Camping in Florida
In the Winter
With little advance reservations
Things you can't do in Florida in the winter:
- Camp without advanced reservations
- Camp for free
- Find inexpensive camping
As you will see below; we were able to accomplish all three of these things in some parts of Florida. If you are traveling further south than Orlando or to areas close to the beaches we found that advance reservations (well in advance) are a must and the cheaper/free places are more difficult to find.
Things we found out by camping in the winter in Florida:
- The weather is amazing; not perfect all the time but much warmer and overall better than where we have been.
- Winter is In Season for Florida; the camping prices are higher and less availability but we did find places.
- Mosquitoes are still a nuisance; when coming from cooler temperatures you forget about the mosquitoes; they are buzzing all around even in the winter.
- Gas and food prices were higher than other places but that was expected
1.) Free Camping with Harvest Hosts
Ok, this one is cheating because you have to be a member of Harvest Hosts to utilize the free camping. Check out Harvest Hosts to learn about this interesting way to help save on camping costs. We find it is well worth the membership fee.
2.) Free Camping with Florida Water Management
Florida Water Management District Camping
These moss covered trees are all over Florida
This one is completely free and other than making sure there are not any hunts going on, there seems to be plenty of options. The website updates when the areas are closed for hunting (usually weekends) and we were able to get in the same day, no advanced reservations. There were a few others camping, definitely not crowded. It is dry camping (no hookups) and the one we were at had non potable water but as long as you find water ahead of time and have the tanks empty, it's not a problem for us to dry camp for a few days at a time.
4.) Campendium/ Free campsites
Campedium and Free Campsites
These are apps and websites that can be used to find free overnight stays. We like to use them on our route and find stops; they usually are all dry camping but every once in awhile come across some with hookups and services. They beat having to pay for a quick overnight stop somewhere or wondering if overnight camping is allowed in other places.
3.) Escapee's RV Park: cheap stay
Escapees RV club
This is another membership we have but have found it is worth having. We had two free nights at one of their parks in Florida so we utilized that and the other nights were only $24 a night for full hook ups; for Florida that is super cheap! We didn't make advanced reservations here until a couple days before we arrived and we did have to switch spots because they do stay busy in the winter. Someone else had reservations on spot so we could only stay there two nights and then move right around the corner to another spot; it wasn't a bad move. They also have dry camping at this campground so for $7 a night you can dry camp and have access to water, a dump station and a nice bath house with showers. The dry camping was not full so is a great option.
4.) Disney World Fort Wilderness (This one is not free and reservations are required)
Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground
This one we did have to have advance reservations and we did not get any type of discount so is not cheap nor free. I am including it here because we did camp there for a week. This was our vacation so we splurged a little. Disney definitely knows how to make you feel welcomed and they do everything top notch; the campground is no exception. It was a beautiful place; definitely not in he middle of no where but the spots were designed where you weren't right on top of your neighbor. Of course, lots of activities and everything Disney. A must do at least once; even for a tourist, crowded place. February is a nice month to go; not too hot (although it did get into the 80's and I did get hot), cooled down at night and the least crowded, although still crowded. I couldn't imagine going to Disney in the summer; this time of year maxed out my crowd limit and heat limit.
5.) Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
This is a cool little spot close to Gainsville and I think it is more of a local spot as not too many know about this cool little spot. They have a small RV campground with full hookups, they have primitive camping for tents and they even rent cabins. It was only $120 for the week and you can spend a month for $350 which, for full hook ups in Florida is super cheap! Plus you are right by the spring where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving. They don't allow swimming in the spring, only snorkeling and scuba diving but they do have a pool for swimming.
6.) Florida State Parks
Florida State Parks
You do have to make well in advance reservations for the state parks; they stay full in the winter but they are a nice price and for residents in Florida they are half off (which is why they stay full).
They usually have full hook ups and a dump station if they do not have sewer and are maintained. The restrooms and showers can vary but they are a nice place to spend a week or two. They are around $20-$25 a night.
Summary of expenses:
Gas traveling to and from Florida: (price coming, still figuring)Total amount spent on camping in Florida (not counting Disney): A total of 18 nights: $230 with Disney we spent a total of 23 nights in Florida.
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