While we were lounging on the beach in Lido we tried to secure a Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) free/nearly free campsite similar to CREW, where we stayed earlier this week. What we found was, unlike CREW, which is part of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the camping permits are not instantaneous; they can take up to 10 days! Considering we never really know where we are going to end up on a given day, this does not work for us.
George found Lake Manatee State Park for $22 plus tax, including electrical and water hookups, and a bathhouse with showers. Regular shower facilities are always welcome despite our thankfulness to have useful showering abilities in our van. With electricity and running water connections we were once again living large, for the second time this week! With a campsite for the night squared away we were able to get back to enjoying the our afternoon at the beach.
We arrived at camp around 7pm, and with the sun still out, we took a stroll through the campground to get acclimated with our surroundings and check out the bathhouse and shower facilities. We have found the campgrounds and facilities at state and county parks are generally very well maintained and in excellent working order, although they often cost more than the state and national forests and parks. Here are some pictures of our camp at Lake Manatee. We even got there early enough to get our awning out!
There is a nice swimming area around the lake but beware of alligators!
There is a small foot and ATV path from the swimming area to the boat launch.
Standing on the picnic table back at our camp looking towards the southeast I could see the lake through the trees.
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