Snowbird Prices (RANT)

[jimroach]

This is just a rant, but maybe someone can clear it up for me:

How do Snowbirds afford Florida in the Winter? The DW and I are taking 2014 off to travel in our MH, and our DD wants us to Join them in Homestead for the NASCAR races (Nov 2014), so we figured we would spend three months down in Florida....

The prices are crazy expensive. I could pay a mortgage for what most RV parks are charging during the winter. The other issue I have is that some of the Parks we have requested rates and possible reservations, we can't get in touch with, they don't acknowledge emails and the phones just ring. I assume that they get regulars back every year so are not concerned with new business.

OK, rant over, thanks for letting me get that off my chest! 🙂

[jimroach]

Dog Folks wrote:

rocmoc wrote:
Only posted what I was told locally. If it is wrong then I am pleased you have corrected. Bottom line is OP has little chance of snagging a prime location at this late hour.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

You are right there. The chances of getting a site in a prime location at this point, are two: Slim and None.

trust me, that is what we figured, we are actually looking for Nov 2014 through Jan 2015. Nice thing is, if they are booking this far out and you can get in, you are locked in at current prices.

[John___Angela]

John S wrote:
Wow, that seashore spot in Mexico looks beautiful. But, is it safe to go into Mexico? And where do folks camp if they do cross over? Would my S&W companion be a problem?

Well, safe is a relative word. You can't paint any country with one brush. Is it safe to camp anywhere in Canada or the US, certainly not. You need to be informed of problem areas and avoid them. Travel by RV in Mexico is very rewarding and in many ways different from travelling in the two neighbours to the north. The majority of Mexican camping is done in camp grounds just like it is north of the border. There is some boondocking and there are a few members on the board that are avid boondockers in Mexico. In my opinion one needs to be well informed for this approach to camping in any country. If you are going with a very large rig you need to be well informed on where you are going as many of the campgrounds were designed in the 60's and 70's and can be tight for large rigs. We travel in Mexico in a smaller class C. 400 year old perfectly preserved spanish cities can also be difficult to drive in. But this is what makes RVing an adventure. If you are really interested in RVing in Mexico consider posting on the RVing in Mexico forum. Indicate you are a newbie to Latin American travel, what you drive and what you hope to see and do. There will be lots of enthusiastic and experienced RVers who travel in Mexico to assist you. Mexico is without a doubt the source of all our most memorable RV trips. We love travelling in the US and Canada but its just not the same as travelling in this amazing country. If you like foreign culture, architecture, history, amazing scenery and friendly people you will LOVE Mexico. Can't wait to get back in January.

Here is a link to Angelas website she keeps up to let family know what we are up to. There are links to our trips on the Baja as well as the mainland. We have driven through 27 of the 31 Mexican states. We would like to go back and see the Federal District (Mexico City) but it will have to wait for a fly in trip as RV parks are pretty much non existent in the big Tamale.

Hasta luego.

[2gypsies1]

Yes, it's safe to go to Mexico beyond the border towns. Yes, your S&W will be a problem.

[bigdogger]

John S wrote:
Wow, that seashore spot in Mexico looks beautiful. But, is it safe to go into Mexico? And where do folks camp if they do cross over? Would my S&W companion be a problem?

A handgun in Mexico can be very useful in opening many doors that are normally closed to gringos. Most of those doors lead to free lodging in government housing. The Mexican authorities will be so thrilled with you that they will probably choose to extend your stay in their country for several years.

[John_S2]

Wow, that seashore spot in Mexico looks beautiful. But, is it safe to go into Mexico? And where do folks camp if they do cross over? Would my S&W companion be a problem?

[Dog_Folks]

rocmoc wrote:
Only posted what I was told locally. If it is wrong then I am pleased you have corrected. Bottom line is OP has little chance of snagging a prime location at this late hour.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

You are right there. The chances of getting a site in a prime location at this point, are two: Slim and None.

[rocmoc]

Only posted what I was told locally. If it is wrong then I am pleased you have corrected. Bottom line is OP has little chance of snagging a prime location at this late hour.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Big_Katuna]

This is not true. Floridians have no advantage over anybody else. Nobody can reserve at a park. ALL reservations have to go through RA. The exception is a few parks have a few walk-up sites. If you snag one of those, you can stay in it two weeks, then your spouse can get it for two more weeks. County parks vary county to county.
I know Pinellas county gives its residents preferential treatment for Ft. Desoto.

BTW, I detest RESERVEAMERICA. $17.50 to change or cancel a reservation six months in advance is a ripoff.

[rocmoc]

Dog Folks wrote:

rocmoc wrote:

jimroach wrote:


One I did find was Larry and Penny Thompson Park, just a little over $500 a month, so yeah, you can find them, but you do have to search. We have been looking more towards the center as well, as you are a little more centralized and can head to either coast easier.

Still gripes me when campgrounds don't respond to emails and phone calls though 😉

Almost impossible to get in, tried for two years. My understanding is the existing campers make reservations while there giving them an advantage. This is also the case at Penny Camp in Key Largo which I also tried for two years. Both 100% booked. I called & called but never was successful. You may have your best shot at the Everglades Fed Campgrounds East of Homestead. Good luck!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

If you are referring to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Please consider this:

Present campers have no advantage. They must go through the same reservation system as you do, even if standing at the ranger station. The state parks in the Keys are booked 11 months in advance because of their high demand.

Keep trying every day to grab a cancellation.

Please don’t blame us Floridians. We are in the same boat as the rest of the country when it comes to getting a site.


It is simple math:

1. Number of State Parks in the Florida Keys: 4

2. Number of RV sites available in all 4 parks added together: 186

3. Number of Tent only sites. (can’t be used for RV’s): 30

4. Number of people from all over the country that want to camp in the Keys in the winter? Lots and a Lots and Lots!!

I was told by a Ranger at Pennekamp that the person who is in the site will be in the ranger's office to make the reservation the moment of the morning it becomes available, thus most sites are reserved by the same person year after year. Was told the site is available to reserve 1 year early on location therefore they are there when it is available. This is what I was told when I called, not My Opinion. Also my understanding at Florida State Parks, Floridians get to make reservations a month earlier than non-Floridians (which I support) and some county parks have an even longer lead time for locals (which I support again). I just wanted the OP to realize that even if he/she finds a prime location online like Pennekamp & Larry / Penny Campgrounds chances are low of being able to get a site especially at this late date.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[TomG2]

Dog Folks wrote:
..snip....

It is simple math:

1. Number of State Parks in the Florida Keys: 4

2. Number of RV sites available in all 4 parks added together: 186

3. Number of Tent only sites. (can’t be used for RV’s): 30

4. Number of people from all over the country that want to camp in the Keys in the winter? Lots and a Lots and Lots!!

Can't they pave over the place and put in lots of parking spots, sort of like a giant Walmart? Maybe Walmart will do it for them? Not a good idea? I don't think so either.

[Dog_Folks]

rocmoc wrote:

jimroach wrote:


One I did find was Larry and Penny Thompson Park, just a little over $500 a month, so yeah, you can find them, but you do have to search. We have been looking more towards the center as well, as you are a little more centralized and can head to either coast easier.

Still gripes me when campgrounds don't respond to emails and phone calls though 😉

Almost impossible to get in, tried for two years. My understanding is the existing campers make reservations while there giving them an advantage. This is also the case at Penny Camp in Key Largo which I also tried for two years. Both 100% booked. I called & called but never was successful. You may have your best shot at the Everglades Fed Campgrounds East of Homestead. Good luck!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

If you are referring to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Please consider this:

Present campers have no advantage. They must go through the same reservation system as you do, even if standing at the ranger station. The state parks in the Keys are booked 11 months in advance because of their high demand.

Keep trying every day to grab a cancellation.

Please don’t blame us Floridians. We are in the same boat as the rest of the country when it comes to getting a site.


It is simple math:

1. Number of State Parks in the Florida Keys: 4

2. Number of RV sites available in all 4 parks added together: 186

3. Number of Tent only sites. (can’t be used for RV’s): 30

4. Number of people from all over the country that want to camp in the Keys in the winter? Lots and a Lots and Lots!!

[rocmoc]

jimroach wrote:


One I did find was Larry and Penny Thompson Park, just a little over $500 a month, so yeah, you can find them, but you do have to search. We have been looking more towards the center as well, as you are a little more centralized and can head to either coast easier.

Still gripes me when campgrounds don't respond to emails and phone calls though 😉

Almost impossible to get in, tried for two years. My understanding is the existing campers make reservations while there giving them an advantage. This is also the case at Penny Camp in Key Largo which I also tried for two years. Both 100% booked. I called & called but never was successful. You may have your best shot at the Everglades Fed Campgrounds East of Homestead. Good luck!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[John_Joey]

jimroach wrote:
...One I did find was Larry and Penny Thompson Park, just a little over $500 a month, so yeah, you can find them, but you do have to search. We have been looking more towards the center as well, as you are a little more centralized and can head to either coast easier.

Still gripes me when campgrounds don't respond to emails and phone calls though 😉

FWIW, if that's a public park that I'm thinking of, the reason you're not getting any response will be because they are completely booked for the winter. That's the bad thing about finding little jewels like that in a high demand area, you're usually not the only one that found that jewel.

[Bears_Den]

Well, just so you know, we locals pay the same prices as you snowbirds. There is a summer menu at restaraunts and a winter menu. The same is the case with golf, I can pay $20 in summer but the same course is $75 or more in the winter. That is why I'll take hurricane season over snowbird season any day. Lol...

[jimroach]

Thanks for the comments everyone. THe reason we are looking at Florida is DD wants us to go to the races in Homestead with her and he DH, and we are cruising out of Lauderdale 24 Dec, so that is the whole reason for Florida. I get the whole supply and demand thing, and I aint hatin' 🙂 if they can get that for there campgrounds good on um!

One I did find was Larry and Penny Thompson Park, just a little over $500 a month, so yeah, you can find them, but you do have to search. We have been looking more towards the center as well, as you are a little more centralized and can head to either coast easier.

Still gripes me when campgrounds don't respond to emails and phone calls though 😉