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 04:37

Willow Bay RV Campground and Marina

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Willow Bay Campground & Marina, Nine Mile Falls, Washington

     We pulled into Willow Bay on a Friday morning and were greeted by a friendly young lady who checked us in.  She pointed out the four sites that had septic connections and said we were welcome to choose one or any other site for that matter.  The four full hookup sites had concrete pads, but there was quite a drop off to back in that our trailer hitch hit the ground preventing us from using any of them.  (Later we saw a motor home pulling after dark and simply drove through the grass from another road and pull forward into a site with septic) However, the site we did pick was much better, but since the campground has no dump station, we first tried on of those.  Most of the sites are in the grass and are very wide.  There is a “green area” along the river to prevent campers from parking too close to the water, which is nice.

 

      If you are looking for a nice place to sit and watch the sun set over the lake, this is the campground for you.  While the area is forested with mostly Ponderosa Pines with little underbrush and very dry, the campground is acres of green grass with Willow trees throughout.  The sites all have water and electricity and are really nice.  There is no AT&T cell service and Verizon is very weak.  The campground has no Internet what-so-ever and we couldn’t pick up local TV.  This gave us lots of time to kick back enjoy the lake, the view, a gas campfire, and our fellow campers. 

       While there we drove into Spokane to shop and visit Northern Quest Casino and Resort.  (they are currently building a new RV campground there) Also, we followed the lake / Spokane River to the dam which formed the 23-mile-long lake.  The dam was built in 1915 and at the time had the highest dam spillways in the country, however, didn’t allow for salmon to pass further up river to Spokane and Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Willow Bay Resort - Advance Resorts of America

Resort ID: 2175

Type: Classic

Good Sam Rating: 4/4.5/6

Address: 
6607 Hwy 291
Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026

Phone: (509) 276-2350

Fax: (509) 276-5320

Reservations Phone: (800) 445-9519

Reservations Fax: (360) 466-1398

Reservations EMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Resort Information: Willow Bay Resort is located on Long Lake. The resort features on-site boat launch, multiple docks, boat storage, clubhouse with HD satellite, hiking trails, boathouse, laundry facilities and 24-hour security. At Willow Bay Resort and Marina swimming, waterskiing, and trophy bass fishing are right in your front yard.

Directions: I-90 at Spokane take Division Ex 281. Follow 3 mi N to Hwy 291 (W Francis Ave). Turn L and continue approx 20 mi to resort.

Web Site:araresorts.com

EMail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Partial Sites: 100

Pull-through Sites: 20

Open: Jan 1 to Dec 31

Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps

WiFi Available: No

Maximum RV Length: 45 feet

Amenities: Activity center, picnic tables, beach, game room, hot showers, ice available, laundry, library, movie rentals, recreation hall, tenting, TV lounge, badminton, boating available, boat ramp, paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, fishing available, horseshoe, hiking trails, volleyball, water skiing, gambling casino nearby, shopping nearby, tourist attractions nearby, boating nearby, fishing nearby, golf nearby, winter sports nearby.

Accepts Pets: Yes

Pet Restrictions: No aggressive or barking dogs

Visitor Mail Accepted: Yes

Read 4071 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 05:16
Published in Washington
Rick

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