Grayton Beach Camping FAQ: Fees, Pets, Check-In

If I wanted the short version, here it is: Grayton Beach State Park has 59 campsites, the base camping rate is about $30 per night, there’s a $7 nightly utility fee for water and electric, and a $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee per booking. Pets are allowed in the campground, but not on the beach. Campground check-in starts at 3:00 p.m., check-out is 1:00 p.m., and late arrivals need to call 850-267-8300 before 5:00 p.m. for after-hours entry details.

If I were using a South Walton itinerary generator to plan a trip, these are the points I’d check first:

• Fees: about $30/night base rate, plus $7/night utilities, plus tax and fees
• Reservations: Florida residents can book up to 11 months ahead; non-residents up to 10 months
• Stay limit: 14 nights per reservation
• Pets: allowed in the campground and some outdoor areas, but not on the state park beach, in bathhouses, or in cabin areas
• Leash rule: pets must stay on a 6-foot handheld leash
• Quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Hookups: water and 30-amp/50-amp power at sites; sewer at some sites
• Beach walk: about 0.3 to 0.5 miles, or about 5 to 10 minutes
• Campfires: only in site fire rings or grills; bonfires are not allowed

Here’s the fastest way I’d frame it: this campground works best when you confirm your site type, RV length, hookups, pet limits, and arrival time before you book. That helps avoid the usual last-minute problems.

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Grayton Beach camping fees and reservation rules

Rates can shift, so check the Florida State Parks website for the latest pricing before you book.

What the campsite fee includes

The base campsite rate is about $30 per night, and that covers the campsite itself. If you want water and electricity hookups, add a $7 nightly utility fee. There’s also a $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee per booking.

On top of that, local taxes add about 6% to 7% to the total. And the $5 per vehicle park entrance fee is separate from the camping charges.

How reservations, stay limits, and discounts work

You can reserve through the Florida State Parks system online or by calling 800-326-3521. Florida residents can book up to 11 months in advance, while non-residents can book up to 10 months in advance. If you need a same-day reservation, you have to make it before 1 p.m.[3]

The maximum stay is 14 nights per reservation.

Eligible Florida seniors and disabled Florida residents can get 50% off the base campsite fee. That discount does not apply to utility fees or the reservation fee.

Campsite costs and booking basics: at a glance

Next: pet rules, leash requirements, and area restrictions.

Pet rules, allowed areas, and leash requirements

Grayton Beach State Park allows pets in the campground and in designated outdoor day-use areas only, according to the Grayton Beach State Park Camping Guide. That's the key line to remember before you go.

Where pets are and are not allowed

Pets can stay with you in the campground and designated outdoor day-use areas, but access stops there. They are not allowed on any state park beach, in cabins or cabin areas, on playgrounds, in bathhouses, in park buildings, or at concession facilities.

Leash rules, cleanup duties, and service animals

If your pet is outside your vehicle or campsite, it must be on a 6-foot handheld leash. So yes, that means retractable leashes that go past 6 feet don't follow the rule.

You may bring up to 4 pets per campsite. Pets also can't be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. During quiet hours (11:00 PM–7:00 AM), they need to stay inside your tent, RV, or camper. If a dog barks nonstop or acts aggressively, park staff may require you to board the animal off-site or leave the campground. Florida law also requires pets visiting the park to have a current rabies vaccination.

You'll also need to pick up waste right away and place it in a trash receptacle.

Service animals are allowed where visitors are normally allowed, including cabins and buildings. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under park policy.

Pet access by area: at a glance

Next, check campground arrival times, late check-in rules, and park access hours.

Check-in, check-out, and park access times

Campground check-in and check-out times

If you're staying overnight, campground check-in starts at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is at 1:00 p.m.

Once you check out, you can still stay in the park until sunset.

Before you head out, check park conditions if there have been storms or flooding. That can affect access and travel plans.

Day-use hours and late-arrival procedures

Day-use hours are 8:00 a.m. to sunset all year.

If you're arriving late and already have a camping reservation, you may still enter after sunset. But there’s one step you need to take first: call 850-267-8300 before 5:00 p.m. on your arrival day to get the gate combination and after-hours instructions in case your trip runs past closing.

During busy summer weekends and holidays, the park may fill up by mid-morning. When that happens, staff can close the entrance to extra day-use vehicles until spots open up. Campers with reservations can still get in. If you're coming just for the day, it's smart to arrive before 9:00 a.m. in peak season.

For overnight guests, quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Hookups, restrooms, beach access, and what families should expect

Site utilities and campground basics

Once you know your arrival plan, the next thing to figure out is simple: what do you actually get at the campground?

All sites come with water and 30-amp/50-amp power. If you're bringing an RV, double-check the reservation map for sewer hookups. Not every site has one, so you may need to use the dump station instead. That station is on the loop road, and getting in and out usually means making the full loop.

Each site also has a picnic table and a fire ring or grill. Bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers serve the campground loops, which makes day-to-day camping a lot easier. Some sites can handle RVs up to about 40 feet, but not all are set up the same way, so it's smart to confirm site fit before you book.

Beach distance, campfire rules, bikes, and family-friendly details

For most campsites, the beach is about 0.3 to 0.5 miles away. In plain terms, that's usually a 5- to 10-minute walk.

A lot of the day-to-day fun here comes from the park's trails and bike access. The main park trail runs 4.5 miles one way, or 9 miles round trip, through the forest toward Western Lake. The campground also links up with the 30A bike path, and the park roads are fine for short rides near camp. There isn't a formal playground, so families usually spend time on the trails, at the beach, or back at camp.

Campfires are allowed only in campsite fire rings or grills. Bonfires are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Campground features: at a glance

Before booking, line up your site choice with your RV length and hookup needs.

Key Grayton Beach camping details to confirm before you go

Before you book, double-check the details most likely to change.

The current base rate is $30 per night plus tax, and there’s a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee. RV sites also have a $7 nightly utility fee for water and electricity. Sewer is available at select sites.

Planning to arrive after dark? Call 850-267-8300 by 5 p.m. on your arrival day to get the gate code and after-hours instructions.

It also helps to confirm a few basics before you lock in your stay:

• Site type
• Loop
• RV length
• Cancellation rules

During spring break, summer, and holiday periods, sites can fill up fast.

If you’re bringing a pet, check the park’s access limits again before you arrive.

And before you hit the road, look up current park and beach conditions, especially after storms.

FAQs

How much does camping cost per night?

At Grayton Beach State Park, campsites cost $30 per night, plus tax.

If you're bringing an RV, there's also a $7 nightly utility fee. And every reservation comes with a $6.70 nonrefundable booking fee.

Some Florida residents can pay less on the base campsite rate:

• Florida residents age 65+
• Florida residents with qualifying disability certificates

These campers may get 50% off the base campsite fee. Park entrance fees are separate.

Do I need to reserve in advance?

Yes. Reserve your campsite or cabin as early as you can. Reservations open up to 11 months in advance through Florida State Parks or by calling 800-326-3521.

Sites go fast, especially from February 1 to July 31. Your best shot is to book right when reservations open at 8:00 a.m. ET. If your dates are already taken, check back often for cancellations.

Which campsites have sewer hookups?

At Grayton Beach State Park, sewer hookups are mostly in the newer campground loop at sites 39–59. Most campsites in that stretch come with full hookups: water, electricity, and sewer.

The park also has four designated accessible campsites with sewer, water, and electricity hookups.

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