Escapees July-August 2024

day’s end

Free and Low-Cost Parking Finds Compiled by GUYGIPSON #84383 • Download the entire online directory at www.daysenddirectory.com. The Day’s End Directory is a valuable tool to help you save money and fi nd safe overnight parking recommendations from fellow Escapees RVing members.

Florida LANDO ` LAKES : Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Serenova Tract (SW FL Water Mgmt District). Equestrian sites, useable for RVs, horse not required. Tables, fi re rings. Nonpotable Wand portajohn. Free reservation must be requested in advance by mail or website, swfwmd.state. fl .us/user/login?destination=node/add/reservation. Corner of Hays Rd and Hwy 52E. 14900 SR 52. N28 19.7639 W82 34.1484. swfwmd.state. fl .us/recreation/sites. Joyce Findlay #112256 LITHIA : Lithia Springs Conservation Park. 43-sites, 30-A E/W (15 also have 50-A). Showers, D. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. I-75 x250, E on Gibsonton Dr which becomes Boyette Rd which becomes Fishhawk Blvd; total of 9.5 to Lith ia-Pinecrest Rd (CR 640). TL, go 1/3 mi to Lithia Springs Rd, TL (S), go 1.5 mi to park: 1/4 mi past second light (Sweetbay Grocery Store). Or, from jct. SR 60 and SR 39 S of Plant City continue S six miles to light at CR 3 9 and CR 640 (Lithia Pinecrest Rd) TR, go three mi to Lithia Springs Rd, follow above. Some low tree branches on way in. Gate locked in eve, late arrivals call ahead 813-744-5572. Good Verizon. Along Ala fi a River, great paddling. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/lithia-springs-park Joyce Findlay #112256 PLANTCITY : Edward Medard Conservation Park. 40-sites, tables, fi re rings, 30-A E/W (14 also have 50-A). Showers, D. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. From jct SR 60 and SR 39 S of Plant City turn W 3 mi to light at Turkey Creek Rd, turn S 1 mi to entrance on L. N27 55.404 W82 10.069. Gates locked after 6:30-7:00, ranger pro-vides combo. Late arrivals call ahead 813-757-3802. Fishing, heavy tree cover. Sites up to 60'. Paved interior roads, gravel sites. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/edward-medard-con servation-park John and Bonnie Archer #113438 RUSKIN : E G Simmons County Park. 103 sites, tables, fi re pits, 30-A E/W (62 also have 50-A). Showers, Ds. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. From I-75 x240, go W 3 mi on College Ave to US

41, then N two mi to 19th Ave NW, then W to park at end of rd. N27 44.382 W82 27.776. Gate locked in eve; late arrivals call ahead: 813-671-7655. Beach, playgrounds, lots of rds for biking and walking. Most back up to water. Any size rig, in two CGs. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/eg-simmons-conservation-park Mark and Vicki Shorter #129845 ZEPHYRHILLS : Upper Hillsborough Preserve, Alston Tract (SW FL Water Mgmt District). Equestrian sites, useable for RVs (horse not required). Tables, fi re rings/grills. Nonpo table W, portajohn. Free reservation must be requested in advance by mail or website, swfwmd.state. fl .us/user/ login?destination=node/add/reservation. From US 301 in town, go 3.2 mi S on SR 39/Buchman Hwy, TL (E) on County Line Rd, go one mi, TL (N) on Saunders Rd. go 0.2 mi, TR (E) on Deems Rd, go one mi, on R. 42144 Deems Rd. One mi of gravel rd to entrance, entrance had lg deep potholes, extremely muddy and wet after rain. Sometimes closed due to fl ooding, check website. Lg rigs OK. Wildlife. swfwmd.state. fl .us/recreation/sites Joyce Findlay #112256 Michigan BAYMILLS : (UP) Bay Mills Casino, RV park. E/W $20, E/W/S $29. W, laundry and D only for guests. No O/N RV pkg in regular pkg lot. Gus Bandemer #165493 BIRCHRUN : Meijers grocery and fuel sta. O/N BD. Free. Sign says no O/N pkg, but Meijer mgmt told me they allow RVs and trucks to O/N. I had no problems. I-75 x136, go 1 mi W. 9515 Birch Run Rd/Main St. Park behind fuel sta. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 CHARLOTTE : Eaton County FG. 100 sites. Various 20- 30-, and 50-A E, W spigots, rest rooms, hot showers. D ($5 non-campers). $20. Mid-Apr to mid-Oct. From an e-mail: Also look at our “Off Fair Events” calendar for events that may be taking over the entire grounds and additional fees or no campers are allowed. Please call the number listed on the web page for further details. Also 300 BD sites, price unknown. From Indiana, take I-69 N to x57, go three mi N. From Lansing, take I-69 x 60, go 0.35 mi W on Rt. 50 to Paine Dr, TL, go 0.3 mi to end of rd, TR into CG. Entrance E off S Cochran Ave along chain link fence. N42.54862 W84.82866. Some sites need

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine