Timberlake Pond Recreation Area

It's rather remarkable to be so close to Destin and Ft. Walton Beach yet in the middle of the woods on a bucolic pond. If you're a MTB trail sort of person this location is great as the trails are literally right there. Or you can hike in the woods or paddle on Timberlake Pond. If your thing is plane spotting you'll get your fill from the fighter jets doing their thing since the Eglin is right there.

The sites themselves are numbered but not clearly laid out so you just sort of find an area to your liking. It's first-come, first-served with no sites assigned. The further you go from the entry road the tighter the spaces (trees closer and limbs lower) so they are best suited for trucks, vans, tenters. I preferred the more open area right across from the campground sign.

The turn-off of Hwy 189 is clearly signed. Go just under 0.5 miles and then after the bird dog training field sign on the left is an unpaved road on the right. It's wide and mostly flat and leads right to the camping area - about 3/4 mile. Nothing but tall trees, some picnic tables, and fire rings. Bring all that you need.