RV Camping in Florida State Parks

With its beaches, forests, marshes and non-outdoor attractions like Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center, Florida is a major draw for RV campers, and RV camping in Florida State Parks is especially popular. Some of the best-equipped RV campgrounds in the state are part of the Florida's expansive state park system, making the state's parks a logical place to look for a place to park your rig. However, the state and its park system have some of their own particular conditions for campers, so a number of tips must be taken into account for a successful camping trip.

Tip #1

Draw up a list of Florida state parks in the vicinity of the destination you wish to stay, including the maximum length of RV the parks can accommodate and the electricity available, and use this information to determine your choice of park. Most Florida state parks that have campgrounds also accommodate RVs, but this does not mean those parks all have the facilities for big rigs. If you want to camp near the manatee preserves on the Crystal River with a 40-foot rig that needs 50-amp electricity, your best bet is Rainbow Springs State Park.

Tip #2

Make a reservation through ReserveAmerica.com to ensure the campsite you need is available upon arrival. Reservations are available up to 11 months in advance. Florida is a popular RV camping destination and no state park campsites open to RVs in the Florida state park system operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, so arriving at the park to find no vacancies is a very real possibility.

Tip #3

Keep the screens down on your windows and the screen door of your RV closed as much as possible. Florida has a severe problem with biting insects, and taking just a few preventative measures will help you maintain your RV as a bug-free refuge.

Tip #4

Bring your sewage line and plan on making a black water dump prior to the end of your camping trip and your return home. While all RV-accessible campsites in Florida's state parks have water and electrical hook-ups, few have sewage hook-ups. You will therefore need to visit the dump station and dispose of your black water manually.

Sources: floridastateparks.org