We have three boys, 1, 4, 5 and they asked and asked about renting an RV (thanks to Robin Williams film So, one day playing around online, I find the RV rental site, the quote looks good for 4 nights, and so we book. I figure better now they are small than when they are big. We are going in two weeks.

We've never been in an RV, and I've sort of sketched it out as Fort Wilderness the first night because we might arrive after dark and I needed a full service campground, but the next morning early, we leave to Wekiwa Springs State Park. I read about the park here and it sounds great.

The next day, I would like to see Florida Southern College and the buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on our way to Hillsborough Inlet State Park. Next night we drive home, as we have to turn it in early the following day.

What is my question? I'm so nervous. I had no problems with reservations which made me happy until I realized that no one must camp in July in Florida. We are going to be eaten my mosquitoes (I've bought so much Off, I can fill the RV's water tank with it). It is going to be so hot.

Please, does anyone have tips on an RV trip? Everything I read about these parks sounds fantastic - any firsthand experience? We figure that we will spend some time in the springs, my husband can do a small canoe trip with the older ones, while I hang out with the baby. We can do some trails. Oh, and what about ticks?!? Is this something to worry about in Florida? I live in South Florida and never ever worried, but since there are wooded areas where we are going, I'm thinking I have to consider them. I've read as much as I can about these places, but it seems that most people are veteran campers and there isn't that much camping 101 (in an RV) out there.

Thanks so much for any information, support, stories. I do think it will be something we will enjoy.

I would STRONGLY recommend you choosing a place and staying there for the 3 nights. You are doing more "going" than "camping" and as a novice I would not want to set up camp that many times.

Go slow! It's the best way to camp. Choose one of them and stay!

I'd choose either Fort Wilderness or Wekiva Springs SP. Be sure to check out any ranger led activities and night activities.

Here's some info o ticks:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig088

Mosquitos? If you live in South Florida, you know the drill: dawn and dusk are the worst times for them, just give yourself a spritz of repellant and you'll be fine.

But really, you've got an RV, so if you get hot or the skeeters bother you, you can always temporarily retreat to the comfort of the RV.

Wekiva Springs is great - have a wonderful time.

If it's going to be hot, then I'd recommend a campground with electrical hook ups to run the air conditioner. Many parks that don't have electrical hook ups will have restricted generator hours. You don't want to have to run the generator all the time.

I've never camped in the area, so can't help with that. You might try asking your question on the RV.net forums. http://www.rv.net/forum/ They are a friendly group of RV'ers!

Utahtea

I don't RV but do live in Central Fl. I cannot imagine driving a bit unfamiliar RV from place to place. I agree, pick one and stay there. You will be miserable if you don't. Weikiwa is great, but minutes from there is crazy traffic too. Again, hook up and stay in one place!

I just want to chime in and second (third?) the advice to visit just one place (or maybe 2), to make sure that you have an electric hookup at your site, and also to visit the discussion boards at rv.net.. They actually do have a beginners' discussion board for your "RV 101" questions.

And finally: remember that RV owners are mostly a very friendly and generous bunch, sympathetic to newbies, so when questions arise while you're camping, don't hesitate to chat with your neighbors.

One more thing: Arriving after dark makes everything much more complicated even for experienced campers, and you should avoid that if at all possible for your very first experience with parking and setup.

Like thurstonbb, I do not camp out in an RV but I do live in Central FL. I'll go one step further. It is hot, humid and miserable! Add to this the fact that we have frequent and very strong thunderstorms with lightning and hail. To do what you propose would be so much more enjoyable if you were not doing this in the summer.

amcc, I live in Central Florida and have camped many times here. I to highly suggest staying in one place, otherwise you will be spending all your time setting up and breaking down your campsite. Ft. Wilderness is probably the nicest campground you will ever see, it has many many things to do and is immaculate. Have never camped at Wekiva but I have been to the springs a few times and the water is a cool 72 deg. and is a good way to keep cool in July. Since the RV should have AC. Oh by the way FW has sewer hookups and the state parks do not, without sewer hookups you will have to empty your tanks at the dump station (not the most pleasant job). If you have specific questions I will try to help.

Thank you so much. I think that I will stay in Wekiwa springs for two nights then instead of heading over to Hillsborough Inlet. We are only staying in Fort Wilderness the first night because the state parks close for registration at night (have to make arrangements otherwise), and I didn't want to risk that. And, I thought, what better place than Fort Wilderness to "initiate" ourselves?

Reading your encouragement has really made me feel much better. Starrs, I think it was your recommendation for Wekiwa that picqued my interest a while back and made me bookmark it. I hope to meet other campers as nice as you all. Life has been so crazy lately, I can't wait to just disconnect in peaceful beautiful surroundings.

Good decision. You will love Wekiva. RVers are very nice folk and will help you if you have questions/problems. And, to be honest, they will think you are less "crazy" than if you told them you were doing three campgrounds in three nights

Have fun! Think "slow".

I've been in the RV Rental business, and an RVer, since 1981...also lived in DeLand for 10 years and grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, so I know a little about where you're at and what you're doing.

First, the rental company will explain how everything works. They'll probably also provide an owner's manual & trouble shooting guide, and just about all of us in the business has nationwide roadside assistance...so don't feel lost about the RV.

I'm in Atlanta, but go ahead and get on my website www.lightninrv.com and then go to "Rentals" in the menu on the left. Once there, look at our menu for some great travel tips. Check out our "Special Events Calendar" for hundreds of things happening all over the country to see...and don't just look at it for the time period you're going out as the places listed are great to visit almost any time of the year.

Then take a look at our "Travel Links" for lots more ideas of things to see & do, as well as a number of very helpful links to make your trip a great adventure!

Take a look at our "How an RV Works" link...read it a couple of times prior to your picking-up your vehicle...it will help make your instruction period go a lot easier. There's also a great packing list for you to get the family ready. Tip: pre-pack 2-3 days in advance...don't wait until you drive the RV home. Remember, all you need to do is load the frig & freezer, and then get everything else in the vehicle and then go! You can finish packing at the campground.

I agree with everyone...spending less time driving creates more quality time with your family.

Have a great trip!

Us two seniors camped/RVed for many years. Actually have fond memories of traveling with our three youngsters, first in a tent, then several fold downs, finally a trailer (that mostly after they left home). Glad we did sell our trailer and Suburban, though, as we get older and gas prices get higher!

Now then, you do have a handfull with such small kids, and that is why you won't want to try too much moving (as others advise) or try doing too much. There is something special about family camping, though, you know the singing and hot dogs around the fire. And in our case the opportunity to see lots of America and especially the outdoors. We liked state and national parks/forests so didn't rely on full hook ups. Just give us an electric hook up and water at the pump. But we also found good private campgrounds. The term RV to me means mostly larger rigs however and maybe a bit more of the creaturely comforts. That's not really camping!

Now about Florida...Probably a bit warm in July. AC is a plus though in our earlier camping days we managed without. My recommendation-state parks which we found quite nice: Blue Springs, Fever-Dykes, Scherer, Homosassa, Mantee...yes seeing the mantees is neat! We went on to camp in Georgia in the Okefenokee National Refuge which is
neat.

Good luck,

Ozarksbill
[email protected]

We did it and we loved it!!!

We rented the RV - a small one that was just big enough for us 5. We drove to Ft. Wilderness that first night and it was a great starting place. This place is Disney how I remember it from the 70s - low-key, family oriented, informal and FUN.

The next day we drove to Wekiwa Springs. Truly a beautiful place. We got set up and headed to the spring. Our first big rookie mistake - we didn't bring bikes, so we took a trail. Note to self - no matter how flat a trail looks at the beginning DO NOT use a stroller to get through it. It really felt like 1 pm July in Florida as the sweat cascaded from everywhere.

The springs are one of those things that just...I've honestly never been in water like that. The coldness was appreciated after the hike, but it is so sweet, so soft, if you can understand that. I'm used to the ocean and have honestly never really been in any other freshwater bathing environment, so this might not seem like a big deal. But it is water like Mother Earth intended us to drink.

We stayed two days (sort of defeated the purpose of all your great advice because we had to switch campsites because I made reservations at seperate times, but another mistake I won't repeat). The second night, there was a bear, a black bear in a tree two campsites down. That was a surprise and not a usual occurrence, so we were very lucky.

The last day we were going to drive home and park it before returning it, but we were enjoying it so much, we made a last minute reservation at Fort Wilderness and spent the day there again. Again, low-key, played bingo, pool. As we were leaving early the next morning, two deer were grazing by the exit and I don't think that they were Disney props.

This is such a great experience with children. I never knew anyone in Miami that went camping, maybe it is a cultural thing. We loved the fact that we spent all our days outdoors - it was hot, but bearable, and they must spray very well for mosquitos because I didn't have to break out the OFF at all. It is a vacation about living a day to day life out there.

Surprises we had:

Campground bathrooms and showers were excellent - didn't use the one in the RV at all.

Armadillos really do exist

You can find cockroaches in your underwear - just be glad it's before you put them on.

Campers really are a community. It is a wonderful group event.

I love South Florida, always have because of the people and the diversity. Now, I love Florida for it's natural beauty, as well.

And the biggest surprise - we can't stop talking about when we can do it again, even, maybe, perhaps, in a tent in the winter. For a person who "doesn't like camping", I realized that I did and that I loved how it allowed us to share as a family.

Thanks again for the encouragement and advice!

Oh, it sounds like it was WONDERFUL!
I'm so glad you discovered the magic of Wekiva. I'm jealous - I've not camped there. When you go back, take a canoe trip.

Well, now that you are "hooked" be on the lookout for a nice, used pop-up. It's the perfect solution for a young family (IF you have a vehicle that can tow it but it's not very heavy). Easy to set up, AND you can sleep off the ground (the BEST thing about camping in my opinion!)

Since you are in FL and the economy is weak, I bet there are lots available for sale. Or maybe the RV centers will sell one at a great deal just to get some business in these down times. Pop-ups are a GREAT, inexpensive solution to a lot of camping challenges.

Thanks for a great report that was fun to read!

"Now, I love Florida for it's natural beauty, as well." Now, that's what I like to hear! Congratulations, you've found what so many who come to Florida never do: real Florida.

What a lovely time you guys had. I agree with 321, glad you found the native Florida that so many miss. It truly is such a beautiful state with so much more to offer than outlet malls and theme parks.

I love to read Cross Creek and the Yearling by Marjorie Rawlings to remember what the backbone of my home really is.

Were they cockroaches or palmetto bugs? palmetto bugs fly....the little devils!

So glad you got to see the real central Florida! We actually call it "New England With Palm Trees". It is very beautiful and so different than the Disney view of things. Sadly, most people go from the airport to the attractions and back and never see any of it!

Funny you mention a pop-up - that is what has been tempting us especially since lots of them have A/C on the roof and we can use it in the summer. We saw lots of impressive RVs in the parks - I mean, worth more than my house for sure! We even saw an old school bus that had been decked out and was gorgeous. But, it's the pop-ups that seem to call to us. We would have to figure out where to store it as our city does not allow them, but the idea has definitely been planted.

The three bugs were cockroaches for sure. I don't love them, but I can live knowing they exist. What I didn't want to confess to everyone before I left was that my true huge fear was frogs. I'm good at not looking in places where they might be, and I know that Florida is full of them, but we only saw a couple hopping across the path as we walked. Now, if that had been a frog in my underwear, end of trip right there. Although now that I think about it, maybe I conquered the worst of this fear too. I didn't start crying when we saw the frogs and that is a first!!!

You hear alot of complaints about how Florida is so flat, so boring. Well, it is pretty flat, but it isn't boring. Our vegetation is lush and beautiful. It's teeming with wildlife and water of all kinds. Next time, we will canoe and bring bikes. I've never been to one of those get togethers, maybe it should be at a campground in Florida?

There ya go, amcc, a Central Florida GTG! Be sure to post when you're planning your next trip and maybe we can plan a GTG, too.