Savvy travelers to Pensacola, Florida know about camping on the beach at Fort Pickens. This historic site is the largest of four forts built around the bay and construction began in 1829. It was one of only four Federal forts in the South not to surrender during the Civil War. The fort also was home to Geronimo and his people  after their capture in 1886.

Its a great place to visit if you ever get a chance and there are great camping facilities on the island as well as condos and hotels close by for those of you whose idea of roughing it is the Holiday Inn.

Along with the whitest sand beaches in the world, the island offers a free fishing pier that juts out into the bay and no fishing license is required if you try your luck there.