We landed this afternoon at Ely KOA Journey, pretty much right in the middle of Nevada, elevation, 6500 ft. This is just a stop-over for a night, but it really is a nice campground. We plan to drive around this after and check out the town.
From here we're heading north to Idaho. Our first stop is a place called Anderson Camp. We plan to spend a couple of days there so we can check out Shoshone Falls and what's left of Twin Falls
Click on "Top Panel" to see where are and where to next
Our drive from Niagra to Kenisee Lake was an eventful one. Our "stop engine" light and buzzer came on and it was almost an impossible find to locate an auto/RV/truck mechanic that had the equipment to analyze our trouble. We finally did, got the issue resolved and was able to make the 173-mile drive in just a bit under eight hours. The other thing we found is that if you're using Google Maps as your GPS coming from I-90, it will direct you to go under a ten-foot bridge just before reaching the campground.
Once we got to the campground we found that they had already chosen our site for us. (not the norm for a Thousand Trails park) Fortunately, it was a 50 amp site as we found that there are just a few of them. I'm guessing that the assignment was to prevent RV's without 50 amps from using the available sites. The campground is very nice, the sites are large and all have grass lawns with full hook-ups. There are tent sites with just water and electricity as well. Like with most campgrounds that rent out annual sites, the better locations we filled with people who don't travel. The campground is only open half the year. The other half power and water are turned off, but people can keep their RV's in their sites. We found that most of the annual sites are just used on the weekend. The campground is very well kept up and has decent amenities. The pool could be bigger and the shared sports court could be split up so that you didn't have to set up a net every time you wanted to play pickleball. The small lake is fine for boating but swimming isn't allowed. There is also a good number of folks with ATV's and they drive them from the campground to go mudding somewhere nearby. Overall the campground is one of the better ones we have visited, the people are very friendly and the feel of the campground is welcoming to traveling RV'ers.
While here at the campground we didn't find a whole lot of excitement in the surrounding area. We drove to Geneva by the Lake, (the local tourist area) then followed the road east along the lake for twenty miles or so. Unfortunately for the town, since the 70's the lake has eaten up the beaches and businesses who once had nice beaches to draw customers in no longer have them. We drove through town around eleven on a Monday and found most stores and attractions to be closed. We also stopped at a couple of parks along Lake Erie and had a chance to wade out into the lake. It was surprisingly warmer than I expected. The problem is that the geese and seagull population at the parks is so numerous that most of the grass and beach areas are minefields and not very pleasant to hang out in.
Looking for a fun trip away from it all? Fishing, hiking trails, family activities, and pristine waters await you at Kenisee Lake RV Camping. Surrounded by breathtaking foliage and water views, this RV campground in Ohio offers the perfect getaway for couples, friends, and families.
With plenty of campsites, guests can take their pick at their ideal setting. Choose from heavily wooded sites, clear and open camping, or scenic sites with a water view. Like to fish? Then Kenisee Lake RV camping couldn't be more perfect. Home to a beautiful lake and three ponds, guests can spend the day fishing and create memories by the water.
GENERAL POLICIES:
RESERVATION & PAYMENT POLICIES:
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
Park Model w/ Screened Porch/6 No Pets
Sleeps 6. Two bedrooms/One full bath.
Master bedroom has a queen-size bed. Second bedroom has a bunk bed with double on the bottom and single on top.
Living room has a sofa that turns into a single bed.
Fully equipped kitchen. Linens NOT included.
No pets permitted.
After pricing Willard Bay State Park Campground, we opted for the $25 a night Willard Bay South Marina and Campground. It was pretty much one big parking lot, but the sites were well spaced, most having a covered picnic table in the grass. There was plenty of shade trees so it was a lot better than I imagined from the satellite view. Each site had full hookups, which was nice, however, the sewer system ran below the parking lot and there was a vented manhole cover just a few feet from our door. This was two problems, the smell, and the number of bugs that circled around it. Since we were staying for just two nights and weren’t planning on sitting outside much because of the mosquitos, we didn’t change sites. We probably should have, judging by the number of gnats that found their way into the coach by the second night.
While there we drove down to the historic 25th Street in Ogden, only to find that everything was closed on Mondays. So, after looking at the map, Jackie suggested that we check out Antelope Island State Park. It was a great park which featured antelope, buffalo, and lots of birds. There was a couple of campgrounds a visitor center, and a burger stand, which featured buffalo burgers. We were assured that the buffalo came from South Dakota. We didn’t go for the buffalo, but both our hamburgers were outstanding. We learned the history of the island and of the Great Salt Lake and how the level of the lake changed over time. Perfect, if you’re into that sort of thing like we are. The Visitor Center also had this cool birdhouse.
Overall, the park nice enough and would be great if you had a boat. (just don’t park near a manhole cover) On the upside, we did see a pair of great horned owls and a couple of beautiful sunsets. On the way out, you exit through the park gate and then there is about a mile of straight two-lane road and halfway down the road is a second gate which has two concrete bollards sticking up right in the middle of the road splitting the lanes. If you’re not paying attention….
(from Utah State Parks) Boat, swim, water ski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. Two areas, North and South Marinas, offer all the amenities for a weekend at the Bay.
When we arrived at Skyline Mountain, we were directed to which campsite to park in. As soon as we saw it, we realized that there was no way for us to fit. Jackie walked back to the office and they assigned us another site. There only three other campers in the whole campground. Anyway, once we pulled in, I get into a conversation with the folks next door. Unfortunately, I did this before I got things set up with our coach. Needless to say, I was in the doghouse. They did have nice grassy sights with gravel drives and a small concrete pad for a picnic table. The campground features a nine-hole golf course and a driving range. It has a nice pool with a long tube slide, from which I was told by another camper was only opened on weekends and was closed for the season when we got there in mid-November.
There are a couple of small towns nearby which are nice, but not really touristy. While we were there we made a loop to the east up into the mountains into coal country. On the drive, we found a museum in the town of Helper which gave us a nice history of the area's coal miners and railroaders. While on our drive we reach a spot where the bones of a mammoth were discovered above 9000 feet. The drive was scenic and worth the time, but outside of that we didn't find much else to do while we were there.
Good Sam Rating: 6.5/9*/8.5
Address:
22130 North 11750 East
Fairview, UT 84629
Phone: (435) 427-9590
Fax: (435) 427-9505
Reservations Phone: (435) 427-9590
Resort Information: 1,500 acres of mountain beauty next to Manti LaSalle National Forest. Waterslide and public pool available for fee. 9-hole golf course with cart rentals, pro shop, driving range.
Web Site: skylinemountain.com
EMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Full Sites: 22
Partial Sites: 10
Pull-through Sites: 3
Check-In/Check-Out Times: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m./ 11:00 a.m.
RV Site Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open: May 1 to Oct 31
Maximum Electrical Service: 30 amps
WiFi Available: No
Maximum RV Length: 40 feet
Elevation: 6100
Amenities: BBQ grills on site, basketball, dump station, fire rings, outdoor pool with a water slide (pay-per-use), snack bar (golf shop & pool snack bar), horseshoe, tennis, playground, golf available (9-hole pay-per-use) , driving range (pay-per-use), putting green, handicap access, Clean restrooms with hot showers (closed after office hours please check out a restroom card with office need a $20.00 or Driver License for deposit), ice available ($1.50 a bag 8lb), meeting room, pavilion (pay-per-use if available), picnic area, pull-through sites, tenting, volleyball, winter sports nearby (snowmobiling). Nearby fishing, hiking, rock climbing, ATV trails, drive-in movie theater, restaurants, scenic views, museums, shopping, horse arena. Maps available in the office (ATV & Hiking).
RV Notes: Rate includes 1 RV, 1 vehicle, 4 people, 2 pets, 30 amp. Additional charges: Extra adult $3/night, extra child $1/night, 50 amp $3/night, late check-out early check-in $5 plus tax, utility fee $3.50/night, pets over 25 lbs $3/night. Pool fee $5 swim & $7 swim/slide. Water shut off in Oct. Limited winter facilities. Mail accepted please use 22130 N 11750 E SMR RV Spot # Fairview, UT 84629.
Rental Notes: Rental units available. Trip Points not accepted. Contact the resort directly.
Restrictions:
Accepts Pets: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Animals are only allowed if leashed at all times. Clean after pets. No animals around the pool area. Cabin #1 pet-friendly only.
Visitor Mail Accepted: Yes
Paradise Campground is a small graveled RV park just north of the town of Panguitch, Utah. From there, it was about a thirty-minute drive to Bryce Canyon. While trying to make reservations I was never able to get anyone on the phone at the office, but they did call back. When we got there, the office was closed. A note on the door told us the rates of the sites and to pick a site and then put money in an envelope and slide it under the door. Over the weekend, no one ever did come to the office. The park was in good shape and looked as if someone had spent a lot of time and money into making the campground really nice and then just stopped, not quite finished with the renovations. Speaking with another camper who had stayed there several times in the past, I guess the park has been this way for years. We found the sites very close together, but there were enough empty campsites that people spaced themselves out. We had no neighbors on either side so it wasn't bad. With the campground being above 6000 feet and it being late September we did wake up to below freezing temperatures.
We arrived at the early enough that we decided to head up to Bryce Canyon that day so that we could leave the cold and head south a day earlier. On the way to Bryce, we drove through Red Canyon and stopped at the visitor's center. Red Canyon is separate from Bryce Canyon and has many hiking trails. Don't make the mistake of asking questions about Bryce Canyon at the wrong visitor's center. When we arrived at Bryce Canyon, we parked at the shuttle bus center outside of the park. We then rode the shuttle into the park, stopping at the visitor's center and then at Bryce Point. From there we could view the main cathedral. The other shuttle stops we more points along the rim of this same cathedral, so we walked most of the rim. There are several trails that lead down into the canyon. Had we more time, better shoes on, and better weather, we would have done more hiking. The rim is over 8000 feet and with the wind, it wasn't very warm that day.
On our second day, we decided to drive up to Cedar Breaks National Monument. The drive up there was beautiful. The birch trees were bright yellow mixed in with the dark evergreens. When we arrived at the rim, we were above 10,000 feet and looking out to the west was a thick cloud cover below us. We were able to view most of Cedar Breaks despite the clouds. At the park's visitor center a couple of young ladies thought it would be cool to have photos taken while standing on top of a fence with a drop of several thousand feet behind them. From what we've seen, it's a wonder more tourist don't lose their lives from trying to get that perfect photo shot. Just down the road, we pulled into Duck Creek Village for lunch. Duck Creek is a haven for ATV'rs and around the area are scores of trails to ride. The area east of Cedar Breaks was made up of several individual peaks and the geography of the land formation was a combination Cclaron Limestone (like Bryce Canyon & Cedar Breaks) and black lava rock. Like we found in Oregon and Washington in places the liver of lava flowing through the cooler rock forming lava tubes. After our visit to Duck Creek, we stopped at one of these tubes, Mammoth Cave.
We left there on a Sunday morning heading further south to warmer weather, to get there we had to cross a mountain pass that was covered in a dusting of snow. Two hours later we were setting up camp in Leeds on a sunny 70-degree afternoon.
From their website:
We didn't start out with this park as a destination, but after canceling our week in Yellowstone, we moved things around to stay a couple of days in Leeds so we could visit Zion National Park. As the weather got really cold while visiting Bryce, we decided to add another day just to get some warmer weather. This gave us two days to visit Zion, one to go into the park and use the shuttle to follow the Virgin River up the canyon stopping to hike the trails along the way. The second we followed Route 9 through the tunnels to the other end of the park, seeing a whole different section of the park that can't be seen from the shuttle. My only issue with the park is the number of people, but I guess that's a good thing. The last stop on the shuttle offers a short paved trail up the river to the start of the Narrows. I think that everyone who visits the park takes this hike, or so it seems. The Narrows is something I would like to hike in the future. It is a trail up the middle of the river through the narrow canyon. There is a rental place at the park's entrance to rent waterproof gear to make the hike.
As for the park itself, it was truly one of the nicest parks that we've visited. All the sites have shade, full hookups, a concrete patio, and picnic table. There are grass park areas for tenters and picnickers. The owners were very helpful in accommodating our reservation change in making sure that we didn't have to change sites after our last minute decision to come a day early. Although the park wasn't in either of our membership campgrounds, it is one that we'll visit again in the future.
The best part about the park was the people we met while there. In our short time there we met five other couples. Four of which we shared an evening of libation and laughs. Somehow we always meet the nicest people on our last day in a park. We're looking forward to running into our new friends in the future.