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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Tuesday, 24 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.

 

 Day Use Fee Symbol burnedOpen Year Round Symbol burned30 amp Symbol burned50 amp Symbol burnedWater Symbol burnedCampfire Symbol burnedTenting Symbol burnedCabin Symbol burnedHandicap Symbol burnedHiker Biker Camp Symbol burnedRestroom Symbol burnedShower Symbol 3 burnedPicnic Area Symbol burnedPicnic Shelter Symbol burnedPlayground Symbol burnedDump Station Symbol burnedPets Symbol burnedFirewood Symbol burnedHiking Symbol burnedBike Path Symbol burnedBird Watching Symbol burnedWildlife Viewing Symbol burnedScenic Views Symbol burnedDisc Golf Symbol burnedFishing Symbol burnedBoat Ramp Symbol burnedBoating Symbol burnedPaddling Symbol burnedKayaking Symbol burnedBeach Access Symbol burned

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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Texas

Texas (10)

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 04:22

Victoria Palms RV Resort

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Victoria Palms RV Resort

       We stayed at Victoria Palms for two weeks.  The park is very nice with well-maintained facilities.  A lot of the park is populated with manufactured homes and some permanent RV sites.  The rest of the RV sites are rated as economy, standard, and deluxe, depending on the size of the lot.  We had a standard site with a 16' x 60' concrete slab surrounded by green grass.  Some of the deluxe sites were really big.  If you were going to stay there for the winter it may be worth it to get one.  We also found the people there to be very nice.  With 55+ parks, we noticed a lot fewer weekenders who are too busy to get to know other people.  There are lots of activities going on all week, from ballroom dancing to HO car racing.  While we were there we had a range of weather conditions, but whether it was cold or hot, it seemed to be always windy.  Which was nice on the really hot days, but it made it difficult to sit outside the RV and just enjoy the day.  We also noticed that there are quite a few birds there.  Every evening, parrots would come out and fly from palm tree to palm tree, making a whole lot of noise in the process.  The Rio Grande Valley was fine but we did notice a poorer economy than most places we've seen.  We will definitely return to this resort and recommend it to others.  

 

 

     Victoria Palms RV Resort is a premier age-qualified RV resort and manufactured housing community nestled in the tropical Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Open to guests 55 and up, this beautiful Texas RV resort features a tropical pool and outdoor spas, fitness center, full restaurant, two-story craft center and more. Guests also enjoy our convenient, central location near shopping, medical facilities, and other major amenities.

      Victoria Palms RV Resort is proud to offer guests a variety of ways to enjoy their stay. We have pull-through and back-in RV sites complete with full hookups. Don't have an RV? No problem. Stay in one of our fully furnished rental cottages or manufactured homes.

      Looking for the perfect RV resort in Texas? You've found it at Victoria Palms RV Resort. We enjoy an average temperature of 73 degrees and feature entertainment and activities offered year round, both indoors and out. We hope to see you soon!

 

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Tuesday, 21 May 2019 04:17

Tropical Palms RV Resort

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Tropical Palms RV Resort

     When we arrived here we were assigned a site in the back 40.  We found the site, backed in, powered up and leveled only to realize that we were one space over.  So we moved to the correct spot and got all set up.  This section of the park was mostly empty and the site we were given was right next to a homesteader with tarps over things and stuff all over.  So we decided to go ask if we could move to one of the other vacant sites which offered more shade and wasn't right on top of this other camper.  That worked for them, so we wound up with a much nicer site.  The park has some nice picnic areas, miniature golf, pool and other amenities. However, with its proximity to Disney World, we really didn't use much of the park's services.  It has manufactured homes to buy, park models to rent, deluxe paved RV site, full-hookup back-in sites on grass, and electric/water only back-in sites.  The staff is friendly and the gate security is manned 24 hours a day.

      Being from the west coast, Jackie and I have been to Disneyland many times, so of course, everything in Disney Wolrd was compared with that.  Disney World has four parks while Disneyland has only two.  We first visited the Magic Kingdom and it was like Disneyland light.  It wasn't until we had visited all four parks did we see that pretty much every ride in California had the same or a similar ride here in Florida.  It was just spread out among the for parks.  Some rides were exactly the same, for example, the haunted house, while other rides used the same equipment but were different., soring over California is changed to soring over the world.  The biggest difference is the Animal Kingdom.  There is nothing in California even close to it.  The Animal Kingdom is a theme park and zoo/safari all in one.  I was really impressed!  

 

An Unforgettable Year-Round Orlando Resort Experience!

     Come explore all that our Orlando area RV park has to offer. Tropical Palms is that family getaway you remember from your childhood and now want to share with your children. It's flat-out Florida fun and good times, where you're close to everything and far away from the everyday. Tropical Palms is surrounded by wonderful places to enjoy a day of fun! Just minutes from the resort you can be at Disney World, Universal Theme Parks, and Sea World! You can spend the day at Daytona Beach, Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens, or take a stroll over to Old Town and celebrate the glory days of bygone times. Tropical Palms is far from the ordinary and close to the magic.

 

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Monday, 20 May 2019 21:46

Mission RV Park

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Mission RV Park

     Our experience at Mission RV Park was a little bit different from the description offered up by their website below.  First of all, the plus sides.  It is right off the freeway so you don’t have to travel far out of your way to stay there.  The host was friendly.  It had a laundry and a pool with a hot tub of sorts.  (the pool heater wasn’t working during our visit) There was a nice fenced in dog area.  Oh, and our site was long enough to not have to detach the car.  The park is south of the city and in the industrial area, not a neighborhood that you’d want to take a walk through.  It looked as though most people were one-nighters with a couple of residents.  The basketball and tennis courts were not very usable.  The park looked like it was in need of some work.  We will probably avoid it the next time we pass through El Paso.

 

 

Welcome to Mission RV Park

LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL EL PASO, TX

     Affectionately known as Mission RV Park. Our 15.5 acres of a gated community was envisioned with large sites to accommodate all types of Recreational Vehicles, from minor Class As, all the way to the large Class Cs.

      Mission RV hosts 188 expansive sites, averaging sixty to seventy feet with sufficient area for multiple slide-outs. To accommodate our community, Mission RV Park established a clubhouse, also known as recreational area, with a vision of customer entertainment. From relaxing and watching cable television to reading your favorite book while streaming the internet, all the way to swimming in our lovely pool or simply relaxing in the peaceful  SPA, Mission RV is dedicated to bringing our community the best RV experience possible.

      During your stay at Mission RV Park, you can lounge by our pool, play a game of tennis, take a relaxing stroll through the park and sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. If you want to check out all that El Paso has to offer, you can catch a Triple-A baseball game, visit the El Paso Zoo, have dinner in downtown El Paso and much more.

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Monday, 20 May 2019 21:02

Medina Lake RV Campground

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Medina Lake RV Campground

      Our trip to Medina Lake RV Campground turned out to be quite the adventure. Following our GPS blindly we found ourselves on a steep windy road dropping down to cross a river. The so-called bridge was a slab of concrete supported about a foot above the water. A short while after climbing up the bank on the other side, something felt wrong. When I checked the rearview camera, I saw that our tow vehicle was being pulled along by the safety cables. It was a ways before I found a safe place to pull over and see what had happened. I had a stackable double hitch, where I used the bottom to pull the car and the top to support the bike rack with a couple of bikes. The welds holding it together had broken when I crossed the bridge and unfortunately, the bike rack and both bikes were lost due to being dragged down the road. The car has a protective bra that covers the hood and windshield and it was undamaged. We were just a few miles from the campground, so Jackie drove the car the rest of the way and all was good again until we got locked in the coach and had to climb out a window to get out.
     About the campground, Medina Lake is definitely a campground. The sites are wooded and spacious. Some more than others. There are two sections of the campground, the upper supposedly has better internet and we saw that there tended to be more RV’rs up above and the local weekenders camped down below by the lake. Both areas were nice. The pool and laundry were located in the top sections and the rest of the facilities were down in the lower sections. (it’s close to a mile or so between the upper and lower sections) Most of the sites are 30 amps full hookups. There were a few 50amp sites but most were in use by the annuals and the others were an extra $3 a night. The sites closest to the lake didn’t have sewer hookups but there is a dump station available.
      Our impression of the campground was that it was very undermanned. When we pulled into the campground there was only one staff person on site. There’s a kitchen, but no staff to work it. Outside of the putt-putt course, nothing seemed to have been worked on in years. A lot of sites were closed because of electrical or water issues. (another camper told us they closed some sites just to ease the electrical load because their system was too small for the demand) The roads were in need of serious pothole filling, the pool was cold and had a great deal of leaves. The spa was hot enough but the concrete around it was cracked and breaking. It wasn’t a bad camping experience by any means, it just felt that the campground needed more work. The other small issue is that there is not a real grocery store within twenty-five miles. All that being said, I’m sure that we will camp there in the future, we had fun during our sixteen-day visit. (except for the $700 spent on replacing my lock, $400 of that on a roadside assistance call that did nothing toward solving the issue) San Antonio is an hour drive away, and there is a lot to see and do there. It’s a beautiful city with a rich history.
 
RV Camp in Texas Hill Country
      Experience relaxation at your fingertips with a visit to Medina Lake RV Campground. Situated just outside San Antonio, a visit to Medina Lake RV Camping offers beautiful lakeside views within Texas Hill Country. Swim in our oversized pool, kick back in the hot tub, shoot hoops on the basketball court, or simply relax and take in the abundance of wildlife that roams the property. Additional features of this beautiful Texas RV camp include shaded campsites, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. Plus enjoy weekend meals from the cafe and planned year-round activities.
      For your adventurous side, dude ranches, horseback riding, square dancing, rodeos and chuck wagon dinners are just a hop, skip and a jump away in nearby Bandera. Other local attractions include Sea World, Fiesta Texas Theme Park, the Alamo and more.
Make plans today to visit Medina Lake RV Campground in Texas. We’re certain you will not be disappointed.
________________________________________
Resort News
Look What's New At Medina Lake
      Just in time for summer! We have been working hard to improve Medina Lake. Come and see our refurbished boat dock, new fish cleaning station, new dog park, new furniture in the activity center and new pull thru sites.
Medina Lake Ranger Station Permanently Relocated
       The ranger station is now located at the Welcome Center. As of May 10 2016, all incoming traffic must check in at the Welcome Center as there is no longer a ranger at the old ranger station. Directional signs have been posted that guide guests to the new check-in location.
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Monday, 20 May 2019 20:38

Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort

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Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort

      On our way to Lake Conroe, we stopped at Camping World in Katy, Texas to have some work done on our hydraulic jacks.  Thinking it wasn't going to take too long we waited.  At 1:30 they were still troubleshooting but were breaking for lunch.  So we decided to drive up to the campground and see about securing a site, because it may be after dark when we finally pulled in with the coach.  Well, it was a good idea, however with Houston traffic, it took a very long time to make the 70-mile drive and as it turned out, we couldn't hold a site without our RV.  We fought traffic to get back to Camping World and it was after closing when we arrived.  The issue was fixed and for a lot less than I had expected.  So we headed back up to Lake Conroe and arrived just after dark.  Fortunately, they had just recently added 67 new paved sites at the front of the campground and finding a site was not an issue.

      The new paved sites were very nice with full hook-ups.  The rest of the campground was gravel.  There are sections for full time manufactured homes, park models, RV annuals, and regular camping.  The campground requires you to take a 50 amp site if you have a 50 amp RV and charges an extra $3/night.  I'm not sure why, but the gravel sites were almost filled, while the new paved sites were pretty much empty.   It's good to see a lot of work going into improvements on campgrounds.  Besides the new sites, they were also in the process of building a new sales office.  The amenities were pretty nice.  There is a large pool and hot tub.  There are tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.  Also, horseshoes, shuffleboard, miniature golf, and a softball field are available.  We found the laundry to be disappointing and opted for one in town which worked out great.  Overall, the campground had everything that you'd expect in a Thousand Trails Resort.  It was well maintained and very green and welcoming.  I would enjoy returning here in the future.  We were told that the campground is very popular in the summer with lots of kids and the pool was always crowded.  We visited in April and there was a duck in the pool, but that's about it.

      While we were there we took a drive down to the south side of Houston to visit the Houston Space center.  The museum part of the Space Center was well done and very informative.  We took the 90 minute "Tram Tour" so that we could see more of the complex, like Mission Control.  Unfortunately, that was disappointing.  The young lady giving the tour was very well informed and really knew her script, but she spoke very fast in a high voice, which was impossible to understand over a speaker.  I don't think that English is the first language for a lot of the visitors, so once they realized that they couldn't understand her, they conversed among themselves drowning out any possibility for me to hear the speaker.  I believe that most of the staff were high school students and did a very good job, except for this one exception.  There's a lot of history to take in and news about future Mars missions.  Overall, it was pretty cool.  It cost $30 per person.

 

     Experience family camping at its best with a visit to Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort. Perfect for water lovers, this RV campground in Texas allows you to launch your boat right from the campground. Don't have a boat? No problem. Enjoy the 22,000-acre lake with a jon boat, paddle boat, kayak, or canoe available for rent. With the marina expansion and new beach, there is even more fun to be had at this RV campground in Texas.

     For land-goers, mini golf, basketball courts, and a recreation hall are just a few of the on-site attractions. The RV & Camping Resort's convenient location also allows for nearby explorings like visits to Splash Town, the Houston Zoo, Sam Houston Museum, and the Prison Museum.

     Don't wait! Set up camp at Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, where 300 sites offer the perfect spot for your tent, pop-up or motorhome. Our friendly staff looks forward to making your trip one to remember!

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Monday, 20 May 2019 20:37

Lake Casa Blanca State Park

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Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

     Lake Casa Blanca International State Park was a stopover on our way to the Gulf Coast of Texas.  The park started out as a city park.  Then Governor George Bush made it into a state park before he left office.  The park is divided.  The upper section of the park is for picnicking and day use.  The far end of the park has a boat ramp, fishing pier, and three camping loops.  Camping there is $18 a night plus a $9 a day use fee.  The campsites are large and well-marked.  Some have full hookups, but most are set up with just water and electricity.  All the campsites have new covered picnic tables.  
     As we walked around the park we found a filled in pool that was built back in 1981, but we couldn’t find any more information on it and why it was filled in.  There is also, an old rock building on the grounds, that looks like a small mission or an old school house, but I guess it was a museum, but is now abandoned.  The building was boarded up and we couldn’t find much information on it either.  The park had warning signs posted about snakes but we didn’t see any, just a few geckos.  We spent a couple of days there and enjoyed walking around as the park was almost empty it was as if we had it to ourselves.  
     While we at the park we thought that we’d go check out the city of Laredo.  The downtown section seemed very poor and run down.  The only nice building we saw was government buildings.  We drove around town for awhile and didn’t see a reason to stop and get out.  A few miles out of town we found a large modern mall and killed a couple of hours.  I’m glad we stopped for a couple of days and had a chance to enjoy the park and check out Laredo.  I’d definitely revisit the park in the future.  
Relax, fish, picnic and more at this lakeside park.
Lake Casa Blanca is located in Laredo, just minutes from the Mexican border. Here you will find outdoor fun on water and land—and the perfect place for a family outing!
Things to Do
Water-ski, swim, boat, and fish on the lake; or hike, bike, picnic, bird, geocache, study nature and camp along the shore.
Trails for mountain biking and hiking will take you through beautiful and varied landscapes. The park also has a swimming area, playgrounds, a baseball field, and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Webb County operates an 18-hole golf course nearby. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map.
All campsites have water and electricity; some have sewer hookups, too. Reserve one of our three picnic pavilions or recreation hall for your next gathering. We can host groups of 35 to 200.
Shop at Chloe's Convenience Store for kayak, tube and paddle boat rentals; fishing and boating supplies; and convenience items. Chloe’s also offers food, drinks, frozen treats and more. The store will be open on weekends and some weekdays.
Fishing
At Lake Casa Blanca, you might reel in a largemouth or hybrid striped bass, crappie or catfish. The park has a fishing pier and a boat ramp. We loan fishing gear for use in the park.
 
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Monday, 20 May 2019 20:16

Hilltop RV ParkHilltop RV Park

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Hilltop RV Park

     We stopped at Hilltop RV Park for an overnighter because it was on the freeway and just not a whole lot to see.  We were pleasantly surprised by how nice the park is.  The park is very well maintained and was a welcome change from our prior night camping off the freeway.  There are tiled patios, with picnic tables at each site.  They also have a small courtesy fence between your site and your neighbor’s utility connections.  The dog park was nice. There is a small pool and a community fire pit for people to share.  Plus there’s a discount for paying with cash.  Our nice 50amp site was $27 a night.  Also, Fort Stockton is just a couple of miles down the road where we took advantage of buying groceries and gas.  This is definitely a campground we’ll use again crossing Texas.

 

From the website:

We are the newest RV park in Ft. Stockton and the surrounding area. Our location is as unique as our park and the views of the plateaus, mountains and valley are truly awesome.

♦ All PULL THRU Sites 
     with picnic tables		 ♦ 50/30 Amp Service - ALL SITES
♦ FREE WiFi (it works great)
♦ Extra Long Big Rig Spaces ♦ Laundry Room Open 24 hrs 
♦ Beautiful Pool with 
     Spacious Covered Patio 		 ♦ Easy Access to Interstate 10 
♦ Enclosed Puppy Patch 
♦ Private Shower/Bathroom Suites  ♦ TV Lounge (for Adults) 
♦ Base Rates start at $30 per night  ♦ Free DVD Lending Library 
♦ Sunset Firepit for Evening Fires 
     and Great Conversation 		 ♦ 1 min. drive to Walmart, golf course, 
     dining or shopping
♦ Peaceful Desert Setting  ♦ West Texas Owners/Hosts
♦ Monthly/weekly rates, please call ♦ NO tent camping in the park
♦ 10% discount for cash, 
     on overnight rates		 ♦ Check in time is 2:00 pm 
♦ Full-service hook ups at all sites  
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Monday, 20 May 2019 19:29

Colorado River RV Campground

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Colorado River RV Campground

     Colorado River RV Campground is just outside of Columbus, Texas.  It is on the Texas Colorado River as opposed to the Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon.  (Who knew? there are two Colorado Rivers)  We were immediately impressed with how green the park is. It had some damage from Hurricane Harvey, but you couldn’t tell other than the bathrooms have been rebuilt and the banks of the river have fallen some, eating several campsites. The campground is divided into two sections, one being near the pool and courts while the other near the river. Both sections are equally nice. The sites vary from 50 amps with full hookups (where you have to pay $3 per night extra), to 50/30 with full hookups with the option of using the 50 or not and 30 amp sites with water only. Since we were only staying for three nights and the weather wasn’t too hot we opted for the later. The park has a small pool, and indoor hot tub, a mini-golf course, a basketball court and a pickleball court. The rec. facilities are in the welcome center at the park entrance. The Campground is well maintained and has a beautiful park-like setting, with lots of birds and deer. If you’re looking to get away from it all, this is the place to go. Nearby is the town of Columbus that is very picturesque with some historic buildings. An hour of walking around will cover it.  Unless the Confederate Museum is open (pictured left).  It cost a dollar looks like it may take some time to tour.  Overall, we love the feel of this park and will definitely return here in the future.

 

Stay among riverside pecan groves at a Houston RV campground

Located midway between Houston and San Antonio, Colorado River RV Campground lies along the shores of the Colorado River. This Houston RV campground is nestled amid green fields and pecan groves. Colorado River RV Campground offers an abundance of outdoor camping activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing and wildlife watching. With easy access to the freeway, guests can enjoy a trip to the big cities then return to the quiet sanctuary of this Houston RV Campground.

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Monday, 20 May 2019 15:27

Caverns of Sonora

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Caverns of Sonora

      While following I-10 through western Texas, there isn’t a whole lot to see.  However, we did find that just seven miles off the freeway was Sonora Caverns.  Along with a cavern full of geological formations, they had a small campground.  It isn’t a large campground, but it did have 50amp pull-through sites for $25 a night.  The $20 hour and a half walk through the caverns was well worth it.  There is also a nice gift shop with high-quality items and not just your typical junk.  There’s a nice picnic area, a tent area, campsites for smaller RV’s, and a theater (for plays I guess, we didn’t get a chance to see it) and lots of whitetail deer.  At the end of the day the guides dump a bag of deer corn out and I counted well over 20 deer feeding.  Overall, I was very impressed with the campground and the hosts.  It is a great place to overnight along a long boring highway.
From their website:
“Its Beauty Can Not be Exaggerated, Even by Texans.”
     Where the Texas Hill Country meets the Chihuahuan Dessert sits thousands of acres of limestone-rich ranch country. Found below the boots and hooves of those who inhabit and work the land is one of Earth’s most revered underground treasures, The Caverns of Sonora. The Caverns of Sonora is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful show caves on the planet. Located 15 miles southwest of Sonora, Texas on I-10, the Caverns of Sonora marks the halfway point between San Antonio, TX and Big Bend National Park. Visitors come close and personal with this highly decorated cave system on intimate guided tours. The ranch inspired grounds and gift shop offer a place to relax in nature, pan for gemstones, hike, or even indulge in homemade fudge. We invite you to bring your tent or RV and rest atop our crystal kingdom.
 
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Monday, 20 May 2019 14:49

Bay View RV Resort

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Bay View RV Resort

      We arrived at Bay View RV Resort seven months after Hurricane Harvey had hit.  It is unfortunate that so much damage was done to the area.  The clean-up and rebuild efforts are amazing.  However, it looks like the park is slow to bounce back.  A lot more clean-up and rebuilding need to be done.  This is understandable, but we didn’t see any work going on in the park working toward that goal.  Some of the unsightliness could be cleaned up in a matter of days or even hours, but it’s still there months later.  The park charges members an additional $10 as a campground fee.  I hope that extra money is going toward fixing the park up.  We had the good fortune of camping next to some really nice people, so it made the campground a bit more welcoming.  From the pictures, you can see the devastation that took place, it is very sad.  I’m sure in time the campground will become a resort again.  I could see us staying there again in the future, but probably just for a night or two.  Driving around we saw a lot of RV parks in much better condition.
 
Type: Classic
Good Sam Rating: 7.5/8/8
Address: 
5451 Hwy. 35 North
Rockport, TX 78382
Phone: (361) 400-6000
Fax: (361) 729-0576
Reservations Phone: (361) 400-6000
Resort Information: North of Corpus Christi, come relax under the oak trees. The weather is beautiful year-round. Nearby are Fulton Mansion, Texas Maritime Museum, Rockport Center for the Arts, Arkansas Wildlife Refuge, deep sea fishing, boat tours for birding, whooping cranes and dolphins, the USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, Bay Education Center, public beaches, boating, fun shops and many fine restaurants.
Web Site: bayviewrockport.com
EMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Full Sites: 340
Partial Sites: 100
Open: Jan 1 to Dec 31
Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps
WiFi Available: Yes
Maximum RV Length: 45 feet
Elevation: 0
Amenities: Recreation hall (2, 1 adult only), outdoor pools (2, 1 adult only), basketball, billiards, bingo, cable TV, entertainment, fitness center, ice cream, game room, group activities, handicap access, horseshoes, hot showers, whirlpool hot tub, Wi-Fi, laundry, pavilion, shuffleboard, library, movie rentals, ping pong, playground, pool table, tennis, tenting, TV lounge, saltwater fishing nearby. Tourist attractions nearby: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Tree of Lamar, Lady of the Star Sea Chapel, Fulton Mansion, Goose Island, TX State Aquarium, Great TX Birding Trail, USS Lexington, greyhound racing, Rockport beaches. Restaurants nearby, boating nearby.
RV Notes: Additional charges: Resort fee $10/night, cable $3/night. If arriving after 4 p.m. please call the resort.
Accepts Pets: Yes
Visitor Mail Accepted: Yes, 5451 Hwy 35N Rockport, TX 78382
Published in Texas
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