[Bob Thompson]

We have recently stayed at a number of these campgrounds, so most info should be reliable. Things do change so verify. Enjoy!

My current list for Florida part "A"

FLORIDA
Apalachicola near: Panama City - Free, # of Campsites: Unknown Max Stay: Unknown RoadPaved Scenery Rating:4 out of 5, Noise Level:2 out of 5 Open Year round.Drycamp under the bay bridge at the marina. Good shrimp! Great view ofwater.

Apalachicola, town of SUMATRA: a little north of Apalachicola in Apalachicola NF has many free CGs. WrightLake on SH-65 about 2 mi S. of Sumatra has a CG host, beach, & level parking under high trees that is accessible to big rigs. Apalachicola National Forest Wright Lake campground was inexpensive ($8, half for golden age)

BlackwaterRiverState Forrest (see Milton northeast of Pensacola) in the panhandle. They offer RV camping in a couple of different areas. I believe one area is considered "improved" & others are "unimproved". It seemed serene & lovely, especially by BearLake. Only a few RV camping areas are offered by the FloridaStateForest system but they are typically less crowded than the State Parks. Their web site is www.fl.-dof.com

BRADENTON(south of Tampa): O/N at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant
636 67th Street Cir E, Bradenton, FL

BUSHNELL:40 miles south of Ocala on I-75 Red Barn Campground, 5923 S.W. 20th Dr. 904-793-6065. From jct I-75 & SR-48, take Exit 63, then go east 1/4 mi on SR-48.

Corps of Engineers
Port Mayaca Lock-From Stuart (above W.Palm Bch.), 20 mi W on FL 76.
LakeOcklawaha
No Elec., NoShowers in Restrooms, Water available, Dump Station, VisitorCenter
St. Lucie Lock –Take exit 102 on IH-95 & go west ½ mile. From Stuart, 6 mi S on US 1, off FL 76. This is a beautifully kept campground w/ room for 9 RV's. Sites 1-3 are right on the canal connecting the Atlantic to Lake Okeechobee where you can watch wildlife & boats come & go. Campsites w/ & w/o Elec., Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use,Launch Ramp, Visitor Center, About $20 per night, half w/ Golden Age pass. Great place! Also see PhippsCountyPark below! They are next door neighbors.
Moore Haven Lock From Miami, 130 mi N on US 27 to Moore Haven. Campsites w/ & w/o Elec., Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Launch Ramp, Marina
Ortona Lock (See also La Belle) From Ft. Myers, 33 mi E on FL 80, paved road to lock, Campsites w/ Elec.,Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Dump Station.Picnic/Day Use OK, Launch Ramp in North park only. North Park accessible from SR78 in LaBelle, picnicking free, fee for boat ramp use.
W.P. Franklin Lock From Ft.Myers, 12 mi E off SR 80. Campsites w/ Elec., Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Launch Ramp, Visitor Center

CARYVILLE: In panhandle 100 miles east of Pensacola, just off I-10, on road to AL,Go west on US90 on S side of US-90, on the east shore of Choctawhatchee River. County park w/ boat ramp, picnic tables, no facilities.

CHIEFLAND On Highway 19 (about 22 miles northeast from Cedar Key) going south about mid-town, on the west side of the road is the Chiefland Farmers & Flea Market & the campground is just south of the Flea Market. The campground charges $10 for overnight w/ hookups & the place is not bad. There are restrooms & showers.

CrystalRiver: WalMarts in Crystal River & Port Richey allow o/n. Both are on RT 19.

HOMESTEAD: EvergladesNational Park, 4000l State Road 9336 There are two campgrounds, Long Pine Key Campground & Flamingo Campground. Between the two there are nearly 350 sites. There is a dump station & locations to take on water, but no Elec.. Fee is $14 per night or $7 w/ Golden Age Pass.

JASPER, FL. Gibson Park 8 miles south of Georgia state line on I-75 30 miles north of I-10 Gibson Park, on the banks of Suwannee River, offers rustic camping or RV hookups, fishing / canoeing. Free Campground., from I-75 take Florida State Road 6 west 3 miles to Hamilton County Road 751. Go south 4 miles to the SuwanneeRiver. Campground is on the right just "BEFORE" crossing the SuwanneeRiver. Register at the Agricultural inspection station directly across the road. Max stay: 10 days. "AG" station is manned 24/7 so there is security & phone. There is also a large conservation area within a short bike ride. Cost is around $6 a night if you plug into the 30 amp service. Nicest "Free" real campground in the area.

KEY LARGO: Am Legion Post 333 at mile marker 99.5. Boondocking. Phone 451-1986.

KEYS: Along Hwy 1 to Key West, at rare intervals the ocean is accessible. Just past Islamorada the Hwy 1 crosses a bridge to Tea Table Key, then another bridge to Indian Key Fill. On Indian Key Fill, there's a grassy area on the south side of the road extending to the seas edge. Garbage cans are provided. No other facilities. Camping is technically illegal, but during peak season (hotels & campgrounds are full) the rule against overnight parking is less enforced. Unconfirmed info!

KEY WEST: Moose Lodge 1760 at 700 Eisenhauer Dr. Boondocking. Serves meals.

La Belle: 24 miles east of Fort Myers. The South Ortona Lock campground is open. Water supply is good. These COE campgrounds have 12 sites each on river.

LIVE OAK/BRANFORD: near the intersection of I-10 & I-75 For boondockers. Between Alabama's Rainbow Plantation & Zolfo Springs Resort. Right on SuwanneeRiver, S of McAlpin on HWY-129. Free 1 night,