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

Monday, 20 May 2019 19:56

Grand Canyon Trailer Village

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Grand Canyon Trailer Village RV Park

    Trailer Village RV Park, what can I say.  The best thing about the RV park is its location, right in the middle of the West Grand Canyon Rim National Park.  The RV park and the National Park are better described separately.  The RV park has over 100 pull-through sites of varying length and facilities.  We did manage to reserve a site long enough for our coach, but we had to cheat and park the dinghy off the driveway and in the camping site.  Actually, most of the sites had about ten feet before the next site began and it sort of felt like a parking lot, although there were trees.  The biggest issue I had, (and I’m sorry to admit this) is that there was no cell or Internet service.  At least not via AT&T.  However, we did find plenty to do without the internet.  But at the end of the day, it would have been nice to send pictures back to friends and family.  (with 5 million people visiting the Grand Canyon every year, you might think that the Internet would be a no-brainer) But like I said, the park’s greatest asset is its location.   From there, we could walk to the rim and follow it to the west to the end of the “tourist area” and take the free shuttle back to the campground.  On the second day, we walked the east end of the rim trail from the campground.  If you have a couple of days to spend in the park I would very much recommend this RV Park for its convenience.

     The one thing I can’t express enough about the Grand Canyon is its overwhelming awe power.  When we saw the canyon for the first time, it was truly intense.  The size and the beauty that just can’t be caught in a picture.  This is a place that everyone should put on their bucket lists.  We couldn’t get enough of it and fortunately the rim trail is several miles long.  Long enough to get out of the public from time to time and just enjoy its beauty for ourselves.  Not only is its beauty a great part of its attraction but the history of the canyon itself is very interesting as well.  We also took our car along the rim to the east twenty-five miles to Desert View Watch Tower.  Along the way we found several spots to stop and take photos of the canyon.  Unfortunately, we got there too late in the evening for things to be open, but just in time for the sunset.   The park is well maintained, most trails are paved and except for the east end of the rim trail, bicycles are not allowed.  The one thing I did notice about the tourists in the park is that they were more than willing to step off the trail and hang out over the canyon for the perfect photo shot.  It was pretty scary to watch at times.  The other thing about the park is that they don’t sell bottled water.  You have to buy their twenty-dollar souvenir water bottles and fill them with spring water from several different locations throughout the park.  However, they are not working until summer, so while there, in late May we were hard-pressed to find drinking water short of going back to the campground.  Overall, we loved the park and plan on returning often.  I would recommend buying $80 one year National Park pass that’s good for four people.  It’s $30 to enter the park each visit.

GRAND CANYON RV'ING AT ITS FINEST

This is the trip your RV was made to go on. Trailer Village® RV Park is the only in-park RV park with full hookups and it's incredibly close to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Set within a high desert landscape, the Trailer Village RV Park is a paved pull-through site perfect for vehicles up to 50 feet long. Best of all, it's open year-round.

FULL RV HOOKUPS INSIDE THE GRAND CANYON

Important information:

  • Check-in time: 12 p.m.
  • Check-out time: 12 p.m.
  • Quiet hours: 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.
  • Charcoal fires only. No wood fires allowed.
  • Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Please clean up after them.
  • Due to water shortages, washing your vehicle is prohibited.
  • All trash must be placed in dumpsters.
  • Satellite users: The Grand Canyon's ZIP code is 86023

Hours of Operation (Registration Kiosk)

Jan. 1 to March 25 = 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
March 26 to Oct. 21 = 7 a.m. - 9 pm.
Oct. 22 to Dec. 31 = 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For guests arriving after the Registration Kiosk has closed for the day:

  • If you have a guaranteed reservation, a notice will be posted on the welcome building door with your last name, reservation number, and the site number you are assigned to.
  • If you do NOT have a reservation, there will be a sign posted at the welcome building with available sites listed (if any).
Read 5119 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 03:56
Published in Arizona
Rick

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