Fl state park utility fee

[wnew813]

Get used to it

the RV trend can make money for your state TOO... utility fees hit only the users of the campgrounds

Yup survival of the fittest

 

[wnew813]

Where is "Florida National Park"?

Ocala National Park

 

[chriscowles]

We just booked 3 future camping trips in Florida. Florida National Park is $51.00 a night with $11.00 a day utility fee with sewer. One State Park has no fee and no sewer, and another has $7.00 a day utility fee and no sewer. Not sure where this is headed, but not liking the trend.

Which VA state parks? I camp multiple times each year at Douthat, Hungry Mother, and Claytor Lake, including a total of 5 reservations for this year, and I've never paid a utility fee. At Hungry Mother we get full hookups and the other two are electric and water.

Ocala

I'm puzzled. I'm a native living near Ocala and never heard of "Florida National Park".

There are 3 national parks and 1 national preserve in Florida. All are more than 250 miles S of Ocala. Are you using the term "National Park" loosely in reference to something else?

 

[wnew813]

I'm puzzled. I'm a native living near Ocala and never heard of "Florida National Park".

There are 3 national parks and 1 national preserve in Florida. All are more than 250 miles S of Ocala. Are you using the term "National Park" loosely in reference to something else?

OMG, It is Salt Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest

 

[dmayo13]

Florida fees

What the heck!! I just reserved a spot at Mike Ross state park and got a surprise in the check out process. They now have a Utility Fee of $7.00 per night. Being a Fl senior and getting 50% off is a great deal but the Utility fee almost negated the senior fee. I hate hidden fees (see my cell phone bill). Why not just add any increases to the camping fee instead of inventing fees? What next, pay toilets and a toll gate at the dump station?

I experienced the same thing recently. I think it is Florida’s way of keeping the seniors from getting their discount on the new, increased fees.

 

[Marcialafortune]

I have a 19 ft camper that uses 30 amp power. 12 volt refrigerator and all LED lights. I am camped next to a huge motor home with 50 amp power multiple air conditioners and many other electrical appliances. Perhaps the fees should reflect energy usage
It doesn’t seem fair we are both paying the same utility fee

 

[Tireman9]

What the heck!! I just reserved a spot at Mike Ross state park and got a surprise in the check out process. They now have a Utility Fee of $7.00 per night. Being a Fl senior and getting 50% off is a great deal but the Utility fee almost negated the senior fee. I hate hidden fees (see my cell phone bill). Why not just add any increases to the camping fee instead of inventing fees? What next, pay toilets and a toll gate at the dump station?

Not surprised with all the people using electricity to heat instead or propane.

 

[Tracyt]

As a Florida resident, it would be nice to be able to reserve a site in a Florida State park without the snowbirds taking advantage and gaming the system. Very hard for those of us that still work for a living to enjoy camping when you can’t get a reservation. I would prefer to see an “out of state” fee or more enforcement of the 14 day rule.

 

[todalake]

Wisconsin requires a sticker if staying in a state park. Non-resident cost is higher than resident cost. Also many counties have a motel tax. That way they can raise money without taxing locals. See that coming for camping. Future will be the consumer/user will pay more of the costs and less by the general fund/public. 'Me' generation says if I don't use it, why should I subsidize it?

 

[todalake]

Florida state parks are packed, especially during the winter months with snowbirds, which causes the utility fees to increase. With the influx of additional people using our state parks, it's become extremely hard for us Floridians to get camping sites. With a lot of rv's asking for 50 amp service, water usage and sewer it's no wonder that the utility fees are increased.
Add in the fact that since Covid hit, many people have moved into the state from other states to escape the snow and state mandates, and then retirement; all of these things are taxing our natural resources including water sources, electricity and waste disposal. None of these things are without cost.

I have been waiting for the increases to begin for some time now, so I'm not surprised that they did start the fees. Having said that, I'm very surprised at the AMOUNT they are charging. I do agree that they are excessive and can be cut back some, to say $3/per nite, which, in the overall scheme of things seems to be a reasonable fee. As a Florida native, while it's nice to be able to camp at 1/2 the going rate, this fee has affected our camping in the state as well: it's no longer a"1/2 rate" anymore.

I foresee this kind of thing going on nation-wide. COE fees are going up as well. Have you noticed? We have.

Yes, pass a state income tax law to pay it.

 

[jtsriding]

As a Florida resident, it would be nice to be able to reserve a site in a Florida State park without the snowbirds taking advantage and gaming the system. Very hard for those of us that still work for a living to enjoy camping when you can’t get a reservation. I would prefer to see an “out of state” fee or more enforcement of the 14 day rule.

Without "snowbirds" your state would be bankrupt. They bring billions into your state so you can't have it both ways. This message sent on behalf of all "snowbirds"

 

[chriscowles]

Without "snowbirds" your state would be bankrupt. They bring billions into your state so you can't have it both ways. This message sent on behalf of all "snowbirds"

Come on down! Somebody's gotta pay our taxes. God knows the residents aren't willing to do that.

 

[Tracyt]

Don’t misunderstand me, I have no issues with snowbirds-I make a decent living off of the true snowbirds. My issue is with following the rules the way they are intended. Yes, need snowbirds to keep a roof over my head. I think you understand that my frustration is with The way the State Park system is abused. Not with seasonal residents that have a seasonal space in an RV park or a house. ��

 

[Rich.M]

Cancel your Florida reservations and boycott, especially campgrounds on the water, keys or coast to protest. I need to find a site

 

[MPW-VA]

That's what I was thinking. And don't forget the homestead exception on real estate taxes that Florida residents enjoy. They don't pay tax on the first $25,000 of the value of their homes. When I lived in Florida 30 years ago homes weren't assessed at full market value so many people with reasonably nice homes paid no real estate tax at all.

Without "snowbirds" your state would be bankrupt. They bring billions into your state so you can't have it both ways. This message sent on behalf of all "snowbirds"

 

[jtsriding]

Come on down! Somebody's gotta pay our taxes. God knows the residents aren't willing to do that.

lol I came close...went to Galveston this year...maybe next year I do like what Disantes is doing.

 

[chriscowles]

lol I came close...went to Galveston this year...maybe next year I do like what Disantes is doing.

I grew up in St Pete with beautiful white beaches. I moved to Houston in early adult life and was turned off by the tarballs on Galveston beaches.

 

[PodGeek]

I can't imagine how much juice those giant Class A motorhomes use just for A/C down there in that festering swamp. I imagine the powers that be took a look at their electric bills and had a kitten. Or several.

 

[D W]

Virtually everything has increased in price over the past 12 months. Why would anyone expect camping fees to be exempt from inflation? Probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

 

[chriscowles]

Virtually everything has increased in price over the past 12 months. Why would anyone expect camping fees to be exempt from inflation? Probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

While the rate of rise will eventually go down, I doubt the fees will ever go back to what they were.