SP Campground Rating – Alafia River State Park, Lithia, FL

Another very relaxing stop, with some mountain biking thrown in for fun!
Link to campground here: Alafia River State Park
Link to map here: Alafa River State Park

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   This is a very new park and the sites reflect that. They’re all long, paved flat sites with nice grass “sitting areas” and good separation between campers. All have picnic table, fire-pit, 50Amp and water. Selection of back-in and pull-though, plus sites for horse-camping in the Lonesome Lake loop.
2.  Facilities = 4.5/5
   The facilities are spacious, brand new and cleaned daily so they’re very nice. Their only ding is that they only built one shower per restroom (one men’s and one women’s) so if it’s occupied you’re out of luck to get clean. The surrounding area is a playground paradise with a picnic pavilion, grassy play area, lakes, over 20 miles of horse-trails, 17 miles of bike trails and hiking. There’s also on-site dump station and potable water.
3. Location = 3.5/5
   I have to give this campground bonus points for the huge mountain bike and hiking area that’s next to it, plus the lovely lakes. Lithia is not exactly a “destination” location so there’s not a lot to see in the surrounding town, but the park itself has plenty of activity to keep you busy.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Another great pet-friendly location. Lots of space in the campground, plus plenty of hiking in the surrounding area (trails can be accessed directly from end of Lonesome Lake view)

Overall Rating = 4.4
BONUS ALERT = Bike some of the raddest mountain bike trails in FL!

Summary: We chose this stop mainly to visit one of Paul’s old buddies and ended up really enjoying our stay. This is a very new campground located on 6,000 acres of natural land with over 20 miles of horse-trails, hiking, fishing, kayaking and some of Florida’s most challenging mountain bike terrain (as accredited by the International Mountain Biking Association). The camping sites are laid-out in an open grassy area and are large, flat, paved sites with 50Amp/water and nice separation between campers. Most have an open view of the grounds plus a select few (#27, 4, 5, 6) with lake views  There’s a lovely lake and playground area in the middle of the two camping loops. During the week this place clears out and you have an entire wilderness area to yourself. It tends to fill up with locals and horse-campers on the week-end. Lithia is not exactly a destination location, but I have to admit the mountain biking here (built on an old phosphate mine) is an unique draw. We spent a lovely week hanging out by the lake, biking on the trails and spotting wildlife (gator, wild boar and birds). A very cool place and we’d definitely come back to stay.

 Extra Info:  Verizon data worked flawlessly, AT&T cellphones worked barely. Sites are reservable, $22/night for 50Amp electric/water with selection of back-in and pull-through. On-site dump station.

View of our site (#21)

View down Alafia Lake loop showing pull-through site #18 on the left

One of sites with lake view (#4)

Another view of Alafia Lake loop (site #30 on left)

View of lake between the 2 camping loops

Playground area and facilities

SP Campground Review – Silver River State Park, Ocala, FL

A relaxing stop along the Silver River in North-Central Florida
Link to campground here: Silver River State Park
Link to map here: Silver River State Park

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   This is a newer park and the sites are lovely. Very large (huge in fact), perfectly flat, packed dirt pads with tons of separation between campers and a nice “sitting area” with picnic table, fire-pit and grill. All sites are surrounded by forest, have 30 Amp (a few with 50 Amp) and water. There’s a selection of back-in as well as huge pull-throughs.
2.  Facilities = 5/5
   Lovely, new facilities here. Bathrooms are huge with large showers, good water pressure and kept nicely clean. Laundry and dump station on-site too. The campground itself also has picnic areas, a museum, and rentable canoes.
3. Location = 2.5/5
   North-Central FL is not really a “destination” location, but given the area the campground is really nicely located. It’s close to the “city” (Ocala and Silver River), but feels very remote and natural. A good selection of hiking trails, biking and even kayaking/canoeing along the river.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Good place for pets. Plenty of space in the sites plus lovely hiking trails all around.

Overall Rating = 4.25
BONUS ALERT = Canoe along the pretty Silver River (and maybe spot a gator)!

Summary: This is one of the newer Florida State Parks and I consider it a bit of a hidden gem. The sites are huge (enormous), perfectly flat and with wonderful separation and all the roads are large, paved and with easy access even for the biggest rigs. The park is set alongside the very pretty Silver River which provides canoeing, hiking and biking (no swimming because of the gators however). It’s only a few miles to Ocala and the surrounding towns & shopping yet it feels very remote and peaceful. The only negative is that the area (North-Central FL) doesn’t have alot of attractions so it’s not exactly a destination locaton. The lack of people does, however, mean the campground is pretty empty most of the time. We spent a nice quiet few days here exploring the park, hiking the trails and visiting the on-site museum. A very nice stop and we’d definitely stay here again if we were driving by.

 Extra Info:  Verizon data and AT&T cellphones both worked here. Sites are reservable, $24/night for electric/water with selection of back-in and pull-through. On-site laundry and dump station.

View of our very spacious site (#22)

View along our loop showing roomy access & lovely site separation

View of pull-through site (#18)

View of facilities...these are nice and new

The very pretty Silver River

NF Campground Review – Lake Powhatan, Pisgah Forest (Asheville, NC)

Another wonderful National Forest campground only ~6 miles from Asheville, NC in the Smoky Mountains
Link to campground here: Lake Powhatan, Pisgah National Forest
Link to map here: Lake Powhatan, Bent Creek Recreation Area

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   Very nice forest sites here. They are all hard gravel back-ins with picnic table and fire-pit. There’s an assortment of sizes as well as some tent-only sites, but all are nicely level and beautifully shaded with very good separation between campers. Some sites are wider than others. There’s a selection of either water/sewer or electric (50 AMP) hook-ups.
2.  Facilities = 4/5
   Good selection of facilities. There’s flush toilets, showers, dump station and potable water. In addition there’s a swimming area, fishing pier and picnic sites all around the lake. Only slight ding is the showers have a push-timer (although it gives a decent time), plus they’re not quite as hot as we’d hoped.
3. Location = 5/5
   Another fabulous location. You’re only ~6 miles from downtown Asheville and yet you’re in the middle of a gorgeous and serene forest setting surrounded by miles of fabulous hiking and biking trails. You’re also right next to the Blue Ridge Parkway and within a 40-min drive of Smoky Mountain National Park.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Awesome place for doggie. Lots of space to hang out, hike and even bike with your favorite furry friend. Lots of cold-mountain creeks and streams for pooch water-lovers too.

Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Gorgeous deep-forest mountain campground right next to Asheville, NC

Summary: Once again it seems we’ve hit the jackpot. This is a gorgeous, deep-forest campground with lovely flat and shaded sites just ~6 miles from downtown Asheville, NC and right next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sites offer a selection of either water/sewer or electric hook-up and there’s always a set of first-come-first-serve for those non-reservation folks like ourselves. The whole area is part of Pisgah National Forest and is a hiking and biking paradise with miles of different trails right on your doorstep interspersed beautifully with forest, the lake, streams and creeks. To top it all off Asheville and the surrounding area is super dog-friendly allowing dogs on all trails and in restaurants with outdoor spaces. So, you can have an expresso downtown in the morning, go for a bike-ride with pooch in the afternoon and relax by your campfire in serene forest in the evening. Another keeper-campsite for us, for sure!

 Extra Info:  No connectivity here, but we were able to get a slooow (just barely usable) internet w/ Verizon using our external amplifier and antenna. Selection of reservation and first-come-first-serve sites. Sewer/water or 50 AMP hook-ups. Sites are $23/night for sewer/water, $25/night for electric. Central dump and potable water. Fishing pier and swimming beach on Lake Powhatan.

Our site (#35) in Bent Creek Loop

Typical campsite view

View down Big John Loop

View down Bent Creek Loop showing one of smaller pull-through sites (#26)

Picnic table and fire-pit/grill

One of the many, gorgeous hiking trails

Bent Creek stream