If you are a planner, like me, then it is absolutely not too early to think about winter 2024. I like to stay warm and so I am always looking to stay south in the winter. This means that I will be looking at a lot of the same places as the rest of the traveling RV community. Some options might include Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Florida. A few RV’ers even head to Mexico. There are specific rules you’ll want to be familiar with and follow if you’re thinking of heading south of the border.
We spent last winter and we’re spending this winter in Texas. The further south you get, the better the temperatures. Overall, the prices for RV parks in Texas tend to be cheaper than the prices in Florida If you’re looking to book state parks in Texas, they book 5 months in advance.. Last year after spending January and most of February in Texas, we moved to New Mexico and then to Arizona. This put us in a great position geographically for our 2022 Great West Adventure.
Florida is our home base state and we love the Florida heat. Plus we have a lot of family and friends in Florida. In Florida, the state parks book 11 months in advance. What this means for all you state park lovers is that if you want a shot at getting some Florida State Park spots, it’s time to get online and get ready to make your reservations. The cost can range from $16- $42 per night depending on the park, amenities and type of site.
One of my favorite Florida beaches is Destin. This beach is located along “The Emerald Coast”. With turquoise blue water and sugar fine sand, this beach is beautiful. In the winter, the temperatures can be iffy. You will probably get a few great days and then there may be some cold days. If you can swing it, Henderson State Park is located right on the beach in the Destin area. Another option is Fred Ganyon Rocky Bayou State Park. This park is located just over the bridge from Destin, making a short drive to spend the day at the beach.
If you love kayaking and hiking, you might try Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida. Ocala is about an hour and a half north of Orlando. This park boasts clear spring water that attracts the Florida manatees. You can rent kayaks or bring your own.
The jack pot of all Florida State Parks is a reservation at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key, Florida. Just 45 minutes from Key West, this beach location couldn’t be warmer or more convenient to the action. If you make it to The Keys, make sure and take the opportunity to visit the 3 Florida National Parks: Everglands, Biscane and Dry Tortugas National Park.
Another option would be to choose a commercial rv park or resort in a central location and do your exploring from there. It can take up to 12 hours in a car to drive the length of Florida so if you are interested in exploring the sunshine state,, you might choose one month in the southern region, a month in central Florida and month in the northern part. Again, the commercial parks are already booking their 2024 reservations and if you want a prime spot, it’s time to make your deposit now.
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