I'm fairly new to the motorhome scene. With my TT, we made reservations someplace for a week and stayed there. I'd like to try a more mobile approach without reservations.Will there be boondocking or walk up opportunities in that area of Florida? I know there won't be anything in the Keys, that the Homestead Walmart is a no no, but there is an Indian Casino on Krome Avenue that permits boondocking. Anything I-4 area and south is what I'm talking about. Maybe drive and see the sights during the day, find a nice day park and find a safe place to park for the night.I've never done anything without reservations and I'm a little anxious about it.Has anyone done anything similar? Words of wisdom and good sites?

Any CG will be booked solid if:1) It is during the 'season' that runs roughly from Thanksgiving to the end of March. Depending on the weather up north.and if: 1) It is within a hour or so of a beach2) Is south of Orlando3) Is anywhere in the Keys4) Is a State of Federal park.So you may find an open spot in a CG in La Belle 75 miles from the coast or some other place like that but the truth is that that central part of Florida is mostly farmland. Or National park of one type of another. And also the west coast has much more limited beach areas than does the east coast which is solid beach from Jacksonville to Key West.

We booked Christmas through New Years back in April.

Pioneer Creek in Bowling Green,Fl usually always has a few spots available, about 70-80 miles to Orlando

Not many boondocking places in south FL. You could try truck stops like Flying J or Cracker Barrel. Also commercial RV parks are probably booked already and are very expensive. Check with Christmas RV Park in Christmas FL. About 20 miles to Titusville beaches. What type of sights do you want to see? Which coast? I would not try the Keys without reservations. Long drive to be turned down. Casinos will also be extremely busy that week. For those dates reservations would be best.

Surely you jest! Not only will you not find a Wal-Mart, you won't even find a K-mart. In all seriousness, I suggest you look at/make reservations at parks along US-27 right now. I'm planning to not find anything last-minute south of north Florida or south Georgia.

South of I-4 between Christmas and New Years no reservations

20 Replies

jspringator
Explorer
Oct 29, 2016
garyhaupt wrote:
I have my day spot and my night. The night spot can be in a nighborhood or by a school ground or church or a park. I will scout out an area...and then be off to the day spot...say, the beach...then end of day and dark, I ease on over to the chosen night place. I don't ever have problems finding night spots..but..I have zero idea about the eastern side of things.

This is what I was hoping to do. If you give it a try, keep us updated with a link here so I can follow it.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2016
Orlando area during the holidays, probably difficult and no Walmart or Cracker Barrel camping. The rest of the state not a problem as most of the snowbirds do not leave home until after Christmas and most Walmarts and Cracker Barrels outside of the Orlando area allow overnighting but it always costs me $25+. In the Orlando area you can probably get into Stage Stop CG in Winter Gardens during Christmas.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
I don't think you see too much of that in Florida. I know that if there were strange vehicles parked in my neighborhood at night, the police would get a call. And I can only imagine what would happen if you were to park near school grounds.
garyhaupt
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
Help me here, plese. I boondock always but I am on the west side. I follow George, The Supreme Vagond'rs suggestion..I have my day spot and my night. The night spot can be in a nighborhood or by a school ground or church or a park. I will scout out an area...and then be off to the day spot...say, the beach...then end of day and dark, I ease on over to the chosen night place. I don't ever have problems finding night spots..but..I have zero idea about the eastern side of things.

I'm not heading your way so please don't go into HUGE detail..just an idea would be great.

Gary Haupt
monkey44
Nomad II
Oct 19, 2016
X2 on Everglades - We've been going there during winters nearly every year for over fifteen years. Have never seen it full - they do have one section w/power, but it's usually full. The rest are dry camp with water at certain areas, and a couple dump stations. Bring repellent.
jspringator
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
We ended up getting in at Hillsborough River. We stayed here last year. Not a bad drive to Ft. Desoto for day trips.
tegu69
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016
If you are looking at the Keys or Homestead, why not everglades national park. Just checked and there are all kinds of openings for that week. Just bring your mosquito spray.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Sep 10, 2016
bucky wrote:
You may have to hunt a bit, but there is always a room at the inn so to speak. FL is a big state, and that week will still be fairly warm. We've been to the St Pete Beach area many times in Jan and have been told "season" starts February 1st. Lots of people are home for the holidays with their families that week, you'll be fine. You can forget DeSoto however.

I'm going to disagree completely.

The week of Christmas to New Years is different. Florida will be packed, especially anywhere within a day's drive of Orlando. People plan Christmas in Florida many years in advance.
jspringator
Explorer
Sep 10, 2016
Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I can't camp at DeSoto, but I can use it as a day stop. If push comes to shove I can overnight in an industrial area and park on the street, or find a downtown and park on the street, or park in a motel parking lot. If the genset isn't running, there really isn't any way to tell it is occupied.

My idea is to overnight cheap and ugly and to move to beachfront during the day. I'll need to get up early to get a good spot. I could never do anything like that with a TT, but it is feasible with a small MH.
bucky
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2016
You may have to hunt a bit, but there is always a room at the inn so to speak. FL is a big state, and that week will still be fairly warm. We've been to the St Pete Beach area many times in Jan and have been told "season" starts February 1st. Lots of people are home for the holidays with their families that week, you'll be fine. You can forget DeSoto however.