Dates: September 1-3, 2009
Location: The southern end of Pinellas County on Tampa Bay north of the Sunshine Skyway in Fort Desoto Park, Tierre Verde, Fla.
Site Number: 136
Reason Selected: We were looking for a destination park locally in our home county of Pinellas. This would be our first experience in a real campground, our "shakedown" campground.
Setting: The campground has two large loops. The first loop closer to the beach is not available for campers with pets. Also many of the sites are smaller.
Big Rig Friendly: Many of the sites are big rig friendly. However, driving through the park can be hazardous as there are some tight turns and low hanging branches that have to be avoided.
Hook-ups: The campsites have 50 or 30 amps, water but no sewer hook-up. There are dump station available for each loop. However the dump station in the second loop is not easily accessible when leaving the park.
Laundry: No
Price and Discounts: $40 a night, not cheap! No discounts
Other Factors: Located in a beautiful county park with beautiful white sand beaches.
Overall Rating: 7 out of 10.
A beautiful park, but expensive without sewer hook-ups. Typical of Florida parks, flying insects and ants can be a problem.
Dates: September 30 - November 1, 2009
Location: In Marianna Florida off I-10
Our Site Number:
Reason Selected: We were traveling to Pensacola/ Milton Florida on I10 and this state park was about 1/2 way.
Setting: Rolling north Florida hills, sand and clay roads in the campground. One large loop.
Big Rig Friendly: It is big rig friendly with some tight turns and lots of trees.
Hook-ups: 50 and 30 amp. with water and no sewer hook-ups.
Laundry: Yes at the bath houses
Price & Discounts: $20 a night plus tax.
Other Factors: Its known for its caverns. The only publicly accessible caverns in Florida.
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10.
Our site had garbage in the fire pit and a large exposed spike used to hold the pit in place. However, the pit had been moved exposing the spike. The lack of full hook-ups and flying insects make this a typical Florida park.
Milton, Florida
Dates: October 2-12, 2009 and February 10-25, 2010
Location: 2444 Avalon Blvd. Milton Florida, about 2miles South of I-10.
Our Site Number: 15 and 10
Reason Selected: Closest newer campground to our daughter and son in law’s home in Milton.
Setting: Small private RV park with one loop between Avalon Blvd. and Indian Bay. About half of the sites are on the water. There is a small fishing pier.
Big Rig Friendly: No problems for big rigs.
Hook-ups: 30 or 50 amps., water and sewer. cable tv and WiFi.
Laundry: Facilities in the club house
Price & Discounts: $39 a day for a water site with weekly and monthly discounts. Passport America and Good Sam are accepted for a 10% discount.
Other Factors: Paved loop with large sharp gravel rock pads. Small sites. A small pool is attached to the club house.
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
The park is small but friendly, the views over the salt marsh are spectacular. There is some road noise. The managers, Jim and Wendy are very accomodating and friendly. The park is very clean. I would considering giving this park an 8 but for the expensive rate.
The park is small but friendly, the views over the salt marsh are spectacular. There is some road noise. The managers, Jim and Wendy are very accomodating and friendly. The park is very clean. I would considering giving this park an 8 but for the expensive rate.
Dates: October 13-15, 2009
Location: Panacea, Florida off US98 in the panhandle.
Our Site Number:
Reason Selected: Touring scenic US98 east bound and halfway to our destination.
Setting: On the Ochlockonee Bay just off US98. Dirt road with only one loop.
Big Rig Friendly: Big rig friendly but the sites are small and some are tight between trees.
Hook-ups: 30 and 50 amp. with water, sewer and cable tv hook-up.
Laundry: yes but you won’t want to use it.
Price & Discounts: $37 plus tax. Good Sam discount.
Other Factors: Many of the residents appear to be living at the park full time.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10.
Over priced and out dated. However, there are not many choices in this area of the panhandle. We did have a good view of the bay. The town of Panacea is small and the area looked to be economically depressed.
Big Shoals State Park (Volunteer Site) White Springs, Florida
Dates: November 8, 2009- February 1, 2010.
Location: On the Suwannee River outside of White Springs.
Our Site Number: Volunteer site
Reason Selected: Workamping: Park Volunteer Setting: A day use park set in amongst the Big Shoals Public Lands and State Forest along the Suwannee River.
Big Rig Friendly: yes
Hook-ups: 30 and 50 amps., water, no sewer Laundry: At neighboring Stephan Foster State Park Price & Discounts: volunteer site
Other Factors: Very dark at night and secluded OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10.
A beautiful paved campsite in a small day use park surrounded by acres of forest and 27 miles of trails. The down side is the lack of a sewer connection but it’s next door to a bathroom facility.
Destin, Florida (Panhandle)
Dates: February 1-9, 2010
Location: Main Park Rd. Santa Rosa Beach Florida
Location: Main Park Rd. Santa Rosa Beach Florida
Our Site Number: 44
Reason Selected: We wanted to stop in the Florida Panhandle at a beach campground in route to Milton, Fl.
Setting: There are two loops. The newer loop is was finished last summer. The sites in the newer loop are gravel, the older loop is sand. Both loops are about a 1/4 mile from the beach which is within the park. The beach is beautiful with big sand dunes.
Big Rig Friendly: Big Rig friendly up to 44 ft. However, the new larger loop is better suited for big rigs. The new loop is not wooded, but the smaller older loop has lots of trees and shrubs.
Big Rig Friendly: Big Rig friendly up to 44 ft. However, the new larger loop is better suited for big rigs. The new loop is not wooded, but the smaller older loop has lots of trees and shrubs.
Hook-ups: The newer loop has 30/50 amps., water and sewer hook-ups.
Laundry: One set of machines at the bath house.
Price & Discounts: With taxes about $33 a day
Other Factors: Digital T.V. reception wasn’t good. About 12 miles east of Destin with plenty of shopping a short drive east and west of the park.
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10.
We enjoyed our stay, experiencing chilly temperatures. Our site in the new loop may be less inviting in the full summer sun! Sand spurs were a problem throughout the park. The washing machine was not functioning during our visit. Excellent off-road and road bike riding opportunities outside of the park.
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