Myakka River State Park? (RV park, houses, neighborhood)

[Tymbee]

We have camping reservations at Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park for early/mid December. Obviously, the situation around there has been pretty dire and as it stands now it looks like Oscar Scherer will be open but Myakka is closed until at least Nov 20.

The Florida State Park site has little info beyond "Closed" and it's very understandable that they are taking things one day at a time. Only recently has the water in the River withdrawn sufficiently so allow workers to get in, access the damage and start to clean things up.

Of course in the big picture our reservations are not important but it's just that if Myakka does not open by 12/4, we have to scramble a bit to make alternate plans. Wondering if perhaps anyone around that area might have some info from local news/newspaper sites that might give us an idea of the status there?

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Tymbee

We have camping reservations at Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park for early/mid December. Obviously, the situation around there has been pretty dire and as it stands now it looks like Oscar Scherer will be open but Myakka is closed until at least Nov 20.

The Florida State Park site has little info beyond "Closed" and it's very understandable that they are taking things one day at a time. Only recently has the water in the River withdrawn sufficiently so allow workers to get in, access the damage and start to clean things up.

Of course in the big picture our reservations are not important but it's just that if Myakka does not open by 12/4, we have to scramble a bit to make alternate plans. Wondering if perhaps anyone around that area might have some info from local news/newspaper sites that might give us an idea of the status there?

This is probably your best bet for information. Cabin reservations have already been canceled through the end of 2023. All other reservations are cancelled through the end of November. But according to the page that does not mean the park will reopen in December. It doesn't sound good. You should probably make alternative plans.

Friends of Myakka River - Home _ Facebook

[Tymbee]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

This is probably your best bet for information. Cabin reservations have already been canceled through the end of 2023. All other reservations are cancelled through the end of November. But according to the page that does not mean the park will reopen in December. It doesn't sound good. You should probably make alternative plans.

Friends of Myakka River - Home _ Facebook

Yeah, that's pretty much all there is out there that I can find as well.

Problem is that it's all but impossible to find alternate public campsites anywhere in FL this time of year. In fact, if you don't have your finger on the trigger to "Reserve" a site ONE YEAR in advance, you're not going to be able to book any of the popular state parks in the winter months.

Not much to do I guess other than to wait and see and if the parks is closed, try to come up with a viable Plan B.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Tymbee

Yeah, that's pretty much all there is out there that I can find as well.

Problem is that it's all but impossible to find alternate public campsites anywhere in FL this time of year. In fact, if you don't have your finger on the trigger to "Reserve" a site ONE YEAR in advance, you're not going to be able to book any of the popular state parks in the winter months.

Not much to do I guess other than to wait and see and if the parks is closed, try to come up with a viable Plan B.

You could try calling the Florida Park Service reservations department and ask for an alternative campsite at another park. I'm not sure how well that will work, but if you are flexible on the location they might be able to find you something.

I know the National Parks are pretty good about that type of thing. They have overflow campsites that they put people into when the have to cancel a reservation. But I'm not sure if the Florida Park Service does that or not.

If none of that works, maybe they will give you a priority booking for next year.

[beach43ofus]

If Nicole dumps 4-5 inches more rain on Myakka Park, it will flood it again. It doesn't take much rain water to mess it up.

[PBToast]

hello! Our hobby is to hike all the parks. We go all over as my hubby does photography of nature. Many if not most are still closed from Ian, even local dog parks. You cannot imagine the amount of down trees. BIG trees. It is not cleared up around the houses yet. We just had our neighborhood done last week finally, over a month after Ian. I'm talking HUGE logs from down oaks piled all along yards and streets. It's only recently most side walks near me were clear enough for me to take a local walk. It's getting there but the parks are last and I am not sure the big tree trucks they brought in for the clean-up will even go to those. Those will probably be dragged out of campsites by the park.

Try to imagine piles almost as high as the houses lining streets. It's disappearing slowly. Many parks are still flooded near me and there is maybe one path you can get down, but no woods walking. Those trails are impassable. The county has not even found the man power to stand all the street signs up yet.

[Tymbee]

Originally Posted by PBToast

hello! Our hobby is to hike all the parks. We go all over as my hubby does photography of nature. Many if not most are still closed from Ian, even local dog parks. You cannot imagine the amount of down trees. BIG trees. It is not cleared up around the houses yet. We just had our neighborhood done last week finally, over a month after Ian. I'm talking HUGE logs from down oaks piled all along yards and streets. It's only recently most side walks near me were clear enough for me to take a local walk. It's getting there but the parks are last and I am not sure the big tree trucks they brought in for the clean-up will even go to those. Those will probably be dragged out of campsites by the park.

Try to imagine piles almost as high as the houses lining streets. It's disappearing slowly. Many parks are still flooded near me and there is maybe one path you can get down, but no woods walking. Those trails are impassable. The county has not even found the man power to stand all the street signs up yet.

Unbelievable. As usual the media wades in when these types of events occur, spends a few days describing the devastation, then leaves with no further mention to speak of. Meanwhile, residents in these areas have to cope with the devastation for months or even much longer.

[Sunshine Rules]

Have you checked into Linger Lodge RV Park? It's located in south Manatee county, southwest off of I-75 at State Rd 70:

https://www.yourobserver.com/article...east-bradenton

[Tymbee]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

Have you checked into Linger Lodge RV Park? It's located in south Manatee county, southwest off of I-75 at State Rd 70:

https://www.yourobserver.com/article...east-bradenton

Thanks for the suggestion. However in practice we avoid private parks as much as possible much preferring public parks (State and COE) given virtually all private parks squeeze as many sites in as possible with zero privacy between campers and are also apt to be much more expensive.

But of course last minute circumstances can sometimes find us having to compromise our usual MO.