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.
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.
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.
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 Parks Where I’ve Camped with links
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
- Silver Lakes RV & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida – April 2013
- Ocala Sun RV Resort, Ocala, Florida – April 2013
- A Stone’s Throw RV Park – April 2013
- Live Oak Landing RVC, Freeport, Florida – April 2013
- John Prince Park Campground, Lake Worth, Florida, November 2014
- Sanctuary RV Resort, Bonita Springs, Florida, January 2015
- Grassy Key RV Resort, Marathon, Florida, November 2016
- John Prince Park Campground, Lake Worth, Florida December 2016
- Sanctuary RV Resort, Bonita Springs, Florida, January 2017
- Beaver Lake Campground, Quincy, FL, February 2017
- Fort Pierce/Port Saint Lucie KOA, Fort Pierce, Florida, October 2019
- Topeekeegee Yugnee (TY) Park, Hollywood, Florida, December 2019
- Easterlin Park Campground, Oakland Park, Florida, December 2019
- CB Smith Park Campground, Pembroke Pines, Florida, January – February 2020
- Saint Augustine Beach KOA, Saint Augustine Beach, Florida, February 2020
- Florida Caverns RV Resort, Marianna, Florida, February 2020
- The Hideaway Retreat Campground, Navarre, Florida, February 2020
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.
Thank you for adding this information.
Juley
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!
Thanks Karen, I thought I’d do a series on states where I’ve spent a lot of time. Montana is next.