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.
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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.
As luck would happen, we arrived at the campground on a Sunday of a three-day Canadian holiday, so the campground was quite full. We drove into the campground and found no place to disconnect the dinghy and had to squeeze through the maze of cars and RV with the coach, car attached. Working our way to the back of the campground we didn’t find a single site deep enough to fit us until we got to an area that was backed up to the storage area which was previously designated for tents. The site was in a zoo of cars, boats, tents, and RVs, I was about to pass it up when Jackie decided it would be our spot. She had walked ahead of the coach to find a site while I was working my way through the maze. The campers around the site offered to move cars and boats and even guide us in. Based on the friendliness of the people around, we took a very tight spot with only 15 amps.
The campground was such a zoo and with a lack of phone and internet, we contemplated leaving the next morning. We didn’t. For a fee, the campground offered the internet and gave us a password that was good for just one device and 24 hours. On our second day, I got smart and set up my directional antenna and connected with a repeater and a router, which allowed us to connect any of our devices. On the last day of the holiday, the campground had thinned out a bit and it was more welcoming. We took advantage of the pool and explored the area a bit.
Our first venture out we went to Bridal Veil Falls and then to Hope to see the Othello Tunnels (being that it was BC Day, the tunnels were so crowded we passed on visiting them. Jackie wanted to do lunch at a real authentic Canadian restaurant, so she picked Tim Hortons, where we were expected to have a donut with our sandwiches. From there we headed to Harrison Hot Springs which was a neat touristy town with a beach, swimming lagoon, shops, and restaurants. Because of the smoke, we couldn’t see much of the beautiful landscape also, I had hoped to visit Devil’s Gate, but it was too close to the fires.
On a second outing, we drove just a mile or two from the campground to Teapot Hill trailhead. Round trip to the top and back was just over three miles and a thousand foot elevation change. The hike was very enjoyable because, on your way up the hill, previous hikers had left teapots of every variety semi hidden along the trail. I don’t really know what I’m going to do with 50 plus teapot photos, but oh well. We passed people of all ages, everyone having fun spotting teapots, forgetting the steepness of the climb. We even met one young lady with a teapot of her own to hide.
The visit turns out to be a success, smoke, holiday, and all. Most of the people we met in the campground loved it and come back to it over and over. On our way back across the border, we got some extra fun when we were detained for a half hour or so, while the border guards decided that even with a common name, I was safe to allow back into the states.
A Fraser Valley RV campground providing a fun getaway for all ages