Why you can't get into the Fl Keys state parks

NanciL wrote:
I have read with interest and see lots of complaints about not being able to get sites in the four state parks in the Florida Keys, and I can give you one of the reasons why:
Take a stroll through any one of them or all of them and see the cheaters that lie about the length of their rigs.
At least fifty percent if not more don't belong in the sites they are in and the park rangers do absolutely nothing about it
If the lengths were monitored a bit, there would be a lot more spaces available for rigs that fit them.

Jack L

Deleted wrong information about Pennekamp.
Long Key has 10 sites I believe that are tents only. The others sites can accommodate different length RV,s. If you show up with a 40'er and try to get into a site that's for a max. of say 25', that's not going to work, and you're not going to stay.
Curry Hammock has 1 site that's limited to 35' I think, all the rest are more than that.
Bahia Honda only allows RVs in one of their 3 sections. One section has a low clearance bridge (7' or less), another section is tents only and small popups, the 3rd section has some sites where the length is limited.
50 % or more, too long for their site, seems to be quite a stretch on your part. Aside from that, how much difference does it make if there is a tent or a 45'er on a site ?

And don't forget the people that reserve a spot(s) months in advance only to put it on Craigs List and sell it, for a huge profit, at the last minute.

What does the size of the rig have to do with availability of sites :H

I'm borrowing a quote from 'Dog Folks' back on 2/25/2014

"It is simple math:

1. Number of State Parks in the Florida Keys: 4

2. Number of RV sites available in all 4 parks added together: 221

3. Number of Tent only sites. (Can’t be used for RV’s): 30

4. Number of people from all over the country that want to camp in the Keys in the winter?

Thousands and thousands!!!"

That pretty much sums up why it is difficult to get a site.....nothing to do with length of rig occupying the site

As I have worked in Bahia Honda, as a volunteer for over five months of a busy season, I can say this is not true. The rangers and volunteers work very hard to ferret out "cheaters."

It is one thing to see the violation. It is another thing to actually prove it in a court of law. Further, there are some loopholes that in the system that allow a stay longer than 2 weeks.

I dare say that the OP, who has mentioned his love of Kayaking in the Key, in previous posts, may just be frustrated with getting a reservation.

Also there is this,regardless of the size or type of the rig:

It is simple math:

1. Number of State Parks in the Florida Keys: 4

2. Number of RV sites available in all 4 parks added together: 221

3. Number of Tent only sites. 30 (Can’t be used for RV’s) 221-30=191

4. Number of people from all over the country that want to camp in the Keys in the winter, on any given day?

Thousands and thousands from all over the country.

Sites can be reserved 11 months to the day in advance. I don't agree that rigs are too large, or that it has anything to do with the situation. There is a large demand, and those who are resourceful and understand the system can succeed. If you're not willing to do the due diligence up front then stop whining!

NanciL wrote:
I have read with interest and see lots of complaints about not being able to get sites in the four state parks in the Florida Keys, and I can give you one of the reasons why:
Take a stroll through any one of them or all of them and see the cheaters that lie about the length of their rigs.
At least fifty percent if not more don't belong in the sites they are in and the park rangers do absolutely nothing about it
If the lengths were monitored a bit, there would be a lot more spaces available for rigs that fit them.

Jack L

Lengths are only listed as a heads up as to site size- no refunds given if you show up and don't fit etc.

No Public park in Florida or anywhere else would refuse someone a reserved spot because they're "overlength".

The reason it is sooooo difficult to get a site is the numerous folks sitting and waiting for their date to arrive to get a site. Some folks have multiple people (with multiple computers) trying at once. My wife and I used two Laptops a few years ago. Some families enlisted 5-7 folks for one date/one site. When we arrived at our site and spoke to various folks, most of them told us their method..lol It should probably go to a lottery system!

RANT ALERT!!

RANT ALERT!!

Im confused. I checked the reservation system and they had nothing about having to be size specific regarding site choices. I plan on visiting next winter, IF I can get a site.