Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Our visit to Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park was a surprise but a very nice one. The weather was pretty good except for the little tornado watch we were told about by the Ranger in the middle of our stay. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing. We were told that if we heard something like a freight train to head off to the bathhouse and hope for the best. Not the most reassuring thing to say but it was probably as accurate as one can get under the circumstances. The bath house is extremely nice with heating for the winter and air conditioning in the summer. It is large, clean and well-maintained. The showers are hot with pretty good water pressure as well. It has two washers and dryers for $2.00 each. That came in real handy. When we checked into the park we had to go into the office. Once inside you notice that they sell bait, ice, rent canoes and kayaks, along with the safety equipment, firewood, and some other camping supplies and souvenirs. The prices were not too bad and comparable to just about anywhere else. The park’s location is near an Air Force Base with a munitions disposal place just down the road. During the work week just after 9:00 am we could hear the bombs and stuff being exploded. That was a surprise but didn’t really detract from our visit. There are lots of shopping areas within a short distance of the park’s entrance. From the material and website, we learned that the area was owned by a retired Air Force Colonel who created a recreational area for military families. And then it was donated to the state for a park. Thank You for doing that it is a very nice place that doesn’t cost a lot to stay. There is a large body of water called Rocky Bayou that runs along the park that you can put in a boat, fish from the shore or canoe around in. However, they discourage swimming anywhere along the shore. The Gulf of Mexico is located directly west of the park over a toll road into Destin, Florida. The park is located on a busy highway and we got excellent cell phone and internet service. The sites are very wide and deep along the back lane and a little smaller facing the water. There are playground and picnic areas between the water and the camping area as well as a ranger lecture space. There are a few trails in the park but we didn’t have to time to actually walk any of them while we were there. We hope to visit them again. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 4281 State Road 20 Niceville, Florida 32578 (850) 833-9144 https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Rocky-Bayou Admission Fee: $5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping Fee: $16.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity. Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a social security disability award certificate or a 100 percent disability award certificate from the Federal Government are permitted to receive a 50 percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility User Fees: $5.00 Boat ramp fee. $75.00 per day, plus tax, Pavilion rental. Has 2 – Washer/Dryers $2.00 each for 30 minutes Bathrooms are cleaned every day 9:00 am to 10:00 am CAMPSITES: (38) 20 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 2 30 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 12 40 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 8 45 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 2 50 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 14 GET WHAT YOU NEED GAS Kangaroo Express 4563 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-6800 Exxon 4580 Florida 20 Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 897-0070 Fly By Convenience Store 4651 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-8928 GROCERIES Winn-Dixie 4512 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-3968 LP GAS L’Orange Auto Care & UHAUL 203 Early Street Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 729-3744 FAST FOOD/RESTAURANTS Lenny’s Sub Shop 4550 Highway 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-0282 Whataburger 4450 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-0271 Sammy’s Pizza and Subs 4677 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 279-4790 McDonald’s 4570 Florida 20 32578 Niceville, FL (850) 897-7353 Subway 4508 Florida 20 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 897-7827 MEDICAL CARE Twin Cities Hospital 2190 Florida 85 Niceville, Fl 32578 (850) 678-4131 http://tchospital.com/ Emerald Coast Urgent Care 12598 U.S. 98 #101 Destin, Fl 32550 (850) 654-8878 http://www.emeraldcoasturgentcare.com/ SUPPLIES AND STUFF Walmart 1300 E. John Sims Pkwy Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 389-3013 K-Mart 1140 E. John Sims Pkwy Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 729-2244 Map of the Area>/strong> We hope you will take a few minutes and view a short video we created from the pictures we took while camping at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park.