South Florida parks are full as camping rebounds

At John Prince Park in Lake Worth, would-be campers are routinely turned away because there is no space.

At C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, you have to call a year in advance if you plan to stay over for an extended period in a recreational vehicle.

Camping in recreational vehicles is making a comeback from its peak in the ’70s, industry leaders say, with both retirees and millennials getting into the RV lifestyle. Approximately 500,000 vehicles were shipped to dealers nationwide in 2016, the most recent figures available.

“We are seeing record levels of sales everywhere, and the result is that more campgrounds are full,” said Kevin Broom, spokesman for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, based in Reston, Va. “This is the new heyday.”

In South Florida, there are about a dozen parks that offer RV and tent camping, and most are at or near capacity and have waiting lists. The revenues earned at those parks has been gradually rising since the end of the recession, according to officials who oversee the parks.

The allure of nature, ability to take along pets and $40 nightly costs at most parks big draws for many.

The visitors come mostly from Canada and northern U.S. states, but some come from Europe and rent the RVs. There are also locals who are seeking a quiet getaway that doesn’t require much travel or cash.

The parks offer a variety of amenities, with some providing a driving range, batting cages, tennis courts, playgrounds and water activities.

Terri and Jim vomSaal lived in Cooper City for 25 years before using their 43-foot Gulfstream Tourmaster to shuttle between Alabama, Arizona and Broward County.

They parked at C.B. Smith but are being forced to move soon.

“You just gotta make reservations a year in advance. We didn’t do that, so we have to go to another park and then come back when a space opens up again. That’s what a lot of people do,” Jim vomSaal said.

“It beats Alabama; it’s still cold up there,” he added.

Broward’s five camping parks took in $2.5 million in 2016 and $2.6 million last year. The parks that offer camping are C.B. Smith, Easterlin in Oakland Park, Markham in Sunrise, Quiet Waters in Deerfield Beach and T.Y. in Hollywood.

“It’s a steady climb,” said Cyndy Baker, spokeswoman for Broward County’s parks.

Miami-Dade County is experiencing the same boost in its three parks that offer camping: Greynolds in North Miami Beach, Camp Owaissa Bauer in Miami, and Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial in Miami, took in $1.2 million in 2016 and $1.4 million in 2017.

“Since the economic decline of 2007, we have recently seen a steady increase and demand for both offseason and high season request for sites every year,” said parks spokeswoman Victoria Galan.

Palm Beach County’s three camping parks held steady at $1.7 million in 2016 and 2017. The parks are John Prince in Lake Worth, Peanut Island Campground in Riviera Beach and South Bay RV Campground in South Bay.

Some visitors to J.P. Prince and South Bay in Palm Beach County stay up to five months.

J.P. Prince Park offers 300 recreational vehicle spots, most taken from December through March.

February is typically the busiest month at South Bay, when the park fills to capacity and people are turned away.