All but a few RV parks in Florida’s Big Bend Region are open following Hurricane Michael’s destructive landfall on Oct. 10, according to the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
“Fortunately, most of our affiliated parks have been able to make the needed basic repairs to reopen and most utilities have been restored,” said Bobby Cornwell, president and CEO of the Florida ARVC.
The majority of RV parks and campgrounds surrounding the hardest hit areas of Panama City and Mexico Beach — including those in Panama City Beach, Carrabelle, Panacea and Tallahassee — are open and they have power restored.
Panama City (not Panama City Beach) still has significant rebuilding and cleanup to do and many families and businesses are still without power and utilities. The damage was bad, but the city is making progress.
Mexico Beach was by far the hardest hit and got the brunt of the highest winds and storm surge. The quaint town of Mexico Beach was destroyed, including the El Governor RV Park and Motel located right on the beach.
“We haven’t been able to speak with the owners of El Governor RV Park, but are sad to report the property was basically leveled,” said Cornwell.
The following Florida RV Parks and campgrounds, which were near or in the path of Hurricane Michael, are operational and open:
- Camper’s Inn Panama City Beach, 866-872-2267
- Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, 850-235-0924
- Panama City Beach RV Resort, Panama City Beach, 850-249-7352
- Outback Springs RV Resort, Bonifay, 850-258-3110
- Coastline RV Resort and Campground, Eastpoint, 850-799-1016
- Carrabelle Beach RV Resort, Carrabelle, 850-697-2638
- Ho-Hum RV Resort, Carrabelle, 850-697-2638
- Holiday Campground, Panacea, 850-984-5757
- Wildwood Golf and RV Resort, Crawfordville, 850-926-4653
- Tallahassee RV Park, Tallahassee, 850-878-7641
- Lakeside Travel Park, Tallahassee, 850-574-5998
- Tallahassee East, Monticello, 850-997-3890
The Presnell’s Bayside Marina and RV Park in Port Saint Joe, 850-229-9229, received significant storm surge, but its new clubhouse (upper level), pool and RV sites only had limited damage. The park owner has reported that the park will be rebuilding for the next 45 to 60 days, but expect to be open for business (and better than ever), by January 2019.
“It is important to realize that even though Hurricane Michael was devastating to those hit by the strongest part of the storm, the vast majority of Florida was not affected,” Cornwell said, adding, “Florida is definitely open for business and the majority of the Florida vacation destinations in the Panhandle, including the RV parks and campgrounds, have bounced back quickly.”
