Florida State Forest Campgrounds

[Ace Brown]

I am presently wintering in the Florida Panhandle and have discovered some great campgrounds that seem realatively undiscovered, at least most are not marked in my florida gazzeteer or the highway map. Example is Blackwater State Forest above Pensacola which has about 5-6 seperate campgrounds, many located on small lakes and all I have visited have electric and water for $15 per night, BUT if you are in the retirement age group (>65) the cost is only $8, and you don't have to be a Florida resident. The campgrounds are not real fancy, but do have all the basic comforts and are uncrowded.  One I stayed at had free firewood!

Highly recomemended if in Florida and wanting to stay away from all the "mousie stuff".

Ace

[escape artist]

Hi: Ace... I have to wait 5yrs to qualify for the $8. fee!!! Hows the temps in the panhandle??? We just got back from a week at Ft. Myers Beach It was a too week...too short too hot too nice too leave
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Sandra L]

Sounds nice.  Are there dump stations nearby? Or within the campgrounds?  If you care to share, and he doesn't mind, send pictures to Baglo so we can get a glimpse of what you are enjoying.
Keep warm,
Sandra

[JeffZ]

Great!! we have FLA on our radar this year and will definitely check it out..

[Ace Brown]

Most seem to have dump stations, but I don't really look for one unless it's time to dump.  Temps have been quite nice past few weeks, but before that it was very cold at night.  They tell me this part of Florida has 3 cold snaps per year, but so far have had 5, so all are expecting it to stay warm now.  Sure beats the bad ice storm I missed in Kentucky.

I suspect if you search Florida State Forests you might find more info, and maybe even photos.

Ace

[paddymorris]

http://www.simplysarasota.com/Turtle-Beach-Campground.html

While I haven't stayed here I've been to it. We stay at an apartment up the key a couple of miles. This is a beautiful RV park. Worth looking into. Siestak Key is a treasure. Turtle beach is nice enough but the public beach a couple of miles north has the nicest sand in the world. Just cruisinig here, sold my Tirllium 4500 and considering an Escape or New Trillium. Paddy Morris

[escape artist]

Hi: And WELCOME paddymorris... Thanks for the tip we love Florida's Gulf Coast and in a few years will be taking "Our Escape Hatch" there for extended winter stays.
 We sold our Boler and moved right up to an Escape 5.0 5th. wheel. I'm not sorry in the least as the Escape trailer is IMHO the best value in Fiberglass!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[paddymorris]

Thanks escape artist, um I'm a correctional officer, what have you escaped from???

[Jim Bennett]

Hi Paddy, welcome and thanks for the input on the site. I am getting quite the load of bookmarks for places to stay all over North America.

[escape artist]

Hi: Paddy er uh OFFICER!!! What have I escaped from???
Why...work/worth/worry and whatnot!!! Isn't that what camping is all about???
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Ace Brown]

A quick update on Florida State Forests.  No changes in prices despite the economy slump.  This year I have ventured further south to avoid the extreme cold seen about everywhere.  Presently in Withlacoochee St Forest near Inverness where I have been enjoying quite mild temps. 

Any other Escape snowbirds down in Central Florida post up here.

Ace