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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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

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Connecticut

Connecticut (1)

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 03:35

Seaport RV Resort & Campground

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Seaport RV Resort & Campground, Old Mystic, Connecticut

      Not having any 'free' campgrounds in Connecticut that would fit our coach, we opted for a "Good Neighbor Park" These parks give Coast to Coast members a discount on camping fees.  Seaport gave a discount from $68 per night to $51 but required us to stay two nights.  The campground was nice with lots of grass and large camping sites.  However, it did lack septic at the campsites.  I understand that they provide a free pump out after three nights.  The facilities were nice and well maintained.  My biggest issue with the campground was that they wouldn't let us choose the site so we wound up facing the sun with no shade trees while there were plenty of nicer sites left empty.  

      While we were there we decided to drive to Gillette Castle.  It was the former home of William Gillette, now a Connecticut State Park.  Gillette was an early 20th-century playwright and actor who is most famous for his role as Sherlock Holmes.  He designed and had a castle built to live in.  From the outside it looks like an old stone European castle, however, on the inside, it was the coolest home I have ever been in.  The most impressive thing was the woodwork, especially the doors.  My description or even photos wouldn't do it justice.  It cost just six dollars to do a walkthrough.  Once inside there are park rangers to explain and tell the history of every room and of Gillette.  The castle sits on a hill overlooking the Connecticut River.  We were fortunate enough to have taken the ferry across the river, so our first view of the castle was from the water.  We would have missed it, if not for our love of taking ferries.  

      We also took some time to explore the town of Mystic.  We took photos of the Mystic Pizza parlor but didn't go in because we had already eaten lunch.  From what we were told at the park, the town has quite a maritime museum and with our gate pass, we could get 50% off admission.  We didn't have time, so we missed it.

 

Type: GNP - Good Neighbor Park

Good Sam Rating: 9/10*/9

Address: 
45 Campground Rd
Old Mystic, CT 06372

Phone: (248) 234-6027

Reservations Phone: (248) 234-6027

Resort Information: Seaport Campground is close to everything you love about Mystic and the Connecticut shoreline. Located in the phenomenal vacation destination of Old Mystic, CT, Seaport offers an East Coast retreat that you won’t soon forget. It’s no wonder families bring their RVs to Seaport – this resort is a camper’s paradise with large sites, fantastic amenities and a great variety of local attractions.

Directions: From Jct of I-95 & Allyn St/Cow Hill Rd (Ex 89): N 1.3 mi on Allyn St/Cow Hill Rd to Gold Star Rd/SR 184, turn E (R), park on L in 1.5 mi.

Web Site: sunrvresorts.com

Partial Sites: 102

Pull-through Sites: 25

Dry Sites: 12

Check-In/Check-Out Times: 2:00 p.m./ 11:00 a.m.

Rental Types: Economy RV Site, 4675 Points  

RV Site Minimum Stay: 2 nights (with our membership discount)

Rental Unit Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open: Apr 15 to Oct 14

Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps

WiFi Available: Yes

Maximum RV Length: 45 feet

Elevation: 0

Amenities: Game room, mini golf, fitness center, laser tag, group activities, pavilion, heated outdoor pool, playground, horseshoes, cable TV, dump station, firewood, ice available, picnic tables, fishing available, laundry, fire rings, grocery, propane, hot showers, honeywagon.

RV Notes: Special discount rate for Coast members. Site includes water, electric, no sewer. Additional charges: 50 amp $3/night, $20 early check-in and late check-out. Drive-ups not accepted.

Accepts Pets: Yes

Pet Restrictions: Yes

Visitor Mail Accepted: No

Published in Connecticut
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