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.
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
Click on "Top Panel" to see where are and where to next
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.
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.
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.
Hours of Operation:
Site is open daily.
Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday
Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Entrance Station Hours:
Sunday through Thursday
Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Entrance Fees
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). |
We arrived at Sea Pines on a Friday afternoon before the 4th of July for a ten-day stay. We were able to leave the coach just inside the gate and search for a site. We were given a map with all the available spaces highlighted in yellow and were told that only certain sites had a septic connect, however they do provide a free pump service twice a week. The sites with septics were located in with the annual sites. Sea Pines is definitely a campground. The roads and sites are all dirt and a little gravel. On the plus side most all of the sites are very large and could easily be two if not three sites. Also, all of the sites are in the trees. (not pine trees like the name would imply) We found a great end site and a couple hours later great people took the site next door. With every campground, there are pros and cons. On the negative side was the number of annual sites vs. camping sites. The other Thousand Trails campground down the road (Lake & Shore) gave us a map when stopped in for a visit showing close to 80% annual sites and referred to the other sites as 'transient' sites. We purchased a campground membership to camp in campgrounds not to fill the gaps in trailer parks. Sea Pines also needs to work on enforcing their rules especial the speed limit with the number kids and the level of dust, there are way too many fast drivers, the biggest violators being golf carts. On the positive side, there is a great swimming pond. Never been big on swimming in ponds, but this one was really nice. There is also a pool, but it's too small to just float and relax. With the trees, large sites, pond, and great neighbors the campground is worth a return visit.
Part of our reason for choosing this location was its proximity to Atlantic City (about a 40-minute drive). I had been there as a kid in the early seventies (before gambling was legal) and was excited about returning. Well, I was disappointed to see that the city is dying. Driving into town was sad, we could barely make out the skyline through the haze of the heat and pollution. When we got into the city, we found it dirty with closed up buildings and businesses everywhere, including on the boardwalk. We landed in a parking garage between Bally's and Ceasar's. Both casinos were nice, but nothing like Vegas. On the boardwalk, there were few people. There also was quite a bit of dune between the boardwalk and the beach, I don't remember that, but it's been 45 years. I'm guessing that there are other parts of the city that aren't as dead as where we were. There are several large casinos not on the boardwalk. It's too bad that the city is so run down.
On another day while were we camping here we decided to take the seventy-mile drive northeast to Philidelphia. It was worth it, but we didn't have enough time to see everything that we wanted to see. We decided to park free at a casino (Sugar House). We played a bit and then made the half hour trek in the 95-degree sun to the historic part of the city. We walked around and saw most of the historic sites that you'd expect to see and even did a tour of Independence Hall (the Pennsylvania State House) We found a fun way to check out the city. There are 13 story-telling benches throughout the city. At each bench, there is someone there telling five-minute stories about the history of the place. The storytellers are very animated and fun, but it was mostly geared toward children. Just the same we visited several and listened to some fun stories, but we ran out of time before we got to them all. It was a good way to find most of the historic sights of the city. Philidelphia is a beautiful city, but it doesn't smell very good. We will have to go back and get more of the history in the future.
South Jersey Shore getaway at this Cape May RV campground
Book a trip at Sea Pines RV Resort and have all the pleasures of a quiet campground plus the excitement of Atlantic City wrapped into one. Our easy-access wooded sites and comfortable rental accommodations make for the perfect home-away-from-home at this Cape May RV campground. Once settled, you will find that our campground offers much to do and see. Off-site, go sightseeing to appreciate the beauty of the old Victorian homes of Cape May, walk on the beach or stroll along the boardwalk. Back at the resort, hang out poolside, test your skill at mini golf or relax under the sun.
This area offers a great selection of things to do while vacationing. Try your luck at deep sea fishing, dine at gourmet restaurants, go whale and dolphin watching or even take a day trip to the free public zoo. However you define vacation fun, you’ll find many options available at Cape May’s Sea Pines RV Resort.