Florida sunshine

[reddfox77]

So now that I have gotten advise from the experts on how to travel from ohio to florida in december and not have pipes freezing...I need to know where to camp, dump & fill up...Looking for beach front parking...wild life preserves would be great away from the party people...just an ocean breeze and quite times...This is our first trip south and Im hoping that you great people can help me out...Thanks so much

[FormerBoater]

Periwinkle Park is a great place to stay. Just a few blocks from the beach and populated with a small waterfowl sanctuary filled with exotic ducks, a black swan and many other birds.

Lemurs leap around their cages and are well fed and cared for.

No dogs allowed and they do not accept credit cards, but they will gladly take a check and the staff are as pleasant as they can be.

No dogs allowed due to all the birds and the lemurs.

We have stayed there several times and will be back!

Reddfox, the State Parks are a challenge due to all the folks who come down for the winter. We Floridians don't have a chance at most.

You might try Collier-Seminole state park east of Marco Island. Off the beaten path and lot's of wildlife and water amongst the 1000 islands area of SW Florida.

[reddfox77]

What is warm to yall....its raining and in the 40's lower at night here in Ohio...70's are looking good to me....

[reddfox77]

Dick_B wrote:
You'll be a lot smarter as to what is available the second year. Our `beachfront' nee waterfront in Key West was about 10 feet of water and $95 per night. Couldn't open the awning all the way because we were that close to the next guy.
This coming January we are going to try Periwinkle Park on Sanibel Island. Not sure it has beachfront but there are lots of beaches and water around.

That does not sound fun... 😞

[reddfox77]

chris3403 wrote:
You can park that RV on the beach in Texas

And thats what I keep saying...

[Dick_B]

You'll be a lot smarter as to what is available the second year. Our `beachfront' nee waterfront in Key West was about 10 feet of water and $95 per night. Couldn't open the awning all the way because we were that close to the next guy.
This coming January we are going to try Periwinkle Park on Sanibel Island. Not sure it has beachfront but there are lots of beaches and water around.

[jerseyjim]

Beach front? Try reserving at least a year in advance. However...you might get lucky. Happens.
The "tropics" don't really start until your at or south of Lake Ocheekobee (sp).
Check a map and go for it.
IMO...PERFECT tropical winter weather is in the Keys. But be prepared.($$$)

G'luck!

[Ivylog]

If you want warm WX then you need to be south of Orlando... not the Florida panhandle. I'd try for Jetty park at Port Canaveral. In the keys there are plenty of parks that do not advertise so do a google search for towns like Marathon campgrounds as no need to go all the way to Key West. On your first trip you need to explore different areas so a week here and a week there is what I'd shoot for.

[NHIrish]

reddfoxx77....I wouldn't give up yet, but I sure would get busy!

You'll find a bunch of opportunities, particularly at private parks, but the best of the state park inventory will be gone. As others have said, you will be able to catch a cancellation and or few days here and there.

www.reserveamerica.com

Best of luck

[chris3403]

You can park that RV on the beach in Texas

[Hjudge49]

Okay. fiorst question is "how big is your rig?" This will control what might be available. There are several State Parks in Florida that are on the ocean. In North Florida, try Gamble Rogers State Park in Flagler County. They have some spaces that will fit up to 42 feet, but most are smaller. There is also a private Campground on the Ocean in Beverly Beach, just North of Flagler Beach. There are a number os State Parks in the Keys that are on the Ocean, but chances are they are fully booked. You might get lucky and find a cancellation. There are also a couple on the Gulf of Mexico near Destin and Panama City, but Like the keys, they are probably booked also. Check website above.

[tohare]

Of course there are. Holy moly some people just get carried away! Check out fl. State parks on line and start dreaming. Oh, and making those reservations. 3 years on the road full time and never WalMart parking lot or on the side of the road.

[HappyKayakers]

reddfox77 wrote:
So now that I have gotten advise from the experts on how to travel from ohio to florida in december and not have pipes freezing...I need to know where to camp, dump & fill up...Looking for beach front parking...wild life preserves would be great away from the party people...just an ocean breeze and quite times...This is our first trip south and Im hoping that you great people can help me out...Thanks so much

Try looking here for state parks, not sure you'll find much beach front parking.

Here's a tip about staying away from party people. The more difficult it is to reach a site, the fewer the party people. Anyplace you drive to in your RV will run the risk of party people, depending on how the place is managed. You could also check rvparkreviews.com and look for 55+ parks along the coast. Usually combo mobile home/RV parks but nice and quiet after the sun goes down.

[reddfox77]

NHIrish wrote:
You won't go wrong with any of the FL state parks. They are some of the best in the country. In December you may want to stay south...but unless you are looking for NEXT December you will have a hard time finding a site in any FL state parks for this year. Book 11 months to the day.

With regard to fueling, we like a book called the next exit for locating fuel stops along the way. Or there are plenty of poi databases with truck and fuel stops for you to use.

I guess I should start crying now....You cant be serious...no where to camp unless its 1 year in advance? There has to be some place????

[NHIrish]

You won't go wrong with any of the FL state parks. They are some of the best in the country. In December you may want to stay south...but unless you are looking for NEXT December you will have a hard time finding a site in any FL state parks for this year. Book 11 months to the day.

With regard to fueling, we like a book called the next exit for locating fuel stops along the way. Or there are plenty of poi databases with truck and fuel stops for you to use.