In stead of taking another Carribean Carnival Cruise this year for Christmas, we decided we'd like to make a trip to Florida the week of Christmas. We'd be traveling from central Indiana, straight South to ... well ... where?We've been looking at State Parks, but really don't know what to expect. So, anyone who has experience with Florida State Parks in December, please chime in. What kind of answers are we looking for?Well, first, considering so many snowbirds migrate South for the winter months, are State Parks filled up with snow-birds? Or is there space available? I know this may depend upon location, but in general, do snow-birds migrate and take over State Parks?Second, Florida is a pretty long state. But we're looking at something on either the Gulf coast or the Atlantic Cost, not inland, and we're looking at the Northern 1/2 of the state including the Pan Handle. So, looking for your recommendations of State Parks and what would be a primary attraction in that are (besides the beach) that draws people to that location?My wife and I both in our 50's and our lifestyle has slowed down since those days when we had young children. So, basically, think of "old folks" activities .. but no ... we do not play bingo at the local church on Friday nights (yet). Last Dec 24 we our our Cruise, we did Zip Lines! Oh my, never again! It was fun, we realized that kind of activity is beyond us now! We had muscle aches for days after that!

Checkout this site http://rvparkreviews.com/

The State Parks will be filled up with Snowbirds, you'd be hard pressed to find a spot. IMHO, JMHO no great loss because I found the state parks a jungle, bug infested and VERY VERY small sites, and unlike most State Parks they are not cheap in Florida.Take a look around the Dunnellon, Rainbow Lakes area. There are some IMHO GREAT CG's in this area. Took me 4 years to find this hidden gem of an area. Beautiful blue springs parks one does have a CG. Not right on the coast but a short drive to the Gulf. This area is the old Florida clean nice and a lot to do within a few minutes of driving.Look up the Cedar Key area CG's are right on the gulf.In answer to your question? YES, the snowbirds will all have already taken all the good spots and hunkered in for the Winter. :WGood luck, you will find a spot. My first 2 trips down I didn't make reservations anywhere and managed to find nice CG's. I just will NOT do Central Florida anymore since I found out about this area in the N/W central.

rockhillmanor wrote:The State Parks will be filled up with Snowbirds, you'd be hard pressed to find a spot. IMHO, JMHO no great loss because I found the state parks a jungle, bug infested and VERY VERY small sites, and unlike most State Parks they are not cheap in Florida.Take a look around the Dunnellon, Rainbow Lakes area. There are some IMHO GREAT CG's in this area. Took me 4 years to find this hidden gem of an area. Beautiful blue springs parks one does have a CG. Not right on the coast but a short drive to the Gulf. This area is the old Florida clean nice and a lot to do within a few minutes of driving.Well, I'll have to defend the Florida State Park system which so far as I'm concerned is the best in the nation. Do some of them have small sites: yes, they were built for the units of yesterday before RV's went on a growing spurt. Are they likely to be filled around Christmas: yes but that's because they are so popular. Which is hard to understand if they fit the description above. We've camped in at least 30 or 40 of the Florida SP plus many from other states. I don't think any other state has as many parks as Florida does (it has well over a 100). Some of the other states have nice parks too.There are SP that have bigger sites, the newer ones and Florida has been upgrading the CG to full utilities. But finding a site around Christmas will be tough. As the poster above points out there are a lot of Commercial CG, all of which will be more expensive than the SP by the way.If you tell us what you want to do then you'll probably get more directed responses.BK

Check out Reserve America for the state parks. We love them. Winter time can be a bit difficult the further South you go. Many snowbirds will stay 2 weeks on one account and credit card, then reserve the next two weeks on a different account/card. And do this alternating for several months tying up the State Park camping sites. Thus technically they feel that they are not misusing the 2 week limit. I don't like them taking over the parks but what can you do? Welcome!

I'll just add about 'all' the State Parks being cheaper. That's what I "assumed" the first time I came to Florida.Down and dirty State Park in Fruitland Park.When you added up the monthly rate.......it was WAY MORE $$$$ than even several of the high end RV resorts. For me it was a no brainer NOT to stay there. Just saying call first for the rates! :W

Considering Florida for Christmas .. need your advise

jspringator
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
I'm going to look at the weather forecast at Christmas and see how warm it is. If it is in the mid 60's, I'm going to try to get a spot at Pickens or Big Lagoon. If I have to go any further south than that I'll take the car or stay home.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
Dog Folks wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:
I'll just add about 'all' the State Parks being cheaper. That's what I "assumed" the first time I came to Florida.

Down and dirty State Park in Fruitland Park.

When you added up the monthly rate.......it was WAY MORE $$$$ than even several of the high end RV resorts. For me it was a no brainer NOT to stay there. Just saying call first for the rates! :W

You are comparing apples and oranges. Florida State Parks only have a daily rate. No monthly discounts. So you will have to compare the daily rates at these "resorts."

I'm sorry that you did not find the state parks to your liking. The way each person camps is different and State Parks are not for you. That is O.K..........

In partial answer to your question. Florida State parks only allows a maximum of a 14 day stay,

I was using the Fruitland Park just to dump while I was staying with friends. When it came time to head out and find a CG. I was shocked at the rates of average CG's. So I went back to that State Park and asked about the rates AND how do these RV'ers get to stay for the whole season??? I used the dump station all winter and saw the same RV's in the same spot the entire season.

He explained how they did it without moving and provided me with the rates, which when multiplied for each month was indeed more than the CG's.

I might have been happy if it was the same but certainly not higher for what they offered. And YES you are right that at a CG you get cut a deal for monthly and state park it's a flat per day rate which makes them more costly for the Snowbird.

I'm aware all State Parks are not created Equal which is why I choose to specifically note the name of the state park I was talking about.

I did not want it to come off as dissing ALL state parks just a heads up on rates etc. versus CG's again in the "Florida" area!:C
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
Down and Dirty State park is the name? The only Florida State Park in Fruitland is called Lake Griffin State park. Their published rate is $18.00 daily.

There may be some confusion, as there are just a few parks that the state of Florida owns but does not operate. One is Fish Eating Creek in Palmdale, Florida. The regular state parks rules, or standards, may not apply.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2013
SP in the Keys will have much higher rates for camping. But for the rest of the state the days rates are a lot lower than 95% of any commercial parks that I've stayed at. In the Keys depending on the time of year they can be about the same as private parks or a lot lower during the 'season' down there.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
agesilaus wrote:
SP in the Keys will have much higher rates for camping. But for the rest of the state the days rates are a lot lower than 95% of any commercial parks that I've stayed at. In the Keys depending on the time of year they can be about the same as private parks or a lot lower during the 'season' down there.

Agreed The state parks in the Keys are the highest in the state, but so are the private campgrounds. Location,location, location.

Keys State Parks =$36.00 daily

Private campgrounds = $86.00 to $125.00 Daily
super_camper
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
DutchmenSport wrote:
In stead of taking another Carribean Carnival Cruise this year for Christmas, we decided we'd like to make a trip to Florida the week of Christmas. We'd be traveling from central Indiana, straight South to ... well ... where?

We've been looking at State Parks, but really don't know what to expect. So, anyone who has experience with Florida State Parks in December, please chime in. What kind of answers are we looking for?

Well, first, considering so many snowbirds migrate South for the winter months, are State Parks filled up with snow-birds? Or is there space available? I know this may depend upon location, but in general, do snow-birds migrate and take over State Parks?

Second, Florida is a pretty long state. But we're looking at something on either the Gulf coast or the Atlantic Cost, not inland, and we're looking at the Northern 1/2 of the state including the Pan Handle. So, looking for your recommendations of State Parks and what would be a primary attraction in that are (besides the beach) that draws people to that location?

My wife and I both in our 50's and our lifestyle has slowed down since those days when we had young children. So, basically, think of "old folks" activities .. but no ... we do not play bingo at the local church on Friday nights (yet). Last Dec 24 we our our Cruise, we did Zip Lines! Oh my, never again! It was fun, we realized that kind of activity is beyond us now! We had muscle aches for days after that!

Florida vacation + Christmas Holidays = Fort Wilderness. We starting going 7 years ago and love it. We don't do the them part stuff much anymore but the Orlando area has lots to do.
maznchle
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
Hi Dutchmen Sport, We did xmas 2yrs ago at anastasia st. pk. It was to cold to do much but the park is fantastic and lots to see and do in the area. We are now residents of florida and have enjoyed the wonderful state parks and there are many of them and as a resident i get half price and the resident over 65 discount. I think you will be more comfortable down here below sarasota as its warmer and plenty to see and do.Oscar shearer in Osprey/sarasota area is nice as we like it and Myaka River st. pk. is also great. We have done the panhandle in march as xmas time up there is cooooold! come south, paul
debrick
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
We live in Northern KY and do this same week each year. We are also a couple in our 50's (well DH is 60)but, we both still work so vacation time is limited.

I agree if you have the time you need to get further south if you want a better guarantee of warmth but, for us we have about 7-9 days depending on how the holidays fall and I don't want to spend it all driving.

We leave Christmas morning -- traffic is great!

We come back New Years day.

Will be going to Gulf Shores again, we love anywhere along the panhandle and taking this route we avoid I75 and Jellico (just in case it snows).

I just made our reservation at the SP in Gulf Shores last week -- no problem.

Many snowbirds wait to go South until after the Holidays.

Have a great time!
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Follow-up for everyone who posted here.

We've arrived: Falling Waters State Park, Chipley, FL! Arrived about 2:30 today!

Forum Discussion

Considering Florida for Christmas .. need your advise

About Campground 101

Related Content

Considering purchasing

Favorite Christmas recipes?

Newbie -- Considering Hybrid Purchase

Considering a flatbed

Merry Christmas