The Gulf State Park Tradition...

[Teamubr]

Remember you can book up to 14 days on a reservation but you will have to prepay in FULL when you book.

I was looking at May 2025 to see how far some of the preferred sites are booking. Right now, there is only 1 site (17) on Sumac/Live Oak that is book through Memorial weekend 2025.



I think I will probably book the 14 days that end on June 7 as soon as I can and shoot for something on the tree side of Live Oak.

I'm sure Memorial weekend will be booked by the time it opens up for me to book through the 7th, but I'll start checking at midnight on the 24th. I'm good with any of 10 or 12 sites, so I should be ok.

j

 

[bama_ed]

I was looking at May 2025 to see how far some of the preferred sites are booking. Right now, there is only 1 site (17) on Sumac/Live Oak that is book through Memorial weekend 2025.

View attachment 858913

Well, yeah.

Today 5/12 can book out to 5/26 (14 days) which is a Monday next year.

That's the way it works as I said.

Southerners start their school calendars to start in August because they want to get out of school before Memorial Day weekend.

So booking that time of year is difficult because everyone's school calendar around here is over/out then. You're not just swimming against the waves - you're swimming against a RIPTIDE!

It is what it is.

Me

 

[tiggerdad]

I'm not focusing heavy, but I have grown a fondness of the canal pull through sites so I am really fine with anything on that end around the bathouse, loop on Live Oak, or Canal. I'm just ready to see some familiar faces again.

Likely will do similar to Jim and grab 2 weeks to secure and then trim days as time gets closer and I really figure out what fits us best. I got burned once before planning on coming in on the Thursday before memorial day and and our county schools opted for a week later ending date of school year and messed us up.

Heck guys, we've done Dismeet dinners on Live Oak, Sumac, Bobcat, and Bear Road. Food was just as good and entertainment was perfect.

 

[Teamubr]

I'm am toying with 7/8 days at GSP and a couple of days in Laurel, MS either at the front or back end. I'm an HGTV addict and I have wanted to visit some of the places on the shows. Home Town is based in Laurel and that is sort of on the way to GSP if I take the western route down I-55.

Might even plan a stop in Meridian.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

If Meridian, you can camp in the deep country on my place under my pole barn with 50 amp hookup. Little detour off I20, but if I can get Randy and his Peterbilt with 53 foot trailer out here I can get you here too.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm not focusing heavy, but I have grown a fondness of the canal pull through sites so I am really fine with anything on that end around the bathouse, loop on Live Oak, or Canal. I'm just ready to see some familiar faces again.

What do you like about the canal sites, Michael?

 

[tiggerdad]

What do you like about the canal sites, Michael?

I landed one of them last year on a weekend run, was only thing open on short notice. The DW and DDs like the beach, and we always use the one located in middle of GSP. The bike ride from Canal was so short it was a lot easier getting all their gear (3 women with 2 umbrellas, cooler, kites, chairs). Easiest haul I've had. However, it was QUIET...very few passing through cars, folks walking by at night talking, and cool breeze from off the lake. I also found I felt safer with kids riding bikes in that area. Oh yeah, they're pull through, so nobody judging your backing up skills

Granted, NO SHADE, so in high summer not so sure.

I have it as our stopping area when we head down on Memorial Day this year for the week.

 

[tiggerdad]

Just looking at reservations available as folks are booking at year out mark. I notice in our traditional area on lake a lot of those sites are booked already. Sumac road is pretty open right now, we've concentrated there before, and canal is too, but I know some folks need close proximity to bath house. Just seeing where you folks are leaning. I'm likely going to book tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[Teamubr]

I've been watching the reservations for a few days. Some key sites were booked out for the 14 day max that runs out this week (a year from now). Those sites can't be extended until later this week. I have midnight marked for a couple of them and I'll see what happens in a few days.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

I'm likely going to go ahead and see about booking in the morning. Likely will go down there on the Thursday before memorial day weekend and leave the Saturday of the weekend after (9 night stay). Looking at sites 1-3 and then Sumac 60+ as potentials with Live Oak still option on tree side. DW has the huge issue with yellow flies bites and they've been worse in the shaded areas so I'll likely shoot for open ground.

Randy will have the herd of Bassett hounds so he'll need grass to let them roam.

 

[tiggerdad]

I went ahead and booked sites 61 and 63 this morning. Booked from 5/25/25 to 6/7/25, so leaving on the 8th Sunday.

 

[Teamubr]

I'm still eyeing some sites up on Live Oak, but I booked our traditional site #2 for arrive 5/25/25, leave Saturday 6/7/25. I'll trim days off the front once I decide how long we can come down.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Now that's just plain spooky.

I had booked site 60 early this morning as a "bird in the hand..." which has some shade and across from the Comfort Station. Michael and Randy are nearby in 61 and 63 with Jim across from my front door on Live Oak in 2.

So this is what we have so far.

#61 @tiggerdad as Bandit (from Smokey and the Bandit)



#63 @SouthAlabama5er as Snowman (from Smokey and the Bandit)



#2 @Teamubr as Doc (from Smokey and the Bandit 2)



#60 @bama_ed as Sheriff Justice (from Smokey and the Bandit)



(before I went to Musket Mickey as my avatar I used Sheriff Justice for years)

Who else is coming?

Ed

PS - this reservation for May 2025 will be my 3rd for GSP already in that year. Got a 2-nighter in February for a half marathon weekend, 3 nighter in #18 (@tiggerdad 's historical corner site under the trees) for an April mid-week stay, and this one for end of May. Like Jim, we'll decide later what days to trim front/back.

 

[tiggerdad]

I'll get a update on the opening post keeping track of sites. I leave for GSP Monday morning so if I don't get it done before then I'll do it when I get back.

 

[Teamubr]

Michael,

We have a few additions/changes. We are filling up the whole entrance to Live Oak and Sumac.

First, move me to site 3. That extra 30ft closer to the water will be lovely.

Tigger92662 is taking my site 2 spot and our friend Jerry will be on site 1.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Michael,

We have a few additions/changes. We are filling up the whole entrance to Live Oak and Sumac.

First, move me to site 3. That extra 30ft closer to the water will be lovely.

Tigger92662 is taking my site 2 spot and our friend Jerry will be on site 1.

j

Well that takes out that entire area. Sounds good. We should have no trouble taking control of the bath house and commanding that live oak to play in.

 

[bama_ed]

Michael,

We have a few additions/changes. We are filling up the whole entrance to Live Oak and Sumac.

First, move me to site 3. That extra 30ft closer to the water will be lovely.

Tigger92662 is taking my site 2 spot and our friend Jerry will be on site 1.

j

So as it ends up I'll have Yankees on my right flank ....

And some Johnny Rebs on my left flank ....

With us in the middle.

We'll bring some chocolate chip cookies.

 

[tiggerdad]

Moonshine!

 

[tiggerdad]

One of us just booked site 62.

I believe he'll count as southerner? If not we'll convert him.

 

[Stratman50th]

I come from MD, but the family is from Florida. We even have a Cracker in the family. Came down from Decatur GA after the war to heard cattle. Then the rest of them all migrated to Jacksonville.
So does that count?
PS: We have colonized Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Cape Coral, Ft Lauderdale and now we're in Central Florida. We got it locked down pretty good!