Each winter, Rick Middlebrook and Jill Gawne cross the Seven Mile Bridge and return to a life they love. They’re Florida snowbirds from Michigan – part of the one million people who drive south from northern states, trading snow for Florida sand.
Jill spent ten years living in Sugarloaf Key before moving back up north in 2012. In 2017, she met Rick and brought him to the Keys where he quickly fell in love with the lifestyle too.
Eventually, they found something special — a travel trailer for sale at an RV park they already knew and loved. It felt like fate. They made Big Pine Key RV Park their seasonal home and haven’t missed a winter since.
Rick and Jill are now retired. They spend each winter in the heart of the Keys enjoying everything they missed: sunshine, quiet mornings, and a laid-back community that feels like family.
In case you’re new to the term: “snowbirds” are seasonal residents who escape colder climates to enjoy sunny destinations like Big Pine Key during the winter. And if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to snowbird in the Florida Keys, this list is for you.
Here are 7 reasons Big Pine Key should be on your snowbird radar.
1. It’s the Warm-Weather Escape Michigan Retirees Dream About
The draw of snowbird weather in Big Pine Key, Florida is undeniable, especially if you’re coming from a place where winter lasts far too long. While the rest of the country is layering up, Big Pine Key stays mild and breezy.
Guests can expect average highs in the 70s and 80s throughout winter.
It’s the kind of climate that invites you outside for morning walks, bike rides into town, and afternoons by the water. For Rick and Jill, it’s a total shift from their life in Michigan. Rick spends his days on the boat, reeling in fish. Jill claims her usual spot at the pool, a routine that earned her the nickname “the pool lady.”
It’s a fitting title in a place where every day feels like vacation.
In the Florida Keys, winter is something you watch on the news, not something you live through.
2. Resort-Style Living Meets Island Charm
Big Pine Key RV Park blends coastal charm with all the comforts and convenience of a resort. The RV resort features a rooftop pool, a private marina, dock access, and well-kept grounds surrounded by the natural beauty of the Florida Keys.
Wildlife is part of the everyday view. Guests can expect to see iguanas sunbathe along the shoreline, key deer wandering, and manatees occasionally appear in the marina. If you’re curious about what other creatures call the Keys home, this guide to Florida Keys wildlife is a great place to start.
3. You Don’t Have to Leave the RV Park to Have Fun
Big Pine Key RV Park makes it easy to stay put. Resort amenities and oceanfront activities mean you can stay busy or kick back without ever leaving the grounds.
The on-site campground store adds to the convenience. It’s stocked with drinks, snacks, water gear, and everything you need for a beach day or cookout.
“There’s always something going on. We’ve got painting classes, concerts, music nights, happy hours… it really becomes a community.”
Jill Gawne
From the lazy days at the pool to watching kids grow up playing outside, the resort has a relaxed, safe energy that brings people together.
And with new vacation cottage rentals and luxury trailer rentals, even non-RVers can join the fun. For guests who prefer tent camping, the park also hosts 27 rustic sites, including 13 oceanfront spots just steps from the water.
Whether you’re staying in a luxury travel trailer rental or at a rustic tent site, the ocean backdrop adds a touch of paradise to every stay.
4. You’re Steps from the Reef, Ready to Fish
For anglers like Rick, Big Pine Key RV Park is in a prime location.
The resort sits at mile marker 33, just a short ride from Looe Key — one of the most iconic coral reefs in the Lower Keys. It’s a top choice for Rick and many other fishermen and snorkelers in the area.
Whether you’re casting off the dock, launching from the marina, or heading out on a charter with a local guide, the options are endless. Guests can snorkel the nearby reef, fish the calm backwaters, or chase tarpon and snapper just offshore.
Big Pine Key RV Park puts the best fishing in the Florida Keys within reach.
5. State Parks are Just Minutes Away
After soaking up the nature around the resort, there’s even more to explore just a short drive or bike ride away. Bahia Honda State Park, Horseshoe Beach, and the Blue Hole in the National Key Deer Refuge, are minutes away.
Big Pine Key offers scenic beaches, historic bridges, and wildlife parks thanks to its central location. The historic bridges offer some of Rick’s favorite fishing spots, and a glimpse into the storied past of the Overseas Highway.
“We love the history,” he said. “Fishing under those old bridges is just so cool.”
6. It’s a Drama-Free, Built-In Community
Ask any snowbird what keeps them coming back, and it’s rarely just the view.
“It’s the people,” Jill said. “It’s like we’ve got our family back home and our family in the Keys.”
Each winter, returning guests settle into their favorite RV sites, pick up right where they left off with friends, and welcome new neighbors into the fold. For many, it’s not just a vacation, it’s a reunion.
“There’s no drama here. That’s what we love,” Rick added. “It’s just easy.”
If you’re new to RV life or want to meet more like-minded travelers, consider joining an RV club. Many Cove communities, including Big Pine Key RV Park, participate in programs like Good Sam and Escapees RV Club. These memberships offer savings, perks, and the chance to connect with fellow RVers.
7. You Can Vacation Like a Local — Without the Crowds
When they’re not by the water, Rick and Jill hop on their electric bikes. They ride into town for groceries at Winn-Dixie or lunch at Kiki’s Sandbar. For bigger adventures, they load the bikes into their truck and head to places like Duval Street for a ride through Old Town Key West.
Unlike the more tourist-heavy Key West or Stock Island, Big Pine Key offers a quieter, more authentic pace of life.
Jill puts it best: “You’re close to everything — Marathon, the grocery store, the water — but not stuck in the middle of the Duval Street crowds.”
And for those who do want to visit the hotspots, it’s just a quick trip down the road. Then you’re back home at the RV park, enjoying a quiet sunset and a happy hour with friends.
Find Your Snowbird Weather in the Florida Keys
Whether you’re hauling your own RV or booking a vacation cottage rental, Big Pine Key Resort offers the perfect mix of community, coastal beauty, and comfort. Book your snowbird getaway online.
Start your snowbird tradition where the ocean is close, the weather is warm, and winter feels like a distant memory.
Discover your next chapter in Big Pine Key, Florida.