Davis Bayou, Ocean Springs, MS

DAVIS BAYOU

RUN BY: Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION: Gulf Island NS, Ocean Spring, MS

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity (30-50A)

COST: $22

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES:  This is one of those gems which get lost when people start looking at NPS and places to visit. Perhaps it is because it appears to be a very small park run by the the National Park Service. Actually the staff have a really large geographic area to manage. Davis Bayou is a small part of the much larger Gulf Island National Sea Shore which extends all the way from Ocean Springs, MS to Gulf Breeze, FL. This campground is small but it is beautiful.  It is nestled among gigantic Live Oak and tall Slash Pine.  One of the campground Rangers told me how his father's favorite campsite was the one next to ours where he could sit and look through the trees at the wetlands. This side of the park also includes at least four barrier islands about 11 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. There is a ferry to Ship Island where you can visit Fort Massachusetts.  You are only about 5 miles from major shopping and the Biloxi casinos are probably not more than 10 miles away.  Great sea food is readily available. We went to a place which locals said is the best - Quality Seafood right in Biloxi. It was outstanding. There are some nice, but short, hiking trails and we rode our bikes for hours exploring the area. Talking to one of the Interpretive Rangers we found out that they have kayaking and other park supported activities during warmer weather.  The campground has a real sense of community, which could change as the visitors change, but which the host confirmed.  The sister campground and another very interesting and enjoyable part of the Gulf Island National Seashore is Fort Pickens by Gulf Breeze, FL.  (We have a post about the Ft. Pickens campground)   Honestly, we were very taken by the sincere friendliness of the Rangers and Volunteer Staff.  For those of full-timers/nomads looking for a place to spend some time we would give Davis Bayou top marks and suggest that you check out their stay rules. They are more liberal than some National Parks. 

Environment: A nicely wooded campground nestled among Live Oak and Slash Pine surrounded by heavy vegetation. 

Amenities:  Bath house with really nice showers.  Despite the fact that we have a really nice shower and bathtub in our trailer, Pamela used the campground showers and sang its praises!  Sadly no camp-store or laundry, but, as I said, you are probably no more than 5 miles from major shopping and services. 

Phone Service: not the best Verizon which is amazing considering the proximity to a major metropolitan area.  We didn't get to talk to anyone with AT&T or other services. We were getting 4G-two bars at best. 

Location:  Just across the bay from Biloxi and up against the town of Ocean Spring, MS.  It is about 40 miles west of Mobile and only 10 miles off Interstate 10. 

Camping Population: Limited stay but they do have a rather liberal stay policy . . . which I commend.  Reason - I don't see this as a place where people come to camp, have the kids ride their bikes around the loop, and go to the beach.  

Sites: Nice asphalt pads. Utilities are easy access Leveling is no problem for a trailer and only minimal for Class A or C. We didn't have any problem.

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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   

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NP - North Billings, ND

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NP 
 (Southern Unit)

RUN BY: National Park Service

LOCATION: North Billings, North Dakota

UTILITIES: none 

COST: $20

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES: This is a lovely campground, but you must appreciate the badlands to enjoy it to the fullest.  The area is called the Badlands of North Dakota and is just south of Theodore Roosevelt's ranch.  We were sitting in front of Willy when one of the dogs started growling quietly.  Since we were only able to stay overnight we hadn't unhitched Willy from Moe.  When I got up to investigate I found a Bison trying to go between the two. He finally decided to walk around. They spent quite some time grazing just a few yards from our front door. The park is beautiful and you need to drive the 20+ mile loop. 

Environment:  The campground was in a grove of trees but they were small and few were tall enough to provide much shade. As you can see from the picture it was grassy.  

Amenities:  there were bath-houses and communal water 

Phone Service:  none

Location:  There are two units to the park. This is the southern one which is on the north side of I-94 just a few miles east of the ND-Montana state line. 

Camping Population:  NPS has stay limits. 

Sites:  The sites were large and relatively flat.  

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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   

Ft Pickens NSS - Gulf Breeze, FL

FORT PICKENS

RUN BY: Gulf Island National Sea Shore (NPS)

LOCATION: Gulf Breeze, FL

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity (30-50A)

COST: $26  

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES:  If you are looking for a great place to combine camping, beaches, and history, this is the place for you.  The park is on a long barrier island that has historically been a defensive position for the naval yards at Pensacola. The naval airfield is the home of the famous Blue Angels and you will likely see them practice if you are there on a Thursday morning. We had been snorkeling when they started and sat in the water watching them right over-head. The beaches are beautiful.  Ft Pickens was built around 1837 and was used through World War II.  There are historic guided tours as well as self-guided. Large gun emplacements are all along the island from WWI and II.  It is typical Florida weather, which is far from our favorite, but if you have to put up with the heat and humidity this is a lovely place to do it. You can ride bikes for miles and there is also a nice nature trail.  Kayaking and boating is good on the bay-side. Beaches are magnificent on the gulf-side.  Fishing is limited to a specific fishing dock unless you are a Florida resident. 

(I apologize for no pictures. I used a "real" camera when I was there and haven't transferred the pictures to this computer. I'll try to rectify that asap.)

Environment:  Very open. No shade. Sandy.  We were here in October and it was still hot and humid, but you are on a barrier island.  It has that rugged coastal appearance.  It also suffered a hurricane a few years ago which is why there are almost no trees in the campground. 

Amenities:  There is a camp store nearby.  There are bath-houses 

Phone Service:  Verizon was available 

Location: about 7-10 miles from Gulf Breeze, FL which is right by Pensacola. 

Camping Population:  NPS has a stay limit.  

Sites:  hard surface. Plenty of room - not too close to neighbors.  Sandy with no trees. 

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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   

Green River CG - Dinosaur NM, UT

GREEN RIVER CG, DINOSAUR NM, UT

RUN BY: National Park Service

LOCATION: On UT-149 via the Dinosaur Quarry park gate.

I think we found the only big cottonwood in the campground.

UTILITIES: none 

COST: $26

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES: The park straddles the UT-CO state line. This portion of the park is accessible by way of UT-149 from Jensen, UT. You are in the high desert. There are cottonwood but no heavy forest or shade. The campground is on the Green River with a beautiful view across the river. You can not access the river from the campground.

Environment:  A large open campground with a few cottonwood trees with beautiful scenery. 

Amenities:  flush toilets and communal water source.  It does have a dump station.

Phone Service:  No phone service

Location:  Inside the Dinosaur Nat'l Monument Park a few miles beyond the Dinosaur Quarry gate accessed from Jensen, UT.  

Camping Population:  Run by Nat'l Park Svr there is a stay limit. 

Sites:  sites were hard surface and roomy.  

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

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