Boondocking on the west coast of Florida

[Ed rottinger]

Im looking for any suggestions on boondocking in Florida on the West Coast.
I will be going to the Florida for the state rally in February and Im looking to stay somewhere on or as close to the beach as I can. I called reserve America and they have nothing on the beach....any help would be Great!!

[RickDavis]

I have camped most of Florida for years and while there are lots of nice developed high priced beach front campgrounds boondocking opportunities are few . Actually I am still trying to think of one.
There are ample boondocking options in the 3 national forests but of course that is inland where we spend most our time.
If any of that has any appeal hunt us down at the FSR in the vintage area and we can put you on to lots of non beach places ranging from free to about $15.00

[clancy_boy]

Greyton Beach State Park - Destin. Not boondocking but right on the beach.

[tomdmax]

Grayton bch is ok,but I like St Georges Island SP or St Joseph Sp.
Not boondocking but you can't get any closer to beach.

[Ed rottinger]

Thanks!!! Rick,Clancy Boy and tomdmax for you locations. I will be in Lakeland a week before the FSR and would like to stay some where close to Sarasota <200 miles on a beach some where...LOL We have had almost 24 inches of snow here in the U.P. of Michigan in the last week...so you can see why were looking for a beach. I checked out Red Coconuts and they want $100 a day on the beach and lots and lots of people.

Please keep the suggestions coming ...someone out there knows a strip of sand in Florida they could share with me .

thanks again

ED

[Frankiefiveo]

fort desoto park in saint petersburg florida has a beautiful campground with the travel trailer lots on the canals that lead to the gulf and then if you drive 1 mile south, you can experience 1 of the best beaches in florida, fort desoto state park.

[RickDavis]

If you can get in Fort DeSoto, a Pinellas county park off St. Pete Beach is quite nice and on the water.
The problem is they have, (or had, haven't checked lately) a strange reservation system which requires some one to appear in person and make the reservation up to 30 days ahead of your planned stay. If you have a friend in the area that might work. i have had success just driving out there and saying I was willing to change sites every day or 2 to use some of the openings between others reservations. Just because the sign at the bridge says FULL in ain't necessarily so. I started using this campground when it was $3.00 a night. I paid $33 last time there. That to me is high but in reality is probably much cheaper than any private campground .
Nice secluded electric/ water sites. not boondocking.
It is probably no more than an hour to Sarasota.

[Ed rottinger]

Now thats what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!! I just checked it out on Google Earth. Wow !!!!!
I will call them ASAP.
BIG thumbs up to Frankiefiveo!!!!!!!!!!
Keep the suggestions coming

Thanks
ED

[Ed rottinger]

Hey Frankiefiveo,
We are BOOKED in the last site available!!! THANKS so much.
So now we have to look for another site for 4 more days ...but they don't reserve 20% of the sites they are for walk-ups so we might just stay there.

WHAT a GREAT suggestion!!!!

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by Ed rottinger

Hey Frankiefiveo,
We are BOOKED in the last site available!!! THANKS so much.
So now we have to look for another site for 4 more days ...but they don't reserve 20% of the sites they are for walk-ups so we might just stay there.

WHAT a GREAT suggestion!!!!

Since you got a site have they changed the reservation system to something different than I described? What is the current rate.
It is a great park

[fltlevel510]

Give Turtle Beach Campground on Siesta Key a try. Can't get much closer to the beach or the Florida State Rally site.

Parks

[Ed rottinger]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

Since you got a site have they changed the reservation system to something different than I described? What is the current rate.
It is a great park

sites 1-85 $35.85 total(waterfront)
sites 86-236 $41.55
and 20% of the sites are not booked for walk-ups starting @5:30 am day of.

[fltlevel510]

This is a great park with access to a lot of things to do. Be advised there is a $1 toll bridge to access the road to the park and this year the park added a $3 entry fee. Not sure if the entry fee is included in the campground reservations. If you have time take the ferry to Egmont Key for a day of seclusion.

[fltlevel510]

Almost forgot about this gem. Located just south of Sarasota on the Tamiami Trail close to the beaches of Casey Key. Also the legacy trail walking/bike trail connects to the back of the park.kayak and canoe rental available. Several old florida restaurants in the area

[skipperbrown]

Try Ft. Pickens on Pensacola Beach. I haven't been out there since Hurricane Ivan, but I think it's been restored. I think there are hookups. It's very pretty and you'll be in walking distance (like 1/8 mile) to either the beach or the sound.

[Sneakinup]

If you want to boondock right on/over the water, the Sunshine Skyway fishing pier (South pier)is a great place. I have camped there two different times. No hookups, no nothing. Bathrooms and security on the pier though.

Here is a link to my trip there...

1972 27

Here is a link to their website....

Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers - The World's Longest Fishing Piers

From the bridge to the FSR, it is about a half hour. Call ahead and check to see if your rig isn't too big, as they recently redid some of the piers and you have to make a U-Turn at the end rather than being able to drive around. The South pier is nicer and the views of the bridge and water are spectacular. Bring a fishing rod.

Here is the link to the Skyway bridge disaster when a ship knocked out the bridge and cars plunged in to the drink. Very scary.

Sunshine Skyway Disaster

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by skipperbrown

Try Ft. Pickens on Pensacola Beach. I haven't been out there since Hurricane Ivan, but I think it's been restored. I think there are hookups. It's very pretty and you'll be in walking distance (like 1/8 mile) to either the beach or the sound.

Very nice and yes it's back in business - great state park.