Questions on Florida Keys State Parks

[JudyJB]

Because you need to make reservations a long time ahead in busy Florida Parks, I am thinking about state parks in the Keys for next winter.

I am thinking of spending a week each at John Pennecamp SP, Bahia Honda SP, and Long Key SP. There is also Curry Hammock SP.

Have any of you stayed in any of these? What did you think of them?

I am not a skin diver, or even a very good swimmer, but I wanted to take one of the boat trips at John Pennecamp. Am I asking for trouble trying to stay at a park that might be filled with partying 20-Somethings???

Are there any commercial RV parks any of you have stayed at in the Keys that you would recommend over any of the above?? Florida parks almost all have electric and water, and being only one person, I think the lack of sewer isn't going to be a problem.

Thanks

[Bethers]

You might already have trouble getting reservations at the state parks in the keys for next winter. First thing I'd do is check what any of them have against when you want to do it - and if anything matches up - grab it!

[Liz]

I have stayed at Bahia Honda....in my sailboat. Loved it there..beautiful blue waters. Kayaked and snorkeled all the way around the island.

I have also taken the snorkel tour at Pennecamp. The reefs had a lot of damage when I was there. If you get a chance to take a boat trip from Key West to the Dry Tortugas, I highly recommend that, especially for the snorkeling.

I think you can reserve 1 year in advance at FL state parks.

[JudyJB]

Thanks. It's 11 months ahead, and I've been going online right at the time or a few days after they open. I've been successful so far, but they do charge you the entire amount, so it is expensive, but I figure it is still cheaper than the commercial "resort" parks.

Being my obsessive-compulsive planner self, I have a spreadsheet set up. Got to learn to slow down and relax when I retire, but that may take some retraining.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

You cannot go wrong with any of those state parks. Private parks that I'm familiar with is Bluewater Key RV Resort and it's terrific, expensive but worth it to me. It was my retirement present to myself.

Go for it!

Oh a friend of mine goes to Sunshine Key all the time. It's a Encore park and affiliated w/Thousand Trails. She really loves it.