Subi & The 5

Fred Gannon – Rocky Bayou State Park – Niceville, Florida

We departed Mississippi and headed into Alabama and on through the beautiful city of Mobile!!

About 30 minutes east of Mobile long I-10 is the wonderful Buc-ee’s. Buc-ee’s is a chain of country stores and gas stations that originated in Texas in 1982 and is spreading throughout the country with a few other locations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and new ones being established in Kentucky and South Carolina. They offer approximately 100 fuel pumps with diesel and DEF too along with a car wash and a great store with all sorts of items for sale. They even serve the best brisket and pulled pork sandwiches anywhere along with fudge, jerky, and all sorts of stuff!! We stopped at the one in Robertsdale, Alabama for a fill in for the RV and for our stomachs!

And on we went to Florida and had the obligatory stop at the Florida Welcome Center to swig a glass of orange juice. Since my family is from Florida and was in the citrus business it is a must do and something I have always done since birth!

Niceville is a small town near Fort Walton Beach and Eglin Air Force Base. I spent some time here a long time ago for work with a contract we had with Eglin. But it has been a long time ago so it was great fun to return and see how things have changed. The Rocky Bayou State Park is just north of the Mid Way Toll Bridge that leads to Destin so it is a very convenient location.

The campground is one loop with forty two large sites along the Rocky Bayou State Park Aquatic Preserve.

Campground: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Location: Niceville, Florida
Site: 5 (back-in)
Cost: $19.35
Services:  E/W (50AMP)
Comments: A great big site with lots of privacy and views into the woods. The water view sites are around the other side of the loop from where we stayed and offered views but also any potential wind that might blow across the bay. We loved this place. We could hear the aircraft from Eglin and the bombing range (Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal) nearby but we managed and it was only infrequently.

There are kayak and canoe rentals and a variety of nature hikes to keep you busy. Below are a few pictures of some other sites showing the spaciousness, privacy, and shade along with scenes from around the campground.

Th hiking/nature trails around the park must look beautiful in the spring with lots of magnolia trees and other flowering plants but we had to just admire the winter scenery. The area is full of longleaf pines and palmettos too!

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