Big Lagoon State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Big Lagoon State Park is situated along the shores of Big Lagoon and offers pine flatwoods and saltwater marshes. It is the perfect locale for swimming, hiking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and camping. Visitors who love nature will enjoy the bays, beaches, hiking trails, and woodlands to explore. The park has a picnic area at West Beach and plenty of oaks and pines to provide shade. Big Lagoon State Park hosts the Annual Kayak Tour and Heron Trot 5K, and the Plaza De Luna Memorial Monument, the Graffiti Bridge, and the Perdido Key Snorkeling Reef are near the park.
Spring 57-69 F
Summer 79-88 F
Fall 66-79 F
Winter 53-64 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park Campground offers 75 camping spots with potable water, showers, restrooms, picnic tables, electrical and water hookups, a dump station, and waterfront views. The campground offers Wi-Fi for guests and is pet-friendly. Camping spots are limited to eight guests and no more than six vehicles. The campgrounds aren’t handicapped accessible.
What to Do at
Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park offers many extraordinary outdoor activities in a subtropical climate. It is a perfect location for swimming, enjoying marine life, nature observation, and bird watching. You can hike, boat, camp, or bike on the trails, and the park offers boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. Set up a picnic, or watch the stars at night from the beach.
Fishing
Anglers catch redfish, bluefish, peacock cichlid, mullets, mangrove snappers, crevalle jack, flounders, and largemouth bass. You can fish from the shoreline or via a boat, but visitors must have a valid FL fishing license. Guests can bring their own boat but must pay a boat launch and entrance fee.
Geocaching
Go on an adventure following the geocaching treasure hunt and learn about the park’s history. Information about the current geocaching treasure hunt is available at the visitor center.
Nature Watching
The wildlife observation tower is the perfect place to watch birds at the park. Among the bird species you’ll see are downy woodpeckers, red-shouldered hawks, Western kingbirds, blue jays, Carolina chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, blue-gray gnatcatchers, gray catbirds, Northern mockingbirds, house finches, and swamp sparrows.
Stargazing
Big Lagoon State Park partners with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer’s Association to host stargazing nights at the park. Guests can see stars, constellations, planets, and galaxies, and the events include educational programs about astronomy.
Flora and Fauna
The flora in the state park includes American beautyberry, black-eyed Susan, blue mistflowers, coral honeysuckle, coreopsis, longleaf pines, red buckeye, scaleleaf aster, scarlet sage, and seaside goldenrod. Fauna at the park includes deer, opossums, raccoons, foxes, sea turtles, beavers, dolphins, river otters, cotton rats, and armadillos.
Hiking
Enjoy wildlife and lush greenery on the park’s hiking trails. The Sand Pipe Loop and Big Lagoon Observation Tower spans 5.3 miles. The Big Lagoon Sand Pine Trail is 3.3 miles long. The Big Lagoon Observation Tower Trail gives you access to the observation tower, where you get waterfront views and impressive vantage points for viewing birds and other wildlife.
Boating
There is a boat launch and entrance fee of $10 for one person and $12 for boats with two to eight people.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted at both Apalachee Bay beaches at the park. You can enjoy daytime swimming in all designated areas, but no lifeguard is on duty.
Biking
Biking is permitted along the Perdido Key bike routes. The paved section of the trails is about 2.5 miles. Guests should wear bicycle helmets while biking at the state park.
How to Get to
Big Lagoon State Park
From Pensacola, head east on East Cervantes Street toward North Hayne Street. Turn right onto North Alcaniz Street, then continue on East Garden Street. Turn left onto Barrancas Avenue. Continue straight onto FL-292 West/Barrancas Avenue. Turn left onto Bauer Road and continue until you see the park entrance.
Entering Big Lagoon State Park
Visitors enter by foot or on a bike through the main entrance after parking their car in the parking lot. There are handicapped parking spaces available. The state park operates from 8 a.m. to sunset daily, and the maximum RV length is 40 feet. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited for day-use guests, but it is allowed for campers at the campground only.
Big Lagoon State Park Entry Fee (single-occupant vehicles) : $4.0
Big Lagoon State Park Entry Fee (cars with two to eight people) : $6.0
Big Lagoon State Park Entry Fee (pedestrians and bicyclists) : $2.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Lagoon State Park
The best times to visit Big Lagoon State Park are late spring and early fall, as the park isn’t as crowded. The weather is mild at these times and hot during the summer.
Visitors will enjoy birdwatching and will see many species, including downy woodpeckers, red-shouldered hawks, Western kingbirds, blue jays, Carolina chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, blue-gray gnatcatchers, gray catbirds, Northern mockingbirds, house finches, and swamp sparrows. The wildlife you can see at Big Lagoon State Park includes deer, opossums, raccoons, foxes, sea turtles, beavers, dolphins, river otters, cotton rats, and armadillos.
There are 75 sites, but they are not designated for RV camping only. Guests can camp in RVs or tents.
Visitors are not required to reserve a camping spot, but it’s highly recommended since the park fills up fast. The camping fee is $20 to $25 per night with a $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee and a $7 nightly fee for utilities. The utility fee includes electricity, sewage, and water. Seniors and disabled individuals get 50% off camping fees.
Pets are allowed at Big Lagoon State Park, but pet owners must keep their dogs on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Pets aren’t allowed in any facility at the park, including the amphitheater. Guests are responsible for cleaning up pet-related waste.