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 lived at Tri Mountain for a month while trying to get settled back in the Portland area. I thought that the photo from Google Maps would best describe the park. Actually, it is a very nice, clean, well kept park. The owners are extremely nice and the monthly rent was very reasonable which included electricity. We would definitely return there again. The obviously drawback is the freeway noise. The actual freeway isn't bad, just the jake-braking trucks that use the exit. There is a nice coffee house and a pizza place right next to the park. Also, just to the north (within walking distance) is a decent family restaurant featuring breakfast food and a convenience store with a Redbox.
TLC Wolf River is a nice campground a couple of miles from the Gulf of Mexico. We arrived and the camp host loaded us into his golf cart and drove us around to find a site. The sites were labeled A & B, (A sites faced the alley and B sites face the Bayou) we found a 50 amp 'B' site. (an extra $5 a night for 50 amps) The campground had a small pool (not heated) a mini-golf course, some horseshoe pits, and a clubhouse, most of which showed neglect and wasn't very inviting. Our site had a nice view and was shaded so we did enjoy the park. After meeting and becoming friends with the couple next door, the campground was more enjoyable. I'd say we'll visit again in the future.
While we were there we took two drives. The first one, we drove to the Gulf and then headed East twenty-five miles to Biloxi. The beach along that stretch of the Gulf was a beautiful white sandy beach for miles. On the other side of the road facing the water were beautiful homes and six Waffle Houses. While in Biloxi we checked out one of the many casinos. (we came out ahead) On our second drive, we went west. This time we found more beautiful beaches and ended at another casino, the Silver Slipper. By joining their member club we got a couple of free nights at their campground (good for 30 days). Actually, the campground wasn't pretty nice with many sites viewing out over the Gulf. Just to say we did it, we had lunch at a Waffle House. It wasn't bad, but not really what we expected.
Type: Premier
Good Sam Rating: 7/8/8
Address:
23098 Freddie Frank Rd
Pass-Christian, MS 39571
Phone: (228) 452-9100
Fax: (228) 452-9190
Reservations Phone: (228) 452-9100
Reservations Fax: (228) 452-9190
Resort Information: Waterfront campsites along a private bayou with a private beach on the Wolf River. Five minutes from Mississippi's 26-mile sugar white sand gulf beach! Resort casinos line the coast, located only 10 minutes from Wolf River Resort. Charter fishing opportunities available along with excursions to barrier islands. Less than an hour from the New Orleans French Quarter.
Web Site: tlcwolfriverresort.com
EMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Full Sites: 140
Pull-through Sites: 30
Dry Sites: 50
Check-In/Check-Out Times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m./ Noon
Open: Jan 1 to Dec 31
Peak: Nov 1 to Mar 31
Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps
WiFi Available: Yes
Maximum RV Length: 45 feet
Elevation: 0
Amenities: Recreation Hall, wading pool, bayou and river, beach, boat launch, boating available, volleyball, pavilion, fishing available, hot showers, propane, horseshoes, playground, laundry, tenting, ice available, picnic tables, mini golf, outdoor pool, fitness center, tourist attractions nearby, shopping nearby, gambling casino nearby, golf nearby. Nearby: Jefferson Davis Home, beaches, deep sea fishing, New Orleans French Quarter.
RV Notes: No check-in after 5 p.m. Central Time. Additional charges: Internet $1/night, 50 amp $5/night, Wi-Fi access in campground $1/night.
Rental Notes: Rental units available. Trip points not accepted. Contact the resort directly.
Accepts Pets: Yes
Visitor Mail Accepted: No
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!
Timber Lake is a nice RV/tent campground with only one thing missing... The lake. We found that there were plenty of nice RV sites, both back in and pull-through. The campground made a loop and in the center of the loop were hike-in tent sites. It was really layed-out nice and looked like it was continuing to grow. From what we saw, a good number of the campers were boaters. It is just a short drive down to the Columbia River. For us non-boater / hiker types, we found no trails, so we hiked around the loop several time and visited with other campers and chatted with the hosts. Overall, it is a nice campground with a childrens play area and a rentable rec center for family gatherings or such. We liked it and will go back again.
According to what Thousand Trails is saying about this park “This isn’t your typical Las Vegas Trip!” they are correct. Every other trip to Las Vegas we have stayed in a nice hotel or one of our timeshares in a nice resort or in our motorhome in a nice RV Resort. So, staying in a mostly residential mobile park isn’t typical. I’m guessing that since fifty or so spaces are under construction that there seems to be a much high percentage of broken down RVs here full time. From the moment we drove in we wanted to find another park, which we did, but it will only fill one week of the two weeks that we had planned on staying here.
The sites here are gravel and very narrow. We don’t have room to open our awning without hitting the RV next to us. This is partially due to the year-round people on our other side park their work truck alongside their 5th wheel preventing us from using the full width of our narrow space. They are nice people and have to live here full time so we will give them their space. Needless to say, I doubt that we will ever return here.
Desert RV Camp in Nevada
This isn't your typical Las Vegas trip! This tranquil RV camp in Nevada is quite a contrast to "The Strip" of Las Vegas just six miles away. A Las Vegas RV camping trip is more than just nightlife and stage productions; it's rediscovering the outdoors. Soak up views of the mountains, cliffs, and valleys that surround the grounds of Las Vegas RV Resort. Relax in our swimming pool and soak in our hot tub.
Off-site, fishing on Lake Mead might be just the ticket for you. Or take a tour of the famous Hoover Dam. And of course, the Las Vegas Strip is just a few quick miles away, allowing you to truly have it all when visiting our Las Vegas RV Resort. The possibilities are endless!
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Resort News
Pardon Our Dust - Improvements Underway At TT Las Vegas
October 6, 2017: We are always looking for ways to enhance your experience at TT Las Vegas RV Resort. We have begun renovation on approximately 50 sites and expect the work to continue through December. While this project is sure to enhance your stay when completed. Until that time it will reduce the number of available sites to 150. We apologize for any inconvenience, thank you for your patience while the work is underway and look forward to enjoying the upgraded sites with you.
I don't even know where to begin with this campground. It is a Thousand Trails park so that we figured it was nice enough to book for a week giving us time to visit Savanah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. Because of a visit to the hospital in Florida, we cut two days off the front of our stay, then after getting there, we cut two more days off of the end of our stay. We stuck it out for three days so that we had time to spend a day in Savanah and a day in Charleston. Both cities are beautiful and worth a long visit, but not while at this campground which is halfway between the two cities. When we arrived at The Oaks, it was flooded. A lot of the campsites were underwater and not usable. Some were underwater and had RV in them. A few like ours had enough gravel that we could get in and out of the coach without swimming. But if you stepped off the gravel... (like when I hooked up my utilities) you sank in the muck. With so much standing water, the mosquitoes ruled the day preventing you from staying outside longer than necessary. There are RV's that have been there for years rotting away, some partially covered with plastic tarps. The lady who worked in the office was very friendly but seemed clueless to the condition of the park. When we asked about it, she said that the park was located in the "lowlands" and that was to be expected. (We drove to the KOA park next door and it was very nice) One positive note, the small pool was well maintained and looked inviting. Thousand Trails needs to do a lot more than just adding gravel to this park. We will never return there.
While we were there we drove an hour south to Savanah and took a free walking tour of part of the city. The young lady that was giving us and four others the tour was very knowledgeable about the city and its history. I can't say enough about how beautiful the city is. The squares, parks, and buildings are amazing. We definitely want to return and spend more time in the city. The stairs in this photo were typical of the many row houses throughout the city. I can't express enough my good impression of this city. The following day we drove an hour north to Charleston. It too has a fascinating history, only we didn't do a tour. (next time we need too) We walked down Market St. then turned onto "Rainbow Row" (a street lined with colored row houses) At the end of the street was a seawall that paralleled some of the nicest biggest homes that I've seen. This led us to White Point Gardens, a public garden beside the water that offers paved paths, military statues, canons & picnic areas. At the southern tip of the gardens is Oyster Point where locals gather daily to fly large Confederate flags (and other flags as well) in protest of something. I'm not sure what though. The people on the other side of the street protesting the protesters told us that it was because 12 years ago South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from the capital building. However, I think there is more too the story than that.
Lowcountry RV camp near historic Savannah
Experience the beauty, relaxation and the perks of nature at The Oaks at Point South RV Resort. Within 45 minutes of this Lowcountry RV camp, you'll find attractions like Hilton Head, historic Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean. Our campground also boasts a convenient location near Interstate 95, allowing all of our guests to enjoy everything South Carolina has to offer.
Back at the resort, guests can look forward to an array of activities. Test your hand at mini golf, go for a swim, enjoy fishing or hit the trails for a hike. We're pet-friendly, so don't forget your four-legged friends!
To make our schedule work we decided to do an overnight stop on our way to Emerald Cove. As it turned out our choice of campgrounds was pretty good. The Cove RV Resort is a small campground located right along I-10 where it crosses the Colorado River going from California to Arizona. The campground is located in California. We were assigned a large 50-amp grass site. It was really very nice. There is a pool, a hot tub, and a rec-room. When we checked in we were escorted to our site and the installed a cable box and connected the RV free of charge. Walking around the park, we noticed that the long-term people were in an area closer to the freeway leaving the quieter sites to visitors. For the most part, the park was very well kept with the exception of a few of the full-time residents who have spread their sites out with covered metal awnings and of course junk to go under them. While we were there the River was so low that the cove was pretty much muck and the docks were sitting on land, but I imagine it is quite different when the river is higher. On the peninsula that makes the cove is a large grass picnic area and a nice size dog run. Overall the feel of the park is very nice and wouldn’t mind staying there longer. It is very close to Quartzsite and would be a great alternative to dry camping in town during the big January events.
From their website...
WELCOME TO THE COVE
(formerly Riviera RV Resort)
Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot to camp or a place to take advantage of the fresh waters of the Colorado River, The Cove RV Resort is the river haven you’ve been searching for. Located just off the I-10 Freeway on the California side of Blythe, we’re a central destination for travelers from Arizona, California and beyond. Load up the RV, pack your tents, and hitch your boat trailer-our boat ramp welcomes guests as well as day use. Backpacking instead of traveling by RV? We have sites to accommodate every kind of traveler, whether by bike, camper, bus or RV.
Space Coast RV Resort is located right off I-95 and is about twenty-five minutes from Cocoa Beach. The campground is an Encore park and we used our Trails Collection membership to stay free. We were assigned a site and escorted to it. The resort is a mixture of park models, permanent trailers and RV's Most of the RV sites seem to be pull-throughs, but there are a few back-in. I'm not sure how your site is selected, but our was fine although it was in the very back of the park. While walking the dogs, everyone was friendly and said hi. It seems like a silly way to judge a park, but it works. The pool is small but nice. Nice ponds and lots of grass. In the park, there are raccoons, bunnies, ducks, & turtles (as far as what we saw). One turtle swam up to us and climbed up on the bank. On other visits to his pond, we brought lettuce, but he wasn't interested in eating.
From the park, it's about a thirty-minute drive to the beach. If you drive south of Cocoa Beach a couple of miles parking to access the beach is free. The beach was nice and we walked it a couple of times during our week visit. The one morning that drove to the beach before sunrise, it rained very hard so I couldn't get any sunrise photos over the Atlantic. We also took a day to drive west to Orlando to meet up with friends for lunch at Disney Springs. It's a tough drive with Friday traffic, construction, and trying to avoid tolls, but it's all about friends, so it's worth it.
Space Coast RV Resort is your perfect location to explore Florida’s beautiful Space Coast! Close to Cape Canaveral, we have large campground sites, 50 amp service, wifi, laundry facilities, and lots of activities.
Visit the Kennedy Space Center, go fresh and saltwater fishing, shop til you drop and then come home to relax. What more could you ask for? Make your Space Coast RV park reservation today and come stay with us for as long as you would like!
South Jetty is another Thousand Trails campground and this is their description:
Comfort, relaxation & enjoyment at an Oregon Coast RV campground
Location, location, location. Just two miles from the beautiful Pacific Ocean, South Jetty RV Resort is the perfect outdoor getaway. At this Oregon Coast RV campground, you’ll enjoy the best of the outdoors in and around Florence. The property is positioned on the fringe of the beautiful Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park. Rent a dune buggy and enjoy a day at Oregon's giant sand dunes. More than 15 area lakes offer sailing, swimming, trout fishing, water skiing and more.
Back at the resort, enjoy a swimming pool and hot tub, tennis courts, and a basketball court, or take part in the arts and crafts offered in the activity lodge or enjoy the scenic nature trails.
Our experience here was great. The weather could have been a bit warmer, but it is the Oregon Coast. South Jetty is a campground vs a parking lot, sites are separated with trees and most have room for a fire pit and picnic table. The campground has a nice family lodge and pool at the main entrance. There is also an adult lodge which is located in a remote corner of the campground. I think that if you're full-timing you don't always need to be "camping" and a lodge is a good place to hang from time to time. The lodge has a TV room (needs a larger TV), a kitchen, pool tables, shuffleboard table, and plenty of puzzles. The campground has a dog run, tennis courts, and a kid's play area.
While we were here we decide to drive south. In the past, we have always followed 101 past North Bend and Coos Bay, so we decide to go west through Barview and Charleston. We found Cape Arago highway which we followed to Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, & Cape Arago State Parks. All three are beautiful with picturesque shorelines. But in the middle of them was Cape Arago Research Reserve. There we found Simpson Reef/Shell Island overlook. There were researchers there with spotting scopes pointed at the island occupied by Harbor & Elephant Seals along with California & Steller Sea Lions. The Cape Loop is well worth the drive.
On a second excursion, we headed inland up the Siuslaw River fifteen miles, across, then back ten miles to find Sweet Creek Falls trail. The trail follows Sweet Creek up past eleven waterfalls. Although the falls are not that large, they are worth the three-mile hike up the creek. On the way back we stopped at Three Rivers Casino. We each played ten dollars, while I lost mine, Jackie turned her ten into fifty.
Overall, South Jetty is a campground worth visiting again. Florence is a great beach town with plenty to do and places to shop. With the campground being close to town we had cell service which also gave us Internet, a big plus.
Sommerville Almond Tree is an RV park located right off the I-5 freeway just about halfway between Sacramento and Los Angeles. We chose it because it was just about a hundred miles short of San Benito and we figured it would be an easy drive there, it wasn’t. There isn’t really anything near the park so it’s good for an overnight visit on your way somewhere else. However, the campground does offer two small pools. The sites are full hookup pull-throughs which is a plus for a quick stay. We did see some residential sites, but they we kept up. The park was experiencing mole issues so there are holes everywhere and with a water shortage, not much grass. The campground is open to the public but we did get a small discount because it is a “Coast to Coast Good Neighbor Park”
From their website. (https://www.sommervillerv.com/)