Good Winter Destaination Spot
 

Hi-
I plan on taking a vacation in like the middle of december and am trying to find someplace warm plus i want to do some camping. I live near Washington DC and i am going to be driving so preferably somewhere on the East Coast. I was thinking about Southern Florida and maybe do some camping in the Everglades also visiting the Keys. How long is the drive down there and how long should I allow? I was thinking about a week.

The Keys is a hike, even when you are in Miami. I'd say you are a long day and a half drive from Miami, just as an anchor. Then it is 4 hours to Key West.

It is 800 miles to the Keys from Atlanta. We do go there in the winter though as it is the only place we know that will be relatively warm. (We have been there and it be cool. :(

From Miami to Key West it is mostly a two lane road so travel times depend on traffic and time of day.

I plan on leaving here way early and the morning and driving almost non-stop. I ve also heard Charleston, SC is warm in the winter. Would that be a good closer alternative?

It could be quite warm and pleasant in Charleston--or cold. There is a wonderful camping area near there--Hunting Island State Park--a bird santuary. Just south of Myrtle Beach is Huntington Beach State Park that has camping. The water will be too cold.

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/pa...park/1019.aspx

Or what about Savannah, Georgia? Is that any warmer?

Savannah and Charleston are about the same temperature. We used to live in Savannah and there were plenty of days in the winter where I wanted my parka...but some beautiful ones too. In the 4 years we lived there we had two snow dustings even. If you don't plan on beach activities, though, it is quite enjoyable in the winter. Camping at Hunting Island which Gretchen mentioned would be a great location, but again the weather....We have pictures of us on the beach there at Thanksgiving in parkas!

If you really want warm, then head to the keys. I'm not a camper so can't be much help there, but I believe Bahia Honda has tent sites.

It's a bit riskier for weather, but on the west coast there is camping at one of the most beautiful beaches in FL, Ft Desoto, near St Pete, and you can rent kayaks there too if you are so inclined. Generally it'll be beautiful in December, but on occasion a cool front will get that far south in Dec...not usual, but it can happen. Oh...more camping just a bit further south, not far from Sarasota at Myakka State Park.

Bahia Honda State Park does have tent sights and is a wonderful place to be in the Keys. It is at the 37.5 mile marker which means it is that far from Key West.

It has two separate beach areas and a lagoon. It can be busy in the winter and sometimes hard to get in. It is one of our favorite places to camp.

There is also Long Key State Park and John Pennekamp State Park in the Keys that you could check out. We haven't stayed in them but have done day trips there.

Savannah and Charleston are wonderful places to visit, but I agree that it is a gamble on the weather. I've never camped at either place, so can't help there.

Well how warm do you want it to be?

FL is going to be safe in the way it should be warm.

GA, NC mountains are good for camping. Only it could be chilly at night.