Florida RV Parks

[tmw188]

Thinking of renting a Class C in Florida and visiting different parks. What are the chances of availability w/o reservations? I'm assuming it's quite a gamble?

[Ramets]

It pretty much depends on the time of year, and where you want to stay. Summer...no problem, the snowbirds are gone. Winter can be a bit of a problem, but I believe with some searching you'll still find a place near to where you want to be.

[Medico]

There are most likely spots available, especially if you're not too particular about where you are. There are so many RV Parks in Florida, there are always a few spots available for short term stays.

[Luckiest Dreamer]

It has been my experience that most parks leave spots available for the daily traveler and they are easily found. However if you want to stay beyond a few days finding one long term is nearly impossible during peak times.

[slick60]

No problem. You may have an occasional "not too nice" place for a night or two.

[Dog Folks]

If you want to experience the real Florida, please try a few Florida State Parks.

You should be able to get short term stays.

Many parks hold back a few sites for "walk-ins" so call the park and inquire.

Here is a link for you: Welcome to Florida State Parks

[Selah]

All of the Florida State Parks we have been to are very nice, large sites with lots of trees. All had water and electric; sometimes only 30 amp but that still works, and a dump stations. Week ends are the hardest to get reservations. Several times we have had to split our stay between two sites within the same park.
Resorts are a little easier to get a stay for greater than two weeks, were currently at TGO for three weeks.
We also found that we did a lot of backtracking in order to get a preferred area. In other words well get a site in northern Florida for a couple of weeks,,then manage to get a site south of Tampa then head back up north for the next stay. About the only way to prevent some of that is to make your plans way in advance. We typically don't do,that because we like to have more freedom on what strikes our fancy next.

[tmw188]

Originally Posted by Selah

All of the Florida State Parks we have been to are very nice, large sites with lots of trees. All had water and electric; sometimes only 30 amp but that still works, and a dump stations. Week ends are the hardest to get reservations. Several times we have had to split our stay between two sites within the same park. Resorts are a little easier to get a stay for greater than two weeks, were currently at TGO for three weeks. We also found that we did a lot of backtracking in order to get a preferred area. In other words well get a site in northern Florida for a couple of weeks,,then manage to get a site south of Tampa then head back up north for the next stay. About the only way to prevent some of that is to make your plans way in advance. We typically don't do,that because we like to have more freedom on what strikes our fancy next.

That"s sort of the way we like to travel if we have nothing in mind. We won't have a toad of course so we will have to rent a car if we really need one.

[tmw188]

Originally Posted by Dog Folks

If you want to experience the real Florida, please try a few Florida State Parks. You should be able to get short term stays. Many parks hold back a few sites for "walk-ins" so call the park and inquire. Here is a link for you: Welcome to Florida State Parks

I will check that out. Thanks.

[bailiff]

You will find most Florida State Parks located on or close to a body of water will be full all summer long with only a few exceptions. Salt Springs Recreation Area will have availability anytime except major holidays and during the winter. I find private parks, not located near water, have availability anytime during the summer.

[Ray,IN]

Except for Jan/Feb/Mar, you can get in almost anywhere short-term as a drive-in.

[Arch Hoagland]

Once the snowbirds disappear you'll be fine.

Watch out for alligators if you have a small pet.

[rosegramma]

Some counties in FL have campsites in some of their parks. Orange county (Orlando) has 3 campgrounds. Have been to Moss Park. Nice place, no pets allowed & no reservations (I think), but arrive on a Sunday afternoon or Monday (when the locals have gone back to work), should be no problem. Actually, as long as you don't show up on Thursday through Saturday, you should be fine. Rates fairly low ($24?), lower for seniors or residents.
Hillsborough county (Tampa) has some nice camping sites. Again, I think no reservations, but could be wrong. Lithia Springs, E G Simmons, and Edward Medard have campsites, $24 ($18 for seniors).
Pasco County has Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City, Citrus county has Chassahowitzka River campground near Homosassa, Broward County has about 6 campgrounds, and Pinellas county has the top rated Fort Desoto, but probably the hardest to get a site. They do have some non reserved sites, but usually a line of campers waiting for them.
There are probably others, these are just some I know of. Also, Ocala Nat'l Forest has many campgrounds. Salt Springs is the most developed, but many other have few or no hookups and plenty of availability.
Hope these suggestions help.

[tmw188]

Originally Posted by rosegramma

Some counties in FL have campsites in some of their parks. Orange county (Orlando) has 3 campgrounds. Have been to Moss Park. Nice place, no pets allowed & no reservations (I think), but arrive on a Sunday afternoon or Monday (when the locals have gone back to work), should be no problem. Actually, as long as you don't show up on Thursday through Saturday, you should be fine. Rates fairly low ($24?), lower for seniors or residents. Hillsborough county (Tampa) has some nice camping sites. Again, I think no reservations, but could be wrong. Lithia Springs, E G Simmons, and Edward Medard have campsites, $24 ($18 for seniors). Pasco County has Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City, Citrus county has Chassahowitzka River campground near Homosassa, Broward County has about 6 campgrounds, and Pinellas county has the top rated Fort Desoto, but probably the hardest to get a site. They do have some non reserved sites, but usually a line of campers waiting for them. There are probably others, these are just some I know of. Also, Ocala Nat'l Forest has many campgrounds. Salt Springs is the most developed, but many other have few or no hookups and plenty of availability. Hope these suggestions help.

Thanks for the great info!