Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > iRV2.com COMMUNITY FORUMS > iRV2.com General Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-23-2020, 09:47 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
aa9zz's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Vincennes, IN
Posts: 224
First time to winter in Florida

My wife and I are looking to get out of the cold weather for the first time. We would like to stay below the freeze line to at least Tampa or south during January, February and/or March. I am more familiar with the Gulf coast.

Can anyone suggest a relatively descent campground? Not too expensive as this is our first our first winter out.

We have a 30 foot class A.

We don't have to be right on the beach but would like for one to be drivable. A clean and friendly campground is what we are looking for.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil
__________________
Phil and Linda Smith, Retired University Faculty
2017 Tiffin Allegro Red 33AA FMCA #F463160
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
aa9zz is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-23-2020, 10:04 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 674
Well winter long term camping in FL works like this:
1) south of the I-4 is the warmest area. Further south the warmer is gets
2) Add expense the closer you get to the beaches
3) Add expense the further south you go.
4) The closer to the beach and the further south you go then the harder it is to book spots. They are often booked a year ahead, snowbirds reserve their places before they head north for next year. Anything south of I-4 will be tough to find.

North of Tampa it is still comparatively warm. We never had a hard freeze this winter, in the Gainesville area, (25 deg or lower) and only one period of a couple of days of 32 deg weather, that for an hour or so at night. However weather is unpredictable so next winter could be colder.
I suggest looking in the Ocala National Forest area for semi-cheaper rates. You would be 90 minutes to 2 hours to a beach in the Daytona/Ormond beach areas. But there are many other springs and such much closer. Natives don't swim in the Winter for the most part anyway unless you go down to the Keys. Prices are astronomical there.


BTW do not expect sunny skies all winter, I'd estimate more than half the days are cloudy
Agesilaus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2020, 10:42 PM   #3
Member
 
Wmjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Posts: 76
Lake Griffin SP. Leesburg Fl.
Lake Manatee SP Bradenton Fl.
Myakka SP. Sarasota Fl.
Oscar Shearer SP Osprey Fl.
Highlands Hammock SP. Sebring Fl.
Salt Springs SP, Juniper Springs. Ocala National Forest
These are some of my favorites!
__________________
Bill and Beth Perz 2011 Fleetwood Jamboree Sport 28Z
Ford E450 V10
The love you take is equal to the love you make.
Wmjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 12:23 AM   #4
NXR
Senior Member
 
NXR's Avatar


 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 6,902
First time to winter in Florida

Manatee Winter Quarters should have just opened their reservations to newcomers. They’re right off I-75 in Bradenton, across the interstate from the new Costco.

We were going to stay there this coming winter due to their active activities list, really nice people we met on our visits, and location but some of their restrooms are ... fugly. The people we travel with use the campground facilities so it was out. They were supposed to renovate the restrooms but had not as of a few months ago.

Arbor Terrace, a Sun Resort in Bradenton, may still be available. It’s right next to a semi-sketchy area but we never felt any danger. They put RVs way, way too close to each other, like inches away sometimes, but are supposed to be removing a third of their spots soon, apparently due to the closeness being a fire code issue.

Grab the reservations you can now because most will allow you to cancel up to a few months out. Then if something better comes along cancel the bad ones.

Be aware that most places have a two month minimum in the January, February, and March timeframe.

Once you’re there drive to a few places each week and look them over for the next time.

You’ll be hard pressed to find anything under $1,500 a month during those three months that far south. December and April are a lot cheaper.

Crystal River will be cheaper as will be other places further north. Bring along a space heater if you stay more north because it can get chilly at night. If you stay one month or less most places do not charge for electricity so you can run a space heater on their dime rather than burn your propane.

Ray
__________________
2020 Forest River Georgetown GT5 34H5
2020 Equinox Premier AWD 2.0L/9-speed
NXR is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 06:19 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,092
You can't " Winter " in FL. State or Federal Parks.

They limit stays to 2 weeks, so if you want to winter, you need to make a lot of reservations and move often. State parks have a 11 month booking window so start trying at 8 AM, 11 months out. Federal have a 6 month window.

Many county parks allow long term stays. Check out Brevard, Miami Dade, Broward, among others.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 06:37 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Burgy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 398
We live here in 7 months of the year, 1 1/2 hours to either coast and 1/3 the traffic!

https://www.campgroundreviews.com/re...ida-resort-717
__________________
Lynn, Guy & Rocky

2016 Newmar London Aire
Burgy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 07:37 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
aa9zz's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Vincennes, IN
Posts: 224
Pricing

What should I expect, $1000.00 a month, $750.00 a month? I think we ex[pect to pay more for our first time and then spend some time finding a clean friendly park that we could better afford for longer periods even the same each year.

Phil
__________________
Phil and Linda Smith, Retired University Faculty
2017 Tiffin Allegro Red 33AA FMCA #F463160
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
aa9zz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 09:21 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,092
I spend about a $1100 a month in Miami Everglades RV park. Its South West of Miami.

1/3 the price of The Keys RV parks and as far south as I can get with out paying for them.

There are some $600 a month parks but you need to book early.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 10:00 AM   #9
NXR
Senior Member
 
NXR's Avatar


 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 6,902
Quote:
Originally Posted by aa9zz View Post
What should I expect, $1000.00 a month, $750.00 a month? I think we ex[pect to pay more for our first time and then spend some time finding a clean friendly park that we could better afford for longer periods even the same each year.

Phil
It depends, usually how far south you stay and their amenities. For example, Sun-n-Fun in Sarasota is about $2,400 a month and solidly booked. We've driven past and they even seem to have a small waterpark. A brand new one just opening called The Tides north of Bradenton is really nice but they were asking for a three month minimum and $2,000 or more a month.

Some give you their rate but do not mention they charge for electricity. Even with one A/C that can add an extra $100 a month. Some sites are concrete and they cost more.

This past winter was our first time doing this and we already want to go back because the cold (43 degrees right now) and the perpetual solid gray skies here in Northern Ohio are just so, so depressing.

We're staying in North Naples in December again for $500 due to an end of the season special sent out by Sun RV Resorts.

And then the price goes up. We're staying near that new Costco in Bradenton for the next two months and it'll probably be about $1,600 each month including electricity.

Then March is in the Crystal River area for slightly less.

Prices crash beginning in April.

If you get to the Tampa RV Show in January, if they hold it, you can pick up s LOT of brochures and some coupons for discounts.

This next winter is really up in the air due to the virus and we're just hoping it's semi-normal.

You really need to start calling now and getting deposits down. We started looking at the end of March last year and most places were booked up by returning people. The campgrounds usually allow people already staying there to rebook for the next year before opening reservations to anyone. As I mentioned, be certain to ask about cancelation policies.

Good luck,
__________________
2020 Forest River Georgetown GT5 34H5
2020 Equinox Premier AWD 2.0L/9-speed
NXR is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 04:41 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 20,702
We stayed at state or county parks and moved in order to test out different areas. We tried Florida 3x and in the end... didn't care for it but that's just us. It's crowded so many do.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
twogypsies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2020, 05:11 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
JBDISCOVERY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 689
If you would wish a laid back, old time park, then RICE CREEK in Gibsonton Fl would be a good choice. RC is an Encore park with full facilities and really
nice people. Not that much expensive. Access to Tampa area with all
the beaches, tourist parks, and great shopping. Have stayed there
two times for extended stays. Really enjoyed. No hassles.
Regards,
JimB
JBDISCOVERY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2020, 02:31 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 32,253
For reasonable monthly rates and near the same latitude as Tampa, and the W to E center of the state, check into Avon Palms RV park near Bowling Green FL. Sites are privately-owned so you contact the site owner through Rental Properties with and without units. | Best Retirement RV Park in Southwest Central Florida
Last I checked, I seem to remember about $5-600/month, some including electricity.
We stay at https://www.goodsam.com/campgrounds-...cgid=300005203
There is a 3-month minimum during "winter" @ $1,300/month. However they keep a few shorter spots(30') available for over-nighters and short stays. The rent is higher because the park is only 2 miles from Ft. Myers Beach.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;GS Life member,FMCA" My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2020, 04:45 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 5,228
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wmjp View Post
Lake Griffin SP. Leesburg Fl.
Lake Manatee SP Bradenton Fl.
Myakka SP. Sarasota Fl.
Oscar Shearer SP Osprey Fl.
Highlands Hammock SP. Sebring Fl.
Salt Springs SP, Juniper Springs. Ocala National Forest
These are some of my favorites!
Just know that you can only stay 14 days.
__________________
Rick and Larrie Dee
1997 40' Newmar London Aire DP CTA 8.3 (Mechanical) 325 Spartan MM
Bringing her back to her glory.
'08 Jeep GC Overland.
RKins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2020, 06:21 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,092
Its not just 14 day limits at Fl. State Parks.

After 28 days you need to be out of all state parks for one day. There is also a max # of days you can stay. I think its 56 days.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
florida, winter



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
First time RVing. Also first time towing. Very happy! Oderus 5th Wheel Discussion 13 05-28-2018 08:29 AM
First Time Boondocking was first time RV'ing DamnYuppie Boondocking 7 04-14-2016 09:07 AM
First time RVer is now also a first time "Remodeler"?-'84 Southwind Redo emoney Vintage RV's 56 04-02-2013 09:02 AM
First time poster, first time owner jimmyq New Member Check-In 5 08-17-2011 10:16 AM
Winter Time is Pork Time Kebamo RV Gourmet 1 12-20-2007 06:05 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.