We are thinking of going south for a month this coming Feb. This would be our first time other than just passing through.We are looking for recommendations for a park but not the resort type. The following states are where we are thinking. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and possibly the Florida panhandle. Also if near water the wife is concerned about our dog near alligators. Has anyone experienced any problem with them. I've tried reassuring her there wouldn't be as he'd be on a leash but of course I'm not speaking from experience

Well I can comment on the dogs vs gators situation. I actually saw a coed walking her rat dog on a leash around Lake Alice which is on the University of Florida campus. A gator snatched the dog leash and all, they are VERY fast. But usually the dangerous time is around dusk (or dawn if you are an early riser) or at night; and mainly small dogs. But just this week there was a story where a women claimed her hundred pound dog was attacked by a gator. It would have to be a very big gator is all I can say.Swimming dogs are at risk tho. How likely is this? Not very it's like hearing about someone get hit by lightning. Our dogs are around water and we have never had a problem in 40 years. But we have never had small dogs.But don't go swimming at night (especially for kids and small women) and don't walk your dogs along the water's edge then either. Keep in mind that if you are near a body of water in those areas then there are gators near by. But you will rarely see one in the day. The no hunting policy has worsened this situation.Oh one one last thing DON"T EVER FEED the GATORS or be around areas where other people are doing that.

If you want to be near Mobile AL then in Theodore a very good park is "All About Relaxing". Great hosts and owners. Much to do in the area on the island and the battleship visits. All About Relaxing

I don't recall where in Florida this happened but about a year ago, there was a story of a woman walking her dog on a walkway near a pond and a gator grabbed the dog and pulled it in the water. The woman tried to save the dog and was pulled into the water too. Both the woman and dog died from being bitten and pulled under. Not an every day event obviously but sometimes crazy stuff happens.

You do understand that it can be cold there too? Maybe not Muskegon cold but 30's or so. To get to actual warm/hot weather you need to be below Tampa. Granted, Feb. is close to being spring in those parts. Here in East TN I am mowing my lawn in March so you may luck out depending on mother nature and be blest with warm enough weather to enjoy yourselves.

No way would we be going into Florida other than the panhandle

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Bears_Den
Explorer
Aug 12, 2019
Anything south of I-4 in the winter is expensive as well as crowded during the winter. Your chances of getting a site now are better in the Pan Handle than south of I-4. Everyone wants warmer weather and as a result you pay for it in price and waiting in traffic. I have lived in Fl since 1983 and as soon as my wife retires I’m heading north to avoid winter crowds and unbearable summers. Pan Handle is beautiful. The temps can be a little chilly but still better the -10 up north.
CFerguson
Explorer
Aug 12, 2019
jplante4 wrote:
...In the panhandle- HoHum in Carabelle, Topsail Hill SP in Santa Rosa Beach. In MS, Buccaneer SP in Waveland.

+1 for HoHum. Super nice folks- staff + campers.

We also stayed at St George Is SP. Isolated and QUIET. Bit of a drive to anywhere from there tho.

Now you are all gonna laugh at me for this, but I have stayed in 5* hotels all over Europe and I've never seen nicer bathrooms than at Coastline RV Resort(the higher priced CG, not their regular CG). Trust me, its worth the price of an overnight stay to see those bathrooms. I took dozens of pictures (yes, it was empty!) so I can build me a bathroom like that in my next house.
ljr
Nomad
Aug 12, 2019
jplante4 wrote:
We enjoyed parks in the panhandle as well. There's a different feel in that part of Florida. We really didn't enjoy the W.Palm area at all. You spend most of the time waiting for the left turn signal. Sarasota was nice, but once again way too crowded.

FL parks have gotten a lot more crowded than when we did our Gulf Coast trip in 2015-2016. In general, the further south of I-4 you get, the more expensive it is and the less available the sites are.

In the panhandle- HoHum in Carabelle, Topsail Hill SP in Santa Rosa Beach. In MS, Buccaneer SP in Waveland.

I spent several winters at Buccaneer. They have monthly rates during the off season. There is a regular group of snowbirders that meet there every year. Never saw a gator. I think your concern is warranted but not during the winter.

Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve near Atmore, AL has been another regular stop for me.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2019
We spend about 3 months in Florida each winter moving around the state with 1-2 week stays in state and national parks. This winter we're staying north of I-4 due to several social commitments, but other years we've gone as far south as the NPS' Midway Campground on the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress National Preserve. We typically average about $25/night and make reservations up to 11 months in advance for the best park/site selections.
hornet28
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
Thanks for the suggestions. We decided today to go back to Sedona Az area as we haven't been there since 15. We miss all the hiking in the Red Rock country Will be staying at Distant Drums in Camp Verde

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