Big Move - Need new campground recs

[Ratherbecamping]

We bought our Rockwood 1940 LTD in 2021 and had an amazing summer/fall camping all over the Midwest. Fall hit and we had an opportunity to move to Florida from Illinois and then I got pregnant with our 4th. Sadly with all the craziness of moving and pregnancy exhaustion we were only able to camp once in the last year.

Anyway, things have calmed down and we are excited to get back out there! Could you share your favorite campgrounds in Florida and the southeast? My youngest is 4 months now so we need Shore Power at least until it cools down some. We can do up to 8-10 hour drives for our week long trips. Other than that, we are up for anything! Thank you!!

**we have 4 young boys so kid friendly is a must

 

[kcsa75]

What part of Florida?

As a former Floridian, I can vouch for Sebastian Inlet and Johnathon Dickinson State Parks and if you can get lucky Bahia Honda in the Keys.

 

[Ratherbecamping]

What part of Florida?

As a former Floridian, I can vouch for Sebastian Inlet and Johnathon Dickinson State Parks and if you can get lucky Bahia Honda in the Keys.

Thanks! I’ll add them to my list. We are in central FL. I’m struggling also with State parks allowing reservations 1 year out. I need to change my thinking and plan ahead better. I miss going camping on a whim like when I was a kid.

 

[Hilldweller]

Places we frequent in north Georgia


On Allatoona Lake (Cherokee & Bartow Counties, GA) ACOE campgrounds:
McKinney Campground (all year)
Victoria Campground (March to October)
Sweetwater Campground (March to September)

Carter's Lake (further north but nicer, deeper, quieter)
Woodring Campground (May to Sept)
Doll Mountain Campground (April to Oct)

State Parks:
Cloudland Canyon (try for the west campground; much nicer)
Amicalola Falls
Lake Winfield Scott

 

[Dzia Dzia]

We bought our Rockwood 1940 LTD in 2021 and had an amazing summer/fall camping all over the Midwest. Fall hit and we had an opportunity to move to Florida from Illinois and then I got pregnant with our 4th. Sadly with all the craziness of moving and pregnancy exhaustion we were only able to camp once in the last year.

Anyway, things have calmed down and we are excited to get back out there! Could you share your favorite campgrounds in Florida and the southeast? My youngest is 4 months now so we need Shore Power at least until it cools down some. We can do up to 8-10 hour drives for our week long trips. Other than that, we are up for anything! Thank you!!

**we have 4 young boys so kid friendly is a must

We live in Palm Beach County. We have camped at Tomoka SP just north of Daytona, Silver Springs in Ocala, Highlands Hammock in Sebring, Jonathan Dickinson in Hobe Sound, Lake Griffin just north of Leesburg, and Wekiwa Springs in Orlando, Lake Kissimmee, and Blue Springs near DeLand. In a couple weeks we are going to Koreshan SP between Ft Meyers and Naples. Enjoyed all. Some more than others. All have hookups. All must be booked well in advanced. We quite often take our grandson who is now 12. Last time we took our 4 year old grand daughter too for her first camping trip. The kids have a great time most SP'S have plenty for the kids to do and some have playgrounds as well. Getting out to be in nature is always good for the soul and the kids too
Congratulations on the baby. Welcome to the free State of Florida.

 

[Ratherbecamping]

Places we frequent in north Georgia


On Allatoona Lake (Cherokee & Bartow Counties, GA) ACOE campgrounds:
McKinney Campground (all year)
Victoria Campground (March to October)
Sweetwater Campground (March to September)

Carter's Lake (further north but nicer, deeper, quieter)
Woodring Campground (May to Sept)
Doll Mountain Campground (April to Oct)

State Parks:
Cloudland Canyon (try for the west campground; much nicer)
Amicalola Falls
Lake Winfield Scott

Thank you! We are looking forward to exploring Georgia!

 

[Ratherbecamping]

We live in Palm Beach County. We have camped at Tomoka SP just north of Daytona, Silver Springs in Ocala, Highlands Hammock in Sebring, Jonathan Dickinson in Hobe Sound, Lake Griffin just north of Leesburg, and Wekiwa Springs in Orlando, Lake Kissimmee, and Blue Springs near DeLand. In a couple weeks we are going to Koreshan SP between Ft Meyers and Naples. Enjoyed all. Some more than others. All have hookups. All must be booked well in advanced. We quite often take our grandson who is now 12. Last time we took our 4 year old grand daughter too for her first camping trip. The kids have a great time most SP'S have plenty for the kids to do and some have playgrounds as well. Getting out to be in nature is always good for the soul and the kids too
Congratulations on the baby. Welcome to the free State of Florida.

Thank you so much! We are loving it here. A little stressed about the potential hurricane next week but it was only a matter of time!

 

[NLB]

Thank you so much! We are loving it here. A little stressed about the potential hurricane next week but it was only a matter of time!

Me too!

 

[WanderingWelser]

Central FL here too. We love Fort Desoto and Kissimmee state park. We are weekend warriors so we keep close to home (less than 2-hour drive).

For the hard-to-get-into parks, check out wanderinglabs.com. We've been to Fort Desoto (waterfront) spots for New Years and Labor Day this year with the site notifying us of last-minute cancellations. It's changed the game because I only like to plan 1-2 months out.

 

[Dzia Dzia]

Thank you so much! We are loving it here. A little stressed about the potential hurricane next week but it was only a matter of time!

Where do you live here in Florida? Our next camping trip is scheduled for October 12-17 at Koreshan SP in Estero which is between Ft Meyers and Naples right in the middle of the " Cone of Uncertainty." We expect that if it isn't to damaging we will still be able to make the trip. Should be plenty of kindling for our campfires which we love to cook over. I have plenty of fireroom and tinder. A little short on kindling.

The key to hurricane prep is to do it early. Today would be a good time to start. Plenty of water. Bread. Peanut butter if you don't have a generator. If you have a generator make sure you have at least 5-10 gallons of gas. Don't run it constantly only a couple hours at a time to keep the refrigerator cold. Stay out of the fridge as much as possible. Fuel for the BBQ (charcoal or gas or pellets.) Flashlights and batteries. Camping lantern if you have one. If you have hurricane panels get them up a couple days ahead. Plywood will probably be hard to obtain but necessary if you don't have impact glass or accordion shutters. We invested in impact glass a few years ago. I'm 73 now and don't relish the thought of putting panels up. It may take a couple days.
Don't panic. We've been through several hurricanes and have survived each one. Wilma came at us from the west coast with the eye going right over our house. That was a unique experience.

If you're not in the flood zone it will mostly be big rain and wind. Make sure you get all loose items from outside pulled in. They could become flying debris that could cause damage. If you are in the wind field you will hear a lot of pine cones, old tree limbs hitting the roof. If you have pets it could spook them. Keep the kids occupied with games, reassurances, and lots of hugs and snuggles.

Traffic lights may be out in the aftermath so be careful and courteous if you have to get out. There will be plenty of "Meathead" drivers out there and curiosity seekers. Everybody like to go view the damage.

Anything less than a Cat 3 you should be all right.

Good Fortune and God bless and keep you safe.

 

[Dzia Dzia]

Thank you! We are looking forward to exploring Georgia!

Last October we went to Skidaway Island Georgia SP just outside of Savanah. Great campground with pull-through sites. Visited the Square where they filmed "Forrest Gump." My wife wore her "new shoes."

 

[TSS]

We bought our Rockwood 1940 LTD in 2021 and had an amazing summer/fall camping all over the Midwest. Fall hit and we had an opportunity to move to Florida from Illinois and then I got pregnant with our 4th. Sadly with all the craziness of moving and pregnancy exhaustion we were only able to camp once in the last year.

Anyway, things have calmed down and we are excited to get back out there! Could you share your favorite campgrounds in Florida and the southeast? My youngest is 4 months now so we need Shore Power at least until it cools down some. We can do up to 8-10 hour drives for our week long trips. Other than that, we are up for anything! Thank you!!

**we have 4 young boys so kid friendly is a must

We are Sr's in NW GA, welcome South! We spent 7 long cold years in Crystal Lake, IL. Damn glad to be back in GA! Jekyll Island (buggy but nice), Florence Marina near Providence Canyon and Lake Eufala (great donuts in Eufala), Mistletoe SP (NE), on Lake Lanier try Old Federal (not much shade), for a small lake try Rocky Man PFA (owned by Oglethorpe Pwr). On a Great Lake, clean and even supports real Walleye (though most don't know how to fish for them). There is a trophy lake there too. Lots of kayaks and idle speed only boating. Of course Charleston Area is awesome! The site we stayed years ago was wiped out in a hurricane. Last campground is on the way to the beach but really cramped sites, our PUP was 6' from another camper. However it was one of the cleanest campgrounds. We camped the keys I believe it was on Marathon Key (I think) been a long time.

 

[Ratherbecamping]

Central FL here too. We love Fort Desoto and Kissimmee state park. We are weekend warriors so we keep close to home (less than 2-hour drive).

For the hard-to-get-into parks, check out wanderinglabs.com. We've been to Fort Desoto (waterfront) spots for New Years and Labor Day this year with the site notifying us of last-minute cancellations. It's changed the game because I only like to plan 1-2 months out.

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely check out the website.

 

[2beagles]

We bought our Rockwood 1940 LTD in 2021 and had an amazing summer/fall camping all over the Midwest. Fall hit and we had an opportunity to move to Florida from Illinois and then I got pregnant with our 4th. Sadly with all the craziness of moving and pregnancy exhaustion we were only able to camp once in the last year.

Anyway, things have calmed down and we are excited to get back out there! Could you share your favorite campgrounds in Florida and the southeast? My youngest is 4 months now so we need Shore Power at least until it cools down some. We can do up to 8-10 hour drives for our week long trips. Other than that, we are up for anything! Thank you!!

**we have 4 young boys so kid friendly is a must

We've only stayed in one CG in Florida and it was Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. We loved the park. We were in the part with water and electric and it was very private and quiet.

 

[Ratherbecamping]

Where do you live here in Florida? Our next camping trip is scheduled for October 12-17 at Koreshan SP in Estero which is between Ft Meyers and Naples right in the middle of the " Cone of Uncertainty." We expect that if it isn't to damaging we will still be able to make the trip. Should be plenty of kindling for our campfires which we love to cook over. I have plenty of fireroom and tinder. A little short on kindling.

The key to hurricane prep is to do it early. Today would be a good time to start. Plenty of water. Bread. Peanut butter if you don't have a generator. If you have a generator make sure you have at least 5-10 gallons of gas. Don't run it constantly only a couple hours at a time to keep the refrigerator cold. Stay out of the fridge as much as possible. Fuel for the BBQ (charcoal or gas or pellets.) Flashlights and batteries. Camping lantern if you have one. If you have hurricane panels get them up a couple days ahead. Plywood will probably be hard to obtain but necessary if you don't have impact glass or accordion shutters. We invested in impact glass a few years ago. I'm 73 now and don't relish the thought of putting panels up. It may take a couple days.
Don't panic. We've been through several hurricanes and have survived each one. Wilma came at us from the west coast with the eye going right over our house. That was a unique experience.

If you're not in the flood zone it will mostly be big rain and wind. Make sure you get all loose items from outside pulled in. They could become flying debris that could cause damage. If you are in the wind field you will hear a lot of pine cones, old tree limbs hitting the roof. If you have pets it could spook them. Keep the kids occupied with games, reassurances, and lots of hugs and snuggles.

Traffic lights may be out in the aftermath so be careful and courteous if you have to get out. There will be plenty of "Meathead" drivers out there and curiosity seekers. Everybody like to go view the damage.

Anything less than a Cat 3 you should be all right.

Good Fortune and God bless and keep you safe.

Thank you so much for the tips! We are in central FL so hoping it doesn’t stall on top of us like I heard Charley did. We filled up the cars with gas today, got extra propane, bread, canned food. Luckily my boys could live off peanut butter so we should be okay. Sadly I drug my feet buying a generator so I expect I’ll have to wait on that. My biggest concern is not having AC for my youngest so we will definitely be getting one and a window AC soon. I also bought some big water jugs to fill up and I read it fill the bath tubs. Good fortune and God bless to you as well!

 

[TSS]

We bought our Rockwood 1940 LTD in 2021 and had an amazing summer/fall camping all over the Midwest. Fall hit and we had an opportunity to move to Florida from Illinois and then I got pregnant with our 4th. Sadly with all the craziness of moving and pregnancy exhaustion we were only able to camp once in the last year.

Anyway, things have calmed down and we are excited to get back out there! Could you share your favorite campgrounds in Florida and the southeast? My youngest is 4 months now so we need Shore Power at least until it cools down some. We can do up to 8-10 hour drives for our week long trips. Other than that, we are up for anything! Thank you!!

**we have 4 young boys so kid friendly is a must

Be careful this week. Looks like Tropical Depression is heading your way. Be safe northerner!

 

[David Joy]

Katherine Abernathy park in Jacksonville it’s a county park next to the beach with lots of shade.

 

[Hilldweller]

Thank you so much for the tips! We are in central FL so hoping it doesn’t stall on top of us like I heard Charley did. We filled up the cars with gas today, got extra propane, bread, canned food. Luckily my boys could live off peanut butter so we should be okay. Sadly I drug my feet buying a generator so I expect I’ll have to wait on that. My biggest concern is not having AC for my youngest so we will definitely be getting one and a window AC soon. I also bought some big water jugs to fill up and I read it fill the bath tubs. Good fortune and God bless to you as well!

Bloody Ian.
sigh

I was in Broward County for 20 years. Andrew and Charlie stand out; I volunteered for disaster recovery for both of them and can tell you first hand that a powerful hurricane creates devastation beyond belief.

And I've got family in front of Ian in Sarasota. Family that's never encountered a hurricane before. My cousin and I tried to get them to evacuate several days ago but they didn't understand the severity of it.

Say goodbye to the Tampa area as you knew it.
At least Florida usually knows how to respond, unlike Louisiana. Craig Fugate really upgraded Florida's Emergency Management structure.

 

[Ratherbecamping]

I hope all my fellow Floridians and those effected in South Carolina are doing okay. We got over 12 inches of rain in our area so flooding was terrible. Luckily we only had a roof leak but many have flooded homes. Prayers to all, especially in SWFL.

My pop up was safely tucked away in the garage. I might have my priorities off but if a tree was going to fall I wanted it on my husbands car not my beloved pop up!

 

[Ratherbecamping]

Bloody Ian.
sigh

I was in Broward County for 20 years. Andrew and Charlie stand out; I volunteered for disaster recovery for both of them and can tell you first hand that a powerful hurricane creates devastation beyond belief.

And I've got family in front of Ian in Sarasota. Family that's never encountered a hurricane before. My cousin and I tried to get them to evacuate several days ago but they didn't understand the severity of it.

Say goodbye to the Tampa area as you knew it.
At least Florida usually knows how to respond, unlike Louisiana. Craig Fugate really upgraded Florida's Emergency Management structure.

I hope your family is doing okay!