Where We Are Now

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.

   Ely KOA our site

Where We Are on the Map

Where to Next

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

 Anderson Camp Stock Photo

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Wednesday, 25 December 2024

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Sam Houston Jones State Park, Lake Charles, LA

Our Visit

      Sam Houston Jones State Park, was just a one night stay over, but after going there, I wish we would have stayed longer. The park is beautiful with swamps and a river, cabins, RV, and tent camping. The campground is wooded with mostly paved sites.

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Sam Houston on the map blue burned

Most are a bit tight for bigger rigs, but we managed to fit. Walking around the park we saw that the swamp directly across from the campground had been drained. (to restore some of the forests)  As we followed the road we found a large picnic area with plenty of tables along the river bank. There is a boat ramp and we saw someone out in a kayak paddling up and down the river. There is a boat ramp with a warning sign not to swim and a possibility of alligators. Further along, the road was several very nice cabins to rent. There was a second swamp, this one not drained with a large wooden bridge crossing it. In the middle of the bridge was an amphitheater. From the bridge looking down into the swamp, we saw dozens of turtles swimming about. (I took pictures, but you need to zoom in to see their heads poking out of the water and their bodies under the surface) As we passed the cabins along our walk around the park we discovered a full 18-hole disc golf course. Had we more time, we would have grabbed our discs and tried it out. Alongside the road, we could see that water had recently receded from there and discovered what we later found to be mounds of mud with holes in them made by crawfish digging into the ground as the water evaporated. Being from the Northwest, this was new. Later we searched You-tube and watched a video of someone pushing his arm (up to his shoulder) in a hole and pulling out a crawfish. A second video showed him using a trap in a creek using dry dog food as bait and catching them by the dozen.

     Overall, we really liked the park, we met some great people there and would recommend two nights if you’re using it as a stopover on your way down the road.

Campground number eighty-six. 

  • April 18, 2018 -  1 day
  1. Campground Information
  2. Their Description
  3. Amenities
  4. Policies .
Website:
  crt.state.la.us
Type: State Park
Address: Sam Houston Jones State Park, 
       107 Sutherland Rd,
        Lake Charles, LA 70611
Phone: (337) 855-2665

Originally named for the Texas folk hero who traveled extensively in the western reaches of Louisiana, Sam Houston Jones was given its current name in honor of the state's 46th governor, who was instrumental in setting aside this tract of land for the public to enjoy for both day-use and overnight visitors.
Because the caretakers of this 1,087-acre park have worked to keep the land in its natural state, abundant wildlife inhabits the area. Tree-filled lagoons and mixed pine and hardwood forest combine to create a unique natural environment. The park is located just north of the most productive birding region of Louisiana. The bird watching is always excellent, but at certain times of the year, nearly 200 species of birds can be seen at or within 30 miles of the site.

The Office of State Parks has partnered with Sasol in Lake Charles on the Longleaf Legacy Project,  to preserve the iconic tree's rich history, restore the splendor of local forests, and ensure the resiliency of such habitats for generations to come.  The project includes the restoration of over 70 acres of longleaf forest in the park and companion educational programs for local teachers and families.

Sam Houston Jones State Park is home to more than 70 acres of longleaf pines, the oldest living southern pine species. They were once one of the most abundant tree species in the United States, stretching across 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas. Over time, land-use practices such as logging, farming, development, urban encroachment, and fire exclusion have diminished the longleaf pine, leaving less than 4 million acres of longleaf forest and less than 10 percent of their original presence in Louisiana.

The numerous waterways in this area make water sports a natural highlight at the park. Two boat launches are conveniently located on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River, providing access to Calcasieu Lake, about 20 miles away. (No-Wake Zone Advisory )

The three hiking trails winding through this beautiful park make strolling or serious hiking, pleasurable. Particularly interesting is the old stagecoach road, which hikers may travel to explore the park and the banks of the various tributaries to the Calcasieu River.

 

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Hours of Operation:
Site is open daily.

Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday

  • open at 6 a.m.
  • close at 9 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

  • open at 6 a.m.
  • close at 10 p.m.

Entrance Station Hours:
Sunday through Thursday

  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

  • 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entrance Fees

  • $3 per person
  • Free for seniors (62 & older)
  • Free for children (3 & under)

Camping
A $6 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.
( map of sites 23-43)  ( map of sites 44-62)

9 Premium Campsites (pull-through sites with water and electrical hookups) $33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
26 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup) $28/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$20/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
Backcountry campsites (maximum capacity of 6), 5 available on a first-come, first-served basis $9 per person/night, plus tax
Primitive camping area (maximum capacity of 20) $20/night plus tax
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes (formerly Golden Age & Golden Access Passports) (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)
Holders of the Passes, whose state of residence also honors the America the Beautiful pass, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).

Additional Information About Overnight Facilities

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 03:58

Skyline Mountain Resort

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Skyline Mountain Resort, Fairview, Utah

    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.

Type: Classic

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

Read 3237 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 05:03
Published in Utah
Rick

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