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AWCHIEF · 03-19-2016, 08:35 AM

I am heading down to the Keys the end of next week to attend the WBCCI Florida State Rally. Plans are to drive primarily down 75 and the west gulf coast side. Any suggestions for affordable over night stops. I am retired military so I try to take advantage of military camps when available.

xrvr · 03-19-2016, 08:56 AM

Franklin locksnear ft Myers if you can get in. Corp of engineers.

n2916s · 03-19-2016, 09:07 AM

Once you pass MacDill, there aren't any Famcamps farther south until you get to Key West. If you decide to linger, NAS Key West has two Famcamps.

If you can, try Reserve America every day and see if you can pick up a day or two at any of the Florida State Parks.

Mike

AWCHIEF · 03-19-2016, 09:22 AM

Mike, thanks. All set for Key West. Spoke to them yesterday. Their rotation list is currently about three weeks to get a full hookup spot. Going to spend a few days boondocking in their no hookups area before heading over to the rally. It will give me a chance to test my new solar setup. Gong to be busy in Key West the first April weekend. The Blue Angels will be in town. Also talked to MacDill, if I make it that way they have room for me. Will just have to see how the weather, traffic and my back goes.

Angelas · 03-19-2016, 10:29 AM

Once you are in the Keys, there are 2 state parks with beautiful beach camping: Long Key (just before Marathon) and Bahia Honda after the 7 Mile Bridge. It is the "season" in the Keys right now, so call ahead. Snowbirds abound. Enjoy! I was there last week.

2dabeach · 03-19-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I am heading down to the Keys the end of next week to attend the WBCCI Florida State Rally. Plans are to drive primarily down 75 and the west gulf coast side. Any suggestions for affordable over night stops. I am retired military so I try to take advantage of military camps when available.

Chief.....There are four Florida State Parks in the Keys. If you cannot get a reservation on Reserve America, keep in mind that each of those parks have a few sites that are only available to campers that show up at at their gate. The Marathon Coast Guard station has a few sites that are available for military retirees but I've never been able to get one.

radargeek · 03-19-2016, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I am heading down to the Keys the end of next week to attend the WBCCI Florida State Rally. Plans are to drive primarily down 75 and the west gulf coast side. Any suggestions for affordable over night stops. I am retired military so I try to take advantage of military camps when available.

When you come to Exit #101 southbound on the I-75, exit and go southbound on Collier Ave to US-41 and take it across south Florida. You'll come to Everglade City exit...there is a high end RV park and you could stay there, although pricey. Instead stay on US-41 heading south/east, and you'll come to a National Park Operated alligator viewing station. Exit there if you're interested in area info and for campground info. You don't have to register there; you can drive on past the viewing station and in a few miles, on your right (south side) there's a small National Park operated campground. They have limited spaces, as I recall maybe 30 or so, but very nice, and very reasonable! Good bathrooms. Clean and tidy.

richinny · 03-19-2016, 11:49 AM

if you come past miami check this out:
http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/larry-penny.asp

if room you can overnight here:
http://www.miccosukee.com/resort/

beachbouy · 03-19-2016, 12:01 PM

There will around a half dozen of us staying at Midway Campground arriving on the 10th and then headed down to the rally on the morning of the 11th.

Check recreation.gov see if there are any spots left. I just got off the phone with Sunshine Key Resort... There are at least 150 of us attending.

polarlyse · 03-19-2016, 12:34 PM

Hey Chief. We just left Key West and the NAS a few weeks ago. Great place. You might look to plan a last stop before heading out at Midway CG in the Big Cypress Nat. Rec Area. It's right along 41 midway between Naples and Miami. From there it's gonna be about 3 hrs. out to Marathon Key. The price is right and they have electric on site and a dump station so you can head out with empty tanks. We stop there for at least one night most every year. Make a reservation just to be sure but if they are full a few miles back on 41 is Monument Lk. CG but it's dry camping there but you can still use the Midway for a dump before leaving. Midway CG will show up on google maps so give it a look and see if it will fit your plans.

Jarrod White · 03-19-2016, 01:23 PM

I like to get off the interstate past Tallahassee and take highways 19/27 down. Four lane, little traffic and speed limit is 65 most of the way. Much less stressful than I-75. The walmarts in perry and Chiefland allow overnight camping with permission from store manager (always given). There are some good state parks along or very close to the route (Rainbow Springs is my favorite in the upper stretch) and South Bay is a nice county park near Clewiston. Several federal campgrounds in Everglades. Also, several passport America half price campgrounds along route. One of my favorite parts of the trip is stopping at the fruit stands along Krome Avenue in Homestead. I like Key Fisheries in Marathon for excellent fresh seafood.

wheelygoode · 03-19-2016, 02:20 PM

At junction of highway 41 and state road 997 going west there is a casino on the right hand side. Parking is free, but you need to check in and get a paper to put in your window. Then it is an easy run down the keys. Try not to go south on a Saturday or back on a Sunday - lots of traffic in those directions those days. Have fun!

AWCHIEF · 03-19-2016, 02:29 PM

Some great ideas, thank you all. Like the idea of taking 19/27 down.

CactusBert · 03-19-2016, 05:44 PM

We just got back from Myacca State Forest campground. They are limiting only 4 campers per night, so we couldn't stay for the weekend. No hookups - plenty of sun so our solar panel kept the batteries going fine. Note, this is different from Myacca River State Park - a much bigger place. Myacca State Forest is SE of Venice.

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recre...ateforest.html You may need to be there before 5 to get the combination to the padlock - call to see if there's room. Very peaceful - large sites.

Jarrod White · 03-19-2016, 06:16 PM

I should add that when I take 19/27 I have found it best to avoid Ocala and the Villages. I stay on 19 to Crystal River, then take 44 across, you then can pick up 27 one exit down on Florida turnpike without paying toll. Eliminates a congested portion of the route.

369goose · 03-19-2016, 07:34 PM

Ft De Soto Park
http://fortdesoto.com

369goose · 03-19-2016, 07:48 PM

We travel from Tallahassee to St Pete/Tampa Bay frequently & avoid US19 at all cost. Very congested, heavy business traffic & bad roads around Pasco Cty. The Veterans Exoressway is a much nicer drive & really good road but it is a toll road.

Jarrod White · 03-19-2016, 08:16 PM

I agree that 19 gets bad as you get closer to Clearwater/St Pete. The route I suggested of cutting over to 27 at Crystal River avoids the congestion in Pasco County. There is also a great small brewery in Crystal River named Copps.

CactusBert · 03-20-2016, 10:03 AM

My wife just posted some photos and a review of Myacca State Forest CG (showing our Airstream) on her blog:

http://stellasgarden.net/index.php/2...-state-forest/

jrbecker · 03-20-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachbouy

There will around a half dozen of us staying at Midway Campground arriving on the 10th and then headed down to the rally on the morning of the 11th.

Check recreation.gov see if there are any spots left. I just got off the phone with Sunshine Key Resort... There are at least 150 of us attending.

Hey Beachbouy, the last day of rally is the 11th.
Ujay