Florida Keys
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5659
Printed Date: 01 May 2024 at 3:24am
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Topic: Florida Keys
Posted By: Robert Lunsford
Subject: Florida Keys
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 8:01am
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Anyone have ideas of good campgrounds in or near Key West? Planning to head south in February, also need suggestions for Fort Myers area. Thanks much, and happy new year to all.
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 9:12am
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We have stayed at the KOA at Sugarloaf key. It was in the off season so it was really quiet. There was a great restaurant name Mangrove Mamma's across the street. It was either 18 or 20 miles to Key West. Great campground!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 10:08am
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I've stayed at Boyd's on Stock Island, just over the bridge from Key West. I can't compare prices but for hookups this place is about $90 a night. Very convenient and pretty well run. They pack 'em in. Reservations can be hard to get at Bahia Honda, but if you don't mind being a little way out from Key West, it looks like a great place. I haven't stayed there but will probably try to next time. No idea about hookups. It's a state park. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 5:43am
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Robert
Around ft. Myers there is Koreasan State Park, also quite a few private campground; the one I like the best is on Ft. Myers Beach called "Red Coconut" it has sites right on the beach. Unfortunately due to the high winter population of tourist it is hard to find any places. I would have reservations before coming to this area. Also the same for the Fla Key . There is a boat that runs from Ft. Myers Beach to Key West and back every day. Called Key West Express, cost around $100 round trip. You could go down and stay a day or two in a hotel and come back on the Boat. Check ReserveAmerica.com for campground availability. ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: rpodD2
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 10:57am
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I agree with Grandpod whole heartly. Camping is tight in the Keys this time of year. Ferry is a good bet, because parking and driveing around Key West is not fun. Money spent by taking ferry (Key West Express) offsets aggravation of driving into Key West-- Just my opinion. Regards ------------- Anita & Dan RP177/ TV 08 GMC P/U |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 1:19pm
If you make it down, this is a great gathering south of Marathon: http://scas.org/winter-star-party/ Watch out for those fire ants! |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 6:51pm
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We are staying in Jolly Roger campground in Marathon in March, but we will be tenting and didn't check on RV sites. Might be worth a call. Back in November there were some RV sites left in the Keys for March but they were WELL out of our price range. Your price range might be wider than mine. Back in 2010 we took the pod to Seminole Campground in Ft. Myers. Really nice facility, and the staff there was very nice. However, when we arrived the office person told us the rate we paid in advance was not correct because their web site was out of date, and we had to fork over another hundred bucks. Not a really big deal, but still set my bulls&*t radar off. Total cost for 2 weeks back then was $430 for a spot in the middle of the park. So check them out and double check the rates. They have some really nice sites in the back along the creek but I think they're more expensive. The bathroom facilities are excellent. Nice pool too.
------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Robert Lunsford
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 7:27pm
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Thanks, everyone, for the kind responses. Maybe I'll bag the Keys until off season, Key West is stupid expensive this time of year. Got a Wal Mart parking lot there?!!! Will check out some of those Fort Myers ideas, too.
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 9:12am
 ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:05am
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I'd bet that would be an area where Wal-Mart camping is outlawed... ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2015 at 5:54am
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2015 at 2:53pm
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No idea about Fort Myers and it's been several years since I was last in Key West (2009?) but then there were no Walmarts there. And Sam Walton's feelings aside, I'd be willing to bet the government of Key West might have something to say about it. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2015 at 7:33pm
Yup, it is outlawed in some areas by the local gov't, often in touristy areas, or in areas where local campgrounds have fought against the "free" camping. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: J&Jcf
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2015 at 2:41pm
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Ft Meyers has a city ordinace against staying overnight at walmarts. Been there and moved on late night. If you take route 41 thru Big cypress preserve there are a couple of campgrounds in the preserve 1)monument lake is first come/first serve $16 nite $8 nite golden access no hookups. Sewer dump is at the next campground which is 2) midway which is reservations only. If there is an open spot then one night is possible but don't count on it during winter season. Dump site and water available. No cost if you camp at either of these CG. There are some other rustic CG sites available in this preserve (Port a potty only available). The two campgrounds first mentioned have flush toilets .Midway campground has electric sites. I don't recall rates. Rustic sites use to be free but I heard the rates are the same as monuments now.
That night we were requested to move on from Walmart we ended up staying at the big cypress preserve visitors center/rest area on 41. It was late and in a pinch. Nobody bothered us. It has restrooms that were open 24 hours. ------------- J. - 2011 rpod 171 |
Posted By: Mainer-pod
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 10:11am
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Yes, many Walmarts in FL prohibit overnight stays. Download Allstays RV app on your smartphone, it's a great resource for finding campgrounds an will also show Walmarts and other relevant sites. We will be at Jolly Roger in Marathon, too, first week of March, but reserved a couple months ago. ------------- Chuck & Lynn 2015 178 York, ME 2010 Tundra 5.7L 4x4 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 3:10pm
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Always go in and ask management. This is also one reason we prefer truck stops - they only exist where it is legal. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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