Forum Discussion

garmp's avatar
garmp
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2015

When do the snow birds hit the Gulf coast?

We are planning a two week to the gulf coast and wonder what the competition for campsites will be like the last two weeks of October. Not sure when the snow birds land. Being from the mid-west, we plan to hit the Panama City area first and then work our way west to Port Charles, LA before returning home (STL). Seeing what we can see and taking in all the views and local eateries. Have noticed that St. Andrews SP is booking up fast so we made a reservation for there as that is a must on our list, but the rest is up in the air. We are B/van campers so we do have a slight advantage (I hope) in needing only electric hook-ups. Just need to get in to a park. Any opinions/thoughts on the availability/crowds at State or federal parks along the way. Any hidden gems of parks, sights or eateries? Make that parks, EATERIES, or sights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

11 Replies

  • Crodad's avatar
    Crodad
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2015
    I'm assuming you mean Lake Charles, LA. There are a couple of camp grounds available. We like and highly recommend Sam Houston Jones SP. From Panama City you should probably take 2 days to get there. If you would like to stay on the beach, stop at Gulf SP in Alabama. If you would like to stay close to I-10, stay at Blackwater River SP in Florida or Meaher SP in Alabama. Don't worry about Snowbirds in Louisiana, it's not really a big problem here like it is in Florida.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Aug 23, 2015
    Mycousin, who winters in Fort Myers, usually leaves Michigan at the beginning of October, and spends a month or two on the Gulf Coast and NW Florida on the way down. My snowbird brother left Michigan first week in September, and didn't come back until June.

    I know others who stay in Michigan until after Christmas, then head for Florida, a single long move rather than a gradual one. My brother would just fly to Michigan for the holiday, but couldn't the last year of his life.

    So snowbird behavior varies. As to supply and demand of the Gulf Coast, for retired people who move around, you are looking at the busiest time of year: after the hurricane threat is over, before it actually starts getting cold. When my daughter was in Biloxi, I would find October best time to visit, and campgrounds stayed pretty full. Make reservations.
  • wxtoad's avatar
    wxtoad
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2015
    We normally don't make reservations when south for the winter, except for some of the holidays. This year we decided we wanted to spend the holidays at Davis Bayou Campground (Gulf Islands National Seashore) in Ocean Springs, MS. When I got online to make our reservations I was amazed that only about 6 sites out of some 50 or so were reserved. And the same for Fort Pickens over the Thanksgiving holiday - lots of empty sites.

    WxToad
  • car2900's avatar
    car2900
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2015
    Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL is a big destination for folks from the northern states and Canada. We were there first week of November last year and it was already filling up and was told that by Nov. 15 most of the sites would be filled. I think they do keep several sites available for short term rental.
  • AdirondackJack's avatar
    AdirondackJack
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    We spend the month of October heading South down different routes and maybe 8 or 10 new campgrounds each Fall. We have yet to run into a "No Vacancy" at any campground in Oct. A couple of our favorite campgrounds along the Gulf Coast are Azalea Acres in Robertsdale, AL and we never miss Bay Hide Away in Bay St Louis, MS (The Silver Slipper Casino is nearby, on the Gulf, with a fantastic buffet). We liked Rustic Sands RV Park in Mexico Beach, FL (and Provisions Restaurant in nearby St Joe, FL). Eateries? If you motor anywhere near Foley, AL then Lambert's "Home of the Throwed Rolls" is well worth a visit - good food and a lot of fun.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 19, 2015
    I suspect with the new rules on how long folks can stay that the influx may be later.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2015
    They seem to start to trickle in October. This past year in FL has shown increases in lodging and tourists. I'd bet that RV resorts CGs, and state parks visits have increased, too.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2015
    St. Andrews State park is not dependent upon season. It is a fine state park and thus very busy all year. It is not a good indicator of the overall availability of sites.

    My south Florida experience (Lived there 35 years) was that Florida has two surges of snowbirds: 1. One around November 01 and another just after New Years.

    Weather wise, October is a great time to visit Florida.

    Overall, I feel that you will not have too much trouble with sites. Enjoy.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Aug 19, 2015
    Usually in December for the main part of the snowbird migration. But there is no hard and fast number. You can check campgrounds to see when they jump their charges up and that will tell you when they think the migration starts.

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