We are going to snowbird for the first time. We have noticed many people talking about going from park to park to check out places to stay longer the next year. How difficult is it to find an open campground site when roaming like that? Or do they reserve a different place for each week in advance? Any insights or advice? Also, we need to escape the Michigan winter cold for my wife's health, but neither of us enjoy really hot places. She grew up in Florida, and doesn't want to suffer like she did then. So the northern half of the state should be OK; we don't mind wearing a sweatshirt in the evening. As new retirees, money is tight, but we don't want a dirty and noisy campground. Does anyone have a suggestion of a decent place for a reasonable price? Any experience at The Springs at Silver Springs, a Wilder RV resort? We'd appreciate any guidance the more experienced RVers can provide.:h

Highway 90 along the North Flordia gulf coast has many nice camp grounds.We have stayed near Eglin AFB a few times along the strip...I don't think I have ever been turned down from driving through any of the camp grounds to take a good look...Doing this still dragging your trailer or in a MH might be a problem however...Another thing we do is pull up the camp grounds on google maps. Using street view you can get some real good shots of how all looks... Almost driving down the roadway..Roy Ken

Hi Guys!We have been bopping around Florida for years. Winters are tough as every one from the Midwest and Canada want to come to Florida for the winter. So, it's supply and demand! The parks can charge $600 - $1800/mo, depending on locale of course. They only have six months to make their money because no one wants to be here in the summer. We are currently paying $334/mo plus electric. That rate goes to nearly $700 when the snowbirds arrive. And this is an old park with mostly park models and very tight roads. We are around the Tampa area right now.Certainly up in northern Florida it can be cheaper, but if you are any where near the water it's about the same as the rest of Florida. We have found the inland parks down the middle of the state to be fairly reasonable. If you don't care about being near the beach, the RV spaces are bigger and the rates are definitely cheaper.We stayed at a park in Arcadia that was very nice: Cross Creek RV Resort. It is in the middle of orange groves. It is very peaceful if that is what you are looking for. It's a cute little town with everything you need. If not, Sarasota is directly west.We use Woodalls.com to research parks as well as rvparkreviews.com to find places we want to try out. Google Maps satellite views also helps in checking out an area. Then a phone call can also help to sometimes find a better rate. Some campgrounds are not real good at keeping their website rates up to date.The other thing you can do, if you can find a job, is to work camp. For 12 - 15 hours a week for each of you pays for your site. Some want additional hours, but you can pick nicer parks that way. Workamper.com is a good source for this kind of research.Happy Hunting!

There are a few campgrounds here in southeastern GA that are popular with Snowbirds, Coastal GA RV Resort and Blythe Island Regional Park and Campground. Coastal GA is a relatively new resort. The entire campground is asphalt and every pad is concrete. Most of them are pull thrus, however the sites along the lake and the property boundaries are back in sites. The owners are real nice (one of them lives on property). They have full hook-ups, cable and wifi (not sure if WiFi is free). Dish would not be a problem. They are less than 2 miles off I-95, but far enough away that road noise isn't too bad. $600/month.Blythe Island is more like a state park, except they have full hook-ups, cable and wifi (it is free). I don't camp there, but I do fish there and get wifi on the parts of the lake near the campground and it works. Sites are dirt, but pretty level. Except on the edges of the campground, Dish might be a problem because there is a lot of tree cover. The staff is very friendly. It is about 6 miles from I-95 and is super quiet. It's on the South Brunswick River with great fishing and their is a small man made lake. $477.30/month.Although night time temps can dip below freezing, it doesn't usually get much colder than that. I think we only had like 1 hard freeze last year. Day time temps are usually in the 50s. Some times warmer, some times colder. Mid-January to Mid-February is usually the coldest part of the winter.Coastal GA RV Resort was pretty crowded last winter. I don't think they were full, but they were pretty close. Bythe Island Regional Park usually has plenty of sites available.-Michael

Try Kelly's RV Park in White Springs. Around $300/mo plus elec. clean, nice folks, fires in the evening. Club house with pot lucks etc if you want. Free wifi. You will see some cooler temps but way way better than Michigan. They have a repeat business of snowbirds that don't want to pay $800 mo. Farther south between Ocala and Gainesville is Grand Lake RV Resort. More $$ but quite nice, more to do. High $600s.

Check out rvparkreviews.com and check out web sites for prices. Everyone has different budgets and different taste. We are just south of Ocala National Forest and it is what we were looking for but wouldn't due for someone wanting real hot or a beach. There are plenty to choose from so good luck and enjoy, no matter where you end up it will be warmer than home.

northern Florida suggestions | Good Sam Community

Tripalot
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
When comparing rates, check to see if taxes and WIFI are included or extra. This can make a difference in the monthly rate - our experience is some counties charge and others don't. A few parks, e.g. Rock Crusher Canyon include electric.
Rock Crusher and Williston Crossing are two favorites and in nice areas. Another spot to consider near Silver Springs is Wilderness RV Resort - also very nice.
ford_coupe
Explorer
Sep 10, 2014
Try wm rv park in zephyrhills fl.33541 phone# 813-992-9209 talk to willie. This park was purchased last spring & is being updated. Rent was $350/month plus electric. used to be called colonial four not a good rep from the previous owner. small park w/seasonals. quit,clean & friendly people. located @ 1424 fort king rd. zephyrhills,fl. 33541
We are winter resident there. Good luck
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2014
There were some comments deleted.
opnyn8d
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
Wow! Thanks to everyone for the great info. I have found several good possibilities. Nothing like an experienced person for useful information. I do wonder, though, what fla-gypsy and lizzie are talking about. Please expand on your comments. What nonsense? If you have so much inside and useful information, please share it with us all. I am sure many travelers will benefit from your knowledge. Thanks.
fchammer1
Explorer
Sep 06, 2014
s N s: "It's an owner owned park..."

Thanks for that chuckle. I've never been in a park of any other kind.
bedell
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
Another vote for Rock Crusher Canyon. It's not a "parking lot". Also Crystal River is a very nice area.
s_N_s
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
This is probably further South then you may like but take a look at emeraldpointervresort.com. It's an owner owned park with lots for rent. Some may have sheds, lanais etc. Take a look and see what you think. This will be our 5th year there. It's a beautiful park.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
I stayed at Williston Crossings RV Resort last winter. It's in the small town of Williston and is about 15 miles SW of Gainesville. It is just about the nicest park I've ever been in. It's huge - about 5-600 sites and because of that they have all sorts of activities going on all the time during the winter.

Take a look at their site because the rates vary depending on the length of stay.

If you are interested then I would advise you very strongly to call and make a reservation ASAP as they do fill up for the winter. They are a Good Sam's 10/10/10 rated park.

You can PM me if you have questions.

Tim
lizzie
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
[quoyepte=fla-gypsy]A lot of nonsense in this thread

Yep!
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
I might be able to put you into a free campsite in Jacksonville if you are willing to volunteer for easy work 32 hours per week. PM me if interested.