South of I-4 between Christmas and New Years no reservations

[jspringator]

I'm fairly new to the motorhome scene. With my TT, we made reservations someplace for a week and stayed there. I'd like to try a more mobile approach without reservations.

Will there be boondocking or walk up opportunities in that area of Florida? I know there won't be anything in the Keys, that the Homestead Walmart is a no no, but there is an Indian Casino on Krome Avenue that permits boondocking. Anything I-4 area and south is what I'm talking about. Maybe drive and see the sights during the day, find a nice day park and find a safe place to park for the night.

I've never done anything without reservations and I'm a little anxious about it.

Has anyone done anything similar? Words of wisdom and good sites?

[jspringator]

garyhaupt wrote:
I have my day spot and my night. The night spot can be in a nighborhood or by a school ground or church or a park. I will scout out an area...and then be off to the day spot...say, the beach...then end of day and dark, I ease on over to the chosen night place. I don't ever have problems finding night spots..but..I have zero idea about the eastern side of things.

This is what I was hoping to do. If you give it a try, keep us updated with a link here so I can follow it.

[Ivylog]

Orlando area during the holidays, probably difficult and no Walmart or Cracker Barrel camping. The rest of the state not a problem as most of the snowbirds do not leave home until after Christmas and most Walmarts and Cracker Barrels outside of the Orlando area allow overnighting but it always costs me $25+. In the Orlando area you can probably get into Stage Stop CG in Winter Gardens during Christmas.

[GoPackGo]

I don't think you see too much of that in Florida. I know that if there were strange vehicles parked in my neighborhood at night, the police would get a call. And I can only imagine what would happen if you were to park near school grounds.

[garyhaupt]

Help me here, plese. I boondock always but I am on the west side. I follow George, The Supreme Vagond'rs suggestion..I have my day spot and my night. The night spot can be in a nighborhood or by a school ground or church or a park. I will scout out an area...and then be off to the day spot...say, the beach...then end of day and dark, I ease on over to the chosen night place. I don't ever have problems finding night spots..but..I have zero idea about the eastern side of things.

I'm not heading your way so please don't go into HUGE detail..just an idea would be great.


Gary Haupt

[monkey44]

X2 on Everglades - We've been going there during winters nearly every year for over fifteen years. Have never seen it full - they do have one section w/power, but it's usually full. The rest are dry camp with water at certain areas, and a couple dump stations. Bring repellent.

[jspringator]

We ended up getting in at Hillsborough River. We stayed here last year. Not a bad drive to Ft. Desoto for day trips.

[tegu69]

If you are looking at the Keys or Homestead, why not everglades national park. Just checked and there are all kinds of openings for that week. Just bring your mosquito spray.

[GoPackGo]

bucky wrote:
You may have to hunt a bit, but there is always a room at the inn so to speak. FL is a big state, and that week will still be fairly warm. We've been to the St Pete Beach area many times in Jan and have been told "season" starts February 1st. Lots of people are home for the holidays with their families that week, you'll be fine. You can forget DeSoto however.

I'm going to disagree completely.

The week of Christmas to New Years is different. Florida will be packed, especially anywhere within a day's drive of Orlando. People plan Christmas in Florida many years in advance.

[jspringator]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I can't camp at DeSoto, but I can use it as a day stop. If push comes to shove I can overnight in an industrial area and park on the street, or find a downtown and park on the street, or park in a motel parking lot. If the genset isn't running, there really isn't any way to tell it is occupied.

My idea is to overnight cheap and ugly and to move to beachfront during the day. I'll need to get up early to get a good spot. I could never do anything like that with a TT, but it is feasible with a small MH.

[bucky]

You may have to hunt a bit, but there is always a room at the inn so to speak. FL is a big state, and that week will still be fairly warm. We've been to the St Pete Beach area many times in Jan and have been told "season" starts February 1st. Lots of people are home for the holidays with their families that week, you'll be fine. You can forget DeSoto however.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

The reason Flying J in Dade City and Dover don't allow parking is that their lots are too small. The Flying J in The Cracker Barrel in Brooksville has RV parking spaces. But there are only 4 or 5 spots and there will be lots of people looking for places to stop. Most cities and counties in FL don't allow RV parking except in designated areas. Most state parks will be full even during the week. Quail Run RV Resort in Wesley Chapel (just north of Tampa) may have some spots but their winter prices are $50-$70 per night.

[nbking]

Try Indian Creek RV Resort on San Carlos Blvd in Fort Myers Beach. Expensive but a great park and just two miles from the beach. Take the shuttle and avoid parking problems.

Also, we got into the state park in Sebring two years ago without reservations. Seemed to be quite a few spaces available.

[jspringator]

I called a Cracker Barrel in St. Augustine and one in Clearwater close to Ft. Desoto, and both permit overnight Rv parking. Hmmm. I may not have to cook this trip!

The key may be to stay away from extreme southern Fl. I'm going to check Ft. Meyers close to Sanabel.

UPDATE. They do.

[Big_Katuna]

Wekiva Falls will probably have space. They have like 700 sites. Water feature, close to shopping, near I-4 Sanford (Orlando).

Orange City rv Resort.