Destinations: Indian Pass

Turn here to catch a glimpse of Old Florida. (If it seems like you're in the middle of nowhere, it's because you are!)

Three miles past the turn off to Cape San Blas, you'll find Indian Pass Raw Bar on your left and Indian Pass Road on your right. Indian Pass offers miles of secluded beaches on one side and rich estuaries on the other with the far eastern tip overlooking St. Vincent Island. Indian Pass was settled in early 1900's and several great examples of cracker-style homes from that era still stand alongside more modern beach rental homes.

"The Pass" is celebrated most for excellent fishing, lagoon oysters, and an incredible range of habitat. Apalachicola Bay, at its very West end, flows into the Gulf at the tip of Indian Pass Peninsula. This conflux of fresh and salt water makes the area one of the most fertile estuarine areas in the world. (Native Americans figured this out thousands of years ago.) Beach driving is allowed, with a permit, so it's not unusual to see families gathered along the shore-fishing, crabbing, grilling or gathering wood for an evening bonfire.

Just across the tip of the peninsula lie the primitive shores of St. Vincent Island, a national wildlife refuge, encompassing over twelve thousand acres of protected habitat. The Island was named in the 1600's by missionaries, purchased in 1908 and stocked with exotic game for a private hunting, before being purchased for wildlife preservation in the 60's. The zebras and elands are gone, but the imported Asian Sambar deer (weighing up to 600 pounds) still roam the island along with hundreds of other species, like alligator, loggerhead turtle, eagle and wild boar. Stop by the campground under the oaks, to find out about local eco-excursions to St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge as well charter fishing, kayak and bike rentals.

Indian Pass Campground is at the far western end of Apalachicola Bay, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. In the midst of a deeply fertile area full of unspoiled beaches and rich estuaries, there are no high rises here, just the natural terrain full of wildlife as it always was.

The campground offers a unique experience in a natural setting. Waterfront cabins, RV sites and primitive campsites surround Indian Lagoon. Learn more at www.indianpasscamp.com