Monthly family camping trips
After watching our Toy Hauler just sitting in the yard, and tired of sitting on the couch, we decided to head out monthly to anywhere within 2 hours of the house. We are fortunate to live in Navarre, ...
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Spent the weekend at Seminole Park near Donalsonville for a small family gathering. First, it takes more than an hour to get there; the term BFE was created because of roads like those. We nearly hit a very large sow rounding a corner; thought it was an older calf at first. Very happy with the Dodge's brakes and EB.
The gate closes at 10pm but everything in the park closes at 5; we pulled in at 7 and couldn't find anyone in either office and the host was gone. It's a small park, so it only takes a few minutes to get back to the campsites. Basically, there is only one road, and everything is around the lake. Beautiful lake views and only about a dozen campers this weekend; unfortunately, they all took the prime spot next to the lake. We picked one near the edge, but still within about 20 yards. It required two sets of levelers to get set up; unfortunately, the curb side was lower and it raised the steps up over 18" above the ground. Word of caution for larger rigs: if you stay near the lake be prepared to dodge some big pines, as there are a couple of dodgy spots on the road I didn't think we would slip through, and that's with a 32 footer.
Had we been less than honest this could have been a free weekend, since no-one mans the gate house, either, and anyone could just drive in and pick a spot. We set up and plugged in; the box was dead. I'm very happy we have a generator. Finished just in time as a big storm hit and dumped tons of rain and lightening on us.
Next day we checked in and, at the office, they have 2 baby box turtles and a corn snake for visitors to view, along with a huge gator head from the critter they took out of the lake. The attendant was very nice and helpful. We moved to a spot higher on the hill. Lake spots are nicer but very unlevel; our spot was nearly perfect.
One thing about this time of year are the gnats; terrible doesn't begin to describe it. We bought some spray called Swamp Gnat and it worked for about an hour, after which the gnats got bad again. At almost $6 for a small bottle I would say skip it and find a cheaper solution; the main ingredient is lemon grass, so bring some plants and lots of good repellant, though nothing we tried worked. No wind didn't help, either. I'm still squashing the little buggers on my windshield.
The lake was clean, save for the goose poo on the volleyball court (which is part of the beach), and warm. It runs into the local river, so it constantly flows clean. They also have a mini golf course and clubs are available at the office. Didn't play due to the gnats. Family stayed in the tree house, which is nothing more than an elevated screen room in the woods; it's located in the tent camping area. The cabins are nice and along the lake, as well.
The bugs were bad enough, but it also rained all weekend; so heavy, in fact, that the local fields had waterfalls from all the runoff.
The closest town is Donalsonville, which is 15 miles from the park. They have everything you need, but not the larger stores, so the Dollar stores and Piggly Wiggly rule there. The closest Wallyworld is in the opposite direction heading toward I-10, but not sure exactly where.
Overall it was nice and clean; the facilities were newer and well maintained. Had this been in the fall the weather and bug situation would have been much better. Unfortunately, there are closer options to us with more activities, such as the caverns and Falling Waters. If you like your camping a little more relaxed and primitive this place may fit the bill.
Next stop is Indian Pass near Port St Joe.
The gate closes at 10pm but everything in the park closes at 5; we pulled in at 7 and couldn't find anyone in either office and the host was gone. It's a small park, so it only takes a few minutes to get back to the campsites. Basically, there is only one road, and everything is around the lake. Beautiful lake views and only about a dozen campers this weekend; unfortunately, they all took the prime spot next to the lake. We picked one near the edge, but still within about 20 yards. It required two sets of levelers to get set up; unfortunately, the curb side was lower and it raised the steps up over 18" above the ground. Word of caution for larger rigs: if you stay near the lake be prepared to dodge some big pines, as there are a couple of dodgy spots on the road I didn't think we would slip through, and that's with a 32 footer.
Had we been less than honest this could have been a free weekend, since no-one mans the gate house, either, and anyone could just drive in and pick a spot. We set up and plugged in; the box was dead. I'm very happy we have a generator. Finished just in time as a big storm hit and dumped tons of rain and lightening on us.
Next day we checked in and, at the office, they have 2 baby box turtles and a corn snake for visitors to view, along with a huge gator head from the critter they took out of the lake. The attendant was very nice and helpful. We moved to a spot higher on the hill. Lake spots are nicer but very unlevel; our spot was nearly perfect.
One thing about this time of year are the gnats; terrible doesn't begin to describe it. We bought some spray called Swamp Gnat and it worked for about an hour, after which the gnats got bad again. At almost $6 for a small bottle I would say skip it and find a cheaper solution; the main ingredient is lemon grass, so bring some plants and lots of good repellant, though nothing we tried worked. No wind didn't help, either. I'm still squashing the little buggers on my windshield.
The lake was clean, save for the goose poo on the volleyball court (which is part of the beach), and warm. It runs into the local river, so it constantly flows clean. They also have a mini golf course and clubs are available at the office. Didn't play due to the gnats. Family stayed in the tree house, which is nothing more than an elevated screen room in the woods; it's located in the tent camping area. The cabins are nice and along the lake, as well.
The bugs were bad enough, but it also rained all weekend; so heavy, in fact, that the local fields had waterfalls from all the runoff.
The closest town is Donalsonville, which is 15 miles from the park. They have everything you need, but not the larger stores, so the Dollar stores and Piggly Wiggly rule there. The closest Wallyworld is in the opposite direction heading toward I-10, but not sure exactly where.
Overall it was nice and clean; the facilities were newer and well maintained. Had this been in the fall the weather and bug situation would have been much better. Unfortunately, there are closer options to us with more activities, such as the caverns and Falling Waters. If you like your camping a little more relaxed and primitive this place may fit the bill.
Next stop is Indian Pass near Port St Joe.
