Lake Griffin State Park

 We stayed here for the Leesburg Bike Fest. The Park is kinda small, but very nice and the sites are pretty good, some are a little uneven, (as expected) and the RV Dump site will make you go around the small loop to get to it. 

There is a boat Ramp and there are two main trails. There is also a large Live Oak Tree (the second Largest) and it is estimated to be between 400-500 years old. 

The bathrooms are locked and you need the code which they will give you at the Ranger Station and at this time it was $8 for a bundle of Firewood. 

The park attendants drive through the campsite on a regular basis and they also put water down on the dirt roads to help keep the dust down. The Roads and sites are white Florida Sandstone. 

They do close at 8PM and there is a Gate code which the rangers will also give you the code when checking in. 

The Mosquitos were really bad, but bug spray, Mosquito coils and a few Thermo cells seemed to help. 

Next Trip - Hillsborough River State Park Florida

Our next trip is quickly approaching and we are going to another State Park. This one is closer to home and we are taking a few different things than when we went to the beach. However many are the same. 

Also we are taking our Grand Daughter and we will have a Pool and be walking many paths. 

Here is our List

New items

•         Isabel’s Bicycle
•         Isabel’s Scooter
•      Water Regulator with Valve Gauge
•      Umbrella

Same Items as before

•         Tie Downs
•         Load Golf Cart
•         Load Grill
•         Check Tire Pressure
•         Check Fluids
•         Check Lights
•         Firewood
•         Folding Chairs
•         Dog's Cage
•         Dog's Food
•         Load Beach Towels
•         Small Cooler
•         Load Ground Pads
•         Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot
•         Bluetooth Speaker
•         Fan
•         Rain jackets
•         Blanket
•         RV Step
•         Golf Cart Cover
•         laptop and power cord
•         Waste Wagon
•         Phone Cords
•         Golf Cart Charger
•         RV Power Cords
•         RV Power Surge Protector.
•         RV Propane Grill Hose and Adapter
•         Ring Game
•         Tool Bag (Hammer, Wrench, Pliers, Knife, Alan Wrench
•         Hose + Water Surge Protector
•         Extra RV Power cord
•         Extra Hose
•         Waste Slinky
•         Stand-Up fire Grill
•         Wheel Chocks
•         Leveling Blocks
•         Extension Cord
•         Cable TV Cable
•         Folding Table
•         Grill utensils
•         RV pad
•         Flag

 

Our RV CAMPING Packing list Checklist

This was our last packing list checklist for St. George Island.

• Trailer Registration
• Tie Downs
• Load Golf Cart
• Load Grill
• Check Tire Pressure
• Check Fluids
• Check Lights
• Firewood
• Folding Chairs
• beach Chairs
• Dog's Cage
• Dog's Food
• Fishing poles 
• Fishing pole Beach Holders
• Fishing Tacklet
• Load Beach Towels
• Beach Cooler
• Load Ground Pads
• Activate Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot
• Bluetooth Speaker
• Fan
• Rain jackets
• Blanket
• RV Step
• Golf Cart Cover
• Beach Umbrella
• laptop and power cord
• Waste Wagon
• Verizon Wireless Hotspot Device
• Phone Cords
• Golf Cart Charger
• RV Power Cords
• RV Power Surge Protector.

Along with the other things already in the RV

• RV Propane Grill Hose and Adapter
• Ring Game
• Tool Bag (Hammer, Wrench, Pliers, Knife, Alan Wrench
• Hose + Water Surge Protector
• Extra RV Power cord
• Extra Hose
• Waste Slinky
• Stand-Up fire Grill
• Wheel Chocks
• Leveling Blocks
• Extension Cord
• Cable TV Cable
• Folding Table
• Gril utensils
• RV pad
• Flag

St. George Island State Park

Our trip to St. George Island State Park. Here is what we found. Once there you need a Car, Golf Cart, Bike or other means of transportation to get from the campsite to the beach. Our site was 007 and it had a larger than most section which would allow additional people on it with a Tent if needed. It also had 30/50 amp and two 110 plug outlets.

Don't mind the tree frogs...and check any towels or clothes you leave out as they will congregate and you will bring them in with you.

There was also two water points. The only thing it lacked was much natural shade but it was one of the better sites because of its space and location. 

There are other Pull through Sites.

And there are a few other large Sites like ours

There are also some fully paved sites

but most sites are like this which is the typical site. 

There were many beach access areas just outside the campground area and all had parking and a short walk to the beach, Some had beach buildings that had restrooms and some did not. Also you cannot walk on the dunes. 

The campground also has water all around it, there is a small path that goes to the Intercoastal Side. There is also a 5 mile 4x4 only trail that you have to get a permit from the park rangers to go to the end of the island. 

Walking path to the intercoastal side

Entry to the Path to the Intercoastal

Calm and clear water for wading and Fishing. (Watch out for stingrays)

I would recommend that you bring a Kayak and it might be some good fishing for Redfish along this shore area. 

Also just down the road there is a Boat Ramp to the Intercoastal. Shallow water and sand but seemed to be a nice ramp.

Good parking for the boat ramp area. 

Shallow Water Boat Ramp Area. 

It is still recommended to have a Golf Cart or some other means of transportation 

Large Campsite Area.

Golf Cart to Get around

It is a State park and if you want Seclusion, beach and old Florida the FORGOTTEN COAST and this Island are a great place to get away. 

• 30/50amp outlets with 2 110 plugs
• 2 water points
• FirePit
• Picnic table
• hammock Poles (or clothelines)
• Restrooms and Showers 
• Trails, playground
• Beach
• Wood and Ice (sometimes). 
• GOOD T-mobile and Verizon Signals
• NO WIFI at park.
• NO CABLE TV (can get about 20 stations on HD Antennas)
• Golf Cart Friendly (However, NOT OUTSIDE the Campground Gate)
• Dump Site
• Trash.

In the little downtown area on the island there is a few stores and restaurants and some historical areas. 

GOOD SAM MEMBERSHIP

Another thing we really like is the Good Sam membership, we save .05 cents a gallon on gas and a normal 50 gallon refill saves us about $2.50. The membership costs about $35/year and it also gets you discounts at camping world and other places and we use their online trip planner to help understand our route because it can plot campgrounds and gas stations along the way. 

More more details go here. 

https://www.goodsam.com/club/member/

We used it on our current planned trip to St. George Island State Park in the panhandle of Florida is showed us this map. 

There are other memberships out there but many are overpriced, used for getting discounts at campgrounds and most seem to have some trouble operating as a membership because they have to always try to get discounts and things are just not that simple. 

This is why we stay at State parks....The one big thing that is not beneficial at state parks is the lack of campsite sewage hookups. Almost all have POWER & WATER but that is about it. Also you need a Good cell phone provider in order to have coverage (If you need it) because there are typically no TV stations and there is no Cable TV Hook ups....BUT, Hey its camping so get outside and see the sights....

Prep before we leave

When heading out we always clean and recheck everything in the RV. We have found it is just better to find something at home if there is something wrong then to find it while out at our camp sites.  

Here is a list of what we check:

1. Check Batteries to ensure they are all fully charged and ready to go
2. Check Tire Pressures (Plus check over the tires if these go you will be trapped until road service comes.)
3. Check your slide out to make sure it functions well
4. Check Awning 
5. Check all Lights inside and outside the RV
6. Check all your storage to make sure you have everything you need.
7. Check your Generator
8. Check to ensure you have enough propane
9. Check your A/C and Refrigerator

We also like to check all our paperwork and Insurance

1. Check your registration (have it where you know where it is if needed)






2. Check RoadSide Phone Numbers and insurance

I have installed a 30 amp outlet specific to our RV which allows us to park it at home and prep the vehicle as needed. 

When We Travel

We travel in our 2019 Quantum WS31 RV. 

We also try to tow our golf cart, which we have found is very comfortable to get around the parks easily.

most State parks allow golf carts and there are many trails and other things that make having a golf cart useful, Especially if you need to empty your Black and Gray Tanks. MOST State parks do not have Sewer hook ups. You Primarily get POWER and WATER,