Florida state parks B class in tent sites
Hi all! Although I don't post very much, I do visit this site often and have learned so much in the time I've had my Roadtrek. Finally we are able to spend some longer time time enjoying "Arvie" and...
Forum Discussion
The park is closing most of those tent sites in 2015 due to erosion, which would suggest to me the rangers may not entertain variations any more to the minimal use they're still allowing.
Someone may tell you on the phone it's OK, but when you get there, you might find out another ranger won't permit a vehicle four feet longer than posted in the site description. Those tiny tent sites are VERY visible and exposed to passing traffic. The rangers there have to turn away people almost daily due to being full and run a tight ship.
One solution is to bring a tent along and be ready to use it if necessary (there is an overflow vehicle parking area at the other end of the CG.)
We've camped four times in recent years at Long Key and it's our favorite (very hard to get a winter site even when booking 11 months ahead to the second, and I mean that literally.) Sometimes you get lucky or get a few cancelled days. You can also try just showing up (with aPlan B in mind. No free boondocking sites in the Keys.)
One Plan B suggestion around the same price as a state park - if you are willing to dry camp (no pets or generators) - is Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge further south, which has a section where they allow tents and vans. No atmosphere, just a parking lot in the center of the RV area at $40+ a night. Though it is a nice facility and little Key Deer roam around.
Someone may tell you on the phone it's OK, but when you get there, you might find out another ranger won't permit a vehicle four feet longer than posted in the site description. Those tiny tent sites are VERY visible and exposed to passing traffic. The rangers there have to turn away people almost daily due to being full and run a tight ship.
One solution is to bring a tent along and be ready to use it if necessary (there is an overflow vehicle parking area at the other end of the CG.)
We've camped four times in recent years at Long Key and it's our favorite (very hard to get a winter site even when booking 11 months ahead to the second, and I mean that literally.) Sometimes you get lucky or get a few cancelled days. You can also try just showing up (with aPlan B in mind. No free boondocking sites in the Keys.)
One Plan B suggestion around the same price as a state park - if you are willing to dry camp (no pets or generators) - is Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge further south, which has a section where they allow tents and vans. No atmosphere, just a parking lot in the center of the RV area at $40+ a night. Though it is a nice facility and little Key Deer roam around.
