Ocean Pond Campground ~ Olustee, Florida

Description: Ocean Pond Campground is a jewel stuck out in the middle of the Osceola National Forest in Olustee, Florida. It is on the northside of Ocean Pond, a 1760-acre natural lake. Sixty-seven campsites are available for tents, trailers, or motor homes. Many of these campsites are waterfront sites where you can enjoy the water or fish right from your campsite. A beach area, boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers, and flush toilets are located in the campground. No sewer hookups are available; however, a sewage dump station is located near the campground entrance. The roads in the park are all paved except back in the primative area.

Date of Stay: May 17th, 2011

Weather During Stay: Sunny, Very Warm but with the lake there is a breeze that kept us somewhat comfy.

Site Description: There are 19 paved sites that have W/E 50 amp, we have had times when we arrived and couldn't get electric so we stayed in the water only section which is ok during the spring & fall. There is an area with about 40 beautiful paved sites with water only and then a very primitive area which is GREAT for pop-ups and tents. Best day to arrive is Monday through Wednesday. It is on first come basis. There are a lot of trees and at some sites I think you could only get satellite TV with a portable dish. All sites are very level!

Rate: $18.00 per night but if you have the National Park Access card it is $12.00 for the W/E sites. There are no other discounts.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon and AT&T both get strong signals out here on the phone and Air Cards for internet. Our roof top satellite had no problems on the site we were on. (Direct TV)

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: In the Osceola National Forest so it is pretty wooded with pine trees and local Florida vegetation (palmettos & oak trees). The terrain is very flat.

Lighting/Noise: You are in the middle of the forest so it is very dark and pretty well quiet at night. During the day you may hear the occasional boat on the lake.

Favorite Sites: Our favorite site is 15 which is right on the water. There is one big pine tree on it which offers a little shade. On our site we were able to get Satellite with our roof Dish (Direct TV).

Hiking/Walking: The Florida National Scenic Trail that adjoins the park and several other trails for exploring... It is also near the Florida Bird watching Trail. The road into the park is about 2 miles long, paved and safe to walk or bike ride on.

Comments: This is a GREAT park especially if you like peace & quiet. We have visited here many times and had a wonderful stay.

Things to See & Do: Olustee Battlefield State Park (site of the largest Civil War battle in Florida). During the month of February they have a reenactment that goes on for about 3 days. This is a fun event to attend with reenactments, Parades, Entertainment and crafts. Also there is the Olustee Train Depot built in 1888 which is also a visitors center.

Rating: (7) We rate it as very good. It would be excellent if it had sewer.

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Orlando ~ Thousand Trails

Description: This park has 850 full hook-ups Campsites: 50 amps are available scattered around the park and there is a section that is all 50 amp plus another section with 50 amp but you'll pay $3 a day to stay in that area. There is a small wooded area with a lot of shade, more like a state park, with maybe about 100 sites. The main part of the park dose not have much shade. There is a small lake with a boat/kayak launch. Roads are all paved. There is a family pool & all adult pool. Both Pool's have had a super make over and are very nice. Club house and ballroom are super with many activities planned for the campers especially over a holiday weekend. Amenities include:
Adult Center, Boat Launch, Canoes,Family Center, Game Room, Horseshoe Pits, Laundry Facilities, Mini-Golf, Nature Trail, Ping-Pong, Playground, RV Storage, Rowboats, Shuffleboard, Spa, Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Trading Post, Video Games, Wading Pool, Wi-Fi Access for a fee

Date of Stay: May 3rd, 2011 ~ We stayed for 2 weeks

Weather During Stay: Pretty warm and only a few rain storms

Site Description: Sites are FHU 30amp with 50 amp service throughout the park. Some sites are uneven.

Favorite Sites: We stayed in section F and paid the $3 per night extra. We had a back in full hook up site with 50 amp electric. There were a lot of sand spurs and stickers in the grass.

Rate: Rate is $0 for TT members. I understand you can now stay there for about $35 per night or call and take a tour and you can stay for 3 nights FREE!

Phone/TV: Verizon air card and cell had most of their bars. ATT&T phone had 3-4 bars. Very quiet for this large a park. We had good reception with our roof satellite (Direct TV)

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Very flat like most of Florida with some trees. There is an area that is very wooded if tht is what you want.

Lighting/Noise: The park is relatively quiet and somewhat dark.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: There are miles of roads around the park to walk and ride bikes on.

Comments: Just like the majority of Thousand Trail Parks this park could use a lot of updating. They need a lot of work at the sites and there are ants... you need to spray. Also a lot of sandspurs so it is hard to walk the dog with out them getting stickers in their little paws. The best things in this park are the pool and clubhouse.

Things to See & Do: Disney World, Universal, Sea World and Orlando

Rating: (7) We belong to Thousand Trails... would I reccomend it to you... Not really but to each their own right! Some people really love their memberships.

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Lazy Days RV Park ~ Seffner, Florida

Description: This is a large RV park with about 300 sites, at a very large dealership. At the dealership to shop or just look at 100's of new and used RV's. They are all left open for your casual inspection with no pressure. There are all types of free seminars each day at the dealership. When we were here, the RV park was pretty empty, but it is best to have reservations in the winter season. All staff was very friendly. This is a great place to shop for an RV or just dream.

Date of Stay: May 1st, 2011 (2 nights)

Weather During Stay: Very nice... warm days and nice nights

Site Description: There are 300 FHU sites with 30/50 amp electric. All sites are paved and pretty much level. The problem is a few of the sites are a little short if you have a 40' rig. Most sites you can get Satellite TV.

Favorite Sites: Even though we have stayed here several times we have no favorite sites. We do like to be close to the pool and clubhouse.

Rate: First time visitors get two free nights. Also, there was a coupon on line for two free nights. and usually at any RV show they attend, you can sign up for two free nights. Otherwise I think the going rate is $33.00 per night

Phone/TV: Verizon & AT&T both get great phone & Air Card reception. They have cable TV which is good for the local channels.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Level, small trees around sites

Lighting/Noise: The lighting is not to bad at night and the noise level isn't either however every once in a while you can hear the trucks at Flying J.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: Lots of nice paved roads to walk and bike both in the park and in the dealership

Comments: There are many amenities at this park including Free Breakfast and Lunch with RV Sites, Free High Speed Wireless Internet Access, Free Cable Television, Free Morning Newspaper Delivery, Dedicated Room with Free Wired Internet Access,Air-Conditioned Laundry Facility, Screened and Heated Pool with Jacuzzi, Tennis, Horseshoes and Pickleball, On-Site Flying J, Cracker Barrel and Camping World

Things to See & Do: You can visit Tampa and Historic Ybor City.

Rating: (8) This park has many amenities and the people are very nice both at the RV park and at the dealership. It is a bust place and has a lot to offer a RVer' without leaving the park.

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