Gamble Rogers State Park
Located just south of Flagler Beach, Gamble Rogers State Park is one of Florida’s few non-private beachside campgrounds. Named after the late Florida folk musician and storyteller, the park honors a man who embodied the spirit of old Florida. Rogers was known for telling tales about life in the South but became a legend for something more. In 1991, while camping at Flagler Beach, he attempted to rescue a drowning man caught in a rip current. Despite his efforts, both he and the man were lost. In recognition of his heroism, the state renamed the park in his honor.
The area has seen its share of change. Before it was a state park, this stretch of coastline was a quiet, relatively undeveloped piece of old Florida, with untouched dunes and thriving salt marshes. When conservationists pushed to preserve it, they fought off the kind of overdevelopment that has sadly swallowed up so much of Florida’s coastlines. Thanks to their efforts, the park remains a haven for campers, anglers, and anyone who appreciates a piece of Florida that still feels wild.
If you’re a beach fan, you can’t beat this campground, but getting a site is another story. With one of the two campgrounds located on the Intracoastal and the other, a rare beachside campground, the park is one of the most sought-after in Florida. Reservations book up months in advance, and unless you get lucky with a cancellation, finding an open site, especially an oceanfront one, is not easy. If you do manage to snag a spot like we did, you’ll get the unbeatable experience of having the beach as your backyard. The park offers full hookups for RVs, and clean facilities Our 24-foot Thor Compass was a perfect match for our site. and a location that was second to none.
Once you’re in, there’s plenty to keep you as busy as you’d like to be. The trails wind through coastal scrub, the boat ramp provides easy access to the Intracoastal and its prime spot for chasing redfish and snook. There are even a few good restaurants within walking or biking distance. The beach is wide and stretches out so far it doesn’t feel overcrowded, perfect for surfing, fishing, or just chilling.
The ocean in this area isn’t without its hazards. Rip currents can be strong, but what makes some swimmers and surfers think twice is the area’s history of shark activity – which we witnessed firsthand. The area has seen numerous shark bites over the years, particularly around the bars where baitfish school up. While attacks are considered rare, they’re frequent enough to make you pay attention to the FWC’s dangerous marine life warnings and avoid swimming at night, dawn, or dusk. As who makes a living on the water as a saltwater fishing guide, I’ve often said… there ain’t any fences out there.
Even with the natural hazards, you’re more likely to get hit by a car crossing the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway! Despite the challenge of getting a reservation, Gamble Rogers remains one of those places you’ll want to return to. It’s a small slice of old Florida, preserved not just for its beauty, but in memory of a man who understood the power of a good story, and the importance of looking out for one another.