Since we would be passing through Newport over a weekend during the spring break season, we had called about a week before our planned arrival for a reservation. It's a good thing we did, for the campground filled up during our stay.

Date of visit: March 2015

Sites 5-13 are the primary RV sites, having electric and water hookups and a few with a sewer connection. Utilities are shared beween pairs of sites, so you might need to pull in frontwards or use extension cords and hoses. It could also be a problem if the two adjacent RV's have the same power capacity, for there is only 15 amp, a 30 amp and a 50 amp outlet for the two sites. With all the trees, it's a bit of a challenge to set up a satellite dish.

Sites 7 and 8 are one of the pairs. There is one sewer hookup between the two, so I guess neighbors will have to flip to see who gets to use it.

Sites 12 and 11 are another pair that shares utilities.

As for the non-hookups sites, let's start with sites 1 and 2. They are located right at the entrance to the park near a fairly busy highway, so it might be a bit noisy there.

A little further back are sites 3 and 4. All the non-hookup sites are suitable for tenting as well as pop-up campers and vans.

Sites 14-16 are in the back corner of the campground.

Sites 18 and 19 are located behind the Host's trailer.

Site 17 is a nice private tent site located near the bathhouse. It's only drawback might be noise from the highway, visible in the background.

Sites 21-24 are located in the center of the campground loop, in a nicely-shaded grassy area.

The bathhouse is fairly old, but has been recently repainted inside and out. It offers free hot showers, but could be a bit cleaner.

Just a short distance from the campground is a boat ramp. Several campers had their boats with them and would spend the day on the St Marks River.

There are two of these wooden walkways, each several hundred feet long, which lead from the campground to the river. One goes to the boat ramp, while the other one leads to a fishing dock at the river.

Just before sunset we took a walk over to the river. Backed by a large towering cumulus cloud was this boat coming down the river.

This is why we always come through Newport on our trips to Florida - to get some tupelo honey. Preston Bozeman has been selling Patsy Owens' honey here for years, but only on Friday and Saturday - not on the Sabbath. He also sells preserves from another local source.

Here is Preston's showroom. Now, let's talk about good timing. My last purchase of honey from Preston was two years ago.  Just a day after replenishing my stash, my previous supply ran out!

Right across the highway from the campground is the road that leads down through St Marks NWR to the St Marks Lighthouse. We often will spend the day in the refuge walking, biking and bird-watching.

Amenities

 6 FHU - $27, 3 E/W - $22, 15 primitive - $11

Showers

Boat launch

Coordinates: 30.199506 N, 84.175605 W

Elevation: 14'

Nearby Activities/Attractions

Fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing

St Marks National Wildlife Refuge