Christmas in Florida

[smsmith511@gmail.com]

The wife and I can finally spend two weeks around Christmas on the Gulf or Atlantic coast of Central Florida. The kids are gone. We have never spent Christmas in Florida. Does anyone have a suggestion? We have stayed at Topsail Hill State Park and are looking for something like that. Full service with sewer is important. We do not have a tow, but sometimes rent a car. We love the beach, hiking and watching nature. Thanks for your time and suggestions.

Steve

[garykd]

Hi Steve,

I live in South Florida. If you could provide a bit more information I could help with some CG suggestions. You are wise to plan well in advance. The additional information might include:

1. How much would you pay for the site?

2. Florida is a long state. At Christmas there are three distinct climates:

2a. North Florida (mild to freezing)

2b. Central Florida (warm to cool)

2c. South Florida (warm to mild)

3. Are you party folks or like to keep to yourselves. Different CG have different environments.

4. The OP mentions the beach and nature. What kind of nature (swamp, salt water, fresh water, forest)?

Florida is quite vast, with regard to your choices. Over 11 million RVs come to Florida each winter!

[smsmith511@gmail.com]

Hi Steve,

I live in South Florida. If you could provide a bit more information I could help with some CG suggestions. You are wise to plan well in advance. The additional information might include:

1. How much would you pay for the site?

2. Florida is a long state. At Christmas there are three distinct climates:

2a. North Florida (mild to freezing)

2b. Central Florida (warm to cool)

2c. South Florida (warm to mild)

3. Are you party folks or like to keep to yourselves. Different CG have different environments.

4. The OP mentions the beach and nature. What kind of nature (swamp, salt water, fresh water, forest)?

Florida is quite vast, with regard to your choices. Over 11 million RVs come to Florida each winter!

Thanks Gary,

We have not looked into cost of site yet. If we find something we like we may be able to adjust the money. This will be our Christmas gift to each other. Central Florida sounds like where we want to stay. No, we are not party people, we stay to ourselves. We are hoping to find something on the Gulf or Atlantic with a beach. Shopping, casinos, and bars do not interest us. The beach, trails, hiking, biking, and watching natures are what we like.

Thank for taking the time to help us on our first Christmas in Florida,

Steve

[garykd]

For Central Florida there are a couple of known items to watch out for:

1. The Atlantic coast is more expensive than the Gulf coast.

2. The snowbird traffic around Clermont to Lake Whales is terrible.

These are some CGs to consider. Let me know if they hit the target or you would like additional choices.

On the West coast consider:

1. Natures Coast landings - 352-628-1137 or http://www.naturecoastlandings.com/ This is an ownership resort that will have some lots for rent. It is about 10 miles North of Crystal River. It is on RT 98 right next to the old Florida Barge Canal. This is deep water access to the Gulf. Also there is a trail one can walk, bike or auto to the gulf (about 5 miles one way). There is a nice gazebo at the end of the trail. The nearest town is Crystal river.

2. Turtle Creek - 800-471-3722 or 352-628-2928 Located in Homosassa Springs - Very near the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This is the home to quite a few Manatees, in the Winter. Many trees.

On the East Coast consider:

1. The Great Outdoors RV Nature & Golf Resort -Titusville - 800-621-2267 or www.tgoresort.com/ This is near Cape Kennedy (Space Coast). This is a very large resort. There are plenty of activities at the resort and in the area. This is an ownership resort that rents lots.

2. Encore Sunshine Holiday Daytona RV Park - Ormond Beach - 877-277-8737 or http://www.rvonthego.com/Sunshine-Holiday.html This CG is west of I95 (it is not on the beach). Ormond Beach is just North of Daytona Beach. The CG is fine, I am not familiar with the activities of the surrounding area.

[billkoboldt]

Lakeland RV Resort in Lakeland is a real nice park. We have been going there for 2 weeks in Nov. for about 6 years. We are leaving Fri. Jan. 6 for 2 months.Centrally located between Tampa and Orlando. Don't know what they do for Christmas, but almost everyone decorates their units for the holidays. Rates are very reasonable, $33.00 dollars a night, half that if you are a Passport America member.

[bizsmith@yahoo.com]

We spent Christmas at Topsail. Pretty quiet for Christmas but the campground was packed for New Year. If you prefer state parks, Rainbow Springs is further south and has some full hookups. We like it a lot. Pretty quiet park but close enough to Ocala if you need urban shopping.