Camping in Vero Beach, Sunshine Travel

As lifelong Floridians, and having spent the majority of our first 2 years of RV life in Florida, we have a few spots we return to time and again, whether for location, or the campground. Sunshine Travel Encore Resort in Vero Beach is one we have been to several times, and will continue to visit.

This park is part of the Thousand Trails membership, if you have the Encore parks, but is available to non-members as well. All but a few of the sites have full hookups and can fit large rigs, however, it is an older park, so sites are narrow and close together, both on the sides and back to back, so be mindful when planning your parking situation. This park also has a dump station and water fill, for those passing through the area, or if you snag one of the electric only spots. There also appear to be a few overnight spots at the front, near the office. It is well lit and the annual residents, travelers and staff are friendly and social in our interactions. The roads are two lane and easy to maneuver around and into parking spots without much trouble. Sites are assigned when you check in, and they direct you to your spot. If you are a late arrival, don’t worry, the box to pick up your information is right outside the office, and will also include your gate key–but don’t forget to return it and your parking pass when you leave!

Sunshine Travel is conveniently located off of I-95 and close to amenities and attractions, making it a great location to be. It is 20-30 minutes from the beach, Sebastian Inlet, St. Lucie and many other areas. Nearby attractions include a nature center for families, a Jungle Trail to bike or drive, Laporte Farms for both petting zoo and fresh produce, and, of course the beach. For the snorkelers and divers, there is a nearby shipwreck to explore. You’ll find nearby grocery stores and shops, and Tractor Supply is right across the access road, which we love for their propane refills and basic RV supplies, when needed! The park does also offer propane fills, if needed. At this intersection, you also have several gas stations, McDonald’s and Dairy Queen, all walk or bikeable, and there is a trailhead within a mile, and the path goes both directions, so good spaces for runners and bicyclists alike.

There are many amenities at this park, which is one reason we return here, especially to just get some down time. There is a spacious dog park in the back corner and a dog walk along the front road, both with poo bags and disposal.

The amenities are all centrally located in the park. They have a fenced-in pool area and deck that has lounge chairs, umbrella tables, and a covered patio for those wanting to be outdoors, but in the shade. The Rec Room is also here and they host Bingo nights and other events. At one end, you’ll find restrooms and showers and at the other end, a spacious and clean laundry room with many machines, table, utility sink and iron. The laundry does require a loaded card, and that is available in the laundry room itself. It is $5 for the card, then can be loaded with $5, $10 or $20, but you can’t get cash off the card and this has been the only TT park we have found that uses this brand, so load accordingly. At the time of this blog, it was $2.25 for a regular wash and $1.75 for a regular dry, or $4 a load.

Around the pool and rec room area you’ll find many things. There is a grill deck if you don’t have your own to use. You’ll also find lots of activities such as horseshoes, shuffleboard, mini golf, and bocce ball courts, and the tools for them are either at the play area, or up by the laundry/pool entrances and labeled.

Up in the office area, you’ll find the community center that has indoor games and activities like ping pong, giant connect four, as well as puzzles and board games. It also has a good sized library of books and movies to borrow, with restroom also located in this building. The dumpsters are also located behind the office, or, at the time of this blog, there is also a once a week trash pick up at the sites.

The downside to this park for us was the road noise from the interstate, but if your AC or a sound machine is running, it really isn’t bad–highway traffic, not city traffic. It is an older park, so the sites are smaller, more of a great parking location and use of amenities area than a site destination area, but there is room for a clamshell tent and awnings, and picnic tables are at every site.

We enjoy returning to this park at least once a year and have met some great people while camping here. Maybe we’ll see you the next time we visit!