My DW and I want to travel down to Florida for a couple of months this winter. Probably the February and March timeframe.In checking around it looks like a great many campgrounds are solidly booked for the winter months.We were wondering if some of the folks on RV.NET have some experience in finding places to camp with or without reservations.Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Are state parks an option? Out of the way campgrounds?We travel in a 24' class C motorhome and do not pull a toad.Thanks for any suggestions, John S

I moved to SWFL from Chicago in 1983. The only thing I can tell you about the winter months is that the weather is beautiful. With that being said, the campgrounds get filled up quick and reservations at SP are made up to 11 months in advance and many people return to the same campground year after year. I-4 seems to be the magical median for snowbirds. To the south of it are warmer temps but larger crowds and higher prices. While north does get crowded but not as bad and usually is less expensive and cooler. In the winter months it is very hard for even locals to get sites but I do find that the northern part of the state is usually easier to find sites. One thought that I have mentioned on numerous occasions when people post is that a high of 65 degrees in the northern part of Florida is still better than the teens wherever it is your coming from. Don't get too caught up on the temps just try to find a place you like. Hope that helps.

The east coast of Florida has has fewer campgrounds than the west coast but sometimes you can get lucky. Try Vero Beach, Sebastian, Wabasso, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville.... That's starting in Indian River County and going North up the coast. Soiuth of Indian River County is St Lucy County, Palm Beach County. Again, you might get lucky. All these areas are nice for snowbirding. South of Palm Beach County would be extremely difficult to find a place until you hit down in the Keyes. There it would be catch as catch can but if you're willing to move frequently you might be able to make it work.

For the first time you probably want to travel around... need to move the MH anyway since no toad. It's easier to get a few days than a month, even in SPs. Many CGs do not need to advertise so use Google to search for CGs in various towns. I would not worry about advanced reservations for shorter stays.In Orlando I use Stage Stop (Winter Garden) without reservations and you can walk to shopping. Nothing fancy but reasonable plus close to where my sister lives.In many areas you can overnight at Walmart or Cracker Barrel BUT not in the Orlando area.

Check out the state parks by all means. You don't say what part of Florida your targeting, but the FL state park system is awesome. Most of them are listed at campsitephotos.com

In Central Florida you might look at Bushnell. Blueberry Hill is a nice c.g. with lots of activities and good shopping a 5 minute walk away. Having a smaller RV will probably make it easier for you to find vacancies.

Florida camping in February and March | Good Sam Community

Bears_Den
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
I moved to SWFL from Chicago in 1983. The only thing I can tell you about the winter months is that the weather is beautiful. With that being said, the campgrounds get filled up quick and reservations at SP are made up to 11 months in advance and many people return to the same campground year after year. I-4 seems to be the magical median for snowbirds. To the south of it are warmer temps but larger crowds and higher prices. While north does get crowded but not as bad and usually is less expensive and cooler. In the winter months it is very hard for even locals to get sites but I do find that the northern part of the state is usually easier to find sites. One thought that I have mentioned on numerous occasions when people post is that a high of 65 degrees in the northern part of Florida is still better than the teens wherever it is your coming from. Don't get too caught up on the temps just try to find a place you like. Hope that helps.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
The east coast of Florida has has fewer campgrounds than the west coast but sometimes you can get lucky. Try Vero Beach, Sebastian, Wabasso, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville.... That's starting in Indian River County and going North up the coast. Soiuth of Indian River County is St Lucy County, Palm Beach County. Again, you might get lucky. All these areas are nice for snowbirding. South of Palm Beach County would be extremely difficult to find a place until you hit down in the Keyes. There it would be catch as catch can but if you're willing to move frequently you might be able to make it work.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2015
For the first time you probably want to travel around... need to move the MH anyway since no toad. It's easier to get a few days than a month, even in SPs. Many CGs do not need to advertise so use Google to search for CGs in various towns. I would not worry about advanced reservations for shorter stays.

In Orlando I use Stage Stop (Winter Garden) without reservations and you can walk to shopping. Nothing fancy but reasonable plus close to where my sister lives.

In many areas you can overnight at Walmart or Cracker Barrel BUT not in the Orlando area.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
Check out the state parks by all means. You don't say what part of Florida your targeting, but the FL state park system is awesome. Most of them are listed at campsitephotos.com
Tripalot
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
In Central Florida you might look at Bushnell. Blueberry Hill is a nice c.g. with lots of activities and good shopping a 5 minute walk away. Having a smaller RV will probably make it easier for you to find vacancies.
nbking
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
There is also Morningside RV Resort in Dade City Florida. It is behind a Walmart and there are many shops in Zephyrhills, about 8 miles away.

We stayed there for about 20 years before moving to Fort Myers Beach.
phillyg
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
When we were traveling all over FL whilst househunting in Jan - Feb timeframe, we were always able to get reservations for the short-term, and even in some state parks. But you're way behind the power curve if you need a place for a month or so.
darsben
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
Have you thought Arizona instead.
Chicago - Phoenix only about 400 miles more than Chicago - Miami
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
Dont forget Bike Week and Speed Weeks around Orlando to Daytona.

The farther south you go, the more crowded and pricey.

Wekiva Falls near Orlando.

Wilderness RV in Ocala.

Grand Lake RV Resort near Ocala.

Williston Crossings in Williston.

Rock Crusher RV in Crystal River.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
nbking wrote:
There is also Morningside RV Resort in Dade City Florida. It is behind a Walmart and there are many shops in Zephyrhills, about 8 miles away.

We stayed there for about 20 years before moving to Fort Myers Beach.

Double ditto re Morningside in Dade City. You can walk to Walmart easily enough. Dade City is a quaint town. A few miles to the west of Dade City on SR 52 is an old monastery, St Leo's. An hour away just north of Clearwater is Tarpon Springs with its community of Greek sponge divers, Greek restaurants and bakeries, and Greek Orthodox churches. We especially like visiting there.

About 90 minutes to the south of Dade City is Sarasota with its Ringling Brothers museum and its Pinecraft neighborhood where the Amish like to stay for winter vacation. I definitely recommend the Amish restaurants there.