Decent budget-friendly FHU RV parks in Florida?

[RVcrazy]

Any suggestions? We are 55+. We really like the gulf coast area. We are looking for places for our next trip 🙂 (Yes, I have already looked at rvparkreviews.) Since PA mostly limits stays to off season, I am not looking at PA rates. With our preference for FHU, most of the governmental parks are eliminated. I am hoping for people who have actually stayed at some of these parks within the past year or two... Thanks!

[ependydad]

It's not coastal and likely not far enough south, but the cheapest plan that I know of is:

Thousand Trails Orlando (in Clermont, FL) for $500/year up to 30 nights and then $3/night after that - 2 weeks in, 1 week out. Then for your out week, go to Fawn Ridge at Deer Creek for $470/year plus $2 or $3/night - again, 2 weeks in, 1 week out. Alternate between the two.

[RVcrazy]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. We are currently at Imperial Bonita Estates for December.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Here's another one to check out while in the Clermont area. It's actually in Umatilla, FL and called Olde Mill Stream RV Resort. It's a 55+ RV park with 427 sites. We stayed here a couple of years ago for a few days. It's a bit rural, but not too far from shopping for necessities. It's well taken care of with generous size sites and reasonable prices. Be sure to visit Mt. Dora if in the area. It has a cute little downtown area with interesting shops.

http://oldemillstreamrvresort.com/

[Liltippy]

RVcrazy wrote:
I am asking for next year, or the year after. We already have places for this winter.

We are mostly looking for the area I4 & below, as close to the gulf as possible. We have found some places that are $1600-$1800 Jan-Mar, but want to believe there are other decent choices. We have found some reduced rates for December. We would hope to be within 15-20 minutes from a beach.

This winter, we are spending 1 month in Bonita Springs, 1 month in Bradenton & 1 month in Clermont to look over some of the likely areas. I am hoping for suggestions so that we can preview places when we are in the area. Thanks!

Where are you staying in Bomita Springd?
Thanks

[RVcrazy]

I am asking for next year, or the year after. We already have places for this winter.

We are mostly looking for the area I4 & below, as close to the gulf as possible. We have found some places that are $1600-$1800 Jan-Mar, but want to believe there are other decent choices. We have found some reduced rates for December. We would hope to be within 15-20 minutes from a beach.

This winter, we are spending 1 month in Bonita Springs, 1 month in Bradenton & 1 month in Clermont to look over some of the likely areas. I am hoping for suggestions so that we can preview places when we are in the area. Thanks!

[Parrothead_Mike]

Not along the coasts, those are expensive and if they're less expensive they are already booked. Try inland if you want "budget-friendly FHU". Try warm and south of I-4.

Sebring: Whispering Pines Village. $460/month+ele - 1 month. 2 months $410/month+ele. $395/month+ele. for 3 months. We stayed there 2 years ago for a couple of nights. Nice folks run it and the residents were friendly. A mobile home section and a separate RV section. Was a bit tight to get into site, but cement patios.
http://whisperingpinesflorida.com/

Melbourne: Wickham Park Campground. A Brevard County park with FHU. 390 acres county park with plenty of campsites and it's not far from the beaches. Monthly rate is $534+tax. We will be there for a couple of nights next month while visiting friends in the area. Have driven through and it has large sites and is camper friendly.
http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/Campgrounds/Wickham/Home#

Winter Haven: Cypress Campground & RV Park. Stayed there 2 years ago for a few days. Monthly rates $595 for a back-in & $695 for pull-thru. Inland, but close enough to Orlando and not far from I-4 if you want to drive to either coast.
http://www.cypresscampground.com/

Crystal River: Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park. $675/month-includes elec., FHU, and very good cable. We've stayed here quite a bit and will be here for 2+ months starting mid-January. Like a state park with all the trees. Crystal River isn't exactly a beachy area, it's called the Nature Coast. You can get to the water, but mostly good for fishing, kayaking, and eating good seafood.
http://rockcrusherrvpark.com/

[magnusfide]

There are a lot of decent FHU parks on the coast but as has been mentioned, the better and safe ones are booked. You can always call the parks and ask if there are any cancellations. I dont know what your budget is.

In your position I'd take a map, pick out likely FL coastal towns/cities and input their names at http://www.woodalls.com/ as a quick search. Then I'd choose the most likely candidates and start the calls.

[Dog_Folks]

Just keep in mind: The further south and the closer to the water you go, the more expensive. That is in general. Of course there are rare exceptions. Rare.

If you are staying two months or less the shoulder seasons,(October, and May) will give you a break in price.

[Jim_Shoe]

For this winter? Good luck. For starters, "budget friendly" and "along the coast" were booked last year. And every retired RVer east of Oklahoma already has reservations. Nobody goes to Florida in the summer unless they enjoy sweating. Your only hope for this year is a CG well off the beaches and away from Orlando. You might get lucky along the panhandle of Florida. I found a KOA in Bagdad, FL. east of Pensacola and 20 miles from the Gulf beach one year. People were walking on the beach, but they were wearing light jackets. Nobody was in the water.
If you choose that option, while you're there, find a beachfront park you like and make a reservation for next year.

[dahkota]

There are quite a few state parks in Florida with fhu. When do you want to go? How long do you want to stay? How close to the beach do you want to stay? What part of the gulf do you want to be in? What amenities do you need? The Florida Gulf Coast is huge - more information will get you a better response.