Located in the Florida Panhandle, this Cotton Landing Campground is right next to one of our favorite natural springs!
By Bekah Whitney
When you tell someone you travel full time, one of two things will happen: you’ll be asked for recommendations on where to go or you will be given recommendations. Cotton Landing Campground was one of those that a fellow traveler mentioned in passing. It wasn’t anywhere on the top of our list, but when we saw we would be going by it anyways, we thought “why not!” Cotton Landing Campground and Cypress Spring are now one of our favorite spots and is Sawyer’s favorite spring and my second favorite (it’s hard to beat swimming with manatees in the Crystal River Springs).
Cotton Landing is in a small recreation area located on Holmes Creek and 3 miles north of the tiny town of Vernon, Florida. There are 3 camping sites that are free, but must be reserved through the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
Address: 3008 Highway 277, Vernon, FL 32462
Amenities: Portable toilets, picnic table, small shelter, fire pit
Reservations: Available by reservation only, but no fees. Make reservation by visiting this website: https://www.nwfwater.com/Lands/Recreation/Area/Choctawhatchee-River-Holmes-Creek/Cotton-Landing
Time of year: Year round
Type of Camping: Primitive, dry camping, Boondocking. Suitable for tents, truck campers, vans, and small trailer campers.
Number of sites: 3
Cell Service: Verizon & AT & T had enough internet to stream
Fees: Free, 7 day stay limit
Interesting Features: Boat Ramp, Can paddle to Cypress Spring
There are many reasons why this camping spot was amazing; it’s close to town, has great cell phone service, surrounded by a beautiful forest, and has tons of firewood, but hands down the best part is that it is a short paddle ride away from Cypress Spring. We blew up our inflatable kayak, but many others we saw chose to bring an inflatable paddleboard that also worked perfectly due to the slow current.
The paddle: We blew up our kayak at our camp spot and then carried it over to the boat launch. You start by paddling downstream and there are some downed trees and spots you will probably scrape. If on a paddle board, I would suggest going down to your knees when going over these in case you get bumped. Otherwise the paddle is very easy. About half a mile down you will notice the creek split into two and a tree with some red spray paint on it to your right. This is where you will turn to paddle up to the spring. You will notice right away that the water will become less murky and you can see the bottom. From here the spring is an easy quarter mile up and you will see the water change to a brilliant sapphire color. You can pull your boat ashore or tie it to a tree. The paddle took us about 10 minutes each way.
Cypress Spring is the only spring we have visited that felt wild and natural because the only way to reach Cypress Spring is to paddle to it. Although we didn’t have the spring all to ourselves there were only 4 others there at the most. The spring is very wide at 150 feet at its maximum diameter, has a maximum depth of 29 feet, and discharges from two separate vents in the limestone making plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. There are populations of Mullet, some huge bass, carp, and tilapia to swim around with.
When swimming around you will notice the clarity is unbeatable! The clarity of this spring comes from the sheer amount of water that Cypress Spring pumps per day, 65.3 million gallons to be exact. The water that comes out is a lovely 68 degrees year round. You will enjoy watching many different species of fish, jumping off the rope swing, and soaking up the beauty surrounding the spring.
When I made my reservation for Cotton Landing, I was nervous that we might not be able to fit. I left a message at the Florida Management Office, but they never called back. We went there knowing that we might have to turn around as we couldn’t fit. Luckily, we fit perfectly. The cut off you’ll want to bring in there is about 20 feet. After you hit that, it might get a little too tight. You will also want to back in the whole way from the boat ramp (only two hundred feet or so) so that you can easily get out.
Pro-tip: If you are closer to that 20 foot mark, nab site 3 as it has a little bit more room to angle in and no one else will have to squeeze past you if you stick out a bit.
The first spring we ever went to, we did not have a mask. As soon as we were back in town, we promptly found a dive shop and bought some gear. If you want to have the best experience in any springs, a mask and snorkel is a must!
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to bring mask defog, it makes a huge difference.
Cypress Spring has some old structures that are now falling apart. Be careful walking on the deck as there are loose boards and rusty nails jutting in places. Also, you’ll want to be careful with the rope swing as the ladder is a little rickety and there is a knotted up ball of rope at the bottom that you’ll have to watch for as you release from the swing. It is very fun though.
Hi! I’m Bekah, but you can call me Beks, all my friends do! I travel full-time in a tiny home on wheels that my partner, Sawyer, and I built from a cargo trailer shell in 2019. We started out in beautiful Colorado and have been all over the United States over the years. This space is designed to inspire and guide the nature obsessed nomad, weekend warrior, and future roadlifer. I’m so excited you’re here!
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This spot is an absolute must if you find yourself in the panhandle. The reservation system was super simple and knowing you 100% have a spot was very reassuring. This is a popular spot so the earlier you put in your reservation, the better. If you are not lucky enough to camp here, it is still worth the visit to Cypress Spring. As I stated this was one of our favorite springs in all of Florida, and we went to a lot!
Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts on camping at Cotton Landing and visiting Cypress Spring! Remember to share with all your friends traveling through and planning their trips to Florida.
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