Fort Clinch State Park

plasticmaster wrote:
I'm thinking of going to Fort Clinch State Park in April next year. I have a 34' hitch to bumper travel trailer. I understand they have 2 campgrounds, one out in the open and the other in the woods. Would I be able to get my camper on a site in either of the campgrounds? I usually prefer shaded sites with more privacy. Thanks.

You should consider staying at north Beach campground instead. Huge pull through sites. Drive to FT.Clinch if you want to see the fort. St. Augustine is not a far drive.

I've noticed that some FL state parks are tagged as reserves. If so they have split rail fence around the site so that your rear overhang can not extend the useful length of the site. Length becomes a serious issue on those sites. I think Clinch riverside is one of those.
However I've called FL parks questioning how all the sites can be 30' and the person on duty has told me that they can handle much longer RVs and have given me the site numbers with the longer lengths.
I would say that the toss out issue is a result of a cranky gate person and not some "rule" not to be broken. They are always friendly to us, but then we are always polite and friendly to them.

I agree. I doubt they would ever measure. More likely is that something obviously big, like my 38' DP tried to squeeze into a site for a 32. They would ask, not measure.

Not to mention mine has the model , 38N by the passenger door.

Thank you for explaining what happened. As I have never seen a report of somebody being measured, I would have been very surprised if you saw a ranger get a tape measure out to measure whether a rig was 32 ft or 34 ft. As I book early, I do not need to fudge not do I advocate that others fudge, but I would be willing to to bet I'd have no trouble if ever my site the max 32 foot for my 33 foot motorhome.

Stormy Eyes wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
Dont try to squeeze into a site smaller than your rig. Anastasia will not let you come in and they will make you leave if they catch you.

Ft CLinch is fine. I have my 40' DP in several times.

Did somebody at Anastasia check in actually measure a rig and turn it away? Or was it not even close (like a 40 footer showing up for a space rated for 30 max)? I have never seen anybody out with a tape measure.
I have seen Rangers tell campers that must get all there equipment out of the road and into the campsite. The few times I saw that somebody tried parking their truck or car with two wheels in the campsite and two in roadway. One guy had to move one of their vehicles to overflow parking area because they could not fit all their stuff (lots of stuff and lots of people)

We stay at Anastasia often in our 38' motor home. They dont have very many sites for that length. I walked around and noted that some sites rated for 32' or so would easily fit my 38, esp if I didnt bring our car which I do sometimes when I bring our Vespa.

I asked at the office if it would be a problem if I put my rv on a site rated smaller than my rig.

She told me that if they caught me doing that they would not let me check in and send me down the road and if they caught me after check in they would make me leave.

I asked why and she said rules are rules.

So I am not going to do it or recommend it for anyone else.

We stayed at Clinch for a couple of days and did not like it. They assigned us a beach site but it was much to small for a 36 foot rig we had then. Had to go back to talk to the guy at the office. He had a terrible attitude. Water pressure was very weak and the bath house was in pretty bad shape with couple of toilets and showers not working. Metal surfaces were in sore need of cleaning and paint (rust in the sea air) It might be a completely different place in the spring and summer, but in the winter it was not so nice. We left early for a more comfortable environ

Big Katuna wrote:
Dont try to squeeze into a site smaller than your rig. Anastasia will not let you come in and they will make you leave if they catch you.

Ft CLinch is fine. I have my 40' DP in several times.

Did somebody at Anastasia check in actually measure a rig and turn it away? Or was it not even close (like a 40 footer showing up for a space rated for 30 max)? I have never seen anybody out with a tape measure.
I have seen Rangers tell campers that must get all there equipment out of the road and into the campsite. The few times I saw that somebody tried parking their truck or car with two wheels in the campsite and two in roadway. One guy had to move one of their vehicles to overflow parking area because they could not fit all their stuff (lots of stuff and lots of people)

Remember that fitting and getting in and out are 2 different things. The river CG is very very tight with lots of obstacles. ( trees ) With a crew long bed you are likely 55'.
It is certainly way nicer than the beach side.
Call the local number and speak to one of the staff, they are intimate with the park and can recommend specific sites for easier access.

I've stayed at the riverside campground and it's pretty awesome. All the Live Oaks with Spanish Moss are very nice. Just watch it on the road in.... their idea of tree trimming to allow for campers is... interesting.

Dont try to squeeze into a site smaller than your rig. Anastasia will not let you come in and they will make you leave if they catch you.

Ft CLinch is fine. I have my 40' DP in several times.