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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Tuesday, 24 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 04:21

Verde Valley RV Park

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Verde Valley RV Park, Cottonwood, Arizona 

       After planning the first month we decided to join 1000 trails.  We had planned a longer stay at Trinidad Lake, but I wanted to fit Verde Valley into pit trip, and so we cut some days out of our plan and put six days into staying at Verde Valley.  I’m glad that I did.  Since it was in Arizona, we figured we needed 50amps, so we called ahead and reserved a 50amp site.  Unfortunately, there wasn’t going to be a 50amp site available our whole stay so we knew that we would have to move after a few days.  I now understand that about 30% of the campground is people who lived there full time and when we asked for a 50amp service it put us in more of a residential part of the park and less of a camping part.  After our first night of looking at someone’s shed out our window, we asked to move to a different section.   The staff was more than happy to help and we moved into a 30amp site close to the pool.  This site was great with green grass, shade, and a picnic table right out our door.  The next day, we got neighbors right next door, Tom & Paula, and their dog Logan.  They turned out to be great people and added to our enjoyment of the campground.        

 

      From the campground, we found several nearby things to check out.  First, we checked-out Cottonwood.  It had an older section of town with shops and restaurants.   After that, we headed up to the town of Jerome, a supposed ghost town built on the side of a hill.  It is an old mining town with an interesting history and now mostly a tourist stop with more shops and restaurants.  Just outside of town is an old junkyard of cars and trucks which have also been marked as a ghost town.  Unless you are really interested in rusted old cars, trucks, buses, tractors… save your five dollars and avoid this place.  We also visited Sedona.  I would recommend coming into town from the east through Oak Springs Village on 179.  The red landscape of rocks, mesas, desert trees, and plants looked like a scene from a Roadrunner cartoon or as my daughter put it, “where Cars was filmed” The area is a must see.  We had the time to explore the town and return for an early morning hike around Bell and Courthouse Rocks.  On another outing, we visited Montezuma’s Palace.  It’s another interesting part of history that I wasn’t familiar with.

     Almost a year and a half later, we visited the campground again.  It was obvious that they had been putting a lot of work into the park.  Roads have been widened and a great deal of electrical improvements have been made.  The new electric pedestals have been wired for both 30 and 50 amps, but a lot of the 50 amp outlets haven't been connected until the park installs new transformers.   Also, since we were here last we have taken up pickleball and we were able to get in a couple of games almost every morning before it got too hot.  Our site was similar to our last site, only we had the 50 amps.  There is an extra $5 per night for a 50 amp site, but seeing the electrical improvements made to the park, it is well worth it.  We're looking forward to our next visit here.   

Naturally Beautiful RV Campground in Arizona
Arizona is known for its expansive desert and mountain backdrops. At Verde Valley RV Camping, you’ll enjoy the best of everything Arizona has to offer. Situated on the scenic Verde River, Verde Valley RV Camping offers 300 acres of picturesque beauty. Explore the majestic Red Rocks to the north, Mingus Mountains to the west and the Hackberry Mountains to the south. With a moderate year-round climate, this RV campground in Arizona is an ideal location for your next retreat.

Rich in geological and cultural history, the area surrounding Verde Valley RV Camping offers hours of exploration and sightseeing. Kayak down the Verde River, explore the famous ghost town of Jerome, take a drive through scenic Sedona, or sample wines at local wineries. The possibilities are endless when you spend your next vacation at Verde Valley RV Camping!

Read 6075 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 05:12
Published in Arizona
Rick

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