8 Best Florida Gulf Coast RV Campgrounds - RV Troop (2023)

FAQs

8 Best Florida Gulf Coast RV Campgrounds - RV Troop? ›

You still have a good selection if your RV is smaller than 25 feet more than 90% of parks permit that length. The number of available campsites drops if your RV is 29 to 32 feet long since about 80% of parks will let you in.

You still have a good selection if your RV is smaller than 25 feet more than 90% of parks permit that length. The number of available campsites drops if your RV is 29 to 32 feet long since about 80% of parks will let you in.

So, obviously you can see that the difference in an RV PARK, CAMPGROUND, and RESORT is that an RV Resort will certainly have many more amenities to offer you, whereas an RV Park and Campground have some amenities they are a more relaxed atmosphere in the sense of “traditional” camping.

A great view, or even some trees and nice wooded areas, are much better than a parking lot. Picnic Tables and Firepits. Another basic yet crucial element of camping is enjoying a campfire and having a meal on a picnic table.

RV Camping

Florida's state parks have plenty of options for camping throughout the state. Full-facility campsites for RVers include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table, along with centralized showers, restrooms and dump station. Maximum RV lengths vary by park.

What's the Ideal Length of an RV for Visiting National Parks? If you're not sure of the ideal length for national parks, you'll want to choose an RV between 25 and 30 feet long. Most national parks will accommodate RVs between those lengths.

In general, anything up to 35 feet is ideal, but there are exceptions. For example, Banff National Park campgrounds limit RV length to 50 feet, while it's 25 feet in Death Valley National Park.

Boondocking in an RV is when you camp without hookups to electricity, water, or sewage. You can boondock in many different ways, like staying overnight in a business parking lot or camping on public lands.

It is totally legal to leave your RV unattended while boondocking on all federally managed lands, and even most state managed lands.

An “RV” is a Recreational Vehicle. RVing, as most of us know, refers to traveling and camping in an RV!

What is the most popular RV class? ›

That's because Class C motorhomes are more popular in the RV world. They can hold more people, and they can be found at a more affordable price point. Class C Motorhomes are built on a truck or van chassis with an attached cab section, while Class Bs are built within the dimensions of a customized van.

Florida is one of the most popular states for RV owners because of the good weather all year round and no state income tax.

Campsites are available for campers and vehicles ranging in length from 10 feet to 104 feet. Most campsites maintain a soft gravel pad and each is equipped with water and electricity. Accessible campsites are available. Most parks have a central dump station.

You will need to get a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be able to camp for free, and you can't book a site, so be sure to get there early!

In Yellowstone National Park there are no height or length restrictions inside the park; however, large RV sites are limited and can be hard to find. A good rule of thumb is you should be 40 feet or less, but Yellowstone National Park does have space for your big rig that is larger than 40 feet.

Generally, Class A motorhomes run from around 25 feet in length all the way up to nearly 45 feet. Larger families and retired couples might need the living space of a 40-foot rig that provides more of the cozy comforts of home.

The largest RV you can purchase are Class A motorhomes that top out around 45 feet in length. Many states have statutes that limit the maximum length to 45' or less, along with speed limitations. RV owners should always check with their state to ensure their purchase is compliant.

Class B. Class B motorhomes are easy to drive, and they pack amenities into a compact package. They're typically 17 to 23 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 9 to 11 feet in height. Class B RVs don't usually have to worry about the height clearance of other motorhome types.

If you don't plan on staying at RV parks, the age of your rig doesn't matter. But RVs over 10 years old run into problems at some RV parks because of their age. It's known as the 10-year rule.

What Is the Biggest RV Size? Generally speaking, Class A RVs are the largest RVs on the road, though there are also very large Super C RVs and fifth wheels that top out between 40 and 45 feet that are most definitely “big rigs”! Our Newmar Mountain Aire Class A Diesel Pusher is 43′ long and is considered a big rig RV.

What is RV moochdocking? ›

What Does Moochdocking Mean? Moochdocking means you are boondocking or camping for free on your friends' or family's property, most often their driveway. If they have land you can park on, then moochdocking is even better!

What is Stealth Camping? Stealth camping is the act of camping in an urban area that is not necessarily meant for overnight camping. While there are no “campsites” when you stealth camp, there are plenty of legal places to park overnight in your van without drawing attention to yourself.

Depending upon what you power and how much, you can generally boondock for 2-7 days. But a lot depends on what type of batteries you use. If your batteries aren't efficient, and don't hold much charge, your trip will be shortened substantially.

The short, the practical answer to this is “no”, you cannot sleep on the side of the road in California. There actually is a law (see below) that makes this illegal on “freeways”. This law spells out several exceptions, however sleeping is not one of them.

Just make sure you're properly buckled in for your safety. Conversely, sleeping in an RV bed while someone is driving is not allowed. Even if you live in a state where all passengers aren't required to wear a seatbelt, it isn't safe.

When boondocking, you take a shower just like you would when camped at an RV Park with full hookups. Taking a shower while boondocking doesn't have to be any different. However, most full time boondockers prefer to shower more efficiently.

Definition of cowboy camping

A style of camping in which the campers sleep without shelter—and gaze upon stars in the night sky. This approach reduces pack weight but is “less pleasant” in bad weather. For this reason, a bivy sack is an excellent backup.

An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a type of piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber.

Fulltiming is a term used among motorhome individuals and families who live "full-time" in their motorhome or RV. Such mobile individuals are often called fulltimers.

What is the safest RV class? ›

According to Consumer Reports, Class B RVs are the safest type of motorhome. This is thanks to the vehicle's chassis which has to be crash tested per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules.

DO: Set your tent up in established spaces. It protects the surrounding wild by keeping it…well, wild. DON'T: Set up too close to water. Unless an established campsite places you closer, try to stay 200 feet away from streams, rivers or lakes.

Arizona, Texas, and Florida might have a low purchase cost for an RV. However, be mindful of sales tax and personal property tax since that can drive up the overall price.

The best RV-friendly states in America are Florida, Texas, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, New York , and California.

The highest number of RV sales by state is Indiana ($6.8 billion), California ($2.2 billion) and Texas ($1.8 billion).

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers the best viewing of the night sky in the region and now has the credentials to prove it! Please note: The entrance is closed daily 15 minutes after sunset. Only registered campers or after-hours pass holders are allowed entry after dark.

Most-Visited State Park

More than a million people drive across the Dunedin Causeway just north of Clearwater every year to visit Honeymoon Island State Park.

Average RV Park Rates in Florida

State parks will give you the best rates running you around $20-$35 per night. That cost can be cut down if you have a senior or a veteran pass. The rates will also depend on the kind of amenities you are hoping for where you stay.

Is there a senior discount for Florida State Parks? ›

A 50% discount on the base camping fee is available to Florida residents who are at least 65 years of age or Florida citizens possessing a current Social Security disability award certificate or a 100% disability award certificate from the federal government. Documentation will be requested on arrival.

The most common question RV owners have in regards to weigh stations is whether or not they are required to stop at them or not. In almost every case, the answer is no.

If you operate a business out of your RV, call the state's DMV office before traveling and ask if they want you to stop at a weigh station. Other states have a 10,000 lb minimum guideline for these commercial vehicles. These states are Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, and Maryland.

While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able.

Yes. Can I park and sleep all night at Florida's rest areas? Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Rule permits a period of three hours for the general public, and a period of ten hours for commercial motor vehicle operators subject to hours-of-service regulations.

The policy of Walmart welcomes RVers to spend a night in their parking lot, as long as you have the individual location's permission. In some places, city zoning laws or ordinances will prohibit overnight stays in parking lots. Typically, larger cities are most likely to have these types of restrictions in place.

35 feet for most campgrounds. Some campsites accommodate up to 42 feet.

The maximum recommended size RV for national parks is 29 feet with this number holding true for most state parks as well. The reason for this is that many state and national parks will not allow campers that are longer than 30 feet.

Camper Report gives a great At-a-Glance summary of the most popular RV lengths as follows: Class A: about 33 feet long. Class B: about 20 feet long. Class C: about 28 feet long.

In Yellowstone National Park there are no height or length restrictions inside the park; however, large RV sites are limited and can be hard to find. A good rule of thumb is you should be 40 feet or less, but Yellowstone National Park does have space for your big rig that is larger than 40 feet.

What is the number one rule of camping? ›

Written rules of camping are straightforward: don't burn trash, clean up after your dog, don't cut down trees, leave nothing but footprints, etc. Usually, they'll be posted as rules for camping when you check in. You'll see them.

If you're a camper, hiker or nature lover, you're probably familiar with the campsite rule: to leave the campsite in better condition than you found it.

Your vehicle cannot be longer than 21 feet, including bumpers and no wider than 8 feet, including mirrors. It is also recommended that your vehicle is no taller than 10 feet, as you may encounter issues over that height with low rock overhangs.

According to the RV industry association (RVIA) 98% of recreational vehicles sold are manufactured in the US, but which state sells the most RVs? The highest number of RV sales by state is Indiana ($6.8 billion), California ($2.2 billion) and Texas ($1.8 billion).

On average, motorhomes and travel trailers are at their cheapest at the end of the year. You can also benefit from good deals in the neighboring months of November and February — after the high season ends and before the next spring season starts up.

Generally, a class B RV is the easiest to drive if you're new to RVing. Most aren't much longer than a pickup truck and can easily maneuver into parking spaces and gas stations. If you're looking for the easiest transition into RV driving, choose a class B camper.

Island bed motorhome layouts tend to be most popular with motorhome owners that have considered a French bed system or have had a French bed previously. Often, they like a large permanent double bed but want to move around more easily.

Plan ahead and reserve your site up to six months in advance. Of Grand Teton's seven campgrounds, six of them are RV-friendly. Gros Ventre, Colter Bay and Headwaters campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length and Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek can accommodate rigs up to 30 feet in length.

Routes To Avoid

For starters, you may want to avoid the Bighorn Mountains east of Cody, Wyo., which is the closest town to the park's East Entrance. Also, if you're wanting to be cautious, you may avoid the Beartooth Highway that links Red Lodge, Montana to the park's Northeast Entrance.

If your vehicle is 11'4” or taller or 7'10” or wider including mirrors, you'll need to obtain a tunnel permit when you buy your park pass at an entrance station. However, if your RV is over 13'1” or over 40 feet long, it will not be permitted.