RoadNotes

Lake Monroe Park
975 US Hwy 17-92
DeBary, FL 32713

Phone: 386-668-3825

Description: This county park is in central Florida about 20 miles north of Orlando. The park has RV and tent sites for under $30 per night. Amenities include boardwalks, boat ramps, picnic areas, nature trails, fishing docks, playground, restrooms, dump station, and a volleyball court.

Web Site: http://www.volusia.org/parks/LkMonroe.htm

Latitude: 28.8411 | Longitude: -81.3228

Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway is a Corps of Engineers project in southern Florida. Information about the project is available from the Project Office on the south side of Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, which is about 65 miles west of West Palm Beach. There are three campgrounds suitable for RVers: Ortona South has 51 sites with electric and water hookups; W.P. Franklin is open all year and has 30 sites with hookups; St. Lucie South is the smallest campground with only nine sites that have hookups. Camping fees range from $10 to $20 per night. Those with a Golden Age/Access Passport receive a 50 percent discount.

The Visitor Center at Florida's Natural Growers offers an educational exhibit of the history of the Florida Citrus Industry. In the center's theater, you can watch a video on the process of producing orange juice "from the tree to the glass."

Fort DeSoto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S
Tierra Verde FL 33715

Phone: 727-582-2267

Cost: $30 to $35 per night

Description: This county park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. The park features a 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store.

Latitude: 27.6347 | Longitude: -82.7178

Web Site: www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

Manatee Hammock Campground
7275 South US Hwy 1
Bellwood, FL 32780

Phone: 321-264-5083

Cost: Unknown

Description: Located on the shore of the Indian River just south of Titusville in Bellwood, this 26.45 acre urban district park features camping and other recreational opportunities. A total of 177 camping sites, including 147 full hookup RV sites, are available by reservation at 321-264-5083; or call 321-264-5105 for information.

Web Site: http://www.nbbd.com/godo/prec/ManateeCamp/

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
3401 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835

Phone: 407-299-5581 or 407-299-5594

Description: 300-acre park open year-round. The park is about four miles northwest of I-4 Exit 78 via Conroy Windermere Rd and S Hawassee Rd.

Web Site: http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/net/t_ParkRec.aspx?Park=336&Parktype=Park

Katherine Abbey Hanna
500 Wonderwood Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32233

Phone: 904-249-4700

Description: The park is owned by the city of Jacksonville. It is sandy and has lots of trees. It has 1 1/2 of beach along the Atlantic Ocean and is about 450 acres. There is good spacing between each site and with the trees you feel a lot more private. There are hiking and biking trails.

Comments: Reservations are recommended since they get really busy during the summer months. The campground is located close to Mayport Naval Station. About 3 miles from the campground is a casino boat. They don't have cable TV but you can use a dish and also get some locals stations off your antenna.

Web Site: http://apps2.coj.net/parksinternet/parkdetails.asp?parkid=138

Saddle Creek Park
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: unknown

Description: This 750-acre county park in central Florida is 5 miles east of Lakeland via US 92 or 7 miles south of I-4 Exit 38 via FL 33 and N Combee Rd.

Campground: Sites with electric and water hookups, $5 to $11 per night, 14-day stay limit, restrooms, dump station, picnic tables, playground, boat ramp.

Latitude: 28.0558 | Longitude: -81.8858