ROCK HOUND SP, Deming, NM

Looking down on the campground from a nearby ridge. 

ROCK HOUND SP

RUN BY: State of New Mexico

LOCATION: South of Deming, NM

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (30-50A)

COST: $14

OUR RATING (1-5): I - 4.5

NOTES: Rock Hound sits on the west slope of the Little Florida Mountains in southwest New Mexico about 30 miles from the Mexican border. We had read a blog where the writers had found the campground full when they arrived. The hosts put them in the group camping area. When we arrived around 2:30 pm we also found the campground full. The hosts physically led us to a spot in the group camp area where we just fit. They were very helpful. This is the only park of which we're aware where they encourage you to take things home. The mountains have an abundance of semi-precious gemstones and you are allowed to gather and take them home.

Environment: You are in the high desert.

Amenities: Bathroom and showers.

Nestled into the group camp site. Still had Water & Electric.

Phone Service: good Verizon signal

Location: about 7 miles south of Deming, NM. If you're approaching from El Paso, use exit 102 and follow the signs.

Proximity to shopping: Deming is the closest shopping.

Camping Population: We have Wisconsin on one side of us and Michigan on the other. Quite a variety of people and campers.

Sites: Scatter around the area. We rather tight, but we're in the group camping and we're quite comfortable. Many of the sites have some pretty magnificent views.

Mountains right behind the campground

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service  

MONAHAN SANDHILL, Monahan, TX

MONAHAN SANDHILL STATE PARK

RUN BY: State of Texas

LOCATION: Monahan, TX

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (30-50A)

COST: $18

OUR RATING (1-5): I- 3.5

NOTES: I would not suspect that many people are going to find Monahan Sandhill SP to be either a destination or a place to stay more than a night or two, but it is a great stop if you're traveling through west Texas. It is, as its name indicates, sand, sand and more sand. A young volunteer met us and was very helpful. He made a joke about using our kayaks on the dunes. I didn't know at that time that they actually rent "sand discs". Most of the sites are parallel parking, a type of pull-through with utilities on the street side so your door faces away from the street. 

Environment: Dry and sandy. There were no trees.

Amenities: Bathrooms & showers

Phone Service: very poor. We had a hard time even with a Wilson booster.

Location: Turn off I-20 the exit east of Monahan and you're right there. The campground is well back into the park so you have no sense of being close to the interstate.

Proximity to shopping: Monahan is a short distance up the road.

Camping Population: There was a wide variety of campers.

Sites: Relatively level. Well spaced.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories:
I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

HOLIDAY, Benbrook (Ft Worth), TX

HOLIDAY (Texas)

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: Benbrook (Ft Worth), TX

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (30-50A)

COST: $28

OUR RATING (1-5): I-5

NOTES: This is one of those Corp of Engineer gems which we keep telling you about. It is our first "5". We decided to give this campground a 5 because it seems to have just about everything and is beautiful as well. It is a short distance off I-20 southwest of downtown Ft. Worth. There is a shallow lake - I say this because large portions have tree trucks sticking above the water. That should be a good place for fishing. We took a long bike ride along the lake and it was lined with campsite, many having utilities! We were a mile or so from the main campground and found two big Class-A in a grove of live oaks with water and electric. Even the main campground has large sites and most have a view of the lake. Many of the sites require reservations - most of the best. Next time we're passing by Ft Worth, we're planning to spend a few days here.

Environment: The main campground is fairly open with some sites among trees. Those along the lake vary widely.

Amenities: Bath-houses with laundry. There are several boat ramps.

Phone Service: Excellent Verizon. Best signal we've had.

Location: Just south of Benbrook, TX which is southwest Ft Worth.

Proximity to shopping: Benbrook, a large community, is just up the road a short distance.

Camping Population: There is the usual COE 14 day stay limit.

Sites: Roomy and many with some shade. A few are a challenge for leveling.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: 

I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Lincoln SP

LINCOLN STATE PARK

RUN BY: State of Indiana

LOCATION: Gentryville, IN

UTILITIES: none

COST: ??

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES: The campground is in a lovely wooded grove next to the lake. Sadly only a few sites are really on the lake. I haven't been at the campground for a couple of years so things may have changed. The park has the Lincoln Amphitheater where they do a play on the life of Abraham Lincoln during the summer season. There are lots of trails. One of them leads to the Lincoln homestead (which is worth visiting) and the Nat'l Memorial across the highway. I enjoyed running trails in this park. It also has a large venue area with cabins and a large building with kitchen where my daughter and son-in-law's SCA group has a big event each year. There is also an educational building but I sadly know little about it. It is a lovely small State Park where you can combine camping, hiking, swimming, fishing and education. You really need to visit the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial when you're there.

Environment: Wooded. Rolling hills.

Amenities: There are showers in the lake bathhouse when it is open.

Phone Service: None

Location: Near Gentryville, IN on IN-162 across the road from the Lincoln Boyhood Nat'l Memorial.

Reconstruction of Lincoln family home

Proximity to shopping: There is a small camp store. Any other shopping is going to require traveling to Santa Claus, IN about 10-15 miles away.

Camping Population: I can't address this since it has been at least three years since I was there. At that time there were a lot of locals but they didn't drop their rigs and show up on weekends. Camping rules prohibited that.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories:
I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

TOM MERRILL, COE, Benton, LA

TOM MERRILL

Sunset our first evening

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: Benton, LA

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (30-50A)

COST: $15

OUR RATING (1-5): I - 4

NOTES: This campground is a lovely small (20 sites) campground nestled among the Loblolly pines of northwestern Louisiana. The biggest problem is that it isn't easy to find and it is even harder to contact. Pamela spent most of a week trying to talk to someone to find out if it was going to be open in mid-January. It is situated on a small river over which the COE has built a large earthen dam but left it open as a "dry reservoir". The dam is right by the campground. If they were to close the dam gates it wouldn't take long to flood the campground. There are three hiking and biking trails. Each is just over 2 miles. They weren't rutted badly so maybe not overused by mountain bikes. Since we were here in January we only saw one other bicycle. Fishing must be really good if the number of fishermen is any indication.

Loblolly pine grove

Environment: Heavily wooded. Loblolly Pines. Elevation is only 160 ft. You are definitely in wetlands or a bayou.

Amenities: There is a bathhouse with showers. Nice playgrounds for children. Game cleaning station. Dump.

Phone Service: Varies from 3G-4G. Overall not very good Verizon.

Location: Take the LA-157 exit (I think it is #33 but don't trust me) off I-10 about 10 miles east of Bossier City, LA. Go north on 157. About 5-6 miles up the road you will see LA-528 enter from your right. Keep going straight but start watching for Bodcau Dam Rd. It isn't easy to see. After you turn onto Bodcau Dam Rd there is a Y in the road a short distance. Bodcau Dam Rd stays to the left. Just past that start watching for the campground sign on the left. If you find yourself crossing the earthen dam you have gone too far. The campground entrance is right before the southeast end of the dam on the south (left) side of the road.

Proximity to shopping: Haughton is the nearest town of any size. It is probably 6-8 miles south of the campground on 157.

A small pond by the campground

Camping Population: We were here in January. The campground host are the only other non-locals, but it isn't an easy place to find.

Sites: Each of the sites has a concrete pad. Ours was level enough that we didn't have to use our levelers. All of the sites are fairly large.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: 

I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Avalanche CG, Glacier NP, West Glacier, MT

AVALANCHE 

RUN BY:  Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION:  Glacier National Park (west side)

UTILITIES:  none

COST:  $20

OUR RATING (1-5):  I-4.5

NOTES: We are very familiar with Avalanche. It is one of our sister campgrounds just another 7 miles down the road from us when we're at Sprague Creek.  It is near where Avalanche Creek flows into McDonald Creek. While it is up against Mt Brown, the most dominant mountain is actually Canon (pictured).  The campground is approximately 100 sites, maybe a few more, that are first arrival (no reservations) and tend to fill up quickly, especially in July and August. It is a beautiful heavily forested campground that is frequented by deer and bears. The deer in the picture were in Avalanche campground.

Environment:  Heavily wooded. 

Amenities: Bathrooms and communal water spigots.   

Phone Service: None.  

Location:  About 21 miles from the West Glacier gate. It is at the point called the "Avalanche Closure" where the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to auto traffic until the snow is removed the first of July. 

Deer at Avalanche Campground

Proximity to shopping:  There is a camp store about 6-7 miles away and a small grocery and some gift shops in West Glacier about 21 miles. Otherwise you need to go down the canyon another 25-30 miles. 

Camping Population:  There are strict limits on length of stay. 

Sites: All sites are under heavy canopy of cedar and hemlock. They are beautiful.

You are by the trail-head of one of the most popular trails in the park. 

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Sprague Creek, Glacier NP, West Glacier, MT

Five sites actually on the water. 

SPRAGUE CREEK  

RUN BY: Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION:  Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT

UTILITIES: none

COST:  $20

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4 

NOTES: Even though this is "our" campground; i.e. where we work from May 1 to mid-July; we have to honest with our rating. It is a marvelous 25 site campground but there are no trailers allowed, some of the sites are rather close together, there is no phone signal, and some site can have road noise.  Despite these short-comings Sprague Creek is one of the most sought after campgrounds in the park often being filled before 9am.  96% of all campers are there in tents or hammocks. We have five sites that are the only campsites in the entire park (1,500 square miles) that are directly on water. People start lining up trying to get those at 5-6:00 in the morning. We are frequently visited by bears in the early season and Mule Deer throughout the season. You camp among the old growth hemlock and cedars. 

Environment:  Heavily wooded. 

Amenities:  Bathrooms. Communal water sources.

Phone Service: none

Location:  about 10 miles into the park from the West gate

Our Host site.  Only trailer allowed. 

Proximity to shopping: There is a camp store about a mile away. For more there is a small grocery and gift stores in West Glacier, about 12 miles away.  For any serious shopping you need to go down the canyon 24-30 miles. 

Camping Population:  The park has a strictly enforced stay limit. At Sprague you will generally find people who are there for outdoor and back-country adventure. This is where hiker, climbers, cyclist, kayakers, etc. try to stay.  They will be off on their adventures when the sun comes up and asleep by 8pm. 

Sites: Some can be small and close together. Visitors don't seem to mind. A few are near Going-to-the-Sun road which is generally not a problem later into the evening. 

Finished at Sprague & moving on to our next assignment

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories:
I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service  

RVing TIPS and IDEAS

RVing TIPS and IDEAS

Whether you're a newbee or a seasoned full-timer tips and ideas are always a good thing. Pamela and I started our journey to full-timing over three years ago. We had both had camping and trailering experience before that, BUT we always listen to a good tip or idea. Never turn down a tip/idea. If you already know it, do it, or feel your way is better, just say "thank you". If you're a newbee, most seasoned travelers won't mind in the least if you excitedly tell them about a tip you received or something you discovered. It might remind them of something they had done for ages and suddenly stopped. If you do run into a snotty camper, just ignore them. The vast majority of us enjoy and appreciate your enthusiasm.

So here's a start.

Don't take a chance on your electrical system. Campgrounds - even the best campgrounds - are infamous for power surges. A power surge can find your unit in the nearest shop and you spending your days in a hotel. Can you say "expensive". We have had a couple of friends whose rigs were fried. It was a disastrous and expensive for both - $1000 or more. We had a very basic surge protector for Willy - our 35 year old 16 foot trailer. There was almost nothing to fry except the converter/inverter, but that was more than we were will to risk. When we bought our 20 foot 2017 model Springdale we realized how many things inside were dependent upon computer chips. We went with this much heavier surge protector. We hadn't had the heavier protector two months when it went off and protected us against a surge in a campground's power. $300+ well spent.

Our poor water systems get very little consideration. I would suggest that you have someone watching spigots when you turn on your water. You can't bounce anything down the road for hundreds or thousands of miles without plumbing joints starting to come lose. I actually find that drain lines are more common that water input, but you need to watch both carefully. When you are hooking to ANY source of water be sure your pressure regulator is the first thing on the spigot. Campgrounds generally have unbelievably high water pressure. Your RV just can't handle that high a pressure. If you don't have a pressure regulator, get one NOW. It will seem like you have very little water pressure but you will adjust and, if you use good equipment, you will do fine. For example, a high quality shower head with on-off switch by the head will give a great shower while saving water. But one trick that I don't see used very often, but which will avoid expensive repair, is the use of an L at the water input. This trick takes the weight and pressure of the hose off the side of your unit and off your water lines. It also makes a lower profile that gets the hose down to the ground immediately and less likely to be pulled or tripped over.

Here's a very simple idea that can save you the price of new trousers. How many of you have ruined your trousers with grease from your hitch ball? If you haven't, and don't use some sort of ball cover, you will. Hitch ball covers can be clever but almost always expensive. Besides, I always lose them. I use aluminum foil. It wraps tightly around the ball giving complete protection. It doesn't look bad and totally disposable.

How many of you know the actual height of your unit. If you never get away from interstates you probably don't have to worry about knowing, but, if you're like us and travel a lot of state and even county roads, you want to know when you see a bridge height warning - 12 FT. Are you going to hit? Don't trust what's printed on the side of your unit - if it's new enough to have size information on it. It probably didn't consider your A/C unit or TV antenna. I measured Sinni from the highest point to the point at which the tires touch ground. I don't care if I can remember, I put the measurement on a piece of tape and affixed it to the dash near the driver's instrument cluster. This way I'm reminded to check as well as not having to rely upon quick recall when confronted with a low bridge.

Pamela and Russ

www.followsinni.com

PACKING FOR FULL-TIME RVing

PACKING FOR FULL-TIMING

One of the biggest problems that full-timers have is what to do with all those things which they really want and/or need. We believe that we need our bicycles, scuba gear, back-country camping gear, and kayaks. You may or may not have such needs. Nevertheless if you're not traveling in a big 40 foot Class-A, storage is always an issue. Here is our solution.

Pic-1. Bicycles

Our tow vehicle is a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with the 3.7L Hemi engine and towing package. It has the extended crew cab and 6'6" bed, which is almost 18" longer than the short bed and 18" shorter than the extended bed. It didn't take us long to realize that we were not getting the best use of the truck bed. We bought an ARE cap with the raised roof, which gives me 5" more height. I can't stand up but I can easily move around inside. We bought two sets of high quality, heavy duty wire shelving. In the picture you will see that they are secured to the walls in an L-shape. This was necessary so there would be length for the bicycles.

Pic-2. Driver's side & center

On the far shelves are our scuba gear, tents and other back-country gear, and similar items. On the shelves running down the driver side (Pic-2) are supplies such as extra spices, toilet paper, paper towel, etc. Up against those shelves you will see a cardboard box. Inside is our portable solar system. Holding that up against the shelves are the generator and tool box. You want these items easily accessible. Out of sight in the picture, but right by the tool box, is a jumper battery. For safety we carry as little fuel for the generator as possible, but we do have a 6 gallon water container. When we're at Glacier we keep that filled with fabulous water straight from a mountain spring. Our bicycles (pic-1) take up the passenger-side of the bed. The front wheels are removed. They are padded with foam and bunged up against the outside wall. Believe it or not we still have room.

Pic-3

At the end of the shelves (Pic-3) are two extremely important tools - a SmartTote (blue boy, honey bucket) and a collapsible 12' ladder. The SmartTote is important when you're at a place without sewage long enough for your grey and black water tanks to fill. Ours stands on end right behind the ladder. Our ladder was expensive but well worth it. It is heavy, stable and well constructed. If you don't have a ladder, I would strongly recommend you get one if you're going to full-time.

In the picture (Pic-3) you will notice a white kitchen stool. I don't know what I would do without it. I saw a Ford 150 with a step that was a part of the tailgate. I thought that was neat until I realized that the user didn't have a choice of location. I can move my kitchen stool anywhere along the truck. I put it slightly to the left when I'm getting our bicycles out. I keep it center or to the right when I'm going after supplies. I use it to secure the hold-downs for the kayaks. You want a kitchen stool.

Pic-4. Completely loaded.

In this picture of us totally loaded and ready to roll it looks pretty crowded, but you would be surprised at how much room we still have. If you aren't carrying two bicycles, two complete sets of scuba gear, and a couple of tents, backpacks, etc., you will probably find that you have strap things down to keep from shifting. LOL.

Loaded and ready to roll

Just a tag to this article about our truck storage. We organize our pass-through and rear storage compartment as pantry, basement and garage. The pass-through, which is in the front of our unit, the door side is the pantry holding canned goods and food supplies that don't need to be inside. The other side of the pass-through is called the basement because it holds mats, buckets, power drills, etc., that you would normally keep in a basement. Our rear storage compartment is called our garage because that's where we keep levelers, hitch items, hoses, and power supplies.

We believe that keeping organized is a major factor in being safe and happy on the road as a full-timer.

Happy travels,

Pamela and Russ

www.followsinni.com

Fish Creek CG, Glacier NP, West Glacier, MT

FISH CREEK CAMPGROUND

RUN BY: Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION: Glacier Nat'l Park, West Glacier, MT

UTILITIES: none

COST: $20 (Reservation Only - Reserve America)

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES: Fish Creek is a beautiful campground on the southwest side of Lake McDonald on the west side of Glacier National Park. It is only a couple of miles from Apgar Village where there are shops, restaurants, camp store, educational sites, and a couple of companies that rent almost anything. Fish Creek does not have any direct access to the lake. You must walk to a picnic area which really isn't very far. A couple of sites can actually see the lake. The best access is actual at Apgar. The "Presidential" site in loop D is one where the NPS cleared some trees so that a US President, who was visiting the park, could see the lake. RHIP. We have worked at Fish Creek but can't remember the site number for the Presidential site. If you want to try to get it, look at the campground map when making your reservation and look for a large site near almost next to the campground host.

Environment: Wooded. Three of the four loops are very hilly.

Amenities: Bathrooms. Loop A has showers but only a 40gal hot water heater for 200+ sites.

Phone Service: Poor cell service which is typical of the entire area.

Location: Enter park from US-2 at West Glacier, MT.

Proximity to shopping: Camp stores are about three miles away. Souvenirs, etc., in nearby Apgar Village and West Glacier. 20-40 miles for more serious shopping.

Camping Population: You will meet people from all over the US and Canada.

Sites: Some of them are a challenge.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Apgar CG, Glacier NP, West Glacier, MT

APGAR CAMPGROUND

RUN BY: Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION: Glacier Nat'l Park, West Glacier, MT

UTILITIES: none

COST: $20

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES: We've known Apgar for several years and worked there from mid-July until it closed at the end of September in 2016. It is a large campground - 193 sites with 10 group sites*. The campground is heavily wooded, mostly lodgepole pines. It has lots of extremely large berry patches which attract bears. There are large areas of huckleberry, winterberry, snowberry, and bunchberry, just to name a few. You must remember that you are in a national park which is rightfully and thankfully guided by the "Organic Act"** which means that you don't cut trees or pick up wood for fires. In fact, you are expected to stay off surrounding vegetation. This is nothing like a KOA campground. Even if you're in a big Class-A, this is as close to really camping in nature as you're going to get.

Environment: Heavily wooded. Mostly lodgepole pine.

Amenities: There are bathrooms but they are not heated and there is no hot water. Showers are available for $5-6 at outfitters and campgrounds just outside the park. There are communal drinking water spigots.

Phone Service: We had adequate Verizon. Very, very few people are able to use their satellite. There are two reasons - (i) heavy tree canopy and high mountains, (ii) you are so far north that satellites are barely above the southern horizon.

Other Services: Propane is available at commercial campgrounds within 5 miles of the park. There is a dump station in the campground that has potable water you can put in an RV freshwater tank.

Location: Enter the west gate off US-2 at West Glacier, MT. The campground is about 2 miles from the gate.

Proximity to shopping: Souvenirs, a basic camp store, restaurants, etc., are available at Apgar Village within walking distance (about 1/4 mile). More of the same is available at West Glacier about 2 miles away. For anything more you need to go 20-40 miles.

Camping Population: You will meet people from all over the US and Canada. There is a stay limit.

Sites: Lots of different types. There are a lot of pull-through sites. Leveling can be a challenge. Because the park preserves the natural, the sites are not 'constructed' nor consistent in size, etc.

* If you are camping with eight or more people a group site is your best bet. With more than eight people you are going to have to find at least two regular sites at $20 each. Just finding two regular sites together isn't going to be easy. The group sites were $60 and have room for 20 or more campers. They are very nice sites. Half of the group sites can be reserved through Reserve America. If you want a group site use Reserve America or check with the campground host immediately upon arrival. The availability is extremely liquid.

** The Organic Act states "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The lake access across the road from Apgar Campground

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

TWILTLEY BRANCH, Collinsville, MS

TWILTLEY BRANCH

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: Collinsville, MS

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (30-50A)

COST: $20

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES: This COE campground is keeping up the outstanding reputation of the Corp. There are two camping areas with several group sites and a very nice tent camping area. Almost all of the sites are on the water. Our site is in the loop where we are on Okatibbee Lake. There is a beautiful big day use area and a number of play areas for children. The park is dominated by Longleaf pines (pinus palustris) and Cyprus. In fact this region of southeastern Mississippi is known as the "Pine Belt" or "Piney Woods".

Environment: heavily treed. Flat.

Amenities: There are pit toilets in the camping loops and one bathhouse with laundry at the junction of the roads to the loops. There is one washer and one dryer. Wash costs $1.

Phone Service: We had good Verizon reception. We were also able to get antenna television. (Remember - we're not television watchers so we were happy with MPS. You probably won't get your favorite TV shows. We watched cooking, gardening, and documentaries.)

Location: Just off MS-19 by Collinsville, MS. Meridian, MS is only a few miles away.

Proximity to shopping: Lots of nearby shopping.

Camping Population: We were here in January so most of the campers are locals.

Sites: Plenty of room. Gravel drive with fire pit and elevated grill. Utilities are close together so it is easy to use a heated water hose if necessary. Our site seemed fairly typical. Leveling was quite easy.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service  

White Oak Campground, Eufaula, AL

WHITE OAK CAMPGROUND

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: Eufaula, AL

UTILITIES: Water and Electric (30-50A)

COST: $24

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.0

NOTES: This east-central Alabama COE campground easily maintained the COE reputation for excellence. We just wished that we were able to stay more than over-night. It is a small recreation area at the point White Oak Creek enters the Walter F George Reservoir. Georgia is on the other side of the lake. If you like just to sit and look at a beautiful lake or fish, this is a campground for you. There is no hiking and almost no biking (just riding around the camping loop) without going out on the highway.

Environment: Beautifully wooded and on the water

Amenities: Bathhouses with hot water & heat. Not sure if they have a laundry, but most of the COE campgrounds we have visited do have laundry.

Phone Service: Good Verizon

Location: On Walter F George Reservoir by Eufaula, AL. On AL-95 a couple of minutes off US-431.

Proximity to shopping: Minutes from Eufaula. A big Walmart Superstore nearby if you like Wally-World.

Camping Population: Unknown since there were so few of us there during December.

Sites: Really nice paved sites. Leveling is easy. Most have view of the lake even if they're not right on the lake.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service  

Willow Creek, Manila, UT

WILLOW CREEK

RUN BY: Nat'l Forest Service

LOCATION: Ashley Nat'l Forest, Manila, UT

UTILITIES: none

COST: $18

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES: Willow Creek is, as it's name says, located along a lovely stream running near some magnificent cliffs. We backed Sinni into a nice large site where we had a view of the mountains out our back window. Soon we discovered the path to the stream where we watched the Kokanie salmon spawning.

Environment: Campground is open with some cottonwood trees. You must remember that you are getting into the high desert.

Amenities: There was a pit toilet and communal drinking water.

Phone Service: None

Location: About 10 miles south of Manila, UT on UT-44 just past the intersection with 218.

Proximity to shopping: You are a long way from any major shopping.

Camping Population: Lots of locals there for fishing on the reservoir.

Sites: There are less than a dozen sites and they're not on top of each other. One family had one of the sites under a big cottonwood. They got most of the shade but didn't have a view. All of the sites are flat and easy access.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Moraine CG, Rocky Mt NP, Co

Willy at RMNP before his
make-over.

Moraine Camp Ground,  Rocky Mt National Park

RUN BY:  National Park Service 

LOCATION:  Rocky Mt Nat'l Park, CO 

UTILITIES:  none

COST:  $20

OUR RATING (1-5):  I - 4.5

NOTES:   Moraine Campground is at an elevation of about 8500-8800 feet. For many this causes altitude discomfort or even altitude sickness. We had just come from Glacier where we were living at 3200 and playing/working at 7000+ and we had some discomfort. This is actually one of the lower places in the park. This is a magnificent national park - a must see for any nature lover. 

Environment:  The campground is heavily wooded. It is hilly but most of the sites are relatively flat - not too difficult to level.  Few have the view that you see in the picture but it is still a beautiful campground. 

Amenities:  The park has stores and numerous amenities. The campground has bath-houses and communal water facets.  

Phone Service:  No telephone signals

Location:  Moraine is relatively close to the eastern gate near Estes Park. If memory serves me right, Estes Park is only about 8 miles from the campground. 

Camping Population:  NPS has a stay limit.  Population will generally be quite diverse and no more than 14 day stay. 

Sites:  Relatively level. Plenty of room.  

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: 

I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Soda Springs - Soda Springs, ID

SODA SPRING CITY PARK

RUN BY: Soda Spring, ID

LOCATION: US-30 on west side of Soda Springs

UTILITIES: none 

COST: free

OUR RATING (1-5): II-3

NOTES: Soda Springs, ID is a neat little town right on the Wyoming state line that has a very interesting and a bit of a sad history. There were numerous soda springs in the area that attracted visitors from far and wide. The government dammed up the area and destroyed the towns springs killing their tourist business.  Today Soda Springs still has a geyser right in town. On the west side of town they have a park where one can camp. The camping is free. There are no sites and you're right on the lake with a gorgeous view.  

Environment:  Totally open. No tree cover. 

Amenities: There is a pit toilet. 

Phone Service: Verizon was fair. 

Location:  Turn off US30 just west of town. 

Camping Population:  This is really a day-use park which the city permits travelers to use at night. 

Sites:  n/a

I know I took some pictures but I can't find them. This is a picture from above the town looking south across the lake at the mountains. It gives you a good idea of the area.

===================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Mont Sano SP - Huntsville, AL

MONT SANO STATE PARK

RUN BY: State of Alabama

LOCATION: Huntsville, AL

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity (30-50A)

COST:

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES: Not many cities have a rugged, scenic state park in the middle of the city. Not many cities have a mountain in the middle of town. But Huntsville has both, and Mont Sano State Park is on the top of that mountain. It is an awesome park with many miles of trails and breath-taking vistas. Until I went west I ran a 25K (15.5 mile) trail race at Mont Sano called the Mckay Hollow Madness. It was more of a survival race.  It wasn't who got back first ... it was who got back. Only about 70% of us made the entire course. Right at the top of this mountain, in this lovely park, and in the middle of the wild terrain that made Mckay Hollow a great race is a campground.  The Space Center is a few miles away and it isn't far from Interstates. If you're in northern Alabama, you really need to stop here. 

Environment:  Heavily wooded. 

Amenities: Bath-house.  Play grounds, trails and other activities abound.  There is a dump station. 

Proximity to Shopping:  You are in the middle of a city. A few miles in either direction from the campground brings you to shopping. 

Phone Service:  Verizon was disappointing considering you're right in the middle of a city. 

Location:   If you're coming from I-565 or downtown Huntsville (west side of the mountain) take US431 east. Watch for the turn at the top of the mountain and follow the signs. Instructions if you are coming from the east are just about the same. Head west on 431 and watch for the signs when you get to the top. It is a large intersection. 

Camping Population:  There is a stay limit and I would guess that the costs are a bit too high for transients. 

Sites: Nice size and well maintained. We had no problem with leveling.  All the sites have lovely tree cover. 

(I apologize. I evidently didn't take pictures while we were here. These are public domain stock pictures and don't do Mont Sano justice.)

======================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

Pickensville COE - Pickensville, AL

PICKENSVILLE RECREATION AREA

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: Pickensvile, AL

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity. Some have sewage.

COST: $22-24

OUR RATING (1-5): I-5

NOTES:  Here is one of the COE's jewels. Located along the main channel of the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway, this 170+ site campground was a great find.  Except for the loop closest to the entrance, almost all of the sites have a nice view of the waterway.  The channel is very active with commercial barges and pleasure craft.  You are at least 10+ miles from shopping even though there are a couple of convenience stores within 5 miles. Pamela and I rode our bikes through the loops and down the road to the lock and dam and were able to get >1 hr of steady riding without repetition. (She was using biking as part of her PT.)  We really enjoy the barges. They were so close that we could practically touch them. Just watching them go by was a treat. They would also moor barges on the other side of the waterway from the campground and you can watch them tie them together. Fishing is evidently excellent and a lot of duck boats went by. 

Environment: A heavily treed campground.

Amenities:  The bath-houses are very nice and each has a laundry room. There is a play area for children and nice observation decks.  A boat ramp is close.  They provide a fish cleaning hut that actually has sinks and a garbage disposal. No catfish allowed. Evidently the catfish skin jams the disposal.  

Phone Service:  We had good Verizon service here. 

Location:  Right across the waterway from Pickensville, AL which is almost due west of Montgomery.  The campground is right on the State line with Mississippi and you actually travel a few yards into Mississippi when drive from the CG to the main highway.  It is a great place to stay but you must intend to go there. 

Camping Population:  In December there were no more than 1/2 dozen of us in the campground. In January there were nights when our friends and the host were the only other units.  There is a stay limit.  Rangers told us that they have the authority to extend the limit for good campers. 

Sites:  Beautiful - paved with utilities easily accessible. Most so level that you don't need anything. 

===================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service