If you find yourself meandering up or down Highway 17 in north central Florida between Pamona Park (to the north) and Crescent Lake(to the south) and just a few stones throw away from Dunn Creek State Park and bummed because the very few RV outposts in this neck of the woods are already fully booked up and you are simply looking for a place … anyplace … to simply drop anchor for the night, then you might want to consider Lake Crescent Estates. To begin with, I love places like this that are choiceful about describing what most would refer to as roadside RV stands as ‘estates’ and while it is true that Lake Crescent is somewhere nearby, you won’t be able to see it from Lake Crescent Estates, but a short 10 minute drive will get you there – just keep on heading east on Paradise Shores Road and you’ll dead-end to it.
One of the very few upsides to this single lane RV hangout is that it is located almost directly behind the Loyal Order of the Moose here just due east of Lake Como – another really nice fresh water diversion. Like most Moose fraternal orders, there’s always some really decent food to be had and generally, you’ll find very welcoming and kind people. Don’t let the façade fool you, what you’ll discover inside is much better than what the outside might portend. As for Lake Crescent Estates itself, this is really just a gravel road with about 20 or so RV spots (or rather, you can simply park wherever you would like as nothing is actually numbered). At least half of the residents look as though they have been here for some time, while the other half are clearly just like you – simply stopping off for the night onwards to some greater destination.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you don’t have to stay here at Lake Crescent Estates, then don’t. Check out either 333 Fish Camp or Cherry Blossom RV Resort, both of which are simply fantastic (just read my reviews on them) and just down the road from here; (2) If there is no other choice but to make camp here for the night, then arrive late, leave early and be sure to grab some fried anything at the Royal Order of the Moose – ask for Becky, she’s a sweetheart and will make you feel just at home; (3) Should you want to get away from this otherwise unsightly place and are looking to grab some local vibes, try out either Farmhouse Bar & Grill, located right across the street from Crescent Lake Estates, or slightly further afield is Hideaway Bar & Grill, which has some nice outside seating in an otherwise unremarkable cabin-like bar restaurant, serving up traditional glorified bar food; and (4) If you come with kayak or canoe in tow, head on down to Hurricane Point (just follow Paradise Shores Road to its culmination point) where you’ll find a few places to drop your watercraft in. From here, you’ll have plenty of amazing bass-catching possibilities.
Happy Camping!
