15th Annual South Florida Gathering 2026 (12/11-12/12 Now Making Reservations )

[dougmays]

It's that time folks! Let's plan our FIFTEENTH South Florida SMF Gathering.

Date(s): December 11-12, 2026

Location: Hardee County Lakes, John Gill Rd, Bowling Green, FL 33834

Member and Sites:
John and Diane - #12 Wed-Mon
Keith and Charlotte - 27 Thur-Mon
Marilyn (Bill and Darcy's Family Friend) - #29 Thur-Sun
Bill and Darcy (Doug and Miranda) - #30 Thur-sun
Gary and Dawn (Bill's Brother) - TBD
Don & Karla - TBD

 

[Fueling Around]

Yep 2nd weekend works for me.
Either location is fine
Time sure does fly. This will be my 5th year already.

 

[dougmays]

Just gonna give this post a bump

 

[Fueling Around]

What you thinking Doug? Hold out and hope for Highland Hammock re opening this year?
I actually like Hardee County and it does let those bring their golf cars. Maybe move the gathering area to lakeside?
Fisheating Creek is out as that weekend is completely booked for a private party (again).

Forgot to mention
My wife and I are planning to stay extra days. We will get there Tuesday or Wednesday and stay through at least Monday. Being retired has advantages.

 

[dougmays]

What you thinking Doug? Hold out and hope for Highland Hammock re opening this year?
I actually like Hardee County and it does let those bring their golf cars. Maybe move the gathering area to lakeside?
Fisheating Creek is out as that weekend is completely booked for a private party (again).

Forgot to mention
My wife and I are planning to stay extra days. We will get there Tuesday or Wednesday and stay through at least Monday. Being retired has advantages.

I wouldnt mind going back to highland hammock but i also dont like waiting till the last minute to hear if they are open. If we do go back to Hardee, i think lakeside might be better. I was hoping for more people to give an opinion so we can make a group decision :)

Man, i cannot wait for retirement haha

 

[JckDanls 07]

Dirk and JT were just asking me about it Fri. Jason just bought a new camper last week so he's got the itch... Dirk just picked up an Air Stream this past friday...

Only thing I don't like about waterside at Hardee is the sites are all in a row and not back to back... We would probably have to reserve a site to be the gathering site like we do at HH...

The one good thing about Hardee... The sites don't get reserved to fast so we do have a little time on that...

 

[dougmays]

Is the consensus to wait till May and find out more about HH, then make a decision?

 

[JckDanls 07]

Is the consensus to wait till May and find out more about HH, then make a decision?

I would agree with that...

 

[Fueling Around]

The only downfall is we don't know the campsites layout at the renovated HH

 

[JckDanls 07]

The only downfall is we don't know the campsites layout at the renovated HH

I don't think they were changing the footprint ( not sure though)... Thinking they were just upgrading the electric and water... Wouldn't think it would take a year and a half to do that though...

 

[Fueling Around]

I don't think they were changing the footprint ( not sure though)... Thinking they were just upgrading the electric and water... Wouldn't think it would take a year and a half to do that though...

State, County, and Municipal joint venture to put in full hookup.
One of the Rangers at HH said they were going to revise the camp sites.
After the Ranger at Lake Kissimmee SP said their camping was going to be down for at least 2 years, I'm not holding my breath on HH

 

[JckDanls 07]

HHMMMM

 

[Fueling Around]

I periodically check the FSP website to see if they are announcing opening day.
I discovered a neat feature. I plugged in my dates (Wed - Mon) and not available. Noticed a button "Notify Me". Appears it should email me now when available to book.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I'm gonna do that as well...

I also called and still no info ...

 

[floridasteve]

There is a chance, but only a chance, that I might be able to come this year. It all depends on how well my rehab continues.
Steve Carroll

 

[orlandosmoking]

Saving the dates!
I also agree we should hold out for HH as long as possible. Hardee was ok but the overbearing ranger was a bit much.

 

[JckDanls 07]

So I went to see what reservations looked like at Hardee Lakes... All sites still available ...
But I accidently clicked on Reservations for Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs... So I snooped around on the site for that park... It sounds and looks pretty interesting... I emailed them and asked about golf carts... Yes, golf carts are allowed ... So Jason, neighbor who just bought there first camper, Wants us to go with them on their first trip for help and guidence... So we are gonna see about going to Pioneer Park for a recon mission... I will report back afterwards ... Rates are very reasonable @ $20 a night for sites with electric and water... More if you want sewer hook ups, but I can get through a 3,4,5 day weekend without sewer... They have a dump station for when leaving...

The Park looks really interesting as they have a bunch of old relics spread throughout the park ... So the golf cart will come in handy for getting around to see them all...

 

[floridasteve]

The Florida Flywheelers used to have their big annual meet and tractor pull there years ago. My dad went every year, usually with two tractors he had just restored. We went to vend. At that time, it was a beautiful park.

 

[Fueling Around]

Its a Hardee County Park. I really like the sound of it, but the map doesn't have the Park Ranger denoted as doesn't the Hardee Lakes campsite.

The Florida Flywheelers used to have their big annual meet and tractor pull there years ago. My dad went every year, usually with two tractors he had just restored. We went to vend. At that time, it was a beautiful park.

That must be many years ago before the Wheelers purchased the current grounds near Fort Meade

 

[floridasteve]

Its a Hardee County Park. I really like the sound of it, but the map doesn't have the Park Ranger denoted as doesn't the Hardee Lakes campsite.

That must be many years ago before the Wheelers purchased the current grounds near Fort Meade

It was. Now everything is at their property. There used to be small monthly Fly Weelers meets around the state, but FW quit sanctioning them. That's when I dropped out.