I have trekked this route myself. Every 25 yards a naked sextagenarian would pop up from behind the

Camping on the beach is one of those ideal dreams I always thought would be cool to experience. It brings me back to a time when there were beach parties and surfers were able to roam the shorelines without concern. Now, there are very few places in the United States where spending a night in the beach by a campfire is allowed, but one of those few places is right down here on the extreme western edge of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Johnson’s Beach is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore located in Perdido Key, Florida (the last town before how to get ticket upgrades air travel hitting the Alabama state line). This small section how to get ticket upgrades air travel of seashore is home to one of the best undeveloped beaches in the area, as well as the former how to get ticket upgrades air travel location of Fort McRee, a Confederate fort that guarded the Pensacola Bay (only a single battery remains of this Fort).
The Perdido Key Seashore area encompasses how to get ticket upgrades air travel both sides, a long stretch of beach on the South and Big Lagoon on its North. Prior to Tropical Storm Lee, a two lane road passed between the two bodies of water for approximately 2 miles.  While cars couldn’t park at the end of the road, they could unload how to get ticket upgrades air travel and park about 0.5 miles from the end.
Since the road was closed, hiking to the campsite began at the large parking area just past the entrance to the National Seashore. These will be the last restrooms you will see. From here, hikers hike along the wide, sandy beach with all their camping gear. If you’ve never done any beach hiking before, be aware, the soft stand can be harder to hike than any mountain.  I’m an avid hiker, but this simple 2.5 mile hike did a number on my calves. There are hard surfaces that can be found along the hike, but they are not necessarily in a straight line or consistent.
Other than the sand, the hike to the camp sites can be quite pleasant. Simultaneous views of the Gulf of Mexico, the sand dunes, and Big Lagoon on the other side make for an enjoyable experience. Keep a look out for the Pensacola Lighthouse appearing just over the dunes while hiking.  The lighthouse on Pensacola is still functioning and can be seen rotating over the dunes when darkness sets in over the beach.
On the Friday Night we hiked out to the camp site, we only came across two other people on the entire hike, and they were walking back to their cars.  Once we reached the primitive camping sign, we never saw another person and had the entire beach to ourselves for the night. The only exception was the park rangers making frequent trips through the area on their four wheelers at all hours of the morning.
Setting up camp on the beach can be very different from setting up camp elsewhere. The biggest issue is dealing with all the sand one is bound to track in. No one wants to sleep in a sleeping bag full of sand. To compensate, we used our tent’s footprint as a front porch and staging area for sleeping. This was extremely helpful in keeping sand out of the tent, though far from full proof.
The other major issue with camping on the beach is the ability to dry off and clean sand and salt from the body after a swim. All I can suggest is bring two extra towels, a third pair of clothes, and just be prepared to deal with sand and salt for the night.
My favorite part about beach camping, though, was building a fire on the beach. It wasn’t the bonfire party that I envisioned from the surfer party days, but it was enjoyable to sit by the fire and the ocean at the same time.
The morning sunrise over the Gulf was another how to get ticket upgrades air travel beautiful moment during our camping trip on the beach. The ocean breeze can get somewhat chilly, even in a sleeping bag, and the warmth of the sunrise made all the difference in the early morning.
For the return how to get ticket upgrades air travel hike, we decided we would seek a little respite from the soft sand and hike back along the closed road. There are several boardwalks that go from the road to the beach, so we hit the first one we came to.
The sand covered road seemed almost apocalyptic. It was completely deserted and barely visible at times due to the sand. I couldn’t help but think about how this road would be the way roads would look if we were the last people on Earth after some great storm.
Because of the depth of the sand, the roads weren’t really any easier to hike back along than the beach. They did provide some better views of the Big Lagoon, though, and the bridge over Perdido Key. This made for a nice way to conclude the hike with a loop hike.
2. The beach road will begin to make a sharp curve away from the beach. At this point, turn right onto Johnson Beach Road. A sign will indicating Gulf Islands how to get ticket upgrades air travel National Seashore will indicate the location of the turn.
I ve heard rumors of certain adult activities occurring there within that community as well. The night we went we didn t see a single person camping besides the wife and I. The good thing about this beach, is that it is so long, it d be easy to escape other people of any sort just by hiking a little how to get ticket upgrades air travel further down the beach.
I have trekked this route myself. Every 25 yards a naked sextagenarian would pop up from behind the dunes to say hi. Not a pretty site. The history of this area is interesting as this was originally a segregated beach in times thankfully past. the beach is named after Rosamond how to get ticket upgrades air travel Johnson the first African- American from the area to die in the Korean conflict.
yes a few miles down the beach is gay territory, and if you are a guy alone camping be prepared to be approached ad naseum. too bad too most gays are respectful these are not. i would definitely want a gal with me, hahha, i would want that no matter though.
Some friends and I camped at Johnson for Labor Day weekend. I just wanted to say thanks for this article, it guided us through a bit of confusion. There were plenty of people out for the holiday how to get ticket upgrades air travel but we had an easy fifty feet of space on either side of us, much emptier than any other beach would have been. Love this spot and will definitley return. Already planning Operation: Cold Camp for an autumn experience.
DEFINITELY planning to stop there and take a million photos in the next year or two. I have a tiny 14 foot camper how to get ticket upgrades air travel pulling how to get ticket upgrades air travel w/a car (hope to paint the Bird s Nest somewhere on it)- very concerned abt the GA mountain locations that I may not be able to drive up to w/the camper, but thankfully most beach areas are flat LOL..Where can I camp close by and not have to use my entire month s camping budget? ANY SUGGESTIONS WELCOME for any beach (or 1 mile walk to the beach just fine) in FL/GA/ALA. 3 cannot wait. ttownrobin aka Robin Sopko on Facebook if you see me be sure to say Hello! I used to live in Pensacola back in the early 80 s..thanks for any help! XOXO!!
Does it bother anyone camping how to get ticket upgrades air travel on the east end of Johnson Beach to see nude beach walkers or nude sunbathers there? I know the Panhandle doesn t have an official clothing optional beach like there is at Haulover Beach down south, but I m just curious how many actual beach goers would be offended at nudity on the far east end of Johnson Beach.
The road in the park has been cleared of sand, so it s possible to drop your gear closer to the camping area. But cars aren t allowed to park along the last 1/2 mile of road, so it s still at least a one mile trek to the camp beyond this point sign. Ultimately it s worth the effort; having so much beach all to yourself is an amazing experience.
Johnson Beach is not like Pensacola Beach, where males strut around like peacocks trying to give the appearance that they are not gay. Instead, this beach provides a sanctuary for those sun lovers who like to relax and enjoy the scenery
We just returned from a week in the Johnson Beach area. The roads are perfectly clear, you still have to park about .35 miles from the end where you drop off your gear, and it is still a .5 mile hike to the camping how to get ticket upgrades air travel sign shown above. You will still see naked people how to get ticket upgrades air travel on the beach on occasion, and there may even be a gay/lesbian individual. It is a great beach, great price, and none of the naked, clothed, gay, straight people will bite. We swam with no clothes, we also swam with a few sting rays. Can t do that in Memphis.