View from Big Lagoon State Park
at Perdido Key, Fla.

For the first time, Florida State Parks - among the nation's most popular - will accept reservations for overnight campers.

The Florida panhandle has 36 state parks including 16 with RV campsites. A full listing is located at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/information/rvcampsites.htm.

The reservations service will be handled by an outside company owned by Ticketmaster, Reserve America. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance by calling:  800-326-3521 or 866-ICAMPFL. Reservations can be made online in late January at http://www.reserveamerica.com.

The Pensacola News Journal reported on Jan. 6 that more than 8000 reservations already had been made for 33,000 available nights so early planning is essential.