RV parks along the Gulf

[Goody]

Hi fellow Montana owners. This is my first post and we are planning a trip to the EAA Sun N Fun airshow at Lakeland FL the first part of April. As we live in Alberta Canada we have a long drive ahead of us. We are looking for some nice campgrounds to stay at along the Gulf coast on the way down. Any susgestions? Emerald Beach RV Park looks good but the reviews are not current. We have stayed at Cedar Key and enjoyed it very much but we were flying that time so we moteled it. This time we will have our 5th wheel. Anyone stayed in RV Park around there. It's time to get out of here as it is -31C with a 20MPH wind this morning. But Hey the sun is shining.

[indy roadrunner]

Well in the Destin Fl area I would recommend Henderson Beach State Park, or Top Sail State Park or a little futher east is St Andrews State park at Panama City Beach. I am not sure of your route down but we have stayed at Texas T south of Nashville on I65 and Cullman Campground in Cullman Al and Birmingham South Campground. From there on down to the Lakeland area someone else is going to have to pitch in. I stayed at the LaQuinta Motel just down the street from Tiki RV park in Lakeland, didn't look all that bad but I understand that the RV parks really fill up for the Fun N Sun air show there. Hey did I mention welcome to MOC?

[padredw]

Just a quick second to the very desirable campgrounds at Topsail Hills and St. Andrews State Park. Topsail Hills is a bit more like a commercial campground or even a "resort" {which it once was), even though it is a state park now.

St. Andrews remains our favorite. We have been camping there for over 45 years and will probably be back there in May, 2008

[indy roadrunner]

Might want to check ahead for Henderson, TopSail and St Andrews. I know they book up pretty quick. David and Shirly, we'll make sure no body trashes you site before you get there - we'll be there the middle of April. We'll be in 112. Are you staying in 108 again?

[padredw]

Hello Indy, Seems like we have just barely missed you at St. Andrews. Still hope we will cross paths sometime. We have not made reservations, but you are certainly in the right neighborhood with site 108. We usually try to be there over Mother's Day as our daughter (and only child) has joined us for the last several years. She is 46 years old now and living in Colorado. She was an infant when we first camped with her at St. Andrews.

Incidentally, for several years we camped near the same couple from Atlanta, GA and became "St. Andrews friends". We saw them move up from tent trailer to very nice tow trailers over several years. We were tent campers at that time. We always tried to camp at 108 0r 110. It was easier in those days. The last couple of years we have had to move on the weekend because of prior reservations--I mean move across the road into an "inside site" It is still very much the same great place.

We are sad about the destruction of Ft. Pickens at Pensacola. It has been out of commission now for several years since Hurricane Ivan. It too is one of our favorite parks in that "miracle strip" of the Florida panhandle. And Pensacola is closer to Houston than it is to Miami!

Thanks for your friendship and the promise to take care of "our" site.

[OntMont]

We are at Gulf State Park in Alabama, just west of the FL state line. It is another victim of Hurricane Ivan, but it has been largely restored (as much man can, nature will have to take care of the rest), The sites were all rebuilt and all sites now have water, sewer and 50 amp power. All the winter season monthly rental sites are taken, but there are some first come first served daily sites available.

[Goody]

Thanks for the information on Gulf campsites. Topsail and St. Andrews appear to be full for our trip down. We can get into Emerald Beach RV Park at the time we want. Anyone stayed there?

[indy roadrunner]

Goody we have drove through there but never stayed there. (Emerald Beach RV) It is a nice little CG not a lot of room but a good place to lay over a couple of days. It is not on the actual gulf but next to the bay. Sites are all paved and level. While there go into Mary Ester (west of Ft Walton) to Mary Ester Blvd and there is a get fat joint called Barnhills that is a buffet. Just across the road from the Shopping Center. About 2 blocks north off Hwy 98. We have always enjoyed pigging out there.
Padre - we switched to 112 at St Andrews when we discovered a private beach behind the camp site.

[nkwist]

Emerald Beach is just fine. We've stayed there a few times and we have a friend who spends each season there.

[Dave Nowlin]

We stayed 2 weeks in October 07 at Emerald Beach and liked it. We found an excellent Mexican restaurant nearby.

Dave Nowlin

[Goody]

Thanks for all the info on camping spots along the gulf. We have been watching the weather channel and all the bad weather in that area so early this spring and are having second thoughts of comming down. Maybe just go and stay at our place in Montana for now.