Community Forums

Pdapete · 10-07-2013, 11:45 PM

I'm heading to Florida this winter. Any suggestion for a campground? I will be in a truck camper, so I would like to have a store and maybe a bar in walking distance. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Mr_D · 10-07-2013, 11:54 PM

Much cheaper to buy the booze and mix your own!

Pdapete · 10-08-2013, 12:10 AM

True. I'm thinking more of the football playoffs. And an occasional pizza.

JMonroe · 10-08-2013, 07:48 AM

Well, there's about 8 gazillion campgrounds in Florida that would meet your criteria. Maybe you could narrow it down a bit. Do you have any particular part of the state you'd prefer? What's your budget? Any hobbies besides bar hopping?

Give a few more parameters and I'm confident you'll get plenty of suggestions.

Dog Folks · 10-08-2013, 07:50 AM

Wow. How about a few specifics?

Florida is a HUGE state.

Campgrounds go anywhere form $300.00 per month to $3,000.00 per month. From no amenities to every amenity imaginable.

State parks? National Forest? On the Coast or Inland? North Florida, or South Florida?

A little more information would help the members recommend.

Triker56 · 10-08-2013, 09:36 AM

Yep a big area of Campgrounds.

Florida Geography

Total Area - 58,560 Square Miles

Land Area - 54,252 Square Miles

Total Water Area - 4,308 Square Miles

Rank Among States in Total Area - 22nd

Length North to South - 447 Miles

Width East to West - 361 Miles

Distance from Pensacola to Key West - 792 Miles by Road

Highest Natural Point - 345 Feet near Lakewood in Walton County

Geographic Center - 12 miles northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County

Coastline - 1,197 Statute Miles

Tidal Shoreline - 2,276 Statute Miles

Beaches - 663 Miles

Florida has more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways

Longest River - St. Johns at 273 miles

Largest Lake - Lake Okeechobee at 700 square miles
(the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the United States)

Largest County - Palm Beach at 2,578 square miles

Smallest County - Union at 245 square miles

Number of Lakes greater than 10 acres - Aprox. 7,700

Number of First Magnitude Springs - 27
(Florida has more first magnitude springs than any other state.)

Number of Islands Greater than 10 Acres - Aprox. 4,500
(Florida ranks 2nd in the nation by this measure and only Alaska ranks higher.)

Pdapete · 10-08-2013, 08:14 PM

Sorry I wasn't more specific. I would like to be south of Orlando and in a campground with electric and water. I will be walking or riding my bike to get around, so I'd like to be close to stores and a restaurant. If I could find one thats not too expensive -$350 or less a week preferred - I would be very grateful. Sorry I can't be more specific, but this will be my first season of camping, so I'm still learning. Really just trying to escape the cold. Thanks.

TurtleKent · 10-08-2013, 08:32 PM

In FL anyplace near water costs $$$. So, if you stay away from the coasts you can avoid most of the crowds and live a lot more cheaply. Sebring is a pleasant, moderately priced locale with good weather and 90 min to either coast or Disney if you need it. We have been there the last three Jan. on Habitat builds. Try Lake Josephine RV park, it's probably about $350/mo. Snowbird season in FL is packed with RVs, and many places book up a year in advance. Key West NAS has a decent FamCamp, I understand a lot of overflow RVs are in the field dry camping. Very economical if you can get in. I'm a vet but not retired so I have no privileges there. Other than that I would definitely NOT attempt to visit the Keys without a reservation. The Keys are $$$ and they will ticket you for overnight along the side of the road. Have fun.

Pdapete · 10-08-2013, 08:41 PM

Thank you. I would love to stay at Key West NAS, since I was stationed there many years ago, but I was only in for 5 years, so I'm sure I couldn't get in. Thanks for your help.

Tom3205 · 10-09-2013, 12:23 PM

Leaving Michigan ?? Most Northern campgrounds close about the end of October. You would have to travel past Nashville to find one with water . Central Fl. is not as expensive as coastal Fl. Check out Passport America. There may be some deals that you could get in on. There are some nice Passport campgrounds in Georgia, near Perry and Calhoun. as well as northern Florida near Jupiter.

DSL417 · 10-09-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pdapete

Thank you. I would love to stay at Key West NAS, since I was stationed there many years ago, but I was only in for 5 years, so I'm sure I couldn't get in. Thanks for your help.

Key West is a place a lot of us would like to get into long term during the Winter. If you go to militarycampgrounds.us web site, you'll find they have a max stay of 14 days I believe, and a max out of 360 days. MacDill on the other hand has seasonal slots, around $600/mo; however, you must follow the reservation directions closely (they are on the site) and you must apply as early as you can. The folks that go there every year and know how and when it works best have a large advantage to get on board there.

Up to $350/week should get you into a pretty nice campground south of Orlando, probably Ft Myers or Ft Lauderdale area.

Oldme · 10-09-2013, 01:53 PM

When we lived in Fl. the in-law used to go to
Chrystal River / Homosassa area a lot.
That is a nice area on the Gulf great fishing.

Nature's Resort was the one they liked.
http://www.naturesresortfla.com/

Yellow Pages is giving me 29 in that area.

Before you get there is Ceder Key also on the Gulf.
Yellow Pages gives 12 parks there.

You will usually find a 14 day limit in Fl.
The in-laws used to drive from one then cross the road to another,
several times during their snowbird stay.

LakeKerrGuy · 10-09-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pdapete

I'm heading to Florida this winter. Any suggestion for a campground? I will be in a truck camper, so I would like to have a store and maybe a bar in walking distance. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Ocala National Forest - Salt Springs Campground

Not good if you are coming soon. Currently closed due to the idiots in Washington.

As far as I'm concerned, this is the best value in Florida. Do a Google earth and take a look at the area.

I live about a mile away.

Steve N Sal · 10-09-2013, 03:41 PM

If I may offer a suggestion, go to Reviews of RV Parks and Campgrounds - RV Park Reviews and punch in some cities in the area you would like to be in. Have a map handy so you can see where the cities are located. You don't say how long you intend to be there but a lot of the parks have monthly fees which will work out way under what you're figuring at $350/week. We're in Zephyrhills for the winter and there are a ton of parks in that city. Some of them though would be a little ride to a bar or store on a bike. You could also do a Google search for RV parks in a particular area and see what you come up with. Good luck and hope you find a place.