EZ On / EZ Off
If you prize convenience and EZ access on/off the I95 corridor as you’re heading up or down Northern Florida nearby the Canaveral National Seashore, then this is definitely a consideration for the 18 wheeled mobile living room crowd. It’s literally less than a 1 minute drive once you get off the interstate to this little RV parking lot. Plus, there’s a fairly oversized BP gas station right there for fueling and stocking up. As for the RV oasis itself, there’s a simple, oval-shaped loop that is cut down the middle with a third lane (wherein you’ll find the community pool, which I have to admit, is in pretty good shape). At the end of the main drive, you’ll come across the main office where you check in. Kathy, who was there when we stopped by, was pretty friendly and very accommodating.
As for the sites, it’s pretty standard fare with all the electric (20/30/50), water and sewage hook-ups you would expect with the majority of sites being pull-through. There’s a full-service bath house with pretty decent and clean facilities, laundry room, basketball court, tether ball, children’s playground, recreational hall, shuffleboard, doggie park and even a 3 acre lake. Here they rent paddle boats and bicycles (check at the main office). Despite being next to one of the busiest interstate highways in the country, the place is completely surrounded by greenery, so some (trust me, not all - by a long shot) of the noise pollution spilling over from the highway is absorbed by all the lush vegetation.
About a 25-30 minute drive from Crystal Lake RV Park, you’ll easily reach Cape Canaveral, but you’d be very well served to explore so many other amazing sights and natural attractions, such as Mosquito Lagoon (yep! Bring the bug spray!), Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Indian River and Enchanted Forest. Insider’s Tip? Head on over to Black Point Wildlife Drive, where you can (yes) drive around, but you can also park your car (or RV) and go for a solid hike to see some pretty amazing water inlets and abundant wildlife. There’s also Playa Linda Beach which is not heavily populated like you’ll find up north with Daytona beach, and the swells are nice and mild.
Happy Camping!