Looking for better alternatives than FL state parks for the panhadle

[perryg114]

We have been to most of the Florida state parks in the panhandle. I have been really under whelmed with them. We have stayed at Falling Waters a lot but that place is getting old. We have seen just about every rule and common sense violation there is at that place no to mention just being plain inconsiderate. There is no supervision and no one to enforce the rules. Kids running around in the street at night with no supervision, barking dogs, everything under the sun being burned, trucks parked in the road, and poorly maintained sewer dumps. Three Rivers pretty much the same thing and FL Caverns not much better.

So what other alternatives are there where you can just camp and mind your own business in a yahoo free quiet camp ground where it does not smell like someone is burning a tire?

Our normal route is from Huntsville, Falling waters, then Central FL. Falling waters being the half way point. It is in a great location. We stayed an extra day where we were in Central FL and decided to leave last Sunday and drive 650 miles in 12 hours in pouring rain and severe cross winds and I am not sure that was any more brutal than one more night in Falling Waters.

Perry

[n2916s]

Staff cuts. It has been going on for about ten years. Very few ranger programs, minimal maintenance, no improvements (with a few exceptions). Once upon a time there was a duty Ranger who patrolled until after quiet hours started and then was available for emergencies. Now they want you to call 911 and if it is a noise complaint or the like, not much chance anyone will respond.

Kind of a shame -- once upon a time our State Parks were among the best in the country.

[Wingeezer]

Have you tried "Topsail Hill" near Destin? we have been several times and always had a great time.

Great sites, beautiful park, well kept, and miles of private beach with a free shuttle to take you there - or you could easily walk or ride your bikes.

We will be headed to Florida again in a week or so - health ad weather permitting!

This time, a month at Land Yacht Harbor Airstream Park in Melbourne, then two weeks at James Island County Park in Charleston - both spots we have been before and enjoyed.

We do also enjoy trips to Arizona / California, but Florida is a whole lot closer! I enjoy long drives, but my better half does not!

[megandrudy]

Have you tried Topsail state park? It's about 10 miles east of Destin. We have been there several times and have always enjoyed it.

[Tsunami-v2]

How about Henderson State Park in Destin? Close to literally everything all while feeling like your in the boon docks. Well maintained park, great sites that for the most part are private due to the scrubs, trees, and campground layout. Oh and it's right on the beach.

[Nuvite-F]

Sorry to hear that Florida state parks are on the decline. We only discovered them a couple of years ago and love the ones where we have stayed.

Topsail Hill is nice but rather large and rather busy. Our favorite park in the panhandle so far is Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou near Niceville. (Maybe it's the location. . . )

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/rocky-bayou

If you are a WBCCI member looking for a quiet place to stay in the panhandle, Mystic Springs Airstream Park operated by the Pensacola Unit is a great place. Full hookups for $11 a day. When we were there last year there were about 4 trailers there. It's kinda out in the boonies, which accounts for the quiet. While you're there do visit the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum.

http://wbcci.org/airstream-parks/cla...c-springs-cove

[AWCHIEF]

It is all about perception. Personaly I think the Florida state parks are some of the best in the country. Clean, well maintained and outstanding professional and volunteer staff.

[SeaLevel]

Alligators are running wild through the parks, mosquitos are the size of eagles, and there are lightning and hail storms happening just about every other day throughout the entire state.

There... I did my part to hopefully free up some campsites for us FL natives.

We are at Wekiwa Springs State Park this weekend and it's very nice. Sites 1-30 are undergoing an upgrade, so when that's done there will be even more nice sites available.

[StrmyWeather]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Alligators are running wild through the parks, mosquitos are the size of eagles, and there are lightning and hail storms happening just about every other day throughout the entire state.

SeaLevel, don't sugar coat it! It's much, much worse! We've even had to import snake hunters from India to protect us from Huuuge Pythons! They've invaded the sewers and started to pop up in commodes! Watch where you sit!

... There are several parks along the coast that have had good reviews, like St George, St. Joe, Henderson, Grayton Beach if you can take Hwy 98 to/from Central Florida. If you're looking at just stopping in for the night why not leave Central FL/Home and stay at a rest stop along I-10. If I'm heading to Pensacola or Texas I usually time it to stop east of Tallahassee and get a few hours sleep. I hope your experiences get better. Travel safe.

[AirDFW]

We have a Grayson Beach reservation this summer. Anyone have feedback or experiences on that park?

[DaveMc]

AirDFW--- we'll be there Aug 5th - 12th. Read good reviews online. It's our first time there.

[Rollingrivet]

A Little far but...... Countrysidemotelrvsites.com
In Door County Wi. Is a nice quite place. New owners that enjoy camping in their Airstream motorhome. But found it difficult to find a relaxing park. So Liz bought one. All kinds of parks, shopping, fishing, dinning, and sight seeing. All within a short drive.
The bigger plan is to grow into an Airstream Park. Our 76 Argosy 28 is the seed. We are currently looking to add a early model Airstream trailer.
3 season campground with safe winter storage on you site.


Sent from my SM-G930P using Airstream Forums mobile app

[phowe46]

[QUOTE=perryg114;1905106]We have been to most of the Florida state parks in the panhandle. I have been really under whelmed with them. We have stayed at Falling Waters a lot but that place is getting old. We have seen just about every rule and common sense violation there is at that place no to mention just being plain inconsiderate. There is no supervision and no one to enforce the rules. Kids running around in the street at night with no supervision, barking dogs, everything under the sun being burned, trucks parked in the road, and poorly maintained sewer dumps. Three Rivers pretty much the same thing and FL Caverns not much better.

So what other alternatives are there where you can just camp and mind your own business in a yahoo free quiet camp ground where it does not smell like someone is burning a tire?

Our normal route is from Huntsville, Falling waters, then Central FL. Falling waters being the half way point. It is in a great location. We stayed an extra day where we were in Central FL and decided to leave last Sunday and drive 650 miles in 12 hours in pouring rain and severe cross winds and I am not sure that was any more brutal than one more night in Falling Waters.

Perry[/QUOT

We enjoy Oleno State Park near Gainesville and Blackwater River State Park north of Pensacola. Small and quiet parks with lovely places for long walks and bike riding. Among best bathrooms we have seen in FL. Good privacy between sites which really matters to us.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by AirDFW

We have a Grayson Beach reservation this summer. Anyone have feedback or experiences on that park?

Do you mean Grayton Beach State Park? I have stayed there many times. I prefer the old section surrounded by trees affording some privacy. The new section is more like a parking lot. The new section has full hookups. The old, no sewer but dump station is available. They have a very good staff and clean well maintained rest rooms/showers. Beautiful beaches with easy access.

[pmclemore]

We love all the parks mentioned; except that I cannot find space in February.

Oh, well. Pat

[Rocinante]

Also consider Henderson Beach State park, right in Destin. It was beautiful when we spent a night there in 2015. You probably won't find much February availability there either, but it's worth a shot.

[JCWDCW]

Ditto Mystic Springs for a quiet location, although there are open hunting grounds nearby and rifle/shotgun shots were evident last year when I went. The campground is monitored by Volunteers who have use of the covered trailer site and look after the place. As noted $11 per night gives full hook-ups ($13 for 50 amp) and you can leave your trailer on a site (disconnected) for $2 per night or in their storage area for $1 per night. Good jump off spot for Pensacola Area
JCW

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

Ditto Mystic Springs for a quiet location, although there are open hunting grounds nearby and rifle/shotgun shots were evident last year when I went. The campground is monitored by Volunteers who have use of the covered trailer site and look after the place. As noted $11 per night gives full hook-ups ($13 for 50 amp) and you can leave your trailer on a site (disconnected) for $2 per night or in their storage area for $1 per night. Good jump off spot for Pensacola Area
JCW

Both times I have been there was no host on the property. I called the info number at the gate and was given the gate Combo. Spent a couple of very relaxing nights both visits. No one from the unit ever showed up. The park is officially closed for a portion of the year. Check their web site for info. and updates. Seems the unit is on the decline.

[1973Argosy]

Having been a patron to the panhandle and bama gulf Coast for the past 40 years, I am amazed with the mississippi gulf coast. From bay st louis all the way to silver slipper casino (about 17 miles) offers white sand beaches without the droves of people of the blue water destinations in fl or bama. The ocean water color is different because of the mississippi river but the beaches are just as white and WAY LESS crowded. Buccaneer state park does have some ocean front sites but they don't appear level or well marked out, the inner sites remind me of most alabama or fl state parks. My favorite spot is the silver slipper casino campground. It has full hook ups but no other amenities other than the view. Without a bathhouse, playground, campstore, ect the younger families seem to avoid this gem on the coast. The wife and I were there back in October and we were the only trailer out of about 10 other guest, all the other rvs were class a pushers.

[vaquitaboss]

We spent the night on our way back to Tampa at Florida Springs RV Resort in Bonifay, FL. The campground was nice, and we only had time for an overnight.

What we did find surprising was the on site restaurant, Mustang Grill. What a wonderful meal we had there. None of us expected that, just wanted to not have to cook, or go far to eat. Unbelievably great meal, and everyone there was awesome. It's worth it just for the night, or longer. We will be stopping everytime we head back out west.