Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Surrounded by stunning natural landscape and bordered by the quiet Rocky Bayou, the 357-acre Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, formerly a World War II gunnery and bombing practice range, is a wonderful place to enjoy family camping and interesting hiking trails on your RV vacation. Located in Niceville, Florida, this state park offers campers wonderful shades by the over three-centuries old longleaf pines in the park while they enjoy the view of the Rocky Bayou. Even more, the park has one of the best boat ramps on Choctawhatchee Bay with year-round saltwater and freshwater fishing and boating opportunities for RV campers.
There are 38 campsites available to RVs, trailers, and tents equipped with electric and water RV hookups in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park with four of the campsites being wheelchair accessible. Featuring amenities such as a boat ramp, canoe/kayak launch, interpretive exhibit, nature trails, picnic pavilions and tables, playgrounds, restroom facilities, fire rings, RV hookups, and shower stations, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is the ideal place to enjoy bicycling, boating, boating, camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, paddling, weddings, wildlife viewing, and many more recreational activities on your vacation.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park was established on July 1, 1966 after being converted from a major site for gunnery and bombing practice during World War II.
RV Rentals in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Transportation
Driving
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a simple drive-in park for RVs, trailers, and cars, since it is located along SR 20 in Niceville, Florida, about 1 mile from the bridge that crosses the Rocky Bayou State Park Aquatic Preserve. Local roads within the park lead to the campground and the boat ramp. There are no driving restrictions in the park, so getting around in your RV or trailer is easy.
Parking
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park has one parking lot located in the northwestern end of the park around the boat ramp. RV campers at the park will be able to park their rigs at the large parking lot while they are on vacation at the park, and if they will be spending the night, overnight parking is available.
Public Transportation
There are no public transportation facilities available at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park.
Campgrounds and parking in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Campsites in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Reservations camping
Area Rocky Bayou SP Loop
The Area Rocky Bayou SP Loop in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park has 38 pet-friendly campsites, with 36 campsites available to RVs and tents, and two available to RVs/trailers only. All the campsites in the campground are equipped with electric and water hookups for RVs. RV length limit at the campground is 50 feet. Amenities at the Area Rocky Bayou SP Loop include restrooms and showers, picnic tables and shelter, campfire circle, emergency telephone, laundry and vending machines, and a pavilion.
Trailheads to the Rocky Bayou Trail are available at the campground, with another trail that leads to the Rocky Bayou. Four of the campsites in the Loop are ADA-accessible and conveniently located next to the heated and air-conditioned shower facility. Collecting of firewood is prohibited in the campground, and all camping gear must remain within defined site boundaries. Quiet hour in the Area Rocky Bayou SP Loop is 11pm.
Seasonal activities in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
In-Season
Hiking
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park has three nature trails – Red Cedar Trail, Sand Pine Trail, and Rocky Bayou Trail – where you can watch birds and engage in nature photography while you see various native flora and fauna in the park. The Red Cedar Trail is popular for its impressive display of red cedar trees amidst picturesque plants, shrubs and other varieties of trees. Hiking on the Sand Pine Trail will take you along the eastern shore of the Puddin Head Lake that contains several species of aquatic plants such as Florida Anise and the pitcher plant. The Rocky Bayou Trail, which is adjacent to the Sand Pine Trail, follows the amazing shoreline of the bayou offering you the opportunity to see estuarine sea grass beds, dolphins, otters, migrant fowl, and bald eagles.
Boating
As a boat lover on RV holiday at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, you will enjoy the convenient double access boat launching facility at the park that grants you access to Rocky Bayou, Choctawhatchee Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. This means you have the opportunity to explore various waters in your boat while at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. What’s more, the large parking lot in the boat ramp area means you have enough room to park your RV, boat trailer, or car. Overnight docking of boats at the park is not allowed.
Fishing
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is the perfect place for you to enjoy fishing on your RV holiday. Thanks to the freshwater stream that feeds the tidal-influenced Rocky Bayou, you have varieties of fishing, with opportunities to catch fish species such as mullet, trout, and flounder. If you want to catch saltwater fish, then fish in Rocky Bayou, however if you want to do freshwater fishing, fish where Rocky Creek flows into the bay in the park.
Off-Season
Geocaching
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a favored site for lovers of adventure and geocaching. With caches containing trinkets, treasures and other valuable information hidden across the park, campers on RV holiday set out to find these caches while enjoying the thrill of the search and discovery of places where they would otherwise not have been in the park. Finding the caches in the park can vary from easy to very difficult, adding to the thrill for cache seekers.
Paddling and Kayaking
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a favored site for lovers of adventure and geocaching. With caches containing trinkets, treasures and other valuable information hidden across the park, campers on RV holiday set out to find these caches while enjoying the thrill of the search and discovery of places where they would otherwise not have been in the park. Finding the caches in the park can vary from easy to very difficult, adding to the thrill for cache seekers.
Picnicking
When you picnic along the shores of Rocky Bayou in Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park while holidaying in your RV at the park, you will relax in the shade provided by oak, hickory, and pine trees while enjoying the scenic views of the slow-moving water. The two picnic pavilions, playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and stairways that lead to the shore will make your lunch with family and friends memorable. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the picnic areas is prohibited.
