Beachwood RV Resort

Bay View RV Resort

Barton Park

      Barton Park is county park that not only has excellent campsites but has some of the best day-use facilities that I've seen.  First, I have a little history with this park.  Back in the '70s, I used the park to launch many a rafting trip down the Clackamas River.  I've visited the park many times over the last 40 years.  There is a boat ramp.  (for rafts, and shallow water fishing boats).  Pumps to inflate your rafts are provided free as well as free bags to hold your trash while rafting the river.  There is also, a free life jacket share program.  Volunteers have donated life jackets for boaters and rafters to use and either return her or at other county parks down river.  (Unfortunately, it looks like people have taken advantage of the program and have kept the life jackets for themselves)  The park has seven reservable picnic areas and one pavilion.  The weekend of our camping trip to the park, there was a wedding at the pavilion.  The camp also has a sand volleyball court several horseshoe pits and play areas.  The camping sections of the park are separate from the day use areas.  The original camping area offers both tent and RV sites, some being side by side in the grass and some being tucked back into the tree.  The open grass sites are commonly reserved for week-long campers that come the same week each year to camp with friends from previous years that camp the same week.  Twenty-some years ago, I tent camped with my in-laws on their week in the park.  It was great!  Totally different from pulling your RV in for a weekend and pretty much keeping to yourself or immediate neighbor campsites.  The second camping area is fairly new with paved roads and manicured paved sites for RV's.  Very nice, but a totally different feel than to old campground.  And a third section was added in the trees past the RV section.  I saw almost all tents there and one or two smaller camper RV's.  I've heard rumors (from my mom) that the third section was destined to become a horse camp.  But I don't see it happening in the near future because there are no horse trails here.  There is one being built tying Barton Park to McIver State Park, but there is a couple of river crossing to contend with before that's complete.  The park is great, even better with lots of friends.  With only a lack of hiking trails and an easy way to get from the campground to the day-use area without walking on a narrow road and contending with cars being its downfall.  I would highly recommend the park to everyone.  

     Among our region's most popular park destinations, Barton Park is a recreational gem located on the Clackamas River. This one of a kind park features camping, hiking, multiple day use and event amenities, and a variety of river recreation opportunities.

112 campsites; 103 with water and electric hookups
Up to 8 people and 2 domestic pets allowed per site

• water/electric hook-up sites          $28/night
• primitive tent sites (#101–107)      $22/night
• 1 group tent                                   $60/night
• 1 bunkhouse                                  $30/night
• additional vehicle fee                     $6

Armitage Park, Eugene, Oregon

     Armitage Park is a great park located just outside of Eugene, Oregon.  We had a late evening event in Eugene, so we thought why not just camp close by, instead of driving three hours home.  The park is located right on a bus line giving full access to Eugene most days.  On Saturday we were there, we had to walk just over a mile to catch the bus.  The park is very clean and comfortable.  It has a large off-leash dog park within the park.  It is located next to the McKenzie River with plenty of river access.  We found that although there are paths throughout the park, hiking was pretty much limited to the park, but the park was big enough for a good walk for most people.   We will visit the park in the future.

    A breathtakingly beautiful day-use, campground and RV park on the banks of the McKenzie River only 5 miles (8.05 km) north of Eugene. Located on the outskirts of Coburg and adjacent Interstate 5. Reservations available.

The 57-acre (23 ha) park features

• The Crilly Nature Trail
• A two-acre (.81 ha) off-leash dog park with water and shade
• A tree-lined river path
• Volleyball
• Horseshoe Pits
• Boat ramp
• Reserved picnic areas and shelters – Great for group events!

Ainsworth State Park, Cascade Locks, Oregon

     Ainsworth State Park is located 35 miles east of downtown Portland, just off of Interstate 84 (I-84) in the spectacular Columbia Gorge Scenic Area. All campsites at Ainsworth State Park are full hook-up sites and the park offers restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Surrounding the State Park are miles and miles of hiking trails and scenic waterfalls. In fact, situated at the eastern end of Historic Highway 30, from Ainsworth to Crown Point to the west, you'll find the world's greatest concentration of high waterfalls (like Multnomah Falls at 620 feet). Of the 43 campsites at Ainsworth State Park, 24 are pull-through campsites. Within a short drive are several additional state parks with day use facilities for fishing, windsurfing, hiking, biking, and swimming. Shopping and restaurants are available in Cascade Locks, 10 miles to the East. If you are a light sleeper, avoid the even-numbered camping sites in the "B" loop as they are near very active railroad tracks.
     While searching Reserve America for a last minute campsite I found Ainsworth State Park.  It was only available for one night, but it was just thirty miles up the Columbia from us, so we jumped on it.  I'm glad that we did.  It was close enough to Portland that two of my sisters (and their significant others) joined us for dinner and my daughter drove out the next morning (Father's Day) and spent a couple of hours with us before we had to pull in the slides and drop the jacks.  Early Sunday morning we hiked west along the gorge to Horsetail Falls.  Had we more time (and better shoes) we could have continued up to Ponytail Falls and several others.  The other nice thing to note about the Park is that although it's located on the old Columbia River Highway which is not recommended for large RV's, it is only a 1/4 of a mile from the interstate so that wasn't an issue.  We're looking forward to a return visit so that we can have more time to hike.  

       On our second visit here, the first thing we did was play tourists and drove a couple of miles down the road and visited Multnomah Falls again.

From Oregon State Parks

Nestled in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge, Ainsworth is equal parts waterfall wonderland, hiker's playground, and camper's delight. Situated at the eastern end of Historic Highway 30, from Ainsworth to Crown Point to the west, you'll find the world's greatest concentration of high waterfalls (like Multnomah Falls).

By leaving the park on Nesmith Point trail, you'll end up with a splendid view of St. Peter's Dome, a majestic basalt monolith rising 2,000 feet above the mighty Columbia River. Hiking is definitely something you'll want to do while camping at Ainsworth State Park.

Ainsworth is located in close proximity to Interstate 84 for ease of access as well as close to a working rail line that runs through the entire Columbia River Gorge.

Campground info

40 full-hookup sites canopied in a laid-back, tree-filled setting
Six walk-in tent sites
Designated bike-in camp area
Flush toilets/showers
Firewood
Interpretive programs

Abita Springs RV Resort, Abita Springs, Louisiana 

      We picked Abita Springs RV Resort for it's proximity to New Orleans.  I'm glad that we did.  Although it was a little over an hour to drive into the city (and a $5 fee one way over the 24-mile causeway), it was well worth it.  The campground is nice, and it's obvious that it is well taken care of.  The entrance has been just been repaved, the camping area has compacted river rock roads and sites.  The sites are spacious and we didn't feel like we were on top of each other, but could have been a little larger.  There are two ponds and a lake with ducks, and geese.  I guess, with any pond or lake in Louisiana, there is a chance for snakes and alligators.  The pool is nice, but not heated.  There is a clubhouse and horseshoe pits, but not too much going on.  The campground management was very friendly as were the hosts.  We noticed the hosts going through each site right after a guest left to ensure it was ready for the next guest.  Overall, I nothing bad to say about the campground other than don't pull in while they are paving the entry.  

      The town of Abita Springs is a nice small town with not much happening.  They do have a natural spring in the center of the town where we filled our water bottles up a couple of times.  Outside of town, there's a brewery, which in the past had quite the appreciation room, but I don't think that's the case anymore.  The next town over is Covington which is about the same but has some historical buildings.  While we were here we did take a day to explore the French Quarter of New Orleans.  Unfortunately, we only gave ourselves a day to do it and it wasn't enough time.  We'll have to go back.  Also, while we were there we took a swamp tour at Honey Island.  It was well worth the thirty-minute drive and the $23 for a ninety-minute tour.  However, you need to reserve a seat ahead of time with a credit card and pay with cash when you get there.  

Type: Classic

Good Sam Rating: 9/9/9.5

Address: 
24150 Highway 435
Abita Springs, LA 70420

Phone: (985) 590-3926

Reservations Phone: (855) 872-1469

Resort Information: This resort is located 40 miles from the French Quarter of New Orleans just across Lake Ponchatrain. It sits on its own well-stocked crappie and bass lake. The resort has a large clubhouse with scheduled activities and beautiful pool complex. The town of Abita Springs is an antebellum wonder and home of the famous Abita Springs Brewery with daily tours.

Web Site: oceancanyon.com

EMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Full Sites: 80

Partial Sites: 20

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

Rental Unit Check-In/
Check-Out Times: 4:00 p.m. /11:00 a.m.

RV Site Minimum Stay: 1 night

Rental Unit Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open: Jan 1 to Dec 31

Maximum Electrical Service: 50 amps

WiFi Available: Yes

Maximum RV Length: 45 feet

Elevation: 0

Amenities: Recreation hall, outdoor pool, kid's pool, fishing available, horseshoes, hiking trails, paddle boats, basketball, playground, dump station, laundry, picnic tables, handicap access, shuffleboard, ping pong, hot showers, pool table, ice available, full time group activities, children's rec center, tourist attractions nearby, gambling casino nearby, fishing nearby, boating nearby, golf nearby, shopping nearby. Nearby: New Orleans, Lake Pontchatrain.

RV Notes: Additional charges: Wi-Fi $3/night, 50 amps $5/night.

Rental Notes: Rental units available. Trip Points not accepted. Contact the resort directly.

Restrictions: No pets and no smoking in rental units.

Accepts Pets: Yes

Visitor Mail Accepted: Yes

Visitor Mail Restrictions: Must contact resort ahead of arrival

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.