Super Duty Mark
Niagara Region, Ontario
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Joined: 03/16/2023
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Hi all, just picked up a nice 2014 camplite 6.8 to sit on our 2022 F350. My wife is not sure camping is for her so I'm looking for some good sites and advice on places to book or check out to get the family into it. We love being near water and want to avoid large busy campgrounds. Also LOVE state parks. Are there any sites I should check out or parks I should be sure not to miss? Just returned from a trip to the keys (hotel) and really liked the look of Bahia Honda State Park ... definitely looks like a special place. Any help getting started is much appreciated.
PS. we are near Niagara Falls and will start out on the East Coast and South East next winter. Thank you.
Mark
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JimK-NY
NY
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Joined: 05/12/2010
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You mentioned avoiding busy areas but also wanting to be near water. I avoid staying around water because I don't boat and water attracts people making for crowded campgrounds.
Loving state parks really doesn't give much of an idea of what you are looking for when you camp. How do you want to spend your time when camping? Are you looking for scenic areas? Enjoy hiking? Looking for photo ops? Enjoy relaxing at the campground (and watching water)? What do you plan to do when the weather turns bad? Dress appropriately and venture forth or stay in the RV or under the awning? Do you want to visit urban areas, museums, attractions, restaurants? Do you want/need hookups? Shower facilities? Do you want to travel with reservations or be more spontaneous and flexible? Do you need cellphone/internet access? Do you want to camp in one area for an extended time or do lots of traveling?
Before asking campground advice you probably need to be more specific. You also need to have agreement with your spouse as to what you are looking for when you go camping. If not in total agreeement there needs to be some compromise.
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Super Duty Mark
Niagara Region, Ontario
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Thanks for the response JimK-NY, re-reading my late night post I realize it was rather vague. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") We love travel of all types and are transitioning from the family that stays in hotels to one that leaves with our home on our back. We did two hotel trips to Florida from Canada in the past few years one to Disney and one simply exploring the FL State Parks ... ironically we have way better family memories from exploring State Parks (and price of admission was nearly free).
So we enjoy doing all the things mentioned in the post above and love having the freedom to venture into town (with or without the camper), also we love hiking, we travel with 4 bikes and at least one kayak. Yes beautiful natural settings are always the goal. We also try to organize activities to engage the kids. I will be setting up the rig so we can boon dock but I think parks and campgrounds will be more the norm as we get started and ease into it.
I guess my main question is where to get info on state parks and camping areas. Are there some websites that people commonly use to narrow their search and plan? This summer we are planning a trip to Cape Breton ... and then hoping to venture south next winter. In the past I would search on Expedia for hotels. Where do y'all start when planning a trip with a truck camper? What web resources do you use? Again, I'm sorry, I'm a noob with this. Any advice on best practice to plan and book a trip would be great. I think generally speaking we will be heading out with a destination park booked and wing it for the trip out there. However, while winging it it would be great to stop in some other provincial/state parks and nice campgrounds instead of just truck stops and Walmart parking areas.
Any website suggestions etc are greatly welcomed and appreciated. We live on a farm and are outdoors oriented people ... however this is our first experience camping as a family. Just looking to be pointed in the right direction so my wife and I can nail this and make it a special experience. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
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markchengr
Seattle
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Joined: 01/05/2009
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You might try the following websites:
campendium
rv parky
the dyrt.com
SYKR
ioverlander.com
BLM.gov
freecampsites.net
rvdumpsites
gasbuddy
Florida State parks
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monkey44
Cape Cod, MA and Central Fla
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Might try www.allstays.com ... lots of info.
Monkey44
Cape Cod Ma & Central Fla
Chevy 2500HD 4x4 DC-SB
2008 Lance 845
Back-country camping fanatic
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JimK-NY
NY
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Florida in the winter months gets crowded. You are going to have to preplan your trip and make reservations. Depending on the area you need to act immediately. For example, some of the most popular camping areas are in the Keys. People often book for the next year as they complete their stay.
I suggest starting your plans by deciding on the areas you want to visit such as the Everglades, Keys, inland lakes, etc. Searching Google maps for campgrounds in those areas would be my next step. If you are having trouble getting started, contact tourism departments for the State and local communities.
Kids, 4 bikes, 1 or more kyacks and a small truck camper... you are taking on a lot to start your TC experiences. I hope you are not also trying to take dogs or other pets.
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notsobigjoe
southeast
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I live in central Florida and travel and camp in the keys pretty regularly. The Keys can be a tricky place. Most people love it or hate it.
https://jrtp.com/ - Nice park all around, especially if your a boater which we are. The seven mile bridge pilons are tremendous fishing spots and if the weather is rough on one side of the island you can launch on the other side of the island. You can catch 50 pounders around those pilons. all deep water.
https://newbook.rvonthego.com/search/?search_type=region&show_parks_near=Florida+Keys+-+Key+West - Fiesta Key is the best water I've seen, but a little too touristy for my likes. Sunshine is my usual go to in Marathon. Not touristy but very, very Hispanic which means they all go home to Miami during the week and you have the place to yourself.
I don't go south of Marathon because I don't like to camp and resort in the southern keys. Personal preference. But if you are interested...
There is one place a little further south called Big pine key campground and Marina. No pets because of the key deer and although beautiful the water it is rough.
If drinking and partying is your thing then go to Geiger key marina campground and local bar in key west. Beautiful water but little access to calmer seas.
Beverly Beach campground in Flagler beach up here by me is the nicest ocean view you'll get in the state of Florida.
If your into bass fishing and camping any lake and river will do at 5 am. the water is really nasty inland.
I know it's a little more than you asked for but that's where I usually go.
Any state campground in Florida is a year out unless your the luckiest person on earth.
I lived in Binghamton NY for half my life and the finger lakes have tremendous opportunity for camping. 1000 Islands up by you is gorgeous summer and winter. Also have you considered a small tow behind? they are cheap super light these days and you can leave them and travel around. All the storage you'll ever need. Not trying to talk you out of a truck camper.
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jimh406
Western MT
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For a different kind of camping at farms, wineries, museums, attractions, etc. You want to try Harvest Hosts. https://harvesthosts.com/?utm_source=HH-........HI-Members-MemberBenefitsHighlight030923
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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Super Duty Mark
Niagara Region, Ontario
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Thank you all very much for the suggestions. Some really great resources there. We are working on a booking at Bahia Honda State Park and are looking forward to giving this a try. Nice suggestion on the 1000 islands and finger lakes. Thank you.
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s1214
Vt
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Joined: 05/06/2006
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You might want to hook up with one of the groups in the Northeast. TruckCamping.net has a number of get togethers a year.
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