Suggestions for our first winter in the south

[RKassl]

Looks like we are finally going south for the winter of 2015. Especially with the purchase of our new 2015 3440RL. We have never attempted this before. So here goes a bunch of questions:

1. When do normally leave for the "south"?

2. Since the Monty has wheels we thought of maybe three different locations of 4 to 6 weeks duration each across different southern and south western states. Does that make sense?

3. Would anyone like to give us some suggestions of good RV parks to check out across the south and south west?

4. And any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

Happy Camping!

[JandC]

Here is our take on being "snowbirds". We have left central Illinois between Christmas and New Years to head to SW Florida, The traffic was pretty bad. For us it works better to make the run south early December and return early May.

You can certainly do 4 to 6 weeks in different spots. That would be a good way to see some different places. But on the other hand many places down south are full for the winter. Actually some CG's won't even have spots unless you are agreeing to a 3 month minimum stay. At any rate, depending of where you are at the monthly rates will probably be cheaper than weekly or daily rates. Plus, if you stay on one site for 3 or 4 months you may make some really good friends.

Lastly, we have found that if you want the warmer temperatures you almost have to be south of Sarasota, Florida. One year we made the mistake of looking at the map and thinking that South Padre Island was just as far south as Miami Florida, so it must be just as warm in the winter. We spent part of the winter in sweat shirts/long pants and even had to go through an ice storm! We loved that part of Texas, just not for snow birding.

The choices of CG's and where to go are endless. What are your priorities? Do you want to be able to fish? Do you want average temperatures of 60-65, or do you want to experience more in the 70-80 degree range? Want to spend $500 a month for a spot, or $2,500 a month?

[DQDick]

The Texas coast, Arizona and Southern California would be good choices to check out wintering spots. We prefer Arizona, but to each his own. We stop in New Mexico in the fall and spring, but the state of New Mexico pretty much from north to south is higher than the surrounding states and so is colder. Getting campground recommendations here will be easier when you pick a part of the country you want to visit and post requests then. Before full timing, we left in October to still be able to see some places before the cold, although we had to avoid Santa Fe even then one year due to snow. We usually returned in April or early May for the same reasons.

[1retired06]

We are also snowbirds, and prefer Florida since we both grew up in El Paso and have had our fill of that part of the country, but lots to do and see in the southwestern part of the country. To reinforce what was said earlier, seasonal sites in nice parks can be hard to find. Our Florida park is roughly 50% seasonals, ie nov thru April. There is a two month minimum stay to reserve a seasonal site. Everything less than that is daily rate only. So at least for the Florida portion of your travels, research and make reservations early. Most of us stay the season, five months as the longer you stay, the cheaper the rate.

[DQDick]

I wouldn't try to do any seasonal rates your first year. You need to travel more and find what and where you would like to spend some time. You should plan, however, to spend at least a week at a time when you stop because the weekly rate is usually much better than the daily rate. Also, here in Yuma anyway, the parks have never been completely full so there's always a place you can stop. Florida seems to be more crowded, at least to us.

[mhs4771]

X2 Dick's response. We did that our first winter to Florida. A week here a week there as you really need to see the place you will spend 4 to 6 months, in person. We looked at many places in Central Florida that would take a Master RV Parker to get into if at all.

[padredw]

Only "old-timers" will appreciate what Steve and Vicki Reigle meant to the MOC while they were active full time travelers. Vicki's "Postcards" were an inspiration to me and to many others.

They are settled down now, but I did find the "Postcards" still online. Maybe this link with work for you:

http://www.oocities.org/stevereigle/2004_Index.htm

[1retired06]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I wouldn't try to do any seasonal rates your first year. You need to travel more and find what and where you would like to spend some time. You should plan, however, to spend at least a week at a time when you stop because the weekly rate is usually much better than the daily rate. Also, here in Yuma anyway, the parks have never been completely full so there's always a place you can stop. Florida seems to be more crowded, at least to us.

Again, only talking florida, no weekly rates in our park. Common in our area.

[PackerFan]

Carry around a Snow Shovel until someone asks you what you have there...Now you are far enough South!!

[JandC]

Several years ago, during one of our last trips to Florida without a Montana, we spent a couple weeks searching out different CG's and driving through them. We would stop in the offices and pick up information and price sheets. What we discovered was that if you were going to be in Florida between December and April, short stays were almost impossible to book, or at least in the areas we were looking. We never have investigated the middle of the state because we always wanted to be within an hour of beaches.

Last year, a week before pulling out we found Gulf Water RV Resort (where we are this winter). We were so impressed that we stopped in and talked to them about a 3 month rental. They just looked at us like we were from another planet. Then I asked them if we wanted to book for 4 months if they could get us in and they said they would "bump" someone from a 3 month stay to make room for us, which they did.

So if you are considering Florida for your first snow bird experience, I would try to decide on a reasonable priced CG and try to book a 3 month spot within the next two months. Then while down here next winter you can explore and figure out if there are other areas you would rather be in.

[kdeiss]

My recommendation would be to find A C.G. on the West Coast South of Tampa not inland. Book for 3 or 4 Months then do your exploring in the Tow Vehicle making daily trips maybe an over night in a Hotel and not have to deal towing and setting up every few weeks. As others mentioned you need to make a reservation soon.

[stengels]

We like staying 2 months at a time, gives you time to enjoy the area and become familiar. Last winter we stayed at Buckhorn Resort in Kerrville, TX for 3 months. Great campground. This winter, spent Jan & Feb at Rayford Crossing in Spring, TX. Very nice park, but Houston is too big!! Left there and are in Camp Verde, AZ at Distant Drums. Great park. 90 minutes to Phoenix, an hour to Flagstaff, and 45 minutes to Prescott. We're here through the end of May, then back to Kansas/Missouri. We will definitely go back to Kerrville again. The hill country is incredible, as are San Antonio, Austin, Fredricksburg, Luckenbach, etc.

[Mynabird]

This year...2015, we have done a month in Benson, Arizona and in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Then with others..we ask to stay a day or two and look around at campgrounds we may wish to stay in another time.

We have never had a problem with getting a monthly in this area (Arizona). Of course...we tend to stay on the "outskirts of town" or National/State Park. It is usually cheaper... And quieter!!!

We also have always been able to find a couple days here and there...by calling ahead. Oh...and I call around noon on our travel day for overnight or couple days. If wanting a week I do call and see if available when planning our next destination requiring a week.

Depends on what kind of campgrounds you are looking for.

Our motto.... Our house has wheels...after a month they are itching to move! They need the exercise!!!

[Charli]

We just returned from our 1st Snowbird trip and had many of the same questions last year. I did a travel blog and the link is on my profile if interested. We did Arizona and since it was our first time we wanted to see as much of the state as possible. We booked 1 month stays in Tucson and Yuma with 2 months in Gold Canyon. Then we did shorter stays of 1 week or less in Havasu, Camp Verde, Grand Canyon and Page before heading north. My DW doesn't like surprises so we booked the longer stays at Snowbird parks last May but found most of those parks or others in the area had vacancies when we were there. Other than the 2 month stay, which was a bit long, we found we didn't use the Park Amenities too much. To busy exploring, hiking etc. next year we will probably wing it more with shorter stays (although as mentioned in earlier posts this is more expensive) with a few stays of 1 month at parks with fewer amenities. Eg. Snowbirds Park with everything is $800 p/m. More basic park with good services $450. P/m.
It is very much a personal choice and till you do it you probably won't know exactly what your preferences are but that is part of the experience so just embrace it. We found that everyone was very friendly but at the Snowbird parks everyone has their little groups from previous years so we sometimes felt like outsiders. But then we were off on our own a lot anyway checking out the area.
Next year we want to do the Oregon coast down to California on Hwy 101 and then back up to Sedona and Utah so we will start planning the route in the next few months. We had a fabulous time. I hope your first time is equally as rewarding.