Bay Bayou RV Resort

I called to get a reservation at Bay Bayou RV Resort. They prohibit RVs that are older than 15 years old. Our very nice 1999 RV isn’t fancy enough for them I guess. Go stay here with the elitists if you would like to be snooty.

Most sites are level gravel with cement patios. Some are on grass, but we were told the whole grass area is being redone later this year. Our site was on the grass, but it was very nice; lots of space. Most sites have cable. Ours didn’t, but there were plenty of local stations so we had no problems. Most sites are very quiet but there are a few that are near a busy road so if one wants quiet, request to be away from the road that is at the far end of the park. Reserve way ahead if traveling during «snow bird time.» WIFI is good. Pool is heated. Lots of activities; RV park publishes an activity calendar each month. They have work campers who have «fix it» specialities — such as plumbing or mechanical. VERY helpful as we had a problem while we were there and were VERY grateful for the expertise and good service. Two sides of the RV park are on water and they have nice docks for relaxing with a glass of wine! Use bug spray tho! They charge extra for power. Be aware; seemed expensive for the little power we used.

The grounds were nice, and the folks that work the grounds were great. The pool was very clean and heated. The bathrooms were clean (with an occasional cockroach) and air-​conditioned. They sprayed for mosquitoes, but it didn’t help much especially because of the canals behind the park. Now for the negatives — the majority of the front desk staff were HORRIBLE! No personality and cranky all of the time. They cater to the snowbirds and do nothing to help the others. The rules only apply to whomever they feel they should apply to. The rules state only 2 pets allowed per site, but there are MULTIPLE sites with at least 3 or 4 small dogs. They advertise free Wifi, but it never worked.

This is my first time here. The sites are spacious and shaded under oaks. The club house is air conditioned. There are board game, small library and exercise machines. The grounds are well maintained There is security all night long so I felt very safe. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There is a pool and other activities. I will be returning in the future.

They wouldn’t let me stay in the RV park because my RV was over 10 years old. Ridiculous

Beautiful park with mostly shaded spots. The pool is clean and warm (but not so warm that it’s not refreshing). The staff has been very kind and helpful, and the other guests are just the right amount of friendly. Lots of dogs around, not a lot of kids. No one seems to be anti-​kids (we brought two!) but there aren’t playgrounds. There are some very pretty corners to relax and enjoy the beauty of Tampa. We are really enjoying our stay!

Big lots and beautiful pool and friendly people. I can’t wait to go again to this area

We stayed about 10 out of 12 months, but had to pay 12 months. We were here to find jobs in the area, after the snowbirds went home, so we saw this place. though expensive, it seemed to be in a safe neighborhood which was also convenient to many businesses.
The first spot in a nearly empty park was on the water, as requested, but in the tightest spot they could find for our 33 foot rig. We lasted a week in the brutal sun. The poor AC couldn’t even bring the temp inside our unit to less than 89 degrees due to the sun load, and with dogs inside alone during the day, we couldn’t risk it. So we moved up by the main building and pool. We were stuck in between the manager and some Jehovah’s Witnesses, who’d lived in the same spot for 14 years.
Now granted, most of our stay was pleasant enough. We didn’t make any real friends because we were easily 20 years younger than everyone else. The folks in the winter were very exclusionary to us and the few friends we made in the summer disappeared when the snowbirds showed up.
In regards to safety, there were only 2 times I felt threatened. Once when I was walking my dogs by the front road, to the west of the dumpsters, and out of nowhere this thug looking kid appeared and headed right towards me until my big dog started to snarl and raise his hair. The other time was when people’s items were being stolen from their decks and yards, which apparently happens more than the park lets on.
It’s not a kid-​friendly park, so besides a pool, there isn’t anything there for them. They aren’t even allowed in the rec center. BINGO rules state that you have to be 21. The events they plan are few and far between and if you’re not in with the crowd, you sit alone at a table outside the main group.
We would get in trouble for the dumbest things. For example, you can’t have a cooler exposed on your lot. You can’t have a propane tank or garbage can showing, either. They put notices in your mail box and after so many for the same thing, you get fined then get kicked out. We were not kicked out, thankfully.
Many folks live there year round, like our neighbors, and there are some lots with gorgeous decks and patios and decorations. But don’t ask to be moved to that street if you haven’t put your time in. Because eventually they’ll break their own rules and let you go, but you have to be accepted into that clique first. And don’t ask for a job if you’re under 60. I was overqualified for the desk and bookkeeper positions, but they’d rather hire an old biddy from outside the park than a 40 year old who literally lives 20 yards from the office, and can work circles around them.
The straw that broke the camel’s back, and the reason we moved, was because in November of 2011 I published a book. Everyone and their mother was advertising on the community boards for their companies — RV towing, pet sitting, plant watering, whatever, and I thought, ok, I’m going to put up some small, elegant postcard sized flyers to let others in the park know that it’s out and ready on Amazon. As fast as my son (who was visiting) and I could hang them up in the laundry rooms, they were down. By the time I was going back to put the clothes in the dryer, every single one of the cards was gone. 50 cards in about 60 minutes. Someone literally went laundry room to laundry room and took down each of those cards.
From that time forward, it was war. We got written up for everything in the book almost; there was hardly a day there wasn’t a little slip in our mailbox. It was a joke when I went in to get the mail; I made sure EVERYONE in hearing distance knew what the management was doing. And I just wasn’t having any of their nonsense anymore. I was sick of the attitudes.
So here are the things to watch for:
electric is 3x what you’ll pay at a residence. We were paying $ 180/​month for a 340 sq ft unit. I pay $ 170 in an 1100 sq ft house here that is only a couple hundred more to rent than their lots in the summer, and cheaper in the winters.
the internet was the pits. they are saying there was an upgrade since, but when we were there, you could barely stay online. everyone complained.
the electric is sub-​par for the campground. We were in a TT and had 30 amps, and it blew constantly. It got to the point that I couldn’t leave the dogs alone in the RV because the AC would randomly go out 3 – 4 times a week in the park.
40 cable channels is a joke. The manager picks them herself. And when the sound went out on several of them, she did nothing about it for a month or so. I had to call and pretend I worked there to get Verizon to move on it.
The time there really made me bitter against old people. I was really thinking Florida was a bad move because of the way they were treating us. My husband and I were very nice and pleasant, trying to invite new mentors into our lives, since all 4 of our parents died, but the people there were nasty and wanted nothing to do with younger folks. So if you’re not in AARP, avoid it!