Crestview, Florida is a city located just north of Destin in Okaloosa County. Crestview got its name because of its location between the Yellow and Shoal Rivers on the peak of a long woodland range. At an elevation of 235 feet above sea level, Crestview is one of the highest points in the state.
Crestview was an outgrowth of the growing rail service across the panhandle of Florida, and CSX, Inc. railroad still runs through Crestview today. Crestview was officially incorporated in 1916, just a year after Okaloosa County came into existence. Today it is one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, going from a population of just over 20,000 in 2010 to more than 27,000 as of the 2020 census.
The location of Crestview has a lot to do with its growth and current popularity. It is just miles from the white sandy beaches of Destin, Florida and is at the junction of three major Florida highways: U.S. 90, State Road 85, and Interstate 10. Being on three of the most traveled highways in the western part of the state garnered Crestview the nickname "hub city" as most people traveling through that part of the state pass by Crestview.
Visitors will find plenty to do and see in the city as well. Crestview is just 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, has a multitude of local and chain restaurants, and is close enough to visit a lot of well-known Florida resort cities like Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, and Destin.
River’s Edge RV Campground is a short drive down I-10 from Crestview and is situated in a secluded wooded area on the banks of the Yellow River. During a stay at River's Edge, you can enjoy fishing and hanging out by the fire at night while visiting museums, beaches, and historical sites during the day. There are 98 full hookup sites with amenities like restrooms, hiking trails, ice, boat ramps, a playground, a pavilion, and more.
A 45-minute drive to Destin, Florida will take you to Bayview RV Campground, a small, 10-site RV park minutes from the beach. Bayview is often full, so start contacting them early, but if you can get a spot here, they have plenty of amenities and a beautiful beach just down the road.
Magnolia Beach Campground is located in Panama City and is also very close to the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. Amenities at Magnolia Beach include showers, restrooms, Wi-Fi, pull-through sites, shade trees, and more. There is a pier close by that is perfect for ocean fishing, and the scenery of the Gulf is hard to beat.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is about 20 miles south of Crestview in Niceville, Florida. The park started as a former WWII gunnery and bombing practice range but it has been transformed over the years into a beautiful natural landscape. Rocky Bayou is one of the main attractions of the park and is a great location for saltwater fishing, boating, sightseeing, and canoeing. There is one RV campground inside the park with 40 full hookup sites, and there are multiple campgrounds to choose from in the nearby area as well.
If you are looking for a more secluded area with a wide variety of outdoor activities available, Blackwater River State Park is a good choice. The Blackwater River is the center of much of what goes on in this park. Canoeing, kayaking, camping, and picnicking are some of the most popular things to do in and around the river. You can also see wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and some rare species of birds during a visit to Blackwater River State Park.
Henderson Beach State Park is one of the most popular parks in Florida. The park is directly on the beach in Destin and is a good place to go for a relaxing day on the beach or to participate in water sports like surfing, swimming, kayaking, and more. One of the most unique aspects of Henderson Beach State Park is the sand dunes that separate the beach from the rest of the world. Some of these dunes can reach 30 feet high and they are a protected habitat and home for many native species.
Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place full of history, beautiful beach scenery, and coastal marshes. This national seashore stretches 160 miles from Mississippi to the east of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is made up of 12 distinct sections. There are numerous historic forts like Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas as well as hiking trails and beaches to explore. There are a lot of campgrounds both in and around the Gulf Islands.
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is north of Crestview in Alabama and takes you back to the beginnings of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The march from Selma to Montgomery was of utmost importance in securing the right to vote for African American men and women. There are artifacts, old buildings, historical facts and stories, and much more along the 54-mile trail that takes you down the same streets and steps as heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr.
A little further east of Montgomery is another important site in the civil rights movement, the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. Booker T. Washington was the school's first principal and he also help build the school, literally, brick by brick. His reputation as a civil rights activist and a great mind of the 19th century allowed him to recruit some of the best and brightest students to the school. One of those students was George Washington Carver who came to Tuskegee in 1896. His agricultural innovations changed the whole country. The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site is a great place to visit and is a two-hour drive from Crestview.
Conecuh National Forest is less than an hour's drive north of Crestview just across the Alabama state line. It is the southernmost national forest in Alabama and covers around 84,000 acres of beautiful public land. Some of the most popular activities done in the park include hiking, fishing, picnicking, hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, biking, shooting sports, sightseeing, and more. The longleaf pine forests sit against bogs and shallow ponds for great scenery and rich ecological diversity. There are plenty of RV parks and campgrounds both in and around Conecuh National Forest.
Apalachicola National Forest is a little southeast of Crestview but still reaches into the panhandle of Florida. There are many recreational activities to do here including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and more. Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park as there numerous trails that differ in terms of terrain and scenery. The Apalachicola River, in the middle of the forest, has the most diverse freshwater fish population in Florida and is a favorite spot for anglers across Florida. There is a great diversity of ecosystems throughout Apalachicola National Forest and the tranquility of untouched nature is great for camping and hiking.
If you travel back north to Alabama, Tuskegee National Forest is only about 180 miles away from Crestview. At only 11,000 acres, it is one of America's smallest national forests, but there is a lot to do within its borders. The famous Bartram National Recreation Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail and runs for around eight miles through the park passing various types of forest habitat. Other activities include camping, mountain biking, shooting ranges, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and more. There are no developed campgrounds or RV sites within the park, but there are designated spots for tent camping and a lot of RV campgrounds nearby.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Crestview, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Crestview?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Crestview from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Crestview?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
