Keys in February - Realistically

[Effy]

Hey guys, we are tentatively planning a trip to Fla to escape the cold that has finally settled in up here. I am an avid diver and my son wants to snorkel so we are looking for destinations to suit that. We have family in the Clearwater area but the air and water temps there are a bit chilly yet in Feb and visibility is always a hit or a miss. Never mind that sunbathing on a beach at 65 degrees isn't necessarily "tropical". Aside from a cruise (family is leaning against that), I think the keys is as good as it gets without going to MX. I also understand that trying to get into a CG in the keys in the winter is all but impossible. Realistically is there a place I might have some luck or should I save my time and aggravation and look elsewhere? We only have a week, so anything longer than a day or 2 travel time won't be worth it.

Thanks

[rockhillmanor]

jerseyjim wrote:
... (Maybe we got lucky..but

whenever we wanted to pull in for the nite...or a day or two, we just "arrived"...and always got a spot with full hookups.)

You weren't just lucky! ALL CG's save a row of pull thru's for RV 'travelers'.Once I found that out I don't even make reservations. I pull in. The next day, if I like it I ask if I can stay a few extra days and have always been able to. Then if I REALLY like the CG I ask if they have any longer term reservation cancellations. That's how I find my long term winter stays going on 6 years now.

Tight spacing (inches from your neighbors when the awning and slide-out were deployed), no sewer (but their facilities were 1st class...as were their prices)

. .....My simple advise to you is...get on the phone! And g'luck!

My first trip down to Florida that is what I found. The almost ALL of expensive resorts/CG's have you parked in like sardines. Along with the highest prices.

My first trip I reserved ahead of time and when I pulled in and saw how tight there were all parked I drove right thru and out the other end to find something better!! And BTW they take pictures for their websites during off season so you can't really see how tight they will be parked when full during the winter season.:(

I don't mind paying higher CG rates but geeezze the small RV sites are just awful. I didn't buy an RV to travel and see the country and 'have' to park in any place that tight for the nights.

I found with a little bit of time on the computer/phone you CAN find small CG's surrounding those big sardine ones that DO have spacious sites and reasonable prices netting a better experience over all.

[jerseyjim]

Some years ago, while touring in Florida, we decided to go to the Keys for a few days. Looking at a MAP...we saw one road in...one road out. And that was the ONLY time we ever made reservations....In January/February. (Maybe we got lucky..but whenever we wanted to pull in for the nite...or a day or two, we just "arrived"...and always got a spot with full hookups.) But with the Keys, and that one road in/out...we took out our Trailer Life book and our KOA book...and found the KOA located about 15 miles from Key West. "Sugarloaf Key". After a 150 mile run....we wanted to KNOW we had somewhere to stay. We did. Tight spacing (inches from your neighbors when the awning and slide-out were deployed), no sewer (but their facilities were 1st class...as were their prices). However...it was Key West in the winter...they know they can get their prices...so they do. Had a great time in the 3 days we were there. My simple advise to you is...get on the phone! And g'luck!

[wheelygoode]

We booked into Knights Key for end of January for a week with no problem. They are in Marathon. Not sure how February will be though! Good luck and enjoy your trip!

[JoeH]

Check reserveamerica frequently to check state parks and call CG's ( Boyd's,El Mar, Bluewater, Sugarloaf KOA,Geiger Key, etc) and get on a waiting/cancellation list. People cancel all the time and if you are flexible in your dates , there is a good possibility that you'll get a site.

[Effy]

Thanks for all the tips! AS luck would have it, Boyd's actually had an opening for the 2 days during the week we would be in Fl. But after careful consideration we thought about the 7 hour drive just for 2 days and the expense at over $100/day and fuel as well as drive time, and thought we would pass. Thanks to the tip on Rainbow springs. We will definitely check that out. I was planning on heading to Crystal river anyway and it looks like it's just north of that.

Maybe I'll catch a boat to Emerald Key while I am there too.

Thanks again!

[rgatijnet1]

The Sptings are a good idea but the water temperature does vary from spring to spring. The water usually is crystal clear at the spring itself. Water temps vary from 65 to 86 degrees and quite a few allow scuba diving. Here is a link: Florida Springs

[rockhillmanor]

Hey guys, we are tentatively planning a trip to Fla to escape the cold that has finally settled in up here.

I am an avid diver and my son wants to snorkel so we are looking for destinations to suit that.

We have family in the Clearwater area but the air and water temps there are a bit chilly yet in Feb and visibility is always a hit or a miss. Never mind that sunbathing on a beach at 65 degrees isn't necessarily "tropical". Aside from a cruise (family is leaning against that), I think the keys is as good as it gets without going to MX.

I also understand that trying to get into a CG in the keys in the winter is all but impossible. Realistically is there a place I might have some luck or should I save my time and aggravation and

look elsewhere?

We only have a week, so anything longer than a day or 2 travel time won't be worth it.Thanks

Since you already mentioned that you don't want to dive or snorkel in colder temps in the keys why bother looking for a CG there?

Since diving and snorkeling is your passion IMHO Rainbow Springs is where you need to be! :B

There are several springs in Mid Central Florida that are drop dead crystal clear, 'deep' and the most brilliant blue water you will ever have seen AND the water is a constant 78+ degrees all year long. Rainbow Springs is the only one I have actually been to and found it spectacular.

Kayaking the river is also a real popular activity from Rainbow Springs. You and your son would have a great time doing that together.

There are several CG's in this area also. Google Rock Crusher, Crystal River, Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon, Silver Springs. There are 2 o 3 state parks in this area also. Also with in minutes of the Springs in Dunnellon are many smaller CG's in adjoining towns that will have openings.

I've full time RV'd all over Floria and found this area IMHO the hidden gem of Florida.:C

[NCWriter]

A few years ago, we got into Jolly Roger a few days in advance. Liked it well enough to return frequently. They have seasonal campers, but also plenty of folks coming and going for shorter stays, so you might have a good possibility of getting something.

[leaddog]

Check JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF SP, FL for sites in Feb 2016. They had 5-6 available a few minutes ago. It's at the beginning of the Key and is a nice park. Good luck.

You can reserve a site at www.reserveamerica.com

[Ivylog]

I was going to suggest Point of View in Key Largoas it's fairly new but it now says to call the office for reservations. I was able to get into Rip Tide on short notice... nothing fancy and tight for a big rig. Largo has good diving.

[phillyg]

Your best bet is to keep calling to see if you can take advantage of a cancellation. I've even gotten into Bahia Honda SP for a few days.

[rgatijnet1]

If you belong to the Elks, their lodge allows you to park in the Keys. Elk Lodge RV parking
I'm sure there are other organizations that are in the Keys, or in any of the small cities along the road to the Keys, that may offer a parking spot in February.

[Big_Katuna]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
If you don't mind boondocking, there are always Walmarts, Home Depots, American Legion halls, Church parking lots, fish camps, etc that may provide you a place to overnight. You may have to move each night depending on the parking area.
Also you want to keep an eye on the weather. Right now we seem to be having above normal temps. I don't know whether or not this will still be true in February.
For the Keys, here is a link on diving. They also might be able to help you with a place to park. Key West diving

Not likely in Florida in any tourist destination. Maybe in rural areas.
Definitely not in the Keys.
Call Knights Key on Marathon or Boyds. State Park you can try but I would say impossible. Booked up a year in advance.

[Dick_B]

If you've got the bucks call Boyds in Key West. They are SOOO expensive they are more likely to have an opening.