RV Park Review – Cypress Trails RV Resort, Fort Myers, FL
An up-scale ownership-rental resort ~5 miles from Fort Myers in central-west FL
Link to park here: Cypress Trails RV Resort, Fort Myers, FL
Link to map location here: Cypress Trails RV Resort, Fort Myers, FL
- Site quality = 4.5/5
This sites here are just about as nice as you can get at a private park, with only one very minor ding. Sites are all extremely large, flat concrete (or paved) sites with plenty of space for any-sized RV & tow. Full hookups (50/30/20A, sewer, water) plus cable TV AND hard-wired internet (you get a modem on arrival so you can hook-up to it. NO bandwidth limits either -> sweeeeet!). Layout is pretty typical private park side-by-side arrangement, but you do get a choice of either “lake-front” sites ($50-$100/night depending on season) which get full lake views, and also allow you to park face-in if you have a Class A, or “interior” sites ($50-$90/night depending on season) which are back-in only with no lake views. The only ding? The park is still under development so the older and newer sections vary quite a bit in how much vegetation/privacy you get at your site. In the older section the landscaping is very developed so there are plenty of nicely private sites, whereas in the newer section there is almost no landscaping (yet) so sites are very open with zero privacy. This will likely change as landscaping gets added and the park matures.- NOTE1 -> Site Selection: If you come here as a short-term rental you’ll be renting from an owner so there’s no guarantee exactly which site you’ll get -> it totally depends which sites are in the rental pool and available. There is also a 3-night booking minimum.
- NOTE2 -> Rig Limits: ALL types of rigs are welcome here (Class A, Class C, 5th wheel, trailer etc.), but there is a 24-foot minimum limit. Also rigs older than 10-years of age are required to submit a photo for approval before arriving.
- NOTE3 -> Sales: Since this is an ownership park with 100% ownership goal, you will likely be asked if you want a tour upon arrival. The sales tour is not required (I double-confirmed this) so you can simply say “no” if you are not interested in buying a lot. We took the tour and it was very low-key and relaxed. There’s no hard pitch here.
- Facilities = 5/5
Excellent on-site facilities. Several modern restroom areas by the pool which were impeccably clean and have nicely modern tile, flush toilets and huge (large walk-in) showers. Couldn’t find anything to critique here. - Amenities = 5/5
Absolutely top-notch amenities here. There is literally everything you could want in a high-end resort including large on-site pool, modern gym/fitness center, pickle-ball courts, bocce courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, billiards room, clubhouse, book-swap, game room, laundromat (lovely, large machines) etc. In addition there is a large pier on the lake where you can fish/paddeboat/kayak plus there is a HUGE and absolutely gorgeous natural preserve (the largest I’ve ever seen at any private park) where you can hike. And of course there’s the free internet, not only at your site, but also at several WiFi spots in and around the clubhouse. Superb amenities! - Location = 4.5/5
Good location to explore Fort Myers. You are just ~5 miles from downtown with easy access to everything there is to see/do (shopping, eating etc.) down there. Also you are right next to several large RV dealerships (La Mesa RV, North Trails RV etc.) as well as Camping World (same exit as the park in fact). The only slight ding? You’re inland here so it’s a bit of a drive to the coast & beach areas (~25 miles/40 mins). - Pet friendliness = 5/5
Great place for doggie! There is good space in camp, spacious side-walks everywhere (for walking around camp) and doggie waste stations & poo bags throughout the campground. In addition there’s ~1 mile of hiking in the on-site nature preserve as well as a lovely gated off-leash dog-park with separate sections for large & small dogs. Perhaps the biggest doggie genius item? A little pool/splash-area at the dog park -> what an awesome idea! Another big positive? No breed restrictions here, which is very unusual for a private park. Only potential ding? There is a 2-pet limit.
Overall rating = 4.8/5
BONUS ALERT = A 5-star resort with hard-wired internet at your site!
Video Overview: Want to see it in living color? See our ~16 min video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VY82-yrACE
Summary: We were passing through this area to visit friends and were offered a few days of stay here in return for our usual (impartial) review, so we grabbed the chance. This campground is billed as a 5-star resort and I have to admit it delivers. Campsites are huge concrete (or paved), flat sites with enough space to park any-sized rig, full hookups (50/30/20, sewer, water) plus cable TV aaaand hard-wired internet at every single site (with unlimited bandwidth…yeah!). The latter is very unusual and means you get free, no-holds-bared internet at every single site! In addition there is just about every amenity you could ever want -> a large onsite pool, modern gym/fitness center, pickle ball courts, bocce courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, billiards room, clubhouse, book-swap, game room, laundromat (lovely, large machines), free WiFi (at clubhouse) etc. Plus there is a large pier on the lake where you can fish/paddeboat/kayak and a HUGE and absolutely gorgeous natural preserve (the largest I’ve ever seen at any private park) with ~1 mile of hiking trails. It’s quite impressive. Dogs are catered for here too. There are sidewalks everywhere, poo bags & pet waste stations, and a large off-leash doggie area with separate sections for small/large dogs and a super cute little pool/splash-area (simply genius). No breed restrictions either, although there is a 2-pet limit. The only minor dings? This is an ownership-based resort and their goal is full (100% ownership) which means the lots are owned and rented out to folks like us who come to stay for short-term, so you can only rent sites which are in the rental pool. In addition the park is only just entering it’s 3rd season, so parts of it are still under development and you’ll notice that as you drive around. The sites in the older (more mature) section of the park have very nice vegetation/landscaping and generally very good privacy where the sites in the newer (just developed) area are very open with little/sparse landscaping and limited privacy. Also, although they allow any type of rig in here (5th wheel, Class A/C, trailer etc.) they do have a 24-foot minimum size limit and a 10-year age limit (although they told us they waive this for well-maintained rigs with a photo). Other than these few minor dings I’d say this is about as “fancy” as you get in the RV world. It’s a really nice park in a good location to access the West-Central area of FL, it’s open to all ages (including families with kids) and it offers everything you might want in a resort-type RV campground. We don’t typically stay at this kind of park, but I have to admit it was nice to spoil ourselves for a few days with access to a pool and good internet, plus I really appreciated the on-site nature reserve (truly unusual at a private park) and the nice, little doggie bonus items (dog park,dog pool, etc.). We enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it to other folks looking for an upscale resort in the area.
Extra Info: FREE hard-wired no-limits internet at every site (you get a modem on arrival so you can access it) -> it worked great with excellent download speeds, but so-so upload speeds. Good usable Verizon cell signal (2 bars LTE), but poor ATT (only 1 bar 4G). Sites are Full-hookup plus cable TV and cost $50-$100/night depending on season and location (summer vs winter, and lakefront vs interior). 3-night booking minimum. There are also monthly discounts ($800-$2200/night depending on season/location). See current pricing HERE.
So if the limit is 24 ft, how did you stay there with the 40 ft. beast? Or was that a typo?
The limit is 24-foot *minimum*. So, you have to be 24-foot or larger to stay here. Smaller rigs are not accepted.
It’s an unusual limit, I know. Most places we go there’s a max size limit. Here it’s a min size limit. In fact i think it’s the first place we’ve ever stayed that has that kind of rule.
Nina
The new RV Resort on Indiantown Rd in Jupiter FL also has a minimum-I think it’s 34’…I looks nice, though still under construction (but with a free yard at my sister’s we have not been.)
The park has come a long ways since we were last in Cypress Woods, next door, four years ago. Our second year in Cypress Woods there were only a few sites in Cypress Trails that were being fully developed by their owners. But it looked like it was going to be quite nice. Glad you included so many photos so we can see the improvements since we’ll probably not be returning to this area again any time soon. Another plus is that you can bike to Starbucks and many stores within five miles.
I did not know you could BTC (bike to coffee). Always a bonus when a park offers that 🙂
Nina
There are actually a combination of sidewalks and bike path which made it a nice ride.
Hi guys, just wanted to tell you about mtn-falls.com, a luxury motorcoach resort in the mountains of North Carolina. Also, a 26 ft. minimum length, 10 yr. old rig limit type of place, but it is nicer than anything you have ever seen. You can choose your site online and it’s not a rental pool. It’s pick a spot and the owners get 60% and management gets 40% or some similar percentage, I forget exactly. Anyhow, we’ve been for the past 2 summers and it is absolutely wonderful, pricey but wonderful. We’ve full-timed in 39 states and it is the BEST place we have ever found. Enjoy following your travels. We are sort of following you at the moment – just did Key West and we’re headed up the east coast of Florida presently.
Cheers! We don’t stay at many resorts, but you never know when we might want to spoil ourselves again. Sounds like a lovely place!
Nina
Hi guys, what I really would like to know are the HOA fees of such a resort. I have been a long time follower of your travels and want to thank you for all the work your are doing to provide us with all the information. Happy travels,
Ulla
We asked that question when we were at the park, and I want to say it was around $600 per quarter (?) but I honestly can’t recall. So perhaps somewhere around that? The fixed costs cover water/sewer and maintenance (electricity is extra). You only pay the fee if you own a lot of course, not if you just come in as a renter.
Nina
Just called to confirm. HOA fees are $600 per quarter. That covers water/sewer, all grounds maintenance, plus cable TV and hard-wired internet (at your site). The only fixed cost that’s not included (and which you pay separately) is electricity. And of course any improvements you make to your personal lot (adding a tiki hut, landscaping etc.) you pay for separately too.
Nina
Hi Nina,
You mean Fort MYErs instead of MEYErs, no?
http://www.cityftmyers.com/
Anyway, excellent article as usual.
Cheers,
—
Vall and Mo.
YES! Thanks for catching what my dyslexia didn’t see at all (and auto-correct either). I’ll update it now.
Nina
You are welcome 😉
—
Vall.
Wild Cherry Resort in Michigan had a minimum length rule, as did Hidden Ridge in Hopkins, MI. I never understood those rules from an owner’s point of view, as the larger rigs used more of the resort’s electricity and water…quite often for the same rate.
Interesting! I guess we just don’t stay at that many resort-like parks so the minimum length rule was definitely a new one for us. And I agree it’s a bit strange. Small rigs use less space and resources. But I guess the rule is there for some kind of aesthetic reason? Definitely interesting.
Nina
Lovely review – the funny part for us is we were there when you made the video – we didn’t know you were there, or we would have introduced ourselves… It was also funny to see our MH at the 13:14 point in the video… Nice place and nice video/review.
No way! We kind of breezed through so we weren’t there long, but I’m sorry we missed you. We definitely enjoyed our stay.
Nina
Just curious, what are the lot prices?
Lot prices are between ~$60,000 (interior) to $120,000 (premium lakefront).
Nina
When we were first starting out full timing, we were stunned at the prices charged by resort parks like this. There is one park in Las Vegas where lots are advertised for $300,000. We always wonder if they ever sell. Thanks for the review!
Yeah I’m with you. Those prices are more than I’d be willing to pay for an RV lot, but many folks do buy into them. Here in FL prices of around $100,000 are not at all unusual and you’ll find even pricier if you go to popular places like the Keys (for example). This winter we saw a lot for sale in S.Florida (at a resort park) for $400,000! That’s a lot of rental months! Much better deals out West for this kind of thing, but in FL it’s a booming business.
Nina
A while ago I posted a question on RVillage.com if camping is the same thing as RVing. Today I realize I should have asked if camping is the same a Motorhoming. I am not sure if the people understood what I meant. I think that camping and Motorhoming are not the same. Looking at what people are willing to pay for luxury resorts tells me that camping is something different. Maybe I get this wrong but I do believe that people who favor luxury are not that much interested on traveling that much. The motorhome is mainly a hotel substitute and they stay put for month and socialize in the resort. Of course everybody has a different opinion. 🙂
I definitely think there are different strokes for different folks. Most of the RV lot owners in FL are folks who like to spend the entire winter season in one spot. They come down here for the warmth, and their community. They might travel from North to South but that’s it. And once they’re here they like to hang in the park and participate in the activities, and use all those full-featured amenities.
You do also get active travelers who just like to stay in high-end resorts. They travel Year-round but they want the full hookups, and amenities and everything. So they actively look for resort-type spots to stay. We have a select few big rig friends who are like this this.
And then of course there are “beastly” travelers like us who do a bit of everything. We’re motorhomers who live in the big, luxurious rolling hotel and yet we prefer to boondock and camp in natural settings (state parks, BLM etc.) with only *occasional* stays in private parks.
Something for everyone 🙂
Nina
We really enjoyed your review , we hope get back to Florida one day. Curious what equipment you were using for filming, a Go-pro? Or a selfie stick? I recall some time ago you talked about your equipment, but cannot find that post.
Anyway, the park is lovely.
We just use Paul’s iphone6 at the moment, with a Reticam holder to stabilize it. It’s ok but we’re still learning there’s much we can do to improve!
We JUST bought a microphone (should improve our audio and wind noise issues significantly…we hope!) and we’re looking into better stabilizers, especially for our moving shots (our videos are still very jerky), but it’s all $$$. As with all camera/video gear once you start going down that path, there’s always more $$ you can spend. We’ll just have to see how fancy/serious we really want to get with all this.
Nina
Looks like Aztec with less trees!
Totally, although sites are closer together here than Aztec. But otherwise they’re very similar parks.
Nina
So this morning I was showing my sister your video blog as we sit on the balcony in a condo out at Tybee island. Since it was cloudy we went for a drive to check out campsites at Skidaway State Park, and as we are pulling thru the back loop I yelled “look it’s the beast!” Didn’t feel like we should intrude on your privacy, but after following your blog for several years I sort of feel like I know you. hope you’ve njoyed your stay here, we are on Tybee till Friday, then home to North Augusta, sc. dinner recommendation for you – Wyld Dockside Bar, supposed to be great food, and atmosphere
Mary dunbar ( 27 ft Airstream)
NO WAY!! So sorry for the late reply. We ran into a bit of a cat emergency (just spent 2 days at the vet), but it’s all OK now. So sorry we missed you. We’ve already tried Wyld (awesome!) and plan to go back again before we leave. Good travels to you!
Nina
I’m so happy I found your blog! My significant other and I have been talking about getting a toy hauler/RV to travel with. We currently live in Florida and want to be able to take our animals with us on the road. We plan to drive to the Keys, Connecticut, New York, etc. We actually may be renting one in October for a trial run to make sure we like it and drive it down to South Carolina to camp for a week! I look forward to reading your future posts.
I am also very happy to have found your blog. I have clicked many of your links to other blogs, but I keep coming back to yours! We are also preparing for full time RV’ing, and we are torn between a class A and a fifth wheel. We really like the layout of many of the new fifth wheels. We are leaning towards renting both for a week to see which we like better. But man oh man, they sure do charge a lot to rent the larger rigs. Thanks for your great blog. I look forward to reading more!