Highlands Hammock State Park - Sebring, FL

[majorgator]

Apparently our MLK weekend plans have changed due to a cousin's baby shower in Sebring, FL. Looks like we'll be headed down there instead of Fort McCallister State Park 😞

I've looked into some campgrounds down that way and have come across Highlands Hammock SP. Online reviews are mixed, and it looks like most of the campground has small, crammed sites. There's even an issue about 2 sites sharing a single electrical and water hookup, which means you have a 50/50 chance of having the pedestal on the wrong side. I have read that the "newer" part of the campground has larger sites and and dedicated utilities. I don't know where the truth is in that, but hey, its on the internet...

Any experience with this CG, specifically which sites are preferable? They say that the lower number sites are mostly tent campers. We would be in a 30' total length TT. If not this one, then any other suggestions nearby (within 30 minutes or so of Sebring)? It doesn't have to be a state park, but we want more "campground" atmosphere vs. "parking lot" atmosphere.

[majorgator]

Trixie47 wrote:

majorgator wrote:
Thanks for all the comments. As far as I can tell, I just reserved the last site available for that weekend. It is site 103 and appears to be one of the smaller back-in sites. Hopefully it'll be decent enough.

What weekend will you all be there ? We to are planning a stay on lot 116 and sister's family on lot 117. 🙂

We will be there on MLK weekend. We'll be easy to spot: 2 loud kids and a crying baby, the most beautiful truck ford ever made, and daddy sitting by the fire drinking a beer. Well, that may actually describe most people there that weekend 😉

[Trixie47]

majorgator wrote:
Thanks for all the comments. As far as I can tell, I just reserved the last site available for that weekend. It is site 103 and appears to be one of the smaller back-in sites. Hopefully it'll be decent enough.

What weekend will you all be there ? We to are planning a stay on lot 116 and sister's family on lot 117. 🙂

[majorgator]

Thanks for all the comments. As far as I can tell, I just reserved the last site available for that weekend. It is site 103 and appears to be one of the smaller back-in sites. Hopefully it'll be decent enough.

[Parrothead_Mike]

We camped there for 5 days last winter and really enjoyed this park. We were in site 86 and had plenty of room. Our neighbors in site 85 weren't too far away, but there was still plenty of room. We will be there again this winter January 8-13 in site 88.

I think the issue about where the hookups are located may be true, although not at all sites. In site 86 our fire pit was on the wrong side, but since we didn't intend to use it there was no problem. Also, it may depend on which way you enter some sites that put the hookups in an unusual position relative to your RV. If you're prepared (ample hose & electric cords) you shouldn't have any problems.

We walk every morning and really enjoyed the loop road just outside of the campground area. It's paved and the area is a dense woods with plenty of birds and wildlife. The boardwalk through the swamp/river area is beautiful if you like that sort of thing. Also, the park isn't far from US27 with retail and restaurants.

Sites in the area of where we are/were (86 & 88) are large enough for our 5th wheel (overall length about 28') with opposing slides. There were large RVs in that area when we were there last year. There are plenty of trees throughout the park and I suppose some may come into play when parking your RV, but otherwise there appears to be plenty of room. Also, the showers/restroom in that area is fairly new and is very nice.

[FLGup]

We go here all the time. It is a great campground. We prefer sites 38 - 45 a nice back loop .... or sites 119-138 along the outside edge and near the newer bathhouse. Sites 134-138 are closer together but OK. The only bad sites we have had were along the west side road ( right side of the park ) sites 15 - 31 seemed too close. We stayed on site 25 once and felt like we were in our neighbors way. Too small and close together.

We never had issues with power or sharing anything. That is a new story to me.

I hope this helps...look at the sites on Reserve America....

[Dog_Folks]

Go to this link within the website: MAP

Click on the campsite you are interested in. A window will open that shows the amount of shade, size and has a picture of the site. If no shade is mentioned, the site is in full sun.

You also can see where bathhouses are located. If you do not want people walking through your site, park away from them.

It is one of our favorite state parks. In the park, take the drive around the loop at sunset, remain quiet and you will see a large amount of wildlife, including deer feeding. Also go to the CCC museum in the park. As the CCC built so many parks, including Highlands, it is very interesting. If the on site restaurant is open, go for breakfast. Decent meal, decent price.

If the tram is running in the park, go. It is very interesting, narrated by a park ranger that will have a lots of info, and you probably will get to see a gator or two.

Outside the park is a lake with a road completely around the lake. Nice drive. You can go down to Sebring raceway. Even if they are not racing, they may be testing some race cars there, very interesting to watch.

I'm sure there is lots more that I have missed.

This will give you a start.