can camp right on the bay.  They have 176 campsites.  Fishing, hiking, canoing, etc.  It's excellent for snorkling, fishing, swimming, surfing, etc.  We camp at St. Andrews 3-4 times a year. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have.

[RockHound]

I have never camped at Topsail, though have been there before.  It's a very nice campground.  It's paved sites and it's got a pool.  You have to take a 'tram" to the beach though.

 
St. Andrews, you can camp right on the bay.  They have 176 campsites.  Fishing, hiking, canoing, etc.  It's excellent for snorkling, fishing, swimming, surfing, etc.  We camp at St. Andrews 3-4 times a year. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Thanks for the reply.  We are going down to P.C. at the beginning of next summer for two weeks and going by the web sites, it's a hard choice.  We have (I think) decided to stay at St. Andrews.  We hope to stay on the bay for the view and to keep the skeeters blown away from us.  Are the Gulf beaches and fishing piers close enough to walk to with a bunch of gear, or does one need to drive?  Is June part of the busy season, by this I mean will a bay campsite be a long shot?  Any other information, picks of the campground, specific sites you liked, etc. would be very much appreciated.  Thanks again.

[Miller Tyme]

I've never been to either one, but if the posts on RV.Net are any indication, Topsail will be booked solid for most of the next few years.:mad:
 
 I'd go with St. Andrews...sounds less crowded...and less expensive.

[altozwei]

I can't speak for Topsail as we have not been there. However, we have camped at St. Andrews on several occasions and been extremely happy with it. One of the best things there is the ferry that will take you out to Shell island. That is where you get the best beaches -- miles of them. There is a calm snorkeling lagoon near the boat landing and lots of great swimming and body surfing on the gulf side. We had dolphins come right up to us. You do have to drive to the dock and carry your gear but it is well worth it.

A word of caution: be prepared for jellyfish. You may never see one at all or, depending upon conditions, you may see more than you ever want to. It all depends upon the water temperature. Often you will see a non-stinging type (comb jellies) in the area but the stinging type can be abundant when conditions are right. Always carry meat tenderizer in your first aid kit.

Patti & Steve
1997 Starcraft Venture 2108
2001 Nissan Quest
Elspeth
Kestrel
Rowan
Nike the wonder dog

[RockHound]

I have never camped at Topsail, though have been there before.  It's a very nice campground.  It's paved sites and it's got a pool.  You have to take a 'tram" to the beach though.

 
St. Andrews, you can camp right on the bay.  They have 176 campsites.  Fishing, hiking, canoing, etc.  It's excellent for snorkling, fishing, swimming, surfing, etc.  We camp at St. Andrews 3-4 times a year. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have.

I was wondering if you could go to this site--http://community.webshots.com/photo/178770493/1136291335047468111LMwVEr#--and see if you could I.D. the site number.  It's supposed to be at St. Andrews.  It looks nice and big and it's right on the water, but they don't list the site number.  I was hoping since you go there a lot, you might be able to tell from the picture.  Thanks.