This is our first year snowbirding. We will be leaving MI next week, Florida is our first destination. Having not made any reservations yet, will I have trouble finding an RV park in the Panama City area? Would like to stay for a month, then head west to the Mississippi gulf coast area, then who knows where from there.Is it necessary to make reservations in advance for wherever we head to? If so, how far in advance would be needed?

can't speak to florida but we head to AZ for 2-mos. i usually make those reservations a year in advance. this year we changed parks. i made them 8-mos in advance and was lucky to find the last spot at a park. i was able to relatively easily book 1-week stays on our way to AZ in LA, TX and NM. good luck.

Most of us that winter in Florida made our reservations months ago. For shorter stays there's usually still some sites available, but it may take a number of phone calls to find them. For longer term stays, you'll likely be left with trying to catch a cancellation somewhere.

You're probably safe this time of year around Panama City. While that area will be warmer than MI, you'll more than likely get freezing weather there throughout the winter. In January, there's no place in the lower 48 states that's completely safe from freezing so get as far south as you can. Years ago, I was in Florida City (20 minutes from Key Largo on the Florida Keys) when I looked out the window one morning to see frost on the roof of my car. It doesn't happen often but it can happen. The past few years we'll gone west to Quartzsite for RV Week (the last full week in January) and then on to the Palm Springs area. It's been running 10 degrees cooler than what they call normal. This winter we're headed to Brownsville, TX to see how we like it there. We made our reservations 6 months ago for Jan-Feb & Mar at the same park - we don't usually spend more than a month at a time in a park but prices in south Texas are pretty reasonable compared to Palm Springs and south Florida.Safe and Happy Travels!

You should not have a problem is you are heading down next week and plan to stay for a month.. I guess that means the month of November. The snowbirds won't be here in force that early in the season.

ThorMan wrote:This is our first year snowbirding. We will be leaving MI next week, Florida is our first destination. Having not made any reservations yet, will I have trouble finding an RV park in the Panama City area? Would like to stay for a month, then head west to the Mississippi gulf coast area, then who knows where from there.Is it necessary to make reservations in advance for wherever we head to? If so, how far in advance would be needed?No. when I was new I too had this fear if you didn't have a reservation you would never have a place to stay! It is not so.I NEVER made reservations when I went to Florida. But I didn't stay in the south though too many bugs and humidity, sardine CG's. I stay in central Florida near all the beautiful historical crystal blue springs and rivers. AND I NEVER stay at snowbird packed like sardine CG's which is where the majority go to.There are a plethora of CG's in central Florida to pick from and they have nice enjoyable big sites with actual trees. And beautiful Forests and close to the Gulf for manatees and even more crystal blue rivers springs. First I pull in and stay for the night in an area I like (all CG's have a row open just for the traveling RV'ers) If I like it I stay another night and ask the CG if they have any open sites for the month. Almost everyone I stayed at did have cancellations. And all I had to do is move to the long term section.I did this for 4 years full timing to Florida. And was never without a place to stay and put down the levelers.Google Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs, the towns of Dunnellon or Crystal River and include a 20 mile radiusGood luck have fun. Come on down we'll leave the light on for you! :B

Heading to Florida | Good Sam Community

DFord
Explorer
Nov 01, 2019
This may be a little off topic but here goes...
Almost every campground I try to find anything about in Florida has affiliated itself with Sun Resorts and no longer handle their own reservations. That's been a problem for me. Has anyone else had this experience and if so, how do find anything out about a park you nothing about before making reservations?
ThorMan
Explorer
Oct 31, 2019
johnhicks wrote:
Sounds good. You might be able to get in at Cypress CG at Winter Haven https://www.cypresscampground.com/ for a month or more. Decent area, next door to Walmart, all other services nearby and warm in winter.

Thanks! Looks like a good place.
johnhicks
Explorer
Oct 28, 2019
Sounds good. You might be able to get in at Cypress CG at Winter Haven https://www.cypresscampground.com/ for a month or more. Decent area, next door to Walmart, all other services nearby and warm in winter.
ThorMan
Explorer
Oct 27, 2019
johnhicks wrote:
Why would you go to Clermont if your intent is to head west? Or have you changed your mind on that?

Yes, we did change our plans.

Left home (suburb of Detroit area) Thursday morning, spent that night in a Cracker Barrel parking lot near Nashville. Next day drove through very heavy rain and spent the night in a rest area near Greenville AL. Drove on to Robertsdale AL, spending six days in a campground here, then it's on to Clermont FL for two weeks, possibly longer. Having a good time.
johnhicks
Explorer
Oct 22, 2019
Why would you go to Clermont if your intent is to head west? Or have you changed your mind on that?
ThorMan
Explorer
Oct 22, 2019
The Mrs. made reservations for us at an RV park called "Bee's RV Resort" in Clermont Florida. She feels better having a reservation. Will keep the board informed how our travels go, nothing is written in stone.
tjfogelberg
Explorer
Oct 21, 2019
We are leaving Orlando on the 31st and headed to Gulf Shores State Park for a week and then the Escapee park in nearby Summerdale for another week before moving West. Fell in love with this Gulf Shores area last year when we visited in November. Jan-Mar are the busiest months for the snowbird parks. I make some reservations but also fill in with spontaneous stops along the way. You've always got your RV, so not finding an official campsite for a night or two isn't the end of the world, might even save a few $ in the process.
angler
Explorer
Oct 21, 2019
I was in Panama City Beach last year and stayed at the Panama City Beach Resort. They had very little damage at the resort. Panama City isn't too bad. Surrounding areas are devastated But as you drive there you will still see the damage. It will be years before that area recovers. Destin and points west did not have damage.

St Andrews park in Panama City Beach about 200 sites had 30 open last march.

Good luck on your travels! Nice thing about an rv if you don't like where you're at you just move.
crawford
Explorer
Oct 21, 2019
ThorMan keep us posted let us know how it goes getting spots down in Fla.
tomman58
Explorer
Oct 19, 2019
johnhicks wrote:
PC may be difficult due to displaced people and construction workers. Since you plan to head west go on to Pensacola, Gulf Shores/Foley and west of Mobile.

Gulf shores is okay but lacks the ambiance of those in Fl IMHO.
We stay there for a couple on nights each year on our trek to Fl.
If you go to below the panhandle you'll find warmer temps and more to do. I think the rates are better also.

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