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Big Lagoon
Overview
Big Lagoon State Park offers a serene escape along the northern shoreline of Southwest Pensacola. Spanning over 700 acres, this coastal park serves as the gateway to the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail. Travelers will find a diverse landscape of salt marshes and pine flatwoods that provide a quiet alternative to the high-energy beachfront resorts nearby. It is a place where nature takes center stage, offering a true coastal wilderness experience for those who appreciate the outdoors.
Location & Surroundings
Situated on the shores of the expansive Big Lagoon, the park separates the mainland from the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the sandy reaches of Perdido Key. The surrounding waters provide a significant buffer from the urban bustle of Pensacola, creating a tranquil environment for campers. The park’s unique geography is defined by shallow bays and pristine white sand beaches, offering stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway from several vantage points across the property.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features a well-maintained campground with 75 individual sites that accommodate both RVs and tents. Most sites are equipped with water and electric hookups, including 30-amp and 50-amp service to meet various power needs. Guests have access to modern, clean bathhouses with hot showers and a convenient central dump station for waste management. For recreation, the park provides multiple picnic pavilions, a boat ramp for shallow-draft vessels, and a three-story observation tower that offers panoramic views of the lagoon and gulf.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Visitors can explore the Sand Pine Nature Trail or take advantage of the park’s launch point for kayaking and paddleboarding through the calm lagoon waters. Just a short drive away, the world-famous National Naval Aviation Museum offers a high-quality educational experience for all ages. Birdwatchers will appreciate that the park is a primary stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail, hosting diverse migratory species throughout the year. Additionally, the stunning white sand beaches of Perdido Key are just across the bridge for Gulf access.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers who prefer a quiet, rustic camping experience over the flashiness of a commercial RV resort. It is a fantastic choice for active families looking to fish, hike, or paddle in sheltered coastal waters. While it lacks luxury amenities like swimming pools or on-site stores, it offers unmatched access to coastal ecosystems, making it perfect for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the authentic landscape of the Florida Panhandle.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lucy Delgado
What a niche landscape. Great for a plant identification walk. 🌿 Pro tip: free on Federal Holidays
Erin Krupke
We enjoy this park. It's 6$ per vehicle to come here but lots to do and see. See plenty of wildlife- birds and turtles, fish. Lots of trails thru out and a nice playground for kids. There is a boat ramp here as well and a place to self service rent kayaks or paddle boards! Pretty cool. We like the boardwalks, the water views. Lots of picnic tables with great views. Some grills for use and bathrooms available. The lookout tower is always enjoyed. Beautiful out here.
Amanda Major
Big Lagoon State Park on Gulf Beach Hwy in Pensacola is in the Florida State Parks system. We drove there as day visitors, and while we wanted to see the campground, this is being renovated since Feb 2025. Upgraded facilities are always a good thing down the road. So we walked trails and saw the sights. In mid-November, it’s cool, quiet, and very natural. You can hear birds and the breeze blowing through a variety of trees. Saltwater tidal marshes and pine flatwoods apparently attract a wide variety of birds, but we didn’t see that in Nov. The park offers bicycling, swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hiking, paddling, picnicking, star gazing opportunities, walking/hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and wedding space. Amenities include beach space, a boat ramp, campfire circles, canoe kayak launch, picnic facilities, and a playground. Their restrooms along the areas we walked are really nice and very clean. They have changing space for after a swim. You will be walking along boardwalk areas for short walks and through sand for full hikes. The three story observation deck is very nice and offers views for miles around. There’s a lot to do here. It’s a lovely state park, very clean and well managed. The entry fee for the day was $6 for our car, which is cheaper than my Starbucks drink this morning. Dogs are allowed, just not in all the areas. You’ll see the signs. Our only issue was the stickers the dogs stepped on. I would say dogs do better on the paved/wooden trails than off in the grass.
Mary Burkholder
We enjoyed hiking and climbing up the observation tower. Staff we encountered were friendly and helpful.
Dani C
Beautiful large state park with plenty of amenities. Boat launching, camping, bike riding, kayaking and paddleboarding. Kids playground, picnic areas, bathrooms and areas to swim. Quiet, shared space with nature.