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Greetings, to "out-of-staters" (like self) who use Florida State Parks during the winter months. As you are aware, folks from out-of-state now reserve 10 months in advance while native Floridians may reserve at 11 months. It is now nearly impossible to get 7-14 days anywhere. I am NOT writing to register an opinion on this policy and do NOT wish this post to become a place to complain. Please hold back! I simply wish to ask what other folks are doing to still be able to come to Florida? I have thought of shifting to Alabama as a place to look...although it is now kinda late to look there as they are 12 months out. (We tend to come to the panhandle as it is a little closer.) Does anyone know of a list of privately owned parks? Or do you have a recommendation? Open to ideas... Post here or shoot me an email. I am not opposed to pushing a little further south in Florida or stepping back from the coast. We currently favor St George Island, Grayton Beach State Park and Top Sail Hill State Park. But am open...
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Andy
2017 Reflection 303RLS
2015 Dodge Ram 2500, V8 6.4L, Crew Cab, Laramie, w/Tow Pkg. -
We like Grayton Beach and Top Sail as well, but usually cannot book more than a few months out anyway. We watch the site and snipe cancellations, they usually pop up, right before the refund window for cancellations. For long term winter we stay further south in Orlando, there are a number of private parks there, we are actually thinking about a new one next year on account of some issues we have had with our site this year.Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab -
Andy+Mo Hi Andy,
This is an unfortunate development for those of us who like the Florida State Parks, particularly in the panhandle. To be fair, in recent years, even with a common reservation opening time, it has been all but impossible to hit the "11 months to the split second" necessary to get a reservation. In the past, we have used the relatively known quantity State Parks as an introduction to an area from which we could explore and perhaps find private parks to our liking. We have found that KOAs tend to be the "Holiday Inns" of RV parks. You can usually get a short term reservation and amenities are common and well kept. Perhaps these can replace the State Parks as the entrance to learning about different areas of Florida?
RobCate & Rob
(with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
2015 Reflection 303RLS
2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
Bayham, Ontario, CanadaComment
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We are currently in Grayton and poked around a little and looked at a couple of local private parks. They were not too nice. One recommendation for the Panama City Beach area is a small park my wife and I stayed at years ago called Pineglen Motorcoach and RV Park. It was a very nice park. If anyone has a recommendation for the Destin, Santa Rosa Beach area, please send it my way!Andy
2017 Reflection 303RLS
2015 Dodge Ram 2500, V8 6.4L, Crew Cab, Laramie, w/Tow Pkg.Comment
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Riverside RV Resort in Arcadia FL is great place in SW Florida. This is my second winter here. It’s one of the less expensive places, but they’ve been raising rates each year. There are something like 75 clubs with around 7 or 8 activities each day. People are down to earth and friendly. However, minimum reservation to be assured you get a spot is 3 months.
Home Base: Fairfax, Virginia
2021 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS Travel Trailer
2002 Ford F350 7.3 Diesel 4X4 SRWComment
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