Community Forums

dylan · 12-19-2010, 02:57 PM

We just purchased our 1st MH. I want our first experiance to be memorable. Please suggest a place that would nice be to stay, we are open to any and all suggestions. Beachfront would be great!
We're think of the Tampa area, as it would be a relatively short drive from our home in Marietta, Ga. It would also be alot warmer!
Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you,

Jim and Glenda

WheelingIt · 12-19-2010, 04:06 PM

Fort de Soto State Park may be your best bet. It's within a min of the beach and just next to Tampa. Book a waterfront site. Only negative is that it can be a bit tight in spots.

gripper · 12-20-2010, 08:05 AM

In Florida, there are relatively few, actual "BEACHFRONT" RV parks. BIMO, the best, is the "Red Coconut RV Park", on Ft. Myers Beach. Next, would be Beverly Beach, near Flagler Beach, on the East Coast. Those two, allow the RV, to park right "on the beach". There are some good beach parks in St. Augustine and in Destin, FL, on the Florida Panhandle. Then there are some in the Florida Keys. Look in the "RV Park Review" webb site, for details. Be aware, that during the winter months these parks fill up fast and Rv'ers tend to stay for long periods! Also, they are not cheap! I'm talking of up to $100 (more or less), per day. Of course, the weeky lor monthly rates are cheaper.

Dr4Film · 12-20-2010, 08:36 AM

I have reservations for 2 months at the Beverly Beach RV Camptown Park Resort in Flagler Beach with my coach facing directly onto the beach. We will be there for March and April. It is one of the best ones I've seen but there are others along the same coast that hold smaller rigs. It's also rather pricey so get out your piggy bank and break it open.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Chickadee · 12-20-2010, 10:16 AM

Jim & Glenda (dylan):

Hi from Casa Grande, AZ. Have frequently stayed in the Tampa area since our son lives there with his family.

Fort DeSoto is indeed that memorable beachfront spot you're looking for....IF ya can get reservations. We think it does have a 14 day stay limit, but definitely worth a call. Otherwise, we'd suggest a great park called Bay Bayou, located in the community called Oldsmar right on the very NORTH end of Tampa Bay between Clearwater and Tampa on Hwy. 580 (see map). This is not beachfront although tidal bayous wind around the park for fishing and even kayaking/canoeing (at high tide). Bay Bayou RV Park is an excellent park providing EASY access to the beaches and island parks off St. Pete, Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs. You'll like it. (Don't miss spending time at Johns Pass Boardwalk located in Madeira Beach at St. Pete, or an afternoon out on Honeymoon Island off Palm Harbor, and don't miss a day down on the sponge fleet docks up at Tarpon Springs.)

Other thanthe Fort DeSoto RV Park, there just aren't beachfront RV parks within shootin distance of Tampa though ya also might check into the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, and Sarasota areas (South and SE of Tampa Bay).

For "warm" weather, you'll do well to not stay much further North of a line btwn. Tampa and Daytona Beach. For example, the pan handle spots like Destin, are pretty chilly. Likewise, Ocala, and Gainesville, etc.

We're headin over to Tampa at the end of Feb./early Mar., to be at our sons retirement ceremony from the Air Force. However during more recent visits we usually stay over on the East side of Tampa to be near our son's home.

This will certainly be a first, and memorable trip for you. Have a wonderful time.

Steve & Lynette

bdaball · 12-20-2010, 04:12 PM

Dylan,
Spend as much tme as you can on Fort Desoto's web page. Settle in on a couple of choices.(not all are "beach-front" but very private).
Once you have made a decision you can search available open dates. Then be ready at 12:01 AM on January 1, 2011 to make an online reservation. He who hesitates will certainly not be in a prime spot.
As far as 14 day limits, try making one reservation in your name and one in DW's name. I think you will find that might work.
Been there, done that. It's a Beautiful place.

dylan · 12-21-2010, 08:01 PM

Oh! Thank you all, sooo much! We're still not sure what to do. I'm more than a "little timid" of making our first adventure into "Rv land" both sewer and cable/dish lacking.
I'd like to have all the comforts of everything, especially getting there on Christmas/day/eve...
Thanks soooooo much!!!

J/D

JMonroe · 12-22-2010, 07:16 AM

Dylan,

Once you get to the campground I think you'll find others there will also be more than happy to help with any questions you have about your on-board systems or 'how to'. Everyone there was a newbee once and most are more than happy to help someone else get off on the right foot.

Merry Christmas, and happy trails...