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 20:35

La Conner RV Camping Resort

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La Conner RV & Camping Resort, La Conner, Washington

     Arriving at La Conner RV Campground we were third in line to detach our dinghy, so we thought we would just drive around and find a spot with the motorhome (car in tow).  We found a spot that might work, so we detached the car and found that we couldn’t fit without approaching the site from the other direction.  We left the car and tried to figure out how to get back to the site and found a better location.  It was large enough for us, but with trees and a boat trailer across the way, I couldn’t maneuver into that site either.  On our way back to the first site, we found an even better site.  Finding a good site can be so frustrating sometimes.
     Once we settled in and got set up, we explored the campground on foot.  The is no pool, and the hot tub was under repair, so that left swimming in Similk Bay.  (a little cold for my blood) The campground is nice and sites are set up for camping.  There is both an adult and a family lodge.  The sports courts, shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, play area and the rest of the facilities were in good repair and well kept.  There is a small store, exercise room, and laundromat.  
    Nearby the campground, there are lots of great places to visit.  One of my favorite places is Deception Pass.  I never get tired of the views there.  We got there in the morning with the mist still present and it added to the beauty.  We also visited Anacortes.  As we travel, we are getting better at being tourists.  We first went to the Visitors Information Center and learned what was nearby.  They told us about Washington Park just outside of town.  So we went out and drove the loop through the park, stopping a few times to take photos.  On a second outing, we decided to take the ferry to San Juan Island to see if we could spot whales from shore.  We took the car so that we could drive to the other side of the island to Lime Kiln State Park (Whale watchers park) to see if we could spot some orcas.  We didn’t have much luck seeing whales, but the park was nice and had a neat history of being where (100 years ago) they heated limestone in a huge kiln and put the resulting lime in barrels to be shipped to other locations both from the site and Friday Harbor.  After we left the park we checked out the town of Friday Harbor, nice place.  The next day we met other campers at the campground who told us that just last year a pod of orcas came through right there at the campground.  (please note, any orca photos on this page were not taken by me.  I wasn’t that lucky)  Also, we checked out the town of La Conner, which is a great little touristy town to poke through shops and check out restaurants along the water.  
     La Conner Campground is another campground that we’re looking forward to visiting again.  We met several people there, (most of them from Canada) and it only made the park better.  My only gripe about the park would be the number of private sites along the beach that should be available for everyone. 
 
     “Join the fun and adventure at La Conner RV & Camping Resort. With 111 acres of camping space and a half-mile of saltwater beachfront, this RV campground in Washington offers an ideal location for exploring the Pacific Northwest. Shopping, dining, and historical buildings are accessible in La Conner to the east. While the San Juan Islands are just a ferry ride away to the west.” 
Read 5296 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 04:19

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