Best Tips to Start Planning an RV Trip to Florida Now

If you’re planning an RV trip to Florida, here’s what you need to know.

Florida is one of the hottest destinations for snowbirds in the winter

Winter is the high or busy season in Florida. Because Florida is one of the most popular snowbird destinations according to 55places.com, it can be tricky to get a reservation. People often book more than a year in advance. This is due in part to the influx of Canadian visitors who flock (see what I did there?) to Florida to escape the brutal winters they would endure at home.

Top Winter RV Destinations
Popular Snowbird Destinations

Planning an RV Trip to Florida? Book Early

When planning an RV trip to Florida, the number one tip I can offer is to book your site as early as possible. Many RVers who return to Florida annually book for the next year before they leave to head home for spring and summer. If it’s too late for that, call the parks or resorts you are interested in and ask to be put on a cancellation list. Then continue to call periodically to see if they have had a cancellation.

I did this a couple of years ago and had perfect timing. Someone had just canceled their month at the resort I wanted and I snagged the site immediately. I spent a glorious month in the Florida Keys with a view of the Gulf.

planning an rv trip
Grassy Key RV Resort, Marathon, Florida

Try North or central florida

I have found that the further south you go, the harder it is to get a reservation. If you’re striking out consider Central or North Florida. It may not be as warm all the time but there will be sun and palm trees and, depending on where you stay, less crowded beaches. Some of the hotspots where it’ll be really busy are Naples, Fort Meyers, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona Beach.

Over the last few years, it has become increasingly crowded, not just in Florida but all along the Gulf Coast, including the Panhandle, and Alabama. With the dramatic increase in RV sales during COVID in the next couple of years, it will be tough for those seeking reservations in popular destinations. I’ll stress again, plan your Florida RV trip early.

CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines, Florida
CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines, Florida, a Broward County Park

Try County, City, or Municipal Parks

Consider looking at County or Municipal parks. I spent several weeks bouncing around Broward County Parks campgrounds because I was able to get a site. Some of these parks don’t allow booking until a few months before the season starts. That gives you an even footing when trying to book. Everyone looking for a site has the same booking window. Just start calling or trying to book online as soon as it opens and be persistent. Remember way back to your teen years when you were trying to call into your favorite radio station to win a prize? Like that!

Generally speaking, county and municipal parks are less expensive and have a lot more space. Some of these have been my favorites over the years.

Be flexible

You may be able to find a site that will work but not for the entire period of time you’d like. Maybe you can book another site in that same park and move. I’ve done this many times and while it’s a pain, it’s a small price to pay.

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Florida Pin

To date, these are the campgrounds and parks I’ve personally stayed in over the last almost 9 years. I’ve linked the park website and any posts I wrote about the area of the park itself.

Ocean Breeze Park, Jenson Beach, Florida, February- March 2013

4 thoughts on “Best Tips to Start Planning an RV Trip to Florida Now”

  1. If military connected, try Camp Blanding in Starke, Fla. The sites are on huge, meteor-formed Kingsley Lake. Water sports, military museum and aircraft park. They drilled here in preparation for WWII. My husband drilled there for many years in the Fla Army Natl Guard. Lt Col retired now. This is in N Fla, in the middle of the state. If you crave quiet, ole Florida, this is the place.

  2. This was a great article, full of good information for those who are planning to camp in Florida for the winter. I love how you also included the many links to other campgrounds you have stayed in. Bravo!

    1. juley.torkomian

      Thanks Karen, I thought I’d do a series on states where I’ve spent a lot of time. Montana is next.

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