Pennekamp State Park Campground Tour & Fun Stuff, Florida Keys (RV Living Full Time)

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

$38 a night! Check out our other Keys videos: Bahia Honda FL State Park kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp61fGCIr9l5naM Curry Hammock FL State Park kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpnRqY2IaK11qNU AND Fun Things to do in the Keys kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2LXgWewpZ2ajbs

[@pamconley2847]

Absolutely love seeing the site numbers during the campsite tours! Your reviews are great!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks, I’m glad to see people like the numbers, I was always frustrated watching other campground tours, I couldn’t see the numbers. Larry

[@Ubergirlie]

We’re headed here, & y’all’s video is very helpful. Thank you for producing such good content. My husband finds your DIY/reviews & campground tours to be very informative. I enjoy your laid back but professional style.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thank you so much. We really appreciate the feedback. And we hope you enjoy your stay. It’s a great location close to so much fun Alice

[@rvdogfl]

Great video of the park. Getting 2 weeks without booking 11 months a head of time is like winning the lotto. I have been going to Pennekamp for years and love it.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Yes. We couldn’t believe it. Just keep watching for those cancellations. We hope to winter in the keys next year, too. Safe travels, Alice

[@vivian6425]

This is a great video!!!! SPECTACULAR!!!!!!! The pictures are just beautiful! Wow!!!!!!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Vivian, it’s a beautiful area, especially in the winter. Thanks for your enthusiasm 🤗, Alice

[@roxanarenner1778]

You guys do the best campground reviews. We finally were able to book a week here and can't wait!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Roxanne, That’s awesome. So much to see close by. Watch out for iguanas 🦎 😆 Alice

[@BrokenDreamsReborn]

We hope to stay at John Pennekamp State Park someday! We enjoyed your campground tour! Thanks for sharing! ~ Shion and Matthew

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks guys. It’s a beautiful campground. We hope you guys get a chance to enjoy the area, Alice

[@BikesBoatsBivouacs]

Awesome job on the video. I enjoy Larry's campsite tours! Great music choices.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks. We really struggle picking the music. We are glad it was a good choice. Campground tours don’t get a lot of views, but people find them helpful over time so we will continue to do them, Alice

[@moore_2_explore]

What an awesome park!! So happy for y'all that you were able to get in and enjoy it! I've been so impressed with Larry's film making mad skills, and now kite-boarding! You the man Larry! Great job guys!~Dave and Lorrie

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Larry is definitely multi talented 😂. He’s been kiting for years. Thanks guys, Alice

[@CarolinaCampervan]

We are heading to the keys (john Pennekamp and Curry Hammock) in April and your videos have been very helpful! Very well done and informative. I really appreciate the video of the sites as well as the bathrooms. Thank you!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Glad we could help. We also have a video about our favorite things to do in the keys. Have fun. Both are beautiful areas. Alice

[@4vinylsound]

I used to go there to John Pennekamp state park on school field trips when I was a kid back it back in the 80s did snorkeling off the boat so the Christ of the Abyss all that fun stuff

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We took trips to the keys too in the 80s. Then we took the kids years later. But this is our first time here as RVers. We loved it, Alice

[@NewBeginningswithBudhiandCyndi]

This is an awesome review.........thank you for sharing!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Glad you enjoyed it. The Keys in winter is amazing. Alice

[@martinshatto8795]

Thank you for your reviews. I love the site drive by of each campsite. I have finally got reservations in the Keys! So excited!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Martin, that’s awesome. We know how you feel. Last winter, we could only get Pennekamp, but we were so excited. Enjoy, Alice

[@305donkryder8]

You guys are great and very informative 👍🏻

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks - we try to show what we would like to see in a campground video

[@kirbyL3]

Always remember talking to you about your trips kite surfing. Great video. Stay safe

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I enjoy kitesurfing so much, i decided to put a segment in this video, most of our audience is older but i learned the average age of a kitesurfer is 50. Who else had the time and the money to kitesurf. Larry

[@davidheflin5847]

Nice review! Beautiful Park!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

David, we appreciate that. It is a beautiful park. If you can get a reservation, $38 a night is amazing in the keys, Alice

[@bethb5076]

Great video! I really enjoy watching y’all. The content was a great mix of informative and entertaining. It looks like a great place to unwind. Thanks for a great video!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Beth, we are glad you liked it. We always struggle with how much of each to put in. It’s a beautiful location. Alice

[@daveslooking9780]

Great campground reviews of the state parks in the keys! We just found your channel. We are going to have to watch more!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks. We do have a lot of campground tours in Florida. Larry recently quit his job so that will open up more places to film. I think we are the only channel that films every site and numbers it clearly. 😅 Thanks for letting us know you appreciate it, Alice

[@lisamcgrath3132]

Beautiful campground, haven’t been to the Keys but it’s sure on our Bucket list!! Thanks guys for having the best campground reviews!!👍🏼🤗

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Lisa, thank you. Larry likes to do the site to site. I like to do the fun stuff. Hope you make it to the keys one day. Maybe we will see you there, Alice

[@sakurarelaxation9509]

This is Amazing！ Thanks for sharing my friend！！

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We loved our time there. Thanks for coming by, Alice

[@sherriweber7105]

Wow what a nice tour of thus park. A lot of things to do. I like that in a park. It looks Beth nice and has full hook ups very nice. It’s nice it kayaking. Also I have never heard of that ski kiting you called it Larry but I’m not sure it is where you ski and there’s a kite that takes you up I think not sure. I wound y do it but I’d watch. Thank you so much for this video. Looking forward to seeing your next video. See you next Sunday. Have a great great week. You have beautiful weather there.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Sherri, it’s a beautiful location in winter. You are right. So much to do. We wish we could have stayed longer. Kite surfing is like surfing but a special kite pulls you along. It’s pretty cool. Thanks again for another visit. See you next time, Alice

[@sherriweber7105]

@@DownsizingMakesCents ya that does look like fun. To fly a kite from the water. I have never seen that before til now. Thank you fir filing me in on it. It’s good to know. See you Sunday.

[@AFKDays]

Great video! That is a nice park. Thanks for sharing!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Glad you like it. One of the three keys state parks for RVs. Lots to do, Alice

[@SmallSpaceLiving]

Great video. I really enjoyed the tour. Looks like a great park and time. Plenty to do and see. Nice photoshop on the kite boarding. It really looked like it was you on there. Glad y'all are enjoying the keys. Nice share and pretty place.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks William, my photoshop skills are getting better, haha. Lar

[@CampTravelExplore]

Great in depth look at this park! We want to get there sometime in 2021. You have about convinced me to try Kite boarding now, i'm ready for that lesson lol. The Kayaking looks wonderful! Great work friends!!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks. We are still working on a good campground tour formula. You know what I mean. You have such a great style. The keys is the perfect place for Larry to teach you kiting. Kayaking was fun but their map was ridiculous 😂. Still fun. Thanks for coming by. Means a lot coming from you 🤗 Alice

[@CampTravelExplore]

@@DownsizingMakesCents you all are doing great! How long are you going to be in Florida?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

@@CampTravelExplore Until April 22 as it stands.

[@saltysteveandmisfitmichele]

Love the campsite tours, hopefully we will be able to get reservations f9r next year.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Stephen, they are tough reservations to get. We hope you can. It’s beautiful. Thanks for the positive feedback, Alice.

[@eagle1hd]

Thank you for this video. I was able to find our sites and see the campground for next year. What a crazy bonkers system to reserve sites though. The sites went so fast it was mind boggling. I didn't get my first second or even third choice of sites. Hell I even tried gaming the system by reserving days before our arrival to then cancel the first days but still couldn't get the sites I wanted lol.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Pennekamp, Bahia, Honda and Curry hammock are three of the hardest campgrounds to get into in Florida, everybody wants to go camping in the keys. I am hoping in Florida changes their system in January. We won’t have to compete with bots to get reservations. Larry

[@rickgriffith1]

Great information! Thank you. 😎

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Rick, glad we could help. It’s a beautiful campground and area, Alice

[@WeekendWandering]

Very nice and thorough video! Also spotted an Intech trailer! Looked like maybe a Terra? Or possibly a Sol! I'd love to get to the keys someday!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks. The keys are great in the winter. Book 11 months in advance and check for cancellations

[@DriveNorth]

We just spent a week visiting St. Augustine. Took a peek at Anastasia. Looks like FL does a great job with their state parks. Nice video!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

They have some amazing state parks. That’s why try to stay at them. But they are getting harder and harder to book. But it’s worth it. Alice

[@TheDryCampers]

What a great tour!! So jealous, next vacation time we’ll have to plan for The Keys. Maybe 2023? 😂😂 Looks like so much fun! Go Larry on the kitesurfing, very cool! Lots of Airstreams were there when you were and I think I may have even spotted N&M’s rig. So happy they found Scrappy! Wow! 💕 Great tour and it definitely makes me want to go!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Leanna, it was a great campground. We didn’t have time to do it all. You definitely need to hit the keys at some point. Larry used to kite all over. He’s so happy he had two days! We try to get pics of airstreams if we can. They are very photogenic. And yes. Spot 18 was them. Scary to think I thought I locked the door but I didn’t. The wind blew it open 😬. Thanks for watching. I hope you get a chance to go someday, Alice

[@crossingborders1012]

Great video of the park, we had a trip planned to Florida in 2020, but got canceled 😞, but plans are in motion for 2022 and the Keys will be part of it. On a funny note I think Larry got the finger from site 16😂😂 on the park tour and I also think Less Junk More Journey was on site 18 .

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We had months of reservations canceled last year, too. I hope you get to the keys. We live wintering there. I don’t know about the finger. Someone else asked that. Yes, Less Junk was there while we were there Alice

[@LivingtheSilverLife]

Hey guys. We haven’t been to the Keys. We were suppose to go during the lockdown and everything got canceled. Love the aquarium, kayaking and parasailing. We kayak all the time, but neither one of us have ever been kite sailing. Looked fun. The campground looked amazing too.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Sorry you missed out on the keys. We had months of reservations canceled then too. It’s a beautiful campground with so much to do. I loved kayaking. Larry loved kite surfing. Such a great location. Maybe you can go next year, Alice

[@dohmw]

That was us in site #10. Were you in 9? Sorry we missed you guys. Keep up the good work Nancy and I enjoy your videos.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

William, next time you see a crazy guy on a bike with his phone on a poll filming, follow him. When he’s finished, say hi 😂. We had three different sites. First res site 2. Second res site 40 ❤️ Third res site 19. Great campground. Maybe we will see you next time, Alice

[@FrenchEros]

Good morning guys. Great video tour. It includes “almost” everything I need to know. I say almost because I’m missing one piece of information... just one... If I may ask kindly, in your future tour videos, would you mind specify if 45’ class A motorhome could “camp” there, is there room for us? Including enough clearance from the entrance to the site for such a motorhome. If all possible, I thank you ahead of time. Please continue your great work. Love your channel!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Miyvna, we appreciate all the positive feedback. We changed the angle of the tour so you can see the sites better. As far as site size, the only place to find that is Reserve America. We do know there was a 40’ fifth wheel in site 18. And we had a neighbor with a big class A. Hope that helps, Alice

[@FrenchEros]

@@DownsizingMakesCents Thank you very much.

[@bryanwood84]

Another Park I want to go to!! Alice, how do I get one of the Park Passports? Thanks again another one for the bucket list!!!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Yes! This is definitely worth going to. The Florida Passport book is getting an update. Supposedly they will have new ones online. But every campground should have the stamps. You could just get the stamps on label paper and cut out the circles later. I bought mine at Silver Springs State Park - another must see campground and park 🤗

[@jimfrazer5428]

Awesome. Great tour. On our list. Thank you. How far in advance do you need to book?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Jim, thanks. Booking is the real puzzle. Some people book 11 months in advance. But then many cancel just weeks or days before the reservation. You need to keep checking. Obviously, winter time is the hardest to get in Alice

[@HoneyandMe]

Looks like a lovely spot! I've only been to Florida once (Disneyworld), but it definitely looks like a place I should return to!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Oh yes. We prefer the real Florida. Wintering in the Keys is the best Alice

[@robertburns5145]

Looks amazing! Look at Larry kite board🤙

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Robert, Larry finally feels good enough to kite, two days in a row! It’s a beautiful campground, Alice

[@petegregory517]

Tell us about the neighbors sewer drain about 5 feet from your in place grill. Yep, been there as a chew toy for no-see-ums. I live in FL, camp extensively in FL and have never experienced them to this degree. We wondered why one lady had on knee high rubber boots...found out why quickly.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Barry, yes. The no-see-ums were crazy. We did see them last winter at Curry Hammock, but only on the beach at night. We definitely want to get a tent to stop them. We still loved it there though. Love love Florida state parks, Alice

[@dboggs7744]

We loved Pennycamp. We were there in January for 9 days thanks to someone cancelling.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

That’s what you wind up needing - cancellations- since people can book 11 months in advance, Alice

[@embertaylors2424]

Loved the video! Just subscribed. Just finished our second year with our travel trailer. We are planning on doing a winter trip in 2022/2023 (doing Fort Wilderness this coming January). We have school age kids and are looking for winter break site on the gulf coast or Keys. Is the time to book 11months out? Do you have any state parks you recommend for families looking for gentle beaches?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Ember, thank you so much. We really appreciate that 🤗 Florida does allow you to book 11 months out. But so many people do that, it’s hard to get reservations. We tend to rely on cancellations. In the keys, there are only 3 state park campgrounds for RVs. The west cost we don’t know as well. As for gentle beaches? It depends on the weather. We loved Fort Clinch, Anastasia and of course Pennekamp and Curry Hammock. We are going to Dickson this winter - haven’t been since I was a kid. I have heard Top Sail is great, too. Have you considered camping in the Everglades National Park? The South side is very close to Pennekamp. Have you been to state parks with springs? Kids love swimming and tubing in crystal clear water. Sorry I couldn’t help more. I hope you have a great winter trip. Alice

[@OnTheMewve]

We are looking at possibly going to the Keys in summer 2023...we are planners and usually start planning our trip a year out...and we know that it's hard to get in the Florida state parks. When we make a decision about where we're going for next summer, we will be jumping on their reservation website a year out and get a spot. We have a 40 ft fifth wheel. Do you have any particular site that you know of here that would be best? Favorite? Suggestion? Or are they all about the same? Thanks so much! Great video! ~Kelli and Wilson

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

You can book 11 months in advance. But still it’s hard to get a spot. You may not be able to choose. Many of the spots are similar. But one side (on the right as you enter the campground) has water behind it and some complained of bugs. The other side (we had the ADA one next to the bathhouse) you can hear the neighborhood behind us. I just know site 2 or 3 was way too tight. I suggest look at each site in the video and pick maybe 5. Hopefully one of the 5 you like will show up. Also, we camped at Midway in Big Cypress- not too far a drive from Key Largo. Look into that one too. Good luck. And thanks 🤗

[@winginitwithjohn8451]

What happened to that solar video you were working on? You're staying plugged into shore power a lot?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

There are not that many places to boondocks or dry camp in Florida, but we did dry camp in the Everglades for 10 day and depended on solar during that stay. I am going to do a solar overview video first before i tackle the install video, there is so much footage to go through it is overwhelming. I also wanted to use the system for a while before i could really give a good review about its benefits and costs.. It’s coming, Larry

[@doughasson2073]

How were you able to get into that park? How far in advance reservation. Lucky you guys. Thanks Alice and Larry.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Doug, it is hard to get reservations. especially since many people book 11 months in advance. but because of that, many people also cancel when it close to their reservation date. just keep checking. We were pretty lucky, Alice

[@doughasson2073]

@@DownsizingMakesCents Thanks Alice

[@darisanshanger1616]

We have allot of kiteboarding out here on Oahu. Well Wow!! This park is Just Amazing!! How in the heck did you get reservations and how long do they let you stay? Did they sell stickers??

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Darisan, Larry lived on Maui for awhile. I bet there is great kiting there. To get reservations, keep waiting for cancellations. Oh yes. I get less stickers and get magnets 😅 Alice

[@darisanshanger1616]

@@DownsizingMakesCents ah Yes!! The magnets 🧲 :-) of corse!

[@sherrygiordano6478]

Omgosh! Thanks for a great tour ! I’m booked there for 7 days the first week of September! I have site #29 . Looks kinda tight ! I have a 27 ft travel trailer, is there enough room to back in ? I’m only asking cause I’m fairly new at it ! Thank you 😊

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Sherry, they do have some tight sites. We fit in #2 with our 35’ but it was cramped. Look on reserve America for the site size. Always check for low hanging branches. Just take your time. Look at the site before you pull in. Enjoy, Alice

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

Good campsite tour; love the giant lobster even though i cant stand lobster. Some diver should go clean up the Christ underwater marine statue. I told my hubby I wanted to b buried there at His feet. hmmm

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Lauren, Big Betsy the lobster is pretty famous. Same with Christ of the Abyss. Larry want to be buried at sea, Alice

[@carolynknisely2383]

Do they have bathrooms and showers?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Carolyn, we have chapters in the description. Bathrooms are part of amenities. Look around 13 minutes or so. Alice

[@carolynknisely2383]

@@DownsizingMakesCents thank you!!

[@Class_C_Explorers]

Enjoying your videos. We've done pretty well this year getting into nice Florida State Parks, but I think you both are "Reservation Gurus" compared to most RVers.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I wish we were 😂. If we were, we would have been at Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda too. But thanks for thinking so. Just look for those cancellations closer to the date you want, Alice

[@scottsheffield8232]

HEY.DID THAT GUY WITH THE BLACK TRUCK .GIVE YOU THE FINGER..?? IT SURE LOOKED LUKE IT ..

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Scott, you are the second one to ask that 😂 I hope not. Alice

[@scottsheffield8232]

@@DownsizingMakesCents Me too.lol. HAPPY TRAILS. 💝

[@billcummins9579]

It sure looked to me like he did !!! what a jerk

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

@@billcummins9579 You just never know with some people.

[@AwesomeEvan9]

surprise at 10:56

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I looked at 10:56 is that you? Larry

[@grayman618]

The campsites look awfully small and I'm guessing you could hear your neighbors snoring. Otherwise looks like a nice place to visit.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Unfortunately, many are tight. The sites in the 40s were better. It’s a small campground. The worst was the neighborhood behind us actually. But it’s still beautiful and a great location. And $38 a night is a lot better than private campgrounds that cost $80 and up Alice

[@normaalvarez2305]

Teléfono para reservación

[@normaalvarez2305]

Teléfono

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

@@normaalvarez2305 in description

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

@@normaalvarez2305 in description

[@lifeisgood141]

I assume all FL state parks in and near the Keys are booked during the winter time Nov-March. What is the camping fee at the State Park?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

You are right. Unfortunately, people book 11 months in advance. But they often cancel just weeks before the reservation. So you need to keep checking. Florida state parks vary in price. The keys is the more expensive. About $35-38 a night. Alice