Places We've Visited
Alabama
Shady Acres RV Park - Mobile, AL (March 2022)
Rating: 4/5
Stayed 2 nights
We stopped in Mobile so I could do a bit of genealogy research. This park was conveniently located right off I-10 and close to the areas of Mobile I wanted to visit (St. Elmo and Whistler). The camp hosts were delightful and helped us navigate the dolly into our site. The amenities were basic, but that is all we really needed. All in all, a great place to stop for a quick layover.
Grandstand RV Park - Lincoln, AL (March 2022)
Rating: 4/5
Stayed 2 nights
Not sure where I found this gem of a campground, but I know I was looking for somewhere relatively close to Atlanta so we could rest after a potentially stressful drive. While we are not racecar fans, I thought it might be fun to stay so close to the Talladega Racetrack (did your family enjoy the movie, Talladega Nights, as much as mine??) The campground was very new (they just installed sewer lines last week) but also very reasonable: $34.45/night for full hookups. We could literally see the Grandstand area from our site! I can't imagine the noise and crowds on a race weekend, but the campground proved a peaceful stay for us.
Florida
Flat Creek Family Campground - Chattahoochee, FL (March 2022)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed 1 night
We grew to love this campground more every hour. Initially, it seemed like a basic campground. However, it is FAR more than that! The area is landscaped beautifully with flowers and welcoming signs. The pool area had a lovely terrace that would be fun to sit around the fire pit and share a glass of wine at the end of the day. But what truly set this place apart for us was the dog park! Large enough for Hero to chase his ball until he wore himself out. We will definitely stay here again when we cross I-10 to Florida.
Keystone Heights RV Resort - Keystone Heights, FL (March 2022)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed 14 nights
Initially, I wasn't sure this was a campground for us. They mention the 10-year rule on site, but after viewing photos of our 20-year-old Toto, they said we "would fit right in." The lengthy list of resort rules (about 32 in total) led me to believe this affluent HOA would take the fun out of camping. By the end of our two-week stay, however, I was ready to sign a one-year lease! I am a suburban girl at heart, and this resort is an RV subdivision. They currently have 415 spots but plan to add another 300 by the end of 2022. I enjoyed walking around the campground every afternoon - and even Hero learned to relax outside. The amenities are fabulous, even if we did not partake of a single one. And the landscaping is beautiful. The annual rates are quite affordable, and we are hoping to snag a site before the end of the year.
Georgia
Forsyth KOA Journey - Forsyth, GA (March 2022)
Rating: 4/5
Stayed 2 nights
I enjoy staying at KOAs because they are dependable. I know what I'm going to get when I arrive: location near the highway exit, a decent site, reliable hookups, and Kamp K-9 for Hero. Yes, they are a little more expensive, but after a long travel day, I want a campground that meets expectations. I chose this particular KOA, however, because I read stellar customer service reviews. They bring warm chocolate chip cookies to the campsite as a bonus welcome! In addition, they also have a small kitchen with reasonably priced grub that includes free delivery as well. We enjoyed our first pizza in weeks!
Iowa
Newton KOA - Newton, IA (Oct 2021)
Rating:4/5
Stayed 2 nights
KOA campgrounds are pretty much the same, which means they don't necessarily stand out BUT they are reliable. And we love that they cater to pets! Each location offers a Kamp K-9, a small fenced area where dogs can roam off-leash. Sites are pull-through, which makes it easy to park Toto and the tow. This particular location was right off I-80. The traffic noise bothers some, but we weren't phased. After all, we lived in New York City for four years ... we can tolerate most anything 😊
Bob Shetler Recreation Area - Des Moines area (Oct 2021)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed 4 nights
Our first COE (Army Corps of Engineer) campground which we booked through Recreation.gov While relatively inexpensive on its own, that price is reduced with the America the Beautiful Pass. AND since we are seniors (62 years or older) we qualified for a lifetime Pass ($80) that will pay for itself in no time.
Our spot at Bob Shetler was right on the water and wide enough to store the dolly on the side of the rig. We didn't realize at the time of booking that the park was electric only... but we learned how to conserve water and dump when necessary. Located outside Des Moines with easy access to the necessary shopping. We will be back
Kansas
Hillsdale Lake - Hillsdale, KS (Oct 2021)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Stayed multiple nights
We loved our experience so much that we purchased a 2022 State Park pass to take advantage of the discount rate. Several little campgrounds within the park. So far we have stayed at Pintail Point (our favorite because it is a bit more secluded with plenty of shade and water views), Sunflower (a large open area with full hookups. Some spots have lake views) and Scott Creek (recently open with gravel sites. Nicely laid out with some water views. Only electric hook up). Hillsdale is only 25 minutes from home, so it is truly the perfect place for a quick get-away.
Wellington KOA - Wellington, KS (Jan 2022)
Rating: 4/5
Stayed 1 night
Exactly what we expected from a KOA and perfect for our overnight needs. Gravel pull-through site with full hook-ups. I requested a location near Kamp K-9 and they honored the request. A great way to start our novice snowbird excursion.
Kentucky
Fern Lake Campground - Paducah, KY (Aug 2022)
Rating: 3.5/5
Stayed: 3 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
The Bard Distillery - Graham, KY (Harvest Host)
Rating:
Stayed:
(review coming Fall 2022)
Hurricane Creek Campground - Cadiz, KY (Aug 2022)
Rating: 4/5
Stayed: 5 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
Louisiana
Champagne Cajun Swamp Tours (Harvest Host) - Breaux Bridge, LA (March 2022)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed 1 night
What a fabulous experience! The camping area was directly across the street from the tour office and offered plenty of room for at least five full-size campers (three of us camped the night we were there). True boondocking, as no hookups available, but we managed to get along by running our generator for a couple of hours. The weather was perfect (sunny and 75 degrees) but I would think it would be hot and muggy in the summer.
The swamp tour is $25/person and well worth every penny. The tour guide knew SO much about the swamp eco-system, and we were fortunate enough to see over one dozen gators 😮
Mississippi
Campground at Barnes Crossing - Tupelo, MS (Mar 2022)
Rating: 4.5/5
Stayed: 2 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
Missouri
America's Best Campground - Branson, MO (July 2022)
Rating: 3.5/5
Stayed: 6 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
Tennessee
Pine Mountain RV Park - Pigeon Forge, TN (Sept 2021)
Four Corners RV Resort - Nashville area (Sept 2021)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Stayed 2 nights
Nice park in town. We chose the park primarily because we did not have a tow vehicle and wanted a place conveniently located on the trolley line. All spots (I believe) were concrete pads. Most spots had at least some shade, which was useful in early September. We had full hook-ups and relatively quiet neighbors. All-in-all a great first RV experience.
Four Corners RV Resort - Nashville area (Sept 2021)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Stayed 2 nights
A true resort! While expensive (about $100/night)... the park is an oasis just outside Nashville city limits. We paid a bit more for the premium view but were not disappointed. All spots are spacious and on concrete pads. The small beach area was a short walk away, and at this time of the year, completely empty. We were a short walk to the marina, which offered a nice outdoor restaurant with decent food and drinks.
Montgomery Bell State Park - Burns, TN (Aug 2022)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed: 14 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
Rating: 5/5
Stayed: 6 nights
(review coming Fall 2022)
Rating: 4.5/5
Stayed: 3 months
(review coming Fall 2022)
Texas
Wagon Master RV Park and Alpaca Farm - Sanger, TX (Jan 2022)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Stayed 2 nights
We were looking for an experience and we found it! While most of the campers seemed to be full-timers, we did have a fairly level pull-through spot with full hook-ups. While I'm sure the trees provide necessary shade during the summer months, the branches were a little low and scraped our rig during the 40 mph windstorm 😯 However, the neighbors were quiet and the alpacas were delightful!! Covid prevented us from going inside the pen to feed them, but the owners provided plenty of free pellets for us to give them through the fence. The experience met my high expectations.
Buffalo RV Park - Buffalo, TX (Jan 2022)
Rating: 3/5 stars
Stayed 1 night
An unexpected stop. We experienced rig trouble from the moment we left Sanger and managed to limp along down the road to a Pilot station in Buffalo (population < 2,000). You can read the details of that experience here. We desperately needed a place to stay until we could repair Toto. Fortunately, this park was just 12 miles down the road and we did not have to get on the highway -- a true blessing. Normally I would drive past a park like this -- an overgrown area on the side of the road where run-down vehicles are most likely a full-time home for many of the parked residents -- but it was the perfect one-night stop for us. The owner had a fairly level grass spot with full hookups for $25/night! AND...he allowed us to stay three hours past check-out until we fixed gas filter. We will probably never stay here again, but we will always have a soft spot in our hearts for Buffalo, TX
Sargent Beach RV Park - Sargent Beach, TX (Jan-Feb 2022)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Stayed: 45 nights
We wanted our first snowbird experience to be extra-special. We wanted to be on the water and hear the waves lapping against the sand while we slept at night. We wanted to be within walking distance to the beach and go shelling on a daily basis. We wanted peace and quiet and time to rejuvenate after the two years of Covid upheaval. Sargent Beach provided that and more! The intimate campground (only 7 spots) is a mere 200 steps to the beach. The concrete pads are plenty long and wide for any big rig and full hook-ups include high-speed internet. Tim and Ruth are fabulous hosts and have created an intimate environment where new friendships are easily formed. Forty-five days was not too long and I'm sure we will return again (and again).
Hollydew Farm (Harvest Host) - Franklin, TX (March 2022)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Stayed 1 night
Our first Harvest Host experience. We stayed here because my mom was born and raised on a farm in Franklin. I wanted to do a bit of genealogy research, as well as experience what her childhood might have been like in the country. Darren and Karen welcomed us with open arms and explained their duck-and-rabbit farm practices. We adored watching the 90+ free-range ducks waddle around the farm --- and the Great Pyrenees named Biscuit trying to keep them all in line.
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