TRYING to book State Park in the Florida Keys

sch911 wrote:
We book our sites for Topsail Hill SP exactly at 12:01 AM 11 months in advance every year. It's the only way to get what we want. Have never been denied.

The window does not open until 8:00 am eastern time 11 months in advance.

Think about this:

Total state parks in the Keys: 4

Total camping sites in these parks combined: 186

Total number of people wanting to camp in the Keys during winter: Lots and Lots

We were talking yesterday to the Park Manager here at Bahia Honda. He said the only trouble with this park is "you can't get in." He said they do run only 90% or so full in September and October, though. So if you enjoy hurricane season camping, there's your chance.

We snapped up two nights on line 11 months ago. Have really enjoyed our stay and looking forward to the rest of our time down here, a patchwork of sites for a night or two each in Curry Hammock, Long Key and a private park.

I think they should limit stays to one week.

cheiftan23 wrote:
Just got back to Indiana and it is already time to start planning next Christmas vacation.
Watching sites disappear every morning on Reserve America.
Anyone else frustrated with how fast all the sites are reserved each day?
Seems impossible to get a site, but we'll keep trying!

Do yourself a favor and reserve them 'from' the state park. You can't call the park directly (because of the stupid reserve america issue now) but you can physically go there to reserve.

rr2254545 wrote:
Make you wonder if it is rigged - I tried to get one in 2011

It is not rigged. It is persistance, as all of us that get sites know

Jack L

Well yeah that makes a lot of sense, you drive for 8 hours and trust to luck to get you a site when you arrive. Great move....heh

cheiftan23 wrote:
Just got back to Indiana and it is already time to start planning next Christmas vacation.
Watching sites disappear every morning on Reserve America.
Anyone else frustrated with how fast all the sites are reserved each day?
Seems impossible to get a site, but we'll keep trying!

I hate having to reserve a site. I think they should make all campgrounds first come first serve. We are planning a trip back east to Georgia and S. Carolina (March and April), and I just went on line to check availability of sites in a couple of parks and they were already full. What a bummer. Can't believe this why is there so much demand, not enough campgrounds or what. What gives with people reserving so far in advance. Are campsites that hard to get in the east.
We mostly go west and have no problems there because there are plenty of places to boondock, but I get the feeling that is not the case back east.
Let's start a movement to outlaw reservations at all campgrounds.

I booked at John Pennekamp for 10-17th June a month ago......but was tough then to find a site there!

cindik wrote:
Check everyday for cancellations. That is the only way I have been able to get spots at Curry Hammock. Been there twice, very nice park! We were able to snag a cancellation both times for the week between Christmas and New Years.

Exactly what we did last year. Scored 7 nights at Pennekamp. Enjoyed staying in one place so much, thought we'd try for 14.
Will definitely watch for cancellations if we don't get them now.

Check everyday for cancellations. That is the only way I have been able to get spots at Curry Hammock. Been there twice, very nice park! We were able to snag a cancellation both times for the week between Christmas and New Years.