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DutchmenSport's avatar
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013

Considering Florida for Christmas .. need your advise

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!
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  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    My observation is that christmas its not busy and getting into a SP during a weekday isn't too bad but weekends fill up
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2013
    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.

    Florida works real hard at keeping them as natural as possible, as the slogan, that they really try to meet is: "The Real Florida."

    If you want to experience Florida before the developers took over, Florida State Parks is the place. There must be a reason the this system won "Best State Parks in the Nation," Twice. No other system has done that.

    You would be missing out if you did not visit at least one or two state parks. Maybe you will like them, maybe you won't. One thing is for sure: you won't know if you don't try.

    In partial answer to your question. Florida State parks only allows a maximum of a 14 day stay, and during those busy times you would be hard pressed to find a park with two weeks open. If you don't mind moving around, due to cancellations, you can catch a day or three at different parks. Keep checking the reservation system frequently.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 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?


    I suggest St. Augustine, Florida and Anastasia State park. Plenty to see and do in St. Augustine, the oldest continually inhabited city in North America. The park is right on the ocean. Tour Flager College, the light house, Alligator Farm, and the Spanish Fort Castillo de san Marcos. Another suggestion would be Jacksonville and camp at Katherine Hanna City Park, again on the ocean. See the first European settlement in North America, Fort Caroline and the last preserved slave plantation in Florida, Kingsley Plantation. Eat at Clark's Fish Camp, an experience like none other anywhere in the world. Visit the Cummer Museum. Or perhaps stay on Ameila Island at Fort Clinch State park, right on the ocean. Tour the old fort, golf at the great courses, and have a drink at the oldest bar in North America. Further North in Georgia is Savannah and Skidaway Island State park. Also is Stephen C. Foster Sate park where you can rent a boat and travel the "trails" in the Okeefeenokee Swamp and see alligators. Of course, you could further south in Florida to the "Space Coast" and get your fill of NASA, rockets, and space exploration.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    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.


    I disagree with most of this.

    First, The Big Migration takes place after Christmas, usually between Cristmas and New Years so with reservations and planning, you will find a spot in a state park.

    Bugs can be a problem, but this is semi-tropical climate. If you like to camp in a Walmart parking lot away from the bugs habitat, then you will not have bugs. If you like camping among the natural environment with native plants for screening between sites, then bugs can be an issue. However, a bug problem is highly variable depending on location, temperature, wind, and time of day so that what is a problem one minute is non existent the next.

    Depending on the park, some sites can be a little close, but never as close as a private park in the same locale. Then again, some sites can be over 1/2 acre each which you will never find in a private park!

    The costs of government run facilities have gone up. But they are always cheaper than a private campground.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2013
    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
  • helperzack's avatar
    helperzack
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    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!
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 22, 2013
    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
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2013
    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. :W

    Good 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.

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