We are planning a trip to the emerald coast in July 07. We are travelling from Texas, and have planned to stay one week at Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores, AL, and then plan to spend a week in the Destin FL area. I made reservations at Henderson Beach State Park, but then I found Topsail Hill State Park, and it looks wonderful as well. I'm thinking of changing my reservations to stay at Topsail Hill. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback or comments the users of this board might have on one of the state parks vs. another. If it helps any - we have a 32 ft. travel trailer, and 3 kids, ages 10, 12 and 14 as of this summer. Thanks!
We stayed at Topsail last year and it was great. The CG is a half-mile or so to the beach so you must walk, bike, or take the shuttle (no cars allowed). We like to walk so didnt find this a problem, but lots of folks bring a wagon to haul chairs, floats, etc. The beach itself is not easily accesible for the public so is pretty uncrowded. Have not camped at Henderson but I've heard it is very nice too and somewhat closer to the beach. You'll have a great time--just watch out for the sunburns! Steve
QUOTE(momto3 @ Jan 27 2007, 07:53 AM) [snapback]5917[/snapback] We are planning a trip to the emerald coast in July 07. We are travelling from Texas, and have planned to stay one week at Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores, AL, and then plan to spend a week in the Destin FL area. I made reservations at Henderson Beach State Park, but then I found Topsail Hill State Park, and it looks wonderful as well. I'm thinking of changing my reservations to stay at Topsail Hill. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback or comments the users of this board might have on one of the state parks vs. another. If it helps any - we have a 32 ft. travel trailer, and 3 kids, ages 10, 12 and 14 as of this summer. Thanks! We have stayed at both and much prefer Top Sail. The vegetation and setting is much more lush and tropical. Top Sail really is one of the nicest RV parks in the country.
QUOTE(GEOAMENT @ Jan 28 2007, 11:59 PM) [snapback]5933[/snapback] QUOTE(momto3 @ Jan 27 2007, 07:53 AM) [snapback]5917[/snapback] We are planning a trip to the emerald coast in July 07. We are travelling from Texas, and have planned to stay one week at Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores, AL, and then plan to spend a week in the Destin FL area. I made reservations at Henderson Beach State Park, but then I found Topsail Hill State Park, and it looks wonderful as well. I'm thinking of changing my reservations to stay at Topsail Hill. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback or comments the users of this board might have on one of the state parks vs. another. If it helps any - we have a 32 ft. travel trailer, and 3 kids, ages 10, 12 and 14 as of this summer. Thanks! We have stayed at both and much prefer Top Sail. The vegetation and setting is much more lush and tropical. Top Sail really is one of the nicest RV parks in the country. We have stayed at Topsail--last Feb and we are going again in a few weeks. We loved it. The sites are large and well landscaped. It is at least a mile walk to the beach, but well worth it. They do have a shuttle that will take you to the beach. It is out of the hustle and bustle of Destin which we liked.
I know I'm in the minority, but I don't particularly care for Topsail. The sites are pretty nice but the patios are small and if your door lines up fine. If it don't you are not allowed to use a carpet. If it is wet you have a mess. My big dislike is the distance to the beach. You are so far back that you can not even hear the surf much less see it. We spent a week there last spring and we won't go back.
We loved Topsail. We had a large pull through with a large patio and all the sites in the 100 block are beautifully ladscaped. We drove around Henderson SP - yes they are closer to the beach, but you park on gravel which we didn't like. The distance to the beach is just over a mile, and is a paved cycle path. If you have bikes you can rent little buggies that tow behind your bikes for all your equipment, coolers etc. We walked the path to the beach each day (need the exercise) but there is also a free trolley which runs on the hour to take you back and forth. The beach is spectacular!
We just returned from Destin. We also didn't care for Topsail as a "favorite". It's nice enough but ,Henderson Beach was simply beautiful and very tropical. Sites were huge and private. If only all campgrounds could be this nice.
We have stayed at Topsail--last Feb and we are going again in a few weeks. We loved it. The sites are large and well landscaped. It is at least a mile walk to the beach, but well worth it. They do have a shuttle that will take you to the beach. It is out of the hustle and bustle of Destin which we liked. [/quote] Hi Ragman, What was the weather like in February? Thanks!
We have stayed at both..just depends on what you want...Henderson Beach is a lot closer to the restaurants, grocery stores, etc. yet, still very secluded...TopSail is a good distance on the other side of Destin. Henderson Beach is $21.00 a night...TopSail is $38.00 per night..almost double. If we do elect to stay at TopSail we always get in the Section they call "the 100's"..bigger, newer, and it's in the back of the campground. For the money and aesthetic value, I vote for Henderson Beach...and I must not be alone...you probably will not be able to get in Henderson unless you make you reservation months in advance!
I've stayed at Henderson & would go back in a heartbeat. The sites were huge, you could walk to over a boardwalk to the beach, and it was beautiful. I've only seen pictures of Topsail via the web - and it does look nice as well.
Thanks to all of you for your responses. We were lucky enough to get reservations at both parks. We are scheduled to spend 4 nights at Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores, AL, then 4 nights at Henderson Beach, followed by 7 nights at Topsail! Can't wait!!!!!
