Media Advisory: Oct. 13, 2017CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.usFort Zachary Taylor, John Pennekamp andCurry Hammock State Parks Reopen~Three state parks in Monroe County reopen for visitors to enjoy~TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service announces that three additional state parks in the Keys have reopened following the impacts of Hurricane Irma. Amenities and access to certain areas of the parks may be limited as park staff continue clean-up efforts. The following parks have reopened for day-use: Curry Hammock State Park Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park John Pennekamp Coral Reef State ParkThe following state parks and trails in the Keys are also open for visitors to enjoy: Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail - due to conditions and construction, sections of the trail may be closed. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State ParkTo ensure visitor safety, five state parks remain closed, but crews are working to reopen them as quickly as possible. For a full list of park closures and for continuously updated information, please visit floridastateparks.org and the Florida State Parks Facebook page.

Note that ALL Florida State Parks that are open are only for day use, there is no camping in any State Park, even ones such as Big Lagoon at Pensacola, that were probably not affected to any degree by the storm.Charles

So many nice parks listed in the not open yet category!

I just spoke with a ranger from Rocky Bayou state park in Niceville about the camping. She told me that in the park that are listed as open for day use if you already have reservations they are honoring them. It is best to call the particular park to make sure they are doing the same thing if you already have reservations made

Check out the local news too. Depending what your destination is.The fish are dieing en mass and floating to the top and on shore and smelling, and the swamp gas is smelling, etc. Locals living near any body of water said it smells REAL BAD.They said this will subside but gave no time frame. And also advised not going into any body of water at this time.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-irma-stinky-smell-20170919-story.htmlhttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article29854051.html

It looks like John Pennekamp is opening for camping on Sept 29th. It appears the other 3 state park campgrounds in the keys, aren't opening for camping until January, unless things change. :@

Florida State Parks Status - 3 more open -UPDATED 10-13-17

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
Regarding Reserve America.

They suspended the fees to reserve thru Reserve America due to Hurricane Irma to help people during and after Hurricane Irma for those seeking a place to stay.

Don't know if that has been lifted or not. Most of the other types of eliminating fees to ease the burden from the hurricane and such end at the end of the month.

Those of you out of state making arrangements for the winter months might be able to save a few bucks.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2017
We had reservations this week at Gamble and it was RA who called and emailed me that they were cancelled. They left our October res on the books for now.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2017
X2 on calling the park. Just because you can still make reservations via Reserve America, it doesn't mean the park is allowing overnight stays. After reading this thread, I advised a co-worker to call the park in the panhandle he had made recent reservations with, and sure enough, no overnight stays. Luckily, he got a refund.

You'd think that the park system and Reserve America would be more in sync with each other.
NCWriter
Explorer
Sep 20, 2017
I've received a refund from Reserve America for Long Key, Bahia Honda, and Curry Hammock. Mid-October trip.

No refund from Pennekamp, but sounds like they'll be open. Surprised.

Up here in Sarasota, Oscar Scherer isn't taking reservations until next week some time but they are taking walk-ins for camping.
Mich_F
Explorer
Sep 20, 2017
It looks like John Pennekamp is opening for camping on Sept 29th. It appears the other 3 state park campgrounds in the keys, aren't opening for camping until January, unless things change. :@
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Sep 20, 2017
Check out the local news too. Depending what your destination is.

The fish are dieing en mass and floating to the top and on shore and smelling, and the swamp gas is smelling, etc. Locals living near any body of water said it smells REAL BAD.

They said this will subside but gave no time frame. And also advised not going into any body of water at this time.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-irma-stinky-smell-20170919-story.html

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article29854051.html
Pine_Barren
Explorer
Sep 19, 2017
I just spoke with a ranger from Rocky Bayou state park in Niceville about the camping. She told me that in the park that are listed as open for day use if you already have reservations they are honoring them. It is best to call the particular park to make sure they are doing the same thing if you already have reservations made
Steeljag
Explorer
Sep 19, 2017
So many nice parks listed in the not open yet category!
CharlesinGA
Explorer
Sep 19, 2017
Note that ALL Florida State Parks that are open are only for day use, there is no camping in any State Park, even ones such as Big Lagoon at Pensacola, that were probably not affected to any degree by the storm.

Charles

Forum Discussion

Florida State Parks Status - 3 more open -UPDATED 10-13-17

About Campground 101

Related Content

Florida - Lakeland

hitch questions (update)

Kidney Disease - Update

Twisted Truck? UPDATE-Fixed!

Roof Update