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
We don't usually stop at KOA campgrounds, but this was the only campground in West Virginia along our route that worked without going too far out of our way. The campground has long pull-through sites but they were very close together.
If everyone would have parked their cars or trucks in line with their RV then it would have worked. For some reason, they didn't. After speaking with the camp host the prior night about two trucks that would need to be moved for me to pull forward to get out, both were still parked the next morning so we had to figure something else out. I still had the dinghy attached and didn't want to disconnect to back out. The large 5th-wheel a site over from me was also blocked by the same two trucks and frankly, our front in. If I backed up some, then he could fit. (I was still on my jacks) The folks on the other side of him parked their truck behind him half in his spot so he couldn't back out. So I quickly got things stowed away, he backed up as far as he could so that I could pull forward in front of him and head out the wrong way up the street. That worked, I hope that he got out as well.
Other than the tight sites, the campground was quite nice. It had a sandy beach on one of the three ponds with large floating toys for kids to play on. It had a few nice rental cabins along one of the ponds. The tent sites were set up really nice and you could even rent sites that featured patios complete with furniture and a nice fire pit. Overall the campground was pretty decent, better than other KOA's that we have visited. It's a great one or two-night stop-over right off the freeway. We would return if our travels bring us that way again.
Check-in time is after 2 pm and check-out time is 11 am. Our cabin registration times vary slightly to check-in after 3 pm and check out time of 11 am.
We always encourage a campfire while staying at our park, it's just part of camping. We are restricted by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Forestry Department from the transportation of firewood across state lines, so we do ask that you not bring your own firewood from other states. Firewood is for sale at the camp store for $5 per bundle. There are a couple of retailers in town that sell firewood, but you have to go get it.
Visitors of our camping guests are always welcome, however, there is a $7.50 charge for all visitors who utilize the campground facilities. Visitors must check into the campground office and obtain a parking pass and determine where the appropriate parking is located.
Enjoyment of camping for all guests is required, please respect your neighbors by keeping any noise and volume to a minimum. Official Quiet hours are enforced between 10 pm and 8 am. Bicycle riding is prohibited after dark for everyone's safety! Likewise, children must be on their respective campsite during quiet hours.
We are proud to offer a very clean and refreshing swim lake with sandy beach. While the beach and swim lake is a natural body of water, the fun comes with rules. ALL swimmers, regardless of age or ability, must sign a waiver of liability. Children must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Once the waiver of liability is signed an armband is issued to each swimmer. Life jackets are provided in all sizes for any swimmer that goes past the shallow markers. The large inflatable "toys" are located in the deep end of the lake and require life jackets to enjoy. This year we will have the water trampoline again, the jungle-gym and the rocket for guest enjoyment.
Save 10% at check out with a Value Kard Rewards membership.
Our Deluxe Camping Lodge is our largest accommodation available. Complete with all amenities and comforts of home. Additional cabins and campsites close by for others to join your outing.
Save 10% at check out with a Value Kard Rewards membership.
Our newest addition to cabin accommodations! Cute and comfortable with the comforts of home. New and nicely decorated for a getaway for the two of you or the whole family. See photos & amenities.
Save 10% at check out with a Value Kard Rewards membership.
Beautiful new log construction overlooking the reflection pond & barn. GR8 way to relax with kids or friends. Simple and cute great getaway with lots of things to do and have fun.
Save 10% at check out with a Value Kard Rewards membership.
Beautiful new log Cabin situated directly in front of the reflection pond. Pick up your fishing pole, sit in rocking chair or the front porch swing and enjoy all these cabins offer.
We pulled into Diamond Caverns just as another Mandalay was pulling out. We chatted with them for a few minutes and they suggested taking the spot that they had just left, they said the neighbors were nice. So we did and they were. The campground office is outside of the campground across from the driveway and the sales office is located where you would think to park and register. But I guess everyone is used to people being confused so it isn't a big deal. There is also a golf course and condos associated with the campground but that's a couple of miles back toward the highway. Once in the park we found our spot and plugged in, which tripped the 100 amp breaker feed six other 50 amp sites down the row. Like most parks, the electrical has a lot to be desired. We were able to get everyone back up and running and only tripped the breaker a few more times during our ten-day visit. The park has a mixture of 30 and 50 amp sites. Most of the pull-thru sites were 30 amp. The facilities were a bit worse for ware. Overall the park is nice enough, but really needs a lot of repair and upkeep. We had the great fortune of meeting several new friends there and with that, the worn conditions of the park mattered less.
There is very little phone service and even less Internet. We purchased a week from the private contractor who set up some directional antennas to feed the park. (unfortunately, none pointing toward us) So even after paying $25 for a week, it was still iffy for streaming, but okay for email. The Internet in the "Spa" was better and free. What used to be a spa is now a lounge, library and weight room and they still refer to it as the spa. The other thing about the campground is, that it's located near a gun range. We heard shooting the whole time we were there, but on the weekend it was non-stop shooting from 7 am until dark.
During our stay, we did have a thunderstorm come through and strike close enough to cause a surge that caught our microwave on fire filling the coach with smoke. It went out on its own and seems to be working just fine. That was enough for me to install a permanently mounted surge protector. (one of the perks of being a retired electrician) It didn't take long to install and has a built-in time delay before its contact close allowing surges to dissipate before it closes. However, I found the low-voltage trip feature gets lots of use in these il-wired parks.
While we were there, we took a tour of Diamond Cavern. It's a wet cave, so it has a lot of geological features. It's located right at the entrance to the RV park. We also went to Mammoth Cave Visitor Center and learn the history of the cave and the area. We had planned to tour part of the cave, but I was dealing with vertigo and we never went, but plan to return. A half an hour drive south of the campground is Bowling Green where we donated to Camping World and visited the Corvette Museum. That was worth the $10 admission if you're into Corvettes and by law, being that I'm a male in my mid-fifties I have to be. One of the most interesting things about the museum is the sinkhole that swallowed eight Corvettes a few years back.
18 Hole Golf Course at Diamond Caverns RV Resort & Golf
Diamond Caverns RV Resort & Golf Club offers the best in family vacations and southern hospitality. With a unique family atmosphere.
We offer full hook-up sites, including water and electric. Additionally, Diamond Caverns RV Resort has 2 bedroom accommodations equipped with a nearby pool. Book your next getaway with this Mammoth Cave RV campground.here, this RV Resort near Mammoth Cave National Park has 743 acres designed for relaxation and exploration plus an 18-hole golf course. Diamond Caverns RV Resort boasts walking, hiking, and biking trails, along with other area attractions.