Apalachicola National Forest in Florida offers Forest Service recreation at Camel Lake Recreation Area. For a walking or hiking visit, start with Florida National Scenic Trail at Camel Lake. Each recreation site has its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.

Camping & reservations

The booking button opens the published reservation system for Camel Lake Recreation Area. Other campgrounds in this forest may use different reservations, first-come sites or permits. Check each named site.

Truck-camping & permitted overnight use

Camel Lake has a shaded 10-site campground for RVs or tents, a beach and access to the Florida National Scenic Trail. Four RV hookups are listed. Forest Road 105 is unpaved; check approach conditions before driving in. The site uses Recreation.gov Scan & Pay; download the app before travel.

No forest-wide permission to camp is implied. Check the district’s current dispersed-camping rules, designated areas, fire restrictions, stay limits and seasonal closures before choosing an undeveloped site.

Activities, hiking & trails

Florida National Scenic Trail at Camel Lake ↗
The official Camel Lake page identifies access to the Florida National Scenic Trail and Memory Island. Use the official trail page and forest map for route planning.

Maps & road access

• Official visitor maps, trail maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) ↗
• Interactive Visitor Map ↗
• Apalachicola MVUM ↗

Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.

Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗

Before you travel

Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.

Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗

Photograph sources & licensing

Banner: Tuberous grass pink in Apalachicola National Forest
Tuberous Grass Pink - Calopogon tuberosus, Apalachicola National Forest, Sumatra, Florida, April 27, 2021
Credit: Judy Gallagher. Original source ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Second large photograph: Whirlabout butterfly, Apalachicola National Forest
Whirlabout - Polites vibex, Apalachicola National Forest, Sumatra, Florida
Credit: Judy Gallagher. Original source ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.