Looking for the best of Florida

[candyk]

Disclaimer: we avoid commercial camps

Ft. Desoto tops everyone's list and is therefore hard to get in. Worth it!
Lake manatee quiet, clean, large sites, water access
Little manatee state park, trails, canoe etc.
Alafia river, kayak, bike trails, birds
Medard- county camp, no reservations. Large reservoir, trails
Lithia springs..county camp, no res. Too busy in summer
Tops for us is Hillsborough river s.p. Large pool in summer, on the Hillsborough river with kayak access, beer garden, cafe, Ft. Foster reenactment in February. We go here each season if we can get a site!
Going north:
Paynes prairie, north side near ocala. Large wilderness, birds, trails, buffalo
Rainbow river!! Float it, gardens every summer IF you can get in
Ocala Natl forest =all camps at springs. Juniper has good trails, birds. Alexander great swimming
Silver springs! Reopened.

[Bhkh226]

Thanks all !!!, we live 7 miles from jetty park, very nice as long as you get a shady spot. We too LOVE Anastasia SP, I heard they were damaged during hurricane Matthew, have they repaired it?? I think this summer we will focus on all the "Springs" that are in the state. We have only been to the west coast once, crystal river, and a lot of you said the panhandle, maybe a trip from there down the coast towards Naples, hmmmmm.
Thanks for all your input!!
We hope you all have a GREAT weekend!!!

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by Bhkh226

We too LOVE Anastasia SP, I heard they were damaged during hurricane Matthew, have they repaired it??

Hurricane damage has been repaired but they are closing loops one by one to upgrade power to 50A service.

Coquina loop will be closed starting mid April of 2018. Shark Eye has been upgraded to 50A


Greg

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by SilverSinbad

Any suggestions for campgrounds in the Tampa area?

Not a SP but I like Tampa East RV resort. I'd go there as the first stop on vacation to get the RV washed, the fridge cold and stuff put away. It's large, clean, and nice folks. (There's actually two parts and I'd go to the south half off of hwy 92, and grab a concrete pad.) Close to I-4 and I-75.
Lazy Days has a beautiful facility, (300 sites, mostly back in.) but there's nothing within walking distance unless you want to shop for your next million dollar motorhome.
Of course, Ft. DeSoto, but it's a county park and they make it tough for outsiders to get a reservation.

Originally Posted by mojo

one of my favorite secret spots. It's the Silver Lake Recreation Area on the Withlacoochee River.

Wow! I lived here for 30 years and never stopped there.

I did stay once at Grand Lakes RV and Golf resort. (Between Gainesville and Ocala) It looks like it sells spaces to residents, but they have plenty for travelers. It's HUGE! I guess it gets rowdy when the Gators are playing, but it was nice and quiet when I was there.

[rtaylor537]

Avoid Land Yacht Harbor...Melbourne,FL. The park is filled with old, uncared for Airstreams and is beginning to resemble a "junkyard" for discarded trailers.

[xrvr]

Opinions vary.

[pmclemore]

Originally Posted by rtaylor537

Avoid Land Yacht Harbor...Melbourne,FL. The park is filled with old, uncared for Airstreams and is beginning to resemble a "junkyard" for discarded trailers.

That's pretty harsh. Not my cup of tea for a long term, but nice enough for a couple of days' rest. The folks I've met there have been very nice.

Pat

[n2916s]

One down side for Land Yacht Harbor is "no pets". Deal breaker for me.