14th Annual South Florida Gathering 2025 (12/12-12/14 2025)

[dougmays]

**UPDATE**
This year's gathering will be at Hardee County Lake Park (https://app.fireflyreservations.com/Kiosk/Property/HardeeLakesPark) the 2nd weekend of December, 12/12-12/14.

Highland Hammock is undergoing some repairs/upgrades and are likely closed the remainder of 2025.

Looking forward to another one!

Dates
Dec. 12 - 14

Sites (10-15 & 26-30 is the main gathering area)
#11 Fueling Around
#12 fxsales1959
#26 Discus39
#30 Bill and Darcy (RV) Miranda and myself (tent)
....

Location
Hardee Lakes Park

Event Activities
- The "main day" is Saturday, we'll do a big potluck stlye dinner around 5-6pm, usually after the friendly bbq comp.
- Everyday activities: Cornhole, Ring Toss, horse shoes, drinking, fire, telling lies, drinking, telling more lies, eating, and eating, having fun, etc...

 

[dougmays]

Alright folks....it's time to plan for this year's gathering! I'm especially looking forward to this one since I wasn't able to attend last minute last year (darn hospital emergencies!)

We usually do this event the first weekend of December but i'm going to throw a wrench in the gears and get people's thoughts....I'm going on a family vacation cruise the week of Thanksgiving(11/22-29). Since i just started a new job, i'm not sure if i'll be able to take more time the following weekend. Would anyone be opposed to moving this to the weekend of 12/12-12/13? I know the first weekend has been a mainstay for most of the regulars, so if that's preferred I might be able to make it work. Miranda's parents (who some of you met last year) can only attend the 2nd weekend of December as well. Thoughts?

 

[JckDanls 07]

You know me... I would have to see if anybody has put in for PTO on those days already... If they haven't I'm ok with it...

 

[JckDanls 07]

OK... Just checked.. I already put in for the weekend before... The wekend of the 12/13th was still open as well.. So I put in for that weekend as well.. So I'm good for either one...

 

[JckDanls 07]

BTW... That's hoping that Highlands is back open as they said they were closing for the year for remodeling...

 

[dougmays]

BTW... That's hoping that Highlands is back open as they said they were closing for the year for remodeling...

Thanks for reminding me, let me call HH today and find out.

 

[fxsales1959]

same basic area as far as camp sites?

 

[JckDanls 07]

same basic area as far as camp sites?

Yes... 88 will be Gathering site again... 89 mine...

 

[Fueling Around]

I'll plan for the 2nd weekend of December.
I'm the quasi Florida resident that gets the short booking in advance.

Alright folks....it's time to plan for this year's gathering! I'm especially looking forward to this one since I wasn't able to attend last minute last year (darn hospital emergencies!)
...

You weren't there? Didn't even notice.
JUST KIDDING.
Big hole without you Doug.

...
We usually do this event the first weekend of December but i'm going to throw a wrench in the gears and get people's thoughts....I'm going on a family vacation cruise the week of Thanksgiving(11/22-29). Since i just started a new job, i'm not sure if i'll be able to take more time the following weekend. Would anyone be opposed to moving this to the weekend of 12/12-12/13? I know the first weekend has been a mainstay for most of the regulars, so if that's preferred I might be able to make it work. Miranda's parents (who some of you met last year) can only attend the 2nd weekend of December as well. Thoughts?

Well in my short time with the group, the date has been November and then moved to December. I think we're flexible?
My wife and I would be disappointed if Darcy & Bill couldn't be there.
Congrats on the new job.

BTW... That's hoping that Highlands is back open as they said they were closing for the year for remodeling...

Last I talked to a ranger, the park is only supposed to be closed for 6 months to update the electrical to 50 amp service. But this is also a government project so your guess is as good as mine to when it finishes up.

 

[dougmays]

Howdy all!

OK...so some bad news. I just called HH and the ranger told me the park is closed this entire year. He seemed pretty hurried to get off the phone so maybe i'll get a 2nd opinion tomorrow or Monday....

So do we need a new location? Postpone? We started this gathering at Fish Eating Creek, the first 2 years, but the third year they wanted us to pay more and book longer than we needed because it was a holiday weekend. But that's an option. There are also some state parks in the middle of the state, in between tampa and orlando which could work...i can gather some ideas over the weekend to share.

What are everyone's thoughts?

Fueling Around thanks for kind words!

 

[Fueling Around]

I got mixed message. First ranger on checking in told me the entire year. On check out a different ranger said project would be done by May or June.
Maybe give it a month to settle down and plan from there.
For an alternative there is a SP less than 10 miles from me that looks promising.
Lake Louisa SP
A nice grouping of camp sites, but not as many as HH so would have to make reservations early.
Plus 20 cabins close to camping area for those without an RV.
Wife and I will plan a trip there next week to check it out.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Wife and I will plan a trip there next week to check it out

We are looking for the sites to all be side by side like HH... Most SP the sites are spread out in the woods...

 

[fxsales1959]

Howdy all! As always we try to plan way in advance for the South Florida Gathering at Highland Hammock State Park in Sebring, FL. It looks like non-florida residents cannot book until February (11 months in advance), so be ready to book as soon possible. More details to come about the event and festivities :)

There are RV and tent camping sites available. You are welcome to reserve near the main group or if you want your privacy we wont be offended if you park further away from the group.

Looking forward to another one!

Date(s)
TBD

Location
Highland Hammock State Park, Sebring, Florida

Event Activities
TBD

I'm good either way. just pick one and make it clear so i can jump into the Florida state parks reservations quagmire

 

[fxsales1959]

Howdy all!

OK...so some bad news. I just called HH and the ranger told me the park is closed this entire year. He seemed pretty hurried to get off the phone so maybe i'll get a 2nd opinion tomorrow or Monday....

So do we need a new location? Postpone? We started this gathering at Fish Eating Creek, the first 2 years, but the third year they wanted us to pay more and book longer than we needed because it was a holiday weekend. But that's an option. There are also some state parks in the middle of the state, in between tampa and orlando which could work...i can gather some ideas over the weekend to share.

What are everyone's thoughts?

Fueling Around thanks for kind words!

not to be a whiny little B@#$ch but a park with actual sewer hookups would be cool.

 

[dougmays]

Lake Louisa seems like a good central spot. Thanks for offering to scope it out Fueling Around ! Has anyone else camped there? Do we know if spots are close like HH? Good for RV's?

 

[Fueling Around]

We are looking for the sites to all be side by side like HH... Most SP the sites are spread out in the woods...

Lake Louisa seems like a good central spot. Thanks for offering to scope it out Fueling Around ! Has anyone else camped there? Do we know if spots are close like HH? Good for RV's?

Never actually been there. Drive by it on the way to the shopping district in Clermont.
Wife suggested going today and checking it out.
Stayed tuned for an a photo update

not to be a whiny little B@#$ch but a park with actual sewer hookups would be cool.

There is a Thousand Trails RV park just up the road, too.
Sewer hookup is going to run you $85 / night

 

[JckDanls 07]

Sewer hookup is going to run you $85 / night

Not just NO.. BUT.. HELL NOOOO

 

[Fueling Around]

60 total sites in the Lake Louisa campground. They had 3 camp hosts today so only 57 available.
15 (less 3 camp hosts so 12) sites have sewer hookup and according to the ranger are the first to get reserved.
A lot of separation between each site with trees and even curbs to trip over in the darkness.
This would be around 100 sites if done on the HH scale.

On the road near site 43 or 45
Most sites are paved and pretty level.

I think this is site 4 and one of the pull thrus.

The dump station is a double holer and actually level.

 

[Fueling Around]

They have 20 cabins, but there is no direct route between them and the campgrounds.
Another map denotes a foot path between but we couldn't find it.

The cabins are outstanding. Around $140 / night with a 2 night minimum
2 bedroom, 2 bath, and a hide a bed in the living room so room for 6 maximum
No pets!

 

[Fueling Around]

We are looking for the sites to all be side by side like HH... Most SP the sites are spread out in the woods...

Lake Louisa seems like a good central spot. Thanks for offering to scope it out Fueling Around ! Has anyone else camped there? Do we know if spots are close like HH? Good for RV's?

The sites are spaced out and it would take a couple of years to figure out the better sites to book so we are together. Lake Louisa is a newer campground and laid out nice for RVs and those wanting privacy from the neighbors.
One of the Rangers knew HH and she didn't offer any alternatives when I mentioned we wanted close and easy cross site access.

Bottom line, I would love to camp there solo, but it wouldn't work for our communal system.

not to be a whiny little B@#$ch but a park with actual sewer hookups would be cool.

I talked with a couple that are camping there. They are familiar with HH and also didn't have an alternative.
They heard the HH campground renovation is for electrical upgrade AND adding sewage hookups. Hold your ... uh ... breath John. You may get your wish.