14th Annual South Florida Gathering 2025 (December 2025)

[JckDanls 07]

Have we exhausted other locations?

Well... Pretty much any of the other State Parks don't offer what we're searching for... I've not done any searches yet for regular campgrounds

I agree with ya about time off from a new job (Congratulations)... We'll make the 2nd wknd our 1st choice...

 

[fxsales1959]

standing by for instructions

 

[dougmays]

Hey all! I called HH again last Friday. The ranger said they are re-doing electrical, plumbing and removing/adding sites. So sounds like a whole camp site revamp. He did seem optimistic about opening by the later part of the year but he told me "to call back in the summer" to confirm. Obviously, this still gives us a narrow time to book, if we decide to wait for HH to open.

Sounds like FEC is also a no-go based on conversations in this thread? I cannot go another year without our gathering haha

 

[JckDanls 07]

There is a campground named Hardee Lakes County Park that would work... The only problem is is that it has dirt roads and it can get dusty from the traffic... We like it because it has miles of trails in the woods for golf carts... Also has 4 lakes/ponds for fishing...

Mosaic mined it and left the 4 lakes there... They gave the property to Hardee County and they turned it into a park... Story has it that the dust could be contaminated with minor radiation... I would think that it can't be bad or they wouldn't be open to the public... Stories can be found about it through the googler...

 

[Fueling Around]

There is a campground named Hardee Lakes County Park that would work... The only problem is is that it has dirt roads and it can get dusty from the traffic... We like it because it has miles of trails in the woods for golf carts... Also has 4 lakes/ponds for fishing...

Mosaic mined it and left the 4 lakes there... They gave the property to Hardee County and they turned it into a park... Story has it that the dust could be contaminated with minor radiation... I would think that it can't be bad or they wouldn't be open to the public... Stories can be found about it through the googler...

Looked up Hardee Lakes. The camp map appears promising. Camping rates are decent. Which sites do you recommend? Can we put Doug in as a companion tent site?

I wouldn't be concerned with radiation in Florida. About the time we started our winter holidays, I looked into getting in on Radon testing in Minnesota and thought it would be an easy and profitable Florida winter job.
There is NO radiation zones in Florida.
The only thing I would get worried about in a former mine site is silica dust and that is for people with COPD or otherwise lung compromised. But 90% of Florida is silica so WTH

I did some searching on private campgrounds and what I found would not tolerate a gathering.

Did find Lake Kissimmee SP on the camping list and the satellite view was mixed message.
I won't be able to visit until next week.

 

[carol506]

JckDanls 07 let me know about Alafia if you're gonna check into it. I was gonna call and ask about a gathering set up there.

Camped at Alafia several years ago and was not happy. Unless a lot of changes more geared to bikers and all sites available then we’re close together but absolutely no shade

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Be going to see my bro in Fl next month and would to get him on board with this! Sounds like still working it out?

 

[texomakid]

NASCAR has several races in Florida during the year. I bet they would welcome your group with open arms.

 

[JckDanls 07]

NASCAR has several races in Florida during the year. I bet they would welcome your group with open arms.

Cost WAYYYYY to much... Plus the season is over by Dec.

Plus... If I'm not mistaken... To camp at Homestead you had to have race tickets if I remember right...

 

[JckDanls 07]

Be going to see my bro in Fl next month and would to get him on board with this! Sounds like still working it out?

Yes.. still in the planning stages...

 

[Fueling Around]

...
Did find Lake Kissimmee SP on the camping list and the satellite view was mixed message.
I won't be able to visit until next week.

Planning to go to Lake Kissimmee tomorrow. Discovered LKSP is also closing this summer (starting in May) for major campground renovations. I can at least go check it out and see if they have a guestimate on re opening.

 

[Fueling Around]

Planning to go to Lake Kissimmee tomorrow. Discovered LKSP is also closing this summer (starting in May) for major campground renovations. I can at least go check it out and see if they have a guestimate on re opening.

Lake Kissimmee Louisa is definitely out.
Rangers were told the campground won't re-open until August of 2026
Plus it is way off the beaten path and the campsites are all well treed.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Camp Mack is just down past LKSP... It's a little pricey though... been to both of them a few times...

 

[Fueling Around]

The state planning to update campgrounds has screwed us.
Any thoughts on taking the third weekend of December at Fish Eating Creek?

 

[dougmays]

Hey all! Sorry, i didnt see so much messaging on the thread but good to see!

Spoke to Keith last week on the phone...i'm thinking Hardee sounds like the place to go if everyone is on board with that. I dont mind a little dust and Keith said this campground doesnt book as quickly as others.

Then we can re-evaluate HH SP next year.

Everyone good with Hardee Lakes?

 

[Fueling Around]

Fine with wife and me Doug.
I did a quick check on the reservations and most of campsites near the bath house are open and at $25 a night is actually a better price than FSP seniors and way better for you youngsters.
You've stayed there Keith JckDanls 07 and the campsites appear pretty open for a gathering. Any suggestions?

 

[JckDanls 07]

Yes Fueling Around ... Sites 10-15 and 26-30 are going to be our best bet... There is plenty of room in the trees to set up gathering tents without having to get a specific site for one... I seen a family do the same thing for Thanksgiving... They say they do it ever year...

Here's the map of the place...

 

[Fueling Around]

Thanks Keith.
Is this our spot for this year?

 

[JckDanls 07]

Is this our spot for this year?

We're leaning towards it... We're kinda waiting a little bit to see what Highlands Hammock is going to do...

 

[fxsales1959]

3.5 hours drive. might have to evaluate