miserkeen1
August 2, 2018 Google Maps
Could not get ahold of management area contacts and tried to camp without reservation. Called the numbers, tried the website, neither responded. Went to check it out and with no-one there, I decided to pitch a tent. I saw a worker, who told me he would just "forget" he saw me, then I saw a FWC officer, after asking him about the reservations and saying I did not have one, he gave me a trespassing warning, which he said could have been criminal trespass, 3rd degree felony. Never again. A felony for primitive camping, when it's at devil's hole in the middle of the management area?? Not to mention I made it aware that I did not have the reservation. Apparently it's better not to say anything at all and try to be sneaky than be legal. Edit: I never stayed overnight, and day visits are legal year round. Also, while I was told to leave immediately, other people came to swim the spring without a word. Warning I got was "camping is allowed only at designated sites and for no more than 14 consecutive days at a time or by permit from northwest florida water management district" Guess you must not confuse permit having being given permission and the act of reserving something... To note, this is way off the beaten track, and there were absolutely no other campers at the devils hole camp sites, or any of the other free primitive campsites for miles around.
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