Hi, We are Dale and Debbie in The Bluegrass State, Kentucky - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi, We are Dale and Debbie in The Bluegrass State, Kentucky

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Camping ain't cheap as it is no longer camping. Now, everything needs to be a Resort and you have to pay for all the amenities even if you will never use them or don't want them. I suspect that if you only want to use an RV 2-3 months per year it would be cheaper to drive or fly where you want to visit, get a hotel and then return home. This is not a lifestyle for the faint of heart. You can find ways to pinch a penny and it's well worth doing your homework to find out how. Going somewhere and staying at least a month will get you a much better rate than staying for 1-3 weeks. Of course, if you are talking about going to FL during the Winter, all bets are off! I think you could save money and spend the time at Disney compared to trying to camp nearby!

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Monday 30th of January 2012 10:04:19 PM

Yonnie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howdy from the commonwealth of Virginia. If you are a vet there are some pretty good military campgrounds. You guys full timers? We are getting ready for extended travel in the next 24-36 months. Will be selling our large home for a smaller itty bitty tiny one. Then travel about 6 months a year (GOD willing). We attend Fairfax Comunity Church (church of GOD also). Good luck

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Try http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/ , which our friend Larry owns and maintains. We can't use it but I know there are Famcamps all over Florida. Be ready to boondock if you go to Key West though, they roll you in and out of boondocking since sites with hookups are limited and the demand is high.

Even without Famcamps there are deals for campgrounds in the $200 to $400 a month range, some with electricity included, if you look hard enough in Central Florida away from Orlando.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 31st of January 2012 07:22:11 AM

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Dale and Debbie,

Check out Passport America http://www.passport-america.com/Campgrounds/ParticipatingCampgrounds.aspx

We use them alot in our travels to save some $$'s. There are some restrictions at some of the campgrounds in regards to length of stay, days honored, or time of year honored so make sure you read the entire notes for each individual campground. We have found that several short stays and we recoup the cost of membership fairly quickly.

Also a lot of times the weekly or monthly rates at campgrounds can save you some $$ over just a daily rate.

Also if you are over 62 you can get a special pass for National Parks that give a discount for camping at the parks. This pass is also honored in some State Parks as well.

Hope this helps some.

Phil and Rudee

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank You for the reply. We are retired. I am 100% service connected Vet. I had lung Cancer and a Blind eye. PRAYERS went up and GOD came down. Lost left lung, BUT I am healed CANCER FREE and I can see Praise GOD. HE is real. We are wanting to head to Northern or Nort Central Florida for @ a month. Finding an affordable camp ground is making us kinda think mistake, ceaper to get a motel LOL. GODS BLESSINGS UPON YOU BROTHER.

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

No doubt, its not a money issue, Just shocked at what they charge lol. Thank You

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank You so much. Appreciate the info

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

100% service connected disabled Army Vet

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

check into the military Famcamps (sp) that they have connected to many bases. Less $$ than commercial and would save you some money.

Yonnie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Some of the military campgrounds are pretty good. We've camped at Lunga Park at USMC Quantico, VA. We live about 45 minutes from there and use it for long getaway weekends.

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

TYSM

jcw · RV-Dreams Family Member

We spent 111 days in Florida last winter and averaged $16.26 a day for our RV sites. Here's a spreadsheet that shows where we stayed, how long and how much. It helps that we are Escapee members, 1000 Trails members, and Passport America members. Sorry about the formatting, but you should be able to figure it out, it's only 5 columns:

Place Park Nights Fees
St Augustine Passport America 3 49.50 21 Nov 10
Ft McCoy Boondocking 5 0.00 24 Nov 10
Orlando 1000 Trails 7 0.00 29 Nov 10
Cape Canaveral Passport America 3 47.50 6 Dec 10
Lake Okeechobee Passport America 3 76.50 9 Dec 10
Fort Lauderdale Passport America 3 67.50 12 Dec 10
Marathon Passport America 5 202.50 15 Dec 10
Big Cyprus State Park 3 57.00 20 Dec 10
Fort Myers The Groves RV 7 125.00 23 Dec 10
Wauchula 1000 Trails 8 0.00 30 Dec 10
Wauchula Escapees-Boondock 3 25.00 7 Jan 11
Orlando Deer Creek RV 9 252.00 10 Jan 11
Bushnell Escapees 4 79.73 19 Jan 11
Wildwood 1000 Trails 5 0.00 23 Jan 11
Cedar Key Sunset Isle RV 31 588.60 28 Jan 11
Carrabelle Passport America 4 82.84 28 Feb 11
Mexico Beach Passport America 8 151.64 4 Mar 11

Total Cost RV Parking in Florida 111 1805.31
Average cost per night 16.26

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

VERY helpful. I think maybe Destin, Fl. Trying to see is they have a Disabled Vet RV site. Probably stay a month.

TYSM

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

JCW - Very good info on camping expenses. Being able to camp all year for $16 a day would be outstanding. Even camping for the time period you mention is great.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have winter the last two years here in Central Florida.. Sebring and Avon Park, Florida and we also wintered in Gulf Shores, Ala and Gulf Shores is cheaper than Florida. However the weather is cooler in Gulf Shores.. We have also wintered in South Texas (RGV) and its much cheaper that Florida but the mileage from home base to Texas is the issue for us... We also have wintered in Arizona, prices are cheaper than Florida.. Weather in the RGV and Arizona is a little cooler on average..

I'm also retired Army and have used many Family Camp grounds, and have had excellent experience. However here in Florida, they are always book-up. And we always have a reservation, and never travel without a Reservations. I don't remember the Web sites for the Military Family camp grounds but its easy to find..

We travel about 8 months a year and yes its expensive. But you can find cheaper RV sites depends on what you want. We don't do any camping we are RVer's and there is a difference. We are in Adelaide Shores RV Resort and its expensive however its a excellent RV park. It depends on what you prefer and they type of sites you like.. Our site averages from $28.00 to $45.00 per night, however we always have full hook ups and 50 amp service....

Just for example we are paying $22.00 a day for 3 month stay. Which equals about $660.00 a months and we pay electricity. The longer you stay the price comes down. The Resort want you to stay 6 in 6 out. There are several Park models but the Resort as a whole is taking very well care of.. As clean a RV park we have stayed in... In my opinion RVing isn't cheap...... Good Luck. Happy Trails....

P.S. We aren't going to reserve a site for the next winter. Because of the Oil situation, I see Gas/Diesel really going up. And for many it want be a issue. But our Western trip last summer fuel was the largest expense. We are beginning to look into buying some type of housing in a warm area and something in the West (Colorado area).

Fergizmo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great information guys. It will come in handy when we head that direction for the winter.

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

TYSM

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Good info. We hate camping also but the RV we love. People like you make this a wonderful site. TYSM GODS BLESSINGS UPON YOU

Loydstuts · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi!
We attend New Hope Church of God in Ardmore, OK. Welcome! On a different note, where is Murray, KY? We saw a MH there that we are interested in. Thanks!

Loyd & Debbie

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Murray is in SW Kentucky close to the Tenn stateline. Its South of Paducah, Ky close to Kentucky Lake. Very pretty area there. GOOD LUCK. GODS BLESSING UPON YOU

Usnret · RV-Dreams Community Member

There are two Mil. family cg at NAS Pensacola. I have stayed at Blue Angel Park CG. Since it is not on the main base it is not as crowded. Corp of Engineer parks are pretty good and inexpensive.

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for Good Info

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

Sounds GREAT

Thank You

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are thinking Destin, there are 2 Air Force FamCamps you can use as a 100% service connect DV. Eglin AF has a nice one and there's also Hulbert Field. Hulbert is more secluded -- not directly on base and a little harder to find your way around the campground, but I liked it better from a privacy standpoint. Also closer to the beach.

Kydale · RV-Dreams Community Member

GREAT. Thank You so MUCH

CathyJ · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have been fulltiming for 7 years. Husband is 100% disabled due to Vietnam and was medically retired. We stay mainly at military RV parks. If you are on facebook, we welcome you to join our military RV group at www.facebook.com/groups/373190462790041/

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

CathyJ wrote:
We have been fulltiming for 7 years. Husband is 100% disabled due to Vietnam and was medically retired. We stay mainly at military RV parks. If you are on facebook, we welcome you to join our military RV group at www.facebook.com/groups/373190462790041/

Cathy,

I'm not sure that Kydale will respond. This thread is over 2 years old and he hasn't been on RV Dreams since February of that year. I just wanted to let you know in case you never hear from him. When looking at threads, the date of the comments are in the little box to the left with the username and avatar picture.

Terry