These days we are taking shorter RV trips and staying close to our home state of Georgia. It’s no wonder that this year our top three parks are either in Georgia or Florida. All three campgrounds are parks we have returned to numerous times during the years.
Number 3 – Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL
We’ve been returning to this park over and over since we first discovered it in 2009. This year we camped here twice. Spring flowers were blooming in late February and the Festival of Lights were the highlight of our December stay.
All of the sites are large with water and electric hookups, a fire ring and picnic table. The bells from the carillon tower can be heard all through the campground.
Located on the Suwannee River, the park has a museum honoring Stephen Foster, hiking and biking trails (currently closed for maintenance), a gift shop and craft village with local artisans. Just outside the park is the historic Spring House and the town of White Springs.
There’s more about our latest stay at Festival of Lights and the Suwannee River
Number 2 – Pine Lake RV Campground in Bishop, GA
Located less than 15 miles from Athens and the University of Georgia, this private park is well maintained with large sites, sparkling clean bath houses, full hookups, and fantastic staff.
Whether you stay here to attend a Georgia Bulldogs football game, to visit the University of Georgia or are just passing through, this quiet campground can’t be beat.
Read more about our latest stay at A favorite campground and Georgia Bulldogs Football
Number 1 – Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, FL
By far one of our favorite Florida state parks, we have returned to Silver Springs State Park a number of times since we first discovered it in 2009. The sites are all very large with fire rings, picnic tables, water and electric hookups. A few of the sites have been upgraded to full hookup. The bath houses are clean and each one has a washer and dryer.
Located close to the three campground loops are hiking and biking trails, an educational center, and observation decks on the Silver River. Just up the road at the Silver Springs Historic Entrance are the famous Glass Bottom Boat Tours, canoe and kayak launch and rental, more walking trails, a gift shop and snack bar.
Many birds and other wildlife can be seen in the park. Watch out for the monkeys!
There’s more about this year’s visit at Historic Silver Springs
Honorable Mention:
- Always a favorite, we camped this February at Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo, GA, Number 2 in our “Best Campgrounds of the Year – 2016“.
- River Vista Mountain Village, Dillard, GA – This large, well maintained private park in the north eastern Georgia mountains is a great location to use as a home base to explore the area. There’s more about our latest stay at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Wandering Dawgs 
Looks like you have some beautiful campgrounds not too far from home. Sometimes it’s nice doing those shorter trips. Do you have any big adventures planned for 2019? Wishing you a very happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year! We have one RV adventure coming up and a bucket list adventure that will require a plane trip across the Atlantic. More on that later. How about you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our summer is still up in the air. I do have a reservation for the summer back in Prescott, but I really don’t want to sit in one place again … depends on my health though. Right now, I’m finally starting to feel good and even back to hiking. A sixty year old just doesn’t bounce back from mono like a teen does… sigh. Al still wants to know who I was kissing 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you are feeling better! I’m sure you will enjoy wherever you decide to spend the summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome recommendations!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re heading east next year and I am just starting to plan our route, so these recommendations will be helpful. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a safe and fun trip east! Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My dad’s house isn’t far from Silver Springs, we love visiting there! When we head north we’ll have to try out some of your suggestions. Wishing you a wonderful and eventful 2019~!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Can’t wait to hear about your bucket list adventure across the Atlantic. I’m sure I have mentioned them before, but Topsail State Park and Grayton Beach State Park on Florida’s North West coast are amazing. The beaches have beautiful sugar white sand and the facilities are great. Happy New Year and happy traveling in 2019!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne! We really like the Florida Gulf Coast. We’ve been to Topsail but not Grayton Beach. We really enjoyed St. Joseph Peninsula SP. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice campgrounds! A nice big campsite is always welcome. I remember one time we camped outside of Portland, ME. I opened the door and bumped the picnic table which was sitting up against the next unit. 😦 Never again. Glad you found such great places to get your outdoor fix. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Judy! We’ve been in campsites where we were packed in like sardines. Not our favorite way to camp!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great info! We stayed at Pine Lake last year and thought it was a great place, too! Will have to check out the Silver Springs one – visited that area as a kid!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! The glass bottom boats at Silver Springs have been there since the sixties. Some of the boat captains have, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person