Stopping place north of the Fort on 75

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Where are people stopping on 75 these days? I'd like a place that's a pretty short drive to the Fort in the morning.

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[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Hotel or campground?

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

2 hours ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

Hotel or campground?

Campground 

I think Casey Jones is one we've stayed at before? 

[ependydad...Doug 176]

We stayed at Lake City RV Resort (used to be called Oaks N Pines). Decent place with long/level pull thrus at one end for the transient traveler. Not much to it and fairly close to the highway. BUT, it had a fantastic pool table - literally one of the nicest I've seen outside of someone's home. I don't think they had a pool.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

23 minutes ago, ependydad...Doug said:

We stayed at Lake City RV Resort (used to be called Oaks N Pines). Decent place with long/level pull thrus at one end for the transient traveler. Not much to it and fairly close to the highway. BUT, it had a fantastic pool table - literally one of the nicest I've seen outside of someone's home. I don't think they had a pool.

Thanks! We don't need much as it will just be a place to pull in and sleep. 

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

On 5/21/2016 at 2:54 PM, GaDawgFan.....Kelly said:

Campground 

I think Casey Jones is one we've stayed at before? 

We stayed at Casey Jones last year and it is a short drive to the fort from there. The only thing I didn't like was the grassy area for the overnighters, there were a LOT of ant hills there and if it had been raining it could have made things interesting when leaving in the morning. This was our site last year:

 

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

On 5/23/2016 at 0:28 PM, Helmsey......Todd said:

We stayed at Casey Jones last year and it is a short drive to the fort from there. The only thing I didn't like was the grassy area for the overnighters, there were a LOT of ant hills there and if it had been raining it could have made things interesting when leaving in the morning. This was our site last year:

 

Was this their light night arrivals spot?  We'll usually boondock at Cracker Barrel however, temps are still pretty high right now which means that it could be dangerous to leave the pup in the truck for dinner and a tough night sleeping b/c it's hot.  Casey Jones has late night pull through sites for $25; we might stop there for 8 hours.

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

18 minutes ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Was this their light night arrivals spot?  We'll usually boondock at Cracker Barrel however, temps are still pretty high right now which means that it could be dangerous to leave the pup in the truck for dinner and a tough night sleeping b/c it's hot.  Casey Jones has late night pull through sites for $25; we might stop there for 8 hours.

I'm really not sure if that's where we were or not. We got there before the office closed and that's where they escorted us to. I just looked on Google Maps and there is another section that has a bunch of pull through's farther back from the office\entrance area.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

Just now, Helmsey......Todd said:

I'm really not sure if that's where we were or not. We got there before the office closed and that's where they escorted us to. I just looked on Google Maps and there is another section that has a bunch of pull through's farther back from the office\entrance area.

Thanks.  Trying to decide if we should stop there or earlier at Eagles Roost RV.  Eagles Roost will add 1.5 hrs in the morning but... it looks like it might be a better place for us to stop (Tom is flying down on Saturday, so it will just be the kids and I).  Eagles Roost has a pool, which would be nice to wear the kids out before bed.   Not sure about Casey Jones.

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

4 minutes ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Thanks.  Trying to decide if we should stop there or earlier at Eagles Roost RV.  Eagles Roost will add 1.5 hrs in the morning but... it looks like it might be a better place for us to stop (Tom is flying down on Saturday, so it will just be the kids and I).  Eagles Roost has a pool, which would be nice to wear the kids out before bed.   Not sure about Casey Jones.

We have stayed at both and I prefer Casey Jones due to it being closer....and a shorter drive the 2nd day.
Not sure if it makes a difference to you but there is more "stuff" at the Eagles Roost exit... There are a few food options if you decide to unhook to go get food as well as a Camping world in case you need something from them.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

Just now, Helmsey......Todd said:

We have stayed at both and I prefer Casey Jones due to it being closer....and a shorter drive the 2nd day.
Not sure if it makes a difference to you but there is more "stuff" at the Eagles Roost exit... There are a few food options if you decide to unhook to go get food as well as a Camping world in case you need something from them.

Thanks.  Yes, closer is better as Gainesville (without any major traffic) is only about 6.5 hrs from us.  I can drive the full trip in one day, but my preference is to arrive at the Fort around 9a so we can bike around and scope out sites :)   Stuff at the stopover CG doesn't matter as I'm only really considering a stop vs boondocking because of the warmer temps.  I've now found a KOA (Wildwood KOA) that's only about an hour from Disney; that might be the way to go.  Price difference is $25 Casey Jones vs $35 KOA.  

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

Just now, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Thanks.  Yes, closer is better as Gainesville (without any major traffic) is only about 6.5 hrs from us.  I can drive the full trip in one day, but my preference is to arrive at the Fort around 9a so we can bike around and scope out sites :)   Stuff at the stopover CG doesn't matter as I'm only really considering a stop vs boondocking because of the warmer temps.  I've now found a KOA (Wildwood KOA) that's only about an hour from Disney; that might be the way to go.  Price difference is $25 Casey Jones vs $35 KOA.  

I'll have to lookup that KOA for our trip in a few weeks. We're going to make it is far as we can the first day with Casey Jones being the loosely planned stopping point. If we can make it farther than that I'd like to keep driving for sure.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

The only thing i caution about on the Wildwood KOA, is that road exit is "just" North of the turnoff to get on the turnpike. You would enter I-75 from the right hand lane, and have a VERY short distance to get all the way over to the left to get on the Turnpike.

Most times that may not be a problem, but it could be with a big camper if traffic is heavy.

although looking at the map, instead of getting back on I-75, you could continue down Rt 44, hang a right onto S Main St, then get on the Turnpike there.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

4 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

The only thing i caution about on the Wildwood KOA, is that road exit is "just" North of the turnoff to get on the turnpike. You would enter I-75 from the right hand lane, and have a VERY short distance to get all the way over to the left to get on the Turnpike.

Most times that may not be a problem, but it could be with a big camper if traffic is heavy.

although looking at the map, instead of getting back on I-75, you could continue down Rt 44, hang a right onto S Main St, then get on the Turnpike there.

Thanks.  Wonder if I could go North get off, turn around and head back South.  Maybe that would be best?

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

And... what I mean by "turn around" is cross over 75 and get on 75 South :)

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

That would mean heading about 12 miles North, do you really want to go 25 miles extra

?

 

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

55 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

That would mean heading about 12 miles North, do you really want to go 25 miles extra

?

 

No... 

 

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

1 hour ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

The only thing i caution about on the Wildwood KOA, is that road exit is "just" North of the turnoff to get on the turnpike. You would enter I-75 from the right hand lane, and have a VERY short distance to get all the way over to the left to get on the Turnpike.

Most times that may not be a problem, but it could be with a big camper if traffic is heavy.

although looking at the map, instead of getting back on I-75, you could continue down Rt 44, hang a right onto S Main St, then get on the Turnpike there.

Okay... just took the time to look at the map better; I see now...that KOA looks to be off Rt44 so I'll take a left out of the CG down to S. Main where I'll take a right and then a left onto the turnpike.  Got it.

I need some more coffee today...

Thanks Carol!!

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

I hope you end up staying at this KOA, I'm really curious to get your thoughts on it. 
If all the stars line up and things go well next month I'd like to make it that far the first day of our drive.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

1 hour ago, Helmsey......Todd said:

I hope you end up staying at this KOA, I'm really curious to get your thoughts on it. 
If all the stars line up and things go well next month I'd like to make it that far the first day of our drive.

We have reservations for tomorrow night.  I'll do my best to remember pictures.  Either way...I'll let you know what I think of it.  There is a pilot on the same exit, which I was happy about as it's the one truck stop (that I know of) where I don't have to go inside to pay (which is helpful when it's just you and kiddos).  It's nice to be able to pay at the pump, if a potty break is not needed. 

[Littleolwoman.aka.Kristie 119]

Following along. I am always looking for a good spot close to the Fort for a stop.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

On 9/19/2016 at 0:53 PM, Helmsey......Todd said:

I hope you end up staying at this KOA, I'm really curious to get your thoughts on it. 
If all the stars line up and things go well next month I'd like to make it that far the first day of our drive.

I'll post a couple of pictures next week...but quick update to say that the location was great, staff was very nice, and the place itself was decent except:

- lots of red ants

- power post too low to the ground, so you cannot use a surge protector 

- sites are VERY close together and the roads are really narrow however...there some large 5ers were in there, so I know it's possible.  I didn't even bother to open our slide and the sites on either side of us were empty, so it wasn't a big issue for us (plus, we only have a 32'TT ☺️).

- truck stop right next to the CG, so depending where you are on property....it can be a little noisy.

I do think we would consider staying there again as access to the Pilot station and the turnpike, plus only an hour from The Fort...that's tough to beat.  Our favorite is still overnight parking at the Cracker Barrel in Gainesville☺️  Go Gators!!

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this place. If we can make it that far I'll give it a shot for an overnight stop, but I'm not sure we can make it that far in one day. That would be 600 miles for us the 1st day and I just don't think that would make for a good day in the truck with 2 little ones. But I will drive as long as they are happy 

[Roberta 42]

I live in Lake City and we have some very nice state parks just a few miles off 75. 

Stephen Foster (not to be confused with the one in GA) is usually easy to get reservations at and has quite a few nice, big pull through sites so you don't have to unhook. It's 3 miles off 75. 

O'leno State Park is a bit more difficult to get reservations. Once again, just off 75. They don't have any pull through sites, and the Dogwood Loop is a bit tight. Magnolia Loop is much bigger for larger RVs and level. 

Paynes Prairie is in Gainesville, also just a few miles off 75. I've only camped there once, so can't remember the loop names or if there are pull through sites. 

All of our state parks will take reservations up to 11 months in advance. Late arrivals are not a problem, just call and get the gate code. 

Even for an overnight, I would rather stay at any of these than the "field" RV parks. Cheaper, nicer, and more safe - in my opinion. 

[GradyBunch 11]

On 9/30/2016 at 2:22 PM, Helmsey......Todd said:

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this place. If we can make it that far I'll give it a shot for an overnight stop, but I'm not sure we can make it that far in one day. That would be 600 miles for us the 1st day and I just don't think that would make for a good day in the truck with 2 little ones. But I will drive as long as they are happy 

We normally leave Maryville around 3:00pm on Friday and stop at the camping world campground in Lake Park GA before midnight...normally around 10:30 or 11.  That leaves us 2.5 to 3 hrs to the fort.  Most sites are pull through and we just leave a check in the registration office.  For good sams members it's $23.

5244 Jewell Futch Rd,  Lake Park, GA 31636