To protect public health and safety, Florida State Parks campgrounds remain CLOSED through May 20 and cabins remain CLOSED through May 31. DEP continues to re-open Florida State Parks for day use as part of Phase one to re-open Florida. As these parks are re-opening, DEP will be taking measures to ensure the protection of staff and the public. During this early phase of re-opening, visitors should expect limited hours, capacity and amenities. Portions of these parks and trails have been identified that can be reopened for day-use with limited risk to visitors and staff. To reduce risk, cash transactions are limited to exact change.FSPIf you scroll down that page you will see a long list parks open for day use right now. I haven't counted them but it appears to be almost every park in the system. Camping may resume on the 20th and cabins on the 30th.

You might want to stay away from these three counties down there: Confirmed Confirmed DeathsMiami-Dade County 14,385 505Broward County 5,973 258Palm Beach County 4,093 245

I just don’t understand the delay for camping unless they don’t have the staff. Sitting in a state park here in SC and bathrooms are opened and cleaned several times a day, campers are having a great time, very little interaction between campers and staff.

We just came back from Manatee and it was bizarre. Picnic tables were open andin use but picnic tables under a roof were taped off. The swimming area for small kids was taped off. They had maybe a hundred blue 'x's' taped on the side walk spaces about 6 feet apart. That park has never had that many people in it and what do they expect, that people are going to line up to take a swim?? Not a ranger in sight either.And the ranger at the gate denies knowing anything about reopening camping even tho they are taking reservations for the 25th on?Despite the foolishness we had a great swim in the spring, we were just about the only two really swimming, tho there were a couple paddling around the edge. The water is very clear for the springs tho not crystal clear.As for the delay it never made sense to close camping in the first place. And leave the hiking trails open so people can get exercise. Georgia did not. Close the rest rooms and visitor centers OK but camping is a low population activity. Florida has almost 100% elected state officers from one party, but one the commissionaire of Agriculture is from the opposite party and she is in control of the parks and I assume closed them. I think Governor DeSantis overrode her to reopen them.

As for Miami to Palm Beach, we almost never have any reason to go down there in the first place. The place is infested with NYC residents which is why they were hit so bad.

agesilaus wrote:As for Miami to Palm Beach, we almost never have any reason to go down there in the first place. The place is infested with NYC residents which is why they were hit so bad.Agree---

Florda State Parks mostly open for day use, camping 5/20

15 Replies

JoeH
Explorer III
May 15, 2020
agesilaus wrote:
As for Miami to Palm Beach, we almost never have any reason to go down there in the first place. The place is infested with NYC residents which is why they were hit so bad.

Agree---
agesilaus
Explorer III
May 15, 2020
As for Miami to Palm Beach, we almost never have any reason to go down there in the first place. The place is infested with NYC residents which is why they were hit so bad.
agesilaus
Explorer III
May 14, 2020
We just came back from Manatee and it was bizarre. Picnic tables were open andin use but picnic tables under a roof were taped off. The swimming area for small kids was taped off. They had maybe a hundred blue 'x's' taped on the side walk spaces about 6 feet apart. That park has never had that many people in it and what do they expect, that people are going to line up to take a swim?? Not a ranger in sight either.

And the ranger at the gate denies knowing anything about reopening camping even tho they are taking reservations for the 25th on?

Despite the foolishness we had a great swim in the spring, we were just about the only two really swimming, tho there were a couple paddling around the edge. The water is very clear for the springs tho not crystal clear.

As for the delay it never made sense to close camping in the first place. And leave the hiking trails open so people can get exercise. Georgia did not. Close the rest rooms and visitor centers OK but camping is a low population activity. Florida has almost 100% elected state officers from one party, but one the commissionaire of Agriculture is from the opposite party and she is in control of the parks and I assume closed them. I think Governor DeSantis overrode her to reopen them.
wildtoad
Explorer II
May 14, 2020
I just don’t understand the delay for camping unless they don’t have the staff. Sitting in a state park here in SC and bathrooms are opened and cleaned several times a day, campers are having a great time, very little interaction between campers and staff.
jdc1
Explorer II
May 14, 2020
You might want to stay away from these three counties down there:

Confirmed Confirmed Deaths
Miami-Dade County 14,385 505
Broward County 5,973 258
Palm Beach County 4,093 245

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Florda State Parks mostly open for day use, camping 5/20

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