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 21:57

Niagra's Lazy Lakes Camping Resort

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Niagra's Lazy Lakes Camping Resort, Lockport, New York

     Our drive into Niagra's Lazy Lakes was a long one from Vermont.  We opted to take I-90 to save some time knowing it was a toll road.  It set us back $45 dollars to do so.  Driving into the campground coming from the east was a bit tricky as we had to watch bridge heights and weight limits.  Once at the campground all was good.  We were able to pick a site (in half the park as we're not members of the park, but can camp here for free through our Coast to Coast)  a found a good one with plenty of grass and shade.  Also, not being a member caused us to cut our visit shorter than we would have liked.  The weekend we hoped to stay was a Canadian Holliday and the campground was blocked out for non-members.  The campground itself is beautiful with nice sites, two pools, two lakes, and all the amenities you would expect to find in a camping resort. (no pickleball)  It also only has 30amp sites with no septic available to non-resident campers.  The park is located just twenty minutes from Niagra Falls which was very convenient for us.

 

     Having just two days to explore, we decided to first visit the Canadian side of the falls.  It is much more touristy and built up than the American side.  So we took a tour to the base of the falls and behind it.  We also went to the Imax theater to see "Legends of the Falls" (it was disappointing)  We took a few minutes out for lunch and tried our luck in a Casino and didn't do very well.  On the second day, we stopped off at Whirlpool State Park on our way in.  We learned quite a bit of history about the falls and the Niagra River from a park volunteer.  Then we drove back to the falls and visited Niagra State Park.  The park is exceptional and is worth a visit.  We got out to the observation tower to see both falls, then made it to Goat Island (which is between the two falls)  From there we could get right up to the edge of the Canadian falls.  We decided that we would walk around the island and took a few minutes to walk out onto the three sisters islands which are small islands above the Canadian falls, where several signs were posted for the really stupid.  On the other side of Goat Island, you can walk out onto "Hell's Half Acre".  It's another island right above the American Falls which divides the river forming Bridalvale Falls.  Below Bridalvale, people can walk out onto decks and get the full falls experience.  I sort of wished we had taken the time to do so, maybe on our next visit.

 

 

Address:4312 Church Rd. Lockport, NY 14094

Phone: (800) 874-2957

Fax: (716) 433-2625

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

Resort Information: Niagara's Lazy Lakes Resort is in the heart of Niagara and is known as "Western New York's Best Kept Secret". Only 15 minutes from the Canadian border, plan on visiting many of the local and Canadian attractions such as Niagara Falls, Lake Ontario (salmon fishing) and Old Fort Niagara, Toronto.

Web Site:lazylakes.com

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

Partial Sites: 265

Pull-through Sites: 25

Check-In/Check-Out Times: Noon - 6:00 p.m./ 11:00 a.m.

RV Site Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open: May 1 to Oct 31

Open: Nov 17 to Dec 31

Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps

WiFi Available: Yes

Maximum RV Length: 45 feet

Elevation: 300.0000

Amenities: Recreation Hall, laundry, dump station, boating available, paddle boats, horseshoes, outdoor pools (heated), fishing available (catch & release), shuffleboard, canoes, ice available, RV supplies, propane, grocery store, picnic tables, group activities, fire rings, beach, church service, gift shop, game room, hot showers, playground, handicap access, firewood, basketball, boating nearby, shopping nearby, golf nearby, fishing nearby, casinos nearby, tourist attractions nearby.

RV Notes: Additional charges: 50 amps $4/night, Arrival dump station fee $25, honey wagon $10. No sewer sites.

Rental Notes: Rental units available. Trip Points not accepted. Contact the resort directly.

Accepts Pets: Yes

Pet Restrictions: 2 pets per site. Must show vaccination papers.

Visitor Mail Accepted: No 

Read 4510 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 04:46
Published in New York
Rick

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