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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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania (1)

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 04:12

Timothy Lake South

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Timothy Lake Lake South RV Resort, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

      On our drive from Cape May to Timothy Lake South, we decided that driving past the house I lived in in the early seventies, wasn't too far out of our way.  This took us off the interstate and put us on some back roads.  After our quick visit to Bridgewater, New Jersey, I set the GPS toward East Stroudsburg.  Unfortunately, I decided to use Google Maps vs. the Garmin that was set up for the Motorhome.  This put us on some very iffy roads until it came time to cross the Delaware.  Once we got to the bride we say that it had a max weight limit of 8 tons.  We are well more than double that.  When I got close enough to the bride the bridge tender came running out to stop us.  It was a simple matter to quickly disconnect and back into the local park driveway and turn around.  But the bridge attendant insisted that she call the police and have them open the gate to the park so that I could pull in and turn around.  Fun, fun, fun.  

      We arrived at the campground with no other issues.  The campground was very nice with paved roads throughout.  Most of the sites were on the narrow side, but not right on top of each other.  I believe this was because the sites were built up and leveled leaving a ditch between sites.  The campground was sort of broken up into three parts.  The area where all the sites were annual sites, the area that had few trees with good satellite reception and the treed area with lots of nice shade.  There was annual site intermixed throughout the campground.  I think that eventually, Thousand Trails will be all annual site and "Transients" like ourselves with being left out.  I hope that they will put a limit on the percentage of annual sites for all their campgrounds.  Overall the campground was above average, with nice amenities and friendly helpful staff.

     While we were there we saw that there was a dozen of so close-by waterfalls.  The campground is located in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area is very close.  We took off one morning with hopes of visiting as many as we could only to find almost all of them closed.  After talking to locals, we found out the severe winter had taken down lots of trees and it was a summer-long project to get trails cleared.  We did, however, find Bushkill Falls to be open so we stopped and found that it was a $`14.50 charge each to walk down and see a few falls along the creek.  It was hot so we opted to pass until the next morning when it was cooler.  Expecting that Bushkill Falls was going to be a typical tourist trap, but I was for the most part wrong.  We paid the $29 and started down a very well maintained trail.  When the trail steepened, it turned into a very nice wooden network of stairs and bridges.  I honestly think that was more impressed with the trails than the falls.  We made a three-mile hike and took in several waterfalls.  When we got out we checked out the small museum and gift shops.  All the buildings were very well maintained.  It was obvious that most of the ticket price went back into building and maintaining the park.   Overall, it was well worth the price.

     On another excursion, we decided to drive into Jersey City and tour Ellis and Liberty Islands.  We purchased tickets online so there was no wait when we arrived at Liberty State Park.  We hopped on the first ferry which took us to Ellis Island.  Jackie immediately went to the registry archives to see if she could locate where her great great grandfather Jacob Kammerer, wife and five children registered.  It took some time and with the help of a couple of the park rangers, Jackie was able to find him with Kammerer spelled Kammorer.  It was pretty cool.  From Ellis Island, we took the ferry to Liberty Island.  We didn't purchase tickets early enough (at least a month) to get to climb up to the crown but did make it to the top of the pedestal.  Then we took the ferry back to Jersey and tried to get out of town before rush hour.  The drive to and from Jersey City was about two hours each way, but the trip was well worth the trouble.  I think for a New York City visit, we will need to find a campground much closer.

 

     One of our most popular campgrounds, Timothy Lake South RV Campground is a modern version of a traditional campground. Located just one mile from our sister property, Timothy Lake North, this RV campground in Pennsylvania is designed to accommodate the largest of Class A motor coaches and fifth wheel travel trailers.

     Timothy Lake South RV Camping is a fan favorite with those who appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet nature has to offer. Relax at our outdoor pool, take the kids to the play area, and find the conveniences of home with our on-site general store and laundry facilities. Guests at this RV camp in Pennsylvania also have access to additional amenities at nearby Timothy Lake North, allowing them to enjoy twice the fun!

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