Floridian peoples interested in camping at somewhere other than the Fort on a holiday

[Rhonda]

Fort Desoto is one of our favorites. But, I suppose it's kinda far for some to go -- it's near St. Pete Beach. The sites are on the water, lots of trees and privacy, they allow golf carts and pets, there are playgrounds for the kids. The park itself has a couple of fishing piers, and a boat that goes out to an island for shelling. It's really beautiful there -- and cheap!!!

 

[stacktester]

Fort Desoto is one of our favorites. But, I suppose it's kinda far for some to go -- it's near St. Pete Beach. The sites are on the water, lots of trees and privacy, they allow golf carts and pets, there are playgrounds for the kids. The park itself has a couple of fishing piers, and a boat that goes out to an island for shelling. It's really beautiful there -- and cheap!!!

Heck, let's just go to John Pennekamp in the keys lol.

 

[des1954]

Fort Desoto is one of our favorites. But, I suppose it's kinda far for some to go -- it's near St. Pete Beach. The sites are on the water, lots of trees and privacy, they allow golf carts and pets, there are playgrounds for the kids. The park itself has a couple of fishing piers, and a boat that goes out to an island for shelling. It's really beautiful there -- and cheap!!!

Unless something has changed, don't you have to go in person to Ft. DeSoto to book a ressie? Last I knew, they didn't take ressies over the phone. It is, however, a beautiful campground!!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Heck, let's just go to John Pennekamp in the keys lol.

don't tempt me donnie...

 

[AuburnJen92]

Unless something has changed, don't you have to go in person to Ft. DeSoto to book a ressie? Last I knew, they didn't take ressies over the phone. It is, however, a beautiful campground!!

ok Rhonda, time to go to work...i will travel across state if you can get us the information from your wonderful resource of knowledge and whatever you have at work there...can you find out if the oh mighty deb is correct please?

this is your fault rhonda for peaking my interest here...

 

[LORNADUCK]

Good job Rhonda, I almost said the same thing. Ft Desoto is near to us, I was afraid that is was to far for most. I think that u can make reservations on Reserve America. I know I have called and made them. It is one of the hardest parks they seem to always be full on the weekends. It is one place we can take our boat to, but we have to pull it out every night, that shouldn't be a problem. here is there site, http://pubtitlet.co.pinellas.fl.us/parkspub/ParksMain.jsp I just went and it came up o avail. for that weekend.

 

[stacktester]

Another place hard to get into is Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. I called the fort yesterday to talk to someone in group ressies and guess what???? No friggin call back. What the heck, they got more business than they need? Why can't I turn customers away lol.

 

[Memph1s]

Fort Desoto is our "Home" campground and is very hard to get in on a weekend. You almost have to be a Pinellas county resident to get in on a Holiday weekend. They allow Pinellas county residents to book 30 days sooner than everybody else so we get first shot at the good weekends. However, there are over 900,000 of us now so you still have to book the first day or so to get the holiday weekends. They do hold back about 10% of the sites for walkup people but the line starts at about 5AM Friday and they usually sell out by 7 or 8. We love the campground but it is like most city, county, and state campgrounds in they do not allow alcohol. While they don't come and look in your cooler or frig for "contraband" If the ranger on his many rounds sees you with a beer or blender out on the table they will at least make you pour it out and I have seen the sheriff called and people lead away. The garbage cans are always full of incriminating evidence so they know people drink. You just have to keep it low key and not act a fool.

 

[Gatordad]

i have that problem, I act the fool.

 

[des1954]

However, there are over 900,000 of us now... We love the campground but it is like most city, county, and state campgrounds in they do not allow alcohol.

Pinellas County Census...

900,000 breaks down to this:

585,000 Reside in nursing homes or ACLF's
200,000 Leave to go back north by April 10th
50,000 Live in the infamous "tent city"
10,000 Work at the 15 Wal-Mart's on the weekend
500 boat to Beer Can Island on any given weekend
200 stay home to watch the Indy 500 on MDW
The rest go to Ft. DeSoto on MDW



Is it true? Can you now call them to make ressies? The last time we went was in the late 90's & I had to go to the park office to book & pay for a site.

I forgot about the "no alcohol" rule - but there are ways to get around that - if you behave yourself & not act the drunk fool.

 

[stacktester]

i have that problem, I act the fool.

Well there goes another idea down the drain for MDW. I am the king fool, the grand pooba fool, el presidente' fool, king daddy fool, czar fool.

Why am I typing this, you all know this info.

 

[Pinkee77]

If you don't mind me butting in here......

I have been looking for a nice place to camp besides the Fort. Have you seen this site? http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm

It looks like you can make reservations online.

For those who have been before......is it fairly safe? It's just me and two kids and we would be tent camping.

 

[DisneyBishops]

If everyone decides on a place let me know.

But i am not going to a park where I can't have a cold beer when i want one.

you can drink at the county parks here in Brevard County. There is a state park at sebastian inlet and they let you drink beer there too.

Now let's be realistic if we all get together we are going to do some drinking. And they yes we will be acting the fool. So i guess the sheriff will be coming after us in Desoto. So i vote no on Desoto.

i ain't going to camp anywhere thery don't allow beer. What fun is camping without beer.

Did i say i like beer LOL

 

[AuburnJen92]

i ain't going to camp anywhere thery don't allow beer. What fun is camping without beer.

Did i say i like beer LOL

I thought that was the understood rule of the camping community board, where there is beer, there are fort fiends!

Donnie and I are working on some possibilities and will let everyone know in the next couple of days what works out. I want everyone to have enough time to make plans in advance. Since Donnie and I are working in different directions, we might just be able to come up with solutions for several weekends.

Updates to be posted.

 

[stacktester]

If we can get the fort f/h for no more than $63 total a night who is in? I'm working with group ressies and should have an answer tomorrow.

 

[LORNADUCK]

We in at that rate for the fort.
My DH asked what about Rock Crusher in Crystal River, and then I thought about Elite Resort @ Silver Springs. They are both owned by Elite and when we stayed @ SS we only pd like 25 -35 a night. I know they used to have a lot of activities for kids on the major weekends, they even had a band when we were the MDW & Labor Day.

 

[Gatordad]

i'm in for $63..... as for Rock Crusher Canyon, I heard it closed, but i could be wrong.

 

[stacktester]

We need 8 minimum. The rule is 10, but she says if we get 8 she'll work with us. So far I think we're close.

1. Stacktester
2. AuburnJen
3. Gatordad
4. Lornaduck
5. DisneyBishops
6. Des1954 (not confirmed)
7. BigKahuna1 (Do you have this good a rate Steve? If not you can cancel your's and join this.

Am I missing anyone? Please speak up as I need to call her tomorrow.

 

[Gatordad]

if you run up short, let me know, i can call Derek.

 

[big kahuna1]

I'm in and no I do not have that rate but I will cancel and switch if it is worth the change. I currently have a premier site reserved.

Let us know.

We will probably be going to the Fort anyway. I just like it there and $120 plus or minus for a 3 day weekend ain't really enough to make me change. But I will consider it depending on the location.