Category: Campground Reviews

Throughout our travels, when we’re not camping or boondocking off grid, we’re staying at a Campground and RV Park. We’ve compiled some of our honest campground reviews of places we’ve stayed at, whether for one overnight or for a month or two.

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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Sunset RV Resort – Austin, Texas

CAMPGROUND REVIEW


Campground/RV Park: Sunset RV Resort
Location: 16910 Hamilton Pool Road, Austin, TX  78738
(512) 632-RVRV
Date(s) Stayed: 9/27/15 to 9/30/15
Length of Stay: 3 days
Site #: 
Cost per night (with taxes): $35/night
Discount Used:  10% Good Sam
Connections: 50 amp FHU’s
Stars:  1.0
 
Oh dear, where do we start with this one?  We made reservations for this ‘resort’ three months prior on the phone.  The staff was pleasant on the phone.  Unfortunately, for time of year, this was our last ditch effort to find someplace to park our 43′ Toyhauler 5th wheel near Austin, Texas.  We left from Abilene and called to tell the office we were enroute and when to expect us.  Lisa rode her motorcycle while Dan pulled our 5th wheel since it was a nice warm day.  The directions taking us there were spot on however, once we got on Hamilton Pool Road, we almost overshot the entrance due to the size of the sign (it was tiny!). The roads leading to our site were washed out and needed severe repair (ruts and potholes).  We noticed most of the RV’s that were there were homesteaders.  Dan arrived before I did and was just as frustrated as when I got there to see how the heck we were going to fit into the site.   We made certain in our reservation phone call prior that they knew our size requirements; that we needed a pull through because we needed to load our motorcycle onto the ramp to load into the garage of our toyhauler.  Not only was our site length inadequate, it was also the most horrible to maneuver not to mention, not level.  Our site was the last one in the row of pull-throughs (which happened to be the shortest).  They should have never put us up there.  Our ramp door blocked the roadway when we had to load and unload the motorcycle.  
 
The site next to us outside our door was vacated when we got there and smelled from dog crap everywhere; literally right outside our steps.  We called management; they took care of it the next day.  It would have been nice to have it done earlier; we couldn’t even cook or sit outside on our own site because of the smell.  Obviously, from noting the amount of dog crap there was, the previous site tenants must have been there for awhile.  Why didn’t the ‘resort’ owners or camp host not notice this?  It truly smelled ‘that bad’!  We only saw, in our 3 day stay, only one person; the camp host in his golf cart who was seemingly very busy.
 
We were so dismayed by the condition of the campground and our site.  I say ‘CAMPGROUND; because this surely was not a ‘Resort’.  The bathhouse and laundry facility was ‘fair’ at best.  We chose not to use either.  We made due as we were tired.  This drew a bad taste for us; we didn’t even really venture out to visit Austin other than to restock our galley stores.  We stayed inside and caught up on our sleep.  Truly, we couldn’t leave there fast enough…but we couldn’t.  The day we were to leave, we had to really figure out how to navigate and maneuver our rig to get it out.  This was not a true pull through because of the site size and the narrowness of the road to pull out of.  We had to back out of our site, trying to avoid the dumpsters and trees to go out the way we came in.
 
We will NOT be returning to this so-called ‘Resort’.  It did not fit the description of what an RV ‘Resort’ is.  It was also NOT, for the most part, ‘big rig friendly’.  
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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Oasis RV Resort – TEXAS

CAMPGROUND REVIEW


Campground/RV Park: Oasis RV Resort – TEXAS (Amarillo)
Location: 2715 Arnot Road, Amarillo, TX 79124  (888) 789-9697
Date(s) Stayed: 9/25/15 – 9/29/15
Length of Stay: 5 days
Site #: 41 (Pull Through)
Cost per night (with taxes): $31.85/night
Discount Used:  10% Good Sam
Connections: 50 amp FHU’s
Stars:  4.75

Oasis RV Resort was recommended to us by another RV’er but we didn’t realize the extent of their recommendation. Its been rated as one of five top RV Destinations in Texas.  We made a reservation a month prior.  This RV ‘Resort’ is beautiful! Oasis RV Resort is located west of Amarillo and is easily accessible from I-40 (exit 60) and only 2 miles from Cadillac Ranch on the Service Road.    Campground signs signify a mile from the exit; as well, a huge billboard showing their location (lit up at night!). Love’s Truck/Travel is right at the exit for easy fueling before you park or on your way out.

This very manicured RV Resort has 188 concrete/asphalt level, ample spaced sites; 147 are long Big Rig friendly pull-throughs.  Large chipstone islands between each site instead of grass; however beautifully manicured gardens and grass in common areas.  Check-in procedure was fast and friendly.  We arrived at 3:00pm with no waiting.    

Accurately quoted from Oasis RV Resort website:

During your stay with us you will enjoy:
  • 188 full service RV sites featuring 147 pull-thrus all on paved roads to guarantee level pads
  • Private picnic patio, 20/30/50 amp electricity and cable TV at every pedestal
  • On site Storm Shelters
  • Free High Speed Wi-Fi
  • Free Cable TV, over 20 Channels
  • Heated outdoor pool. (seasonal)
  • 2 heated spas, one adult only (seasonal)
  • Exercise Room
  • On site full service propane
  • Ice available
  • Pet friendly resort with newly constructed dog run
  • Sparkling clean private showers and bathrooms
  • Playground, BBQ Grills, Horseshoe pits, games and activities
  • Delicious Pizzas and Wings made to order at our Pizza Cafe every evening
  • Charming gift shop
  • Adjacent to a full service LOVES Travel Stop
  • Horse & Medical facilities nearby
  • Just steps away from the world famous Cadillac Ranch
  • Close to food & fine restaurants and Amarillo’s Westgate Mall
  • Free Limo Service to The Big Texan Ranch Steakhouse
  • Clubhouse available for special events

We LOVED this RV Resort!!  It, so far, has been our favorite in 2015!   So much to do nearby!  We spent a couple evenings enjoying their adult heated spa.

This RV Resort earned our 4.75 stars (out of 5).  The only thing missing is an adult beverage area (clubhouse) open at least weekend evenings.  Also, the pool could have been open a couple more weeks as it is still quite warm outside.  Campfires are not allowed; even propane firepits.

LOVE the fact that they honor Active Duty Military with their first night stay for FREE! 

We put this HIGH on our list of returns!  Love this Resort!

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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Santa Fe Skies – NEW MEXICO

CAMPGROUND REVIEW


Campground/RV Park: Santa Fe Skies RV Park
Location: 14 Browncastle Ranch, Santa Fe, NM     (877) 565-0451 or (505) 473-5946
Date(s) Stayed: 9/21/15 – 9/24/15
Length of Stay: 3 days
Site #: Aster 5 (Pull Through)
Cost per night (with taxes): $43/night
Discount Used:  10% Good Sam
Connections: 50 amp FHU’s
Stars:  2.0

Santa Fe Skies RV Park is located on the Turquoise Trail at I-25 & NM 14/599.  Beautiful sunsets, close approximity to Santa Fe and eateries is right around the corner.  While we were there, we visited the Miraculous Staircase at Loretto Chapel and Cathedral Basillica of St. Francis of Asisisi as well as enjoyed window shopping in the Santa Fe Plaza downtown.

We checked in approximately 4:00pm; we were the only RVers checking in at the time.  The young man cashier was not very pleasant and not very helpful.  He just handed us the park map, rules and was more interested in other things.  He didn’t let us know about the club house and what it had to offer.  The campground is terraced with approximately 90 FHU sites.  The entrance is a bit tight for big rigs.  Check in is at the large building on the right; there’s also a clubhouseand small souvenier shop.  The laundry was small and not adequate for how many sites there are. 


Each site is terraced on gravel with concrete pads equipped with a picnic table.  Sites are tight and mostly not level; had to use several blocks.  We had a hooking and unhooking issue because of it.  Other than grills, no open fires are permitted.  The roads/aisles are narrow.  There are some permanent campers but they are in another area of the park.  Free WiFi is located in the clubhouse and only during office hours. Propane is available for sale at the park.  Groceries, shopping, restaurants and fuel is fairly close by.  RV’ers are responsible for taking their own trash to the dumpster at the park entrance.  


Santa Fe Skies is a dog friendly park; there is a dog park and a 3/4 mile walking trail.  Do not let small dogs or cats outside; they could end up as Coyote snacks.  It can get quite windy at the park, they recommend not leaving awnings out while you are away from your RV. 


We rated this park at 2 stars because of the lack of hospitality, maneuverbility and leveling difficulty for big rigs, very close approximity to neighboring coaches and inadequacy of laundry facilities per amount of RVers; also because there WiFi only available in the clubhouse.   If we visit New Mexico again, we may look elsewhere. 

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Haggard’s RV Park – COLORADO

Campground/RV Park: Haggard’s RV Campground
Location: 7910 W Hwy 50, Pueblo West, CO  81007    (719) 547-2101

Website: www.haggardsrvcampground.com

Date(s) Stayed: 9/9/15 – 9/21/15
Length of Stay: 2 weeks
Site #: E8 (Pull-Through)
Cost per night (with taxes): $297/week.  $27-37/week
Discount Used:  10% Good Sam
Connections: 50 amp Electric/Water and Dump Station
Stars:  3.5
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Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground – COLORADO

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

Campground/RV Park: Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground (Golden)
Location: 15200 W 6th Ave. Frontage Road, Golden, CO  80401
                (303) 271-6600
Date(s) Stayed: 8/15/15 – 8/20/15
Length of Stay: 5 days
Site #: 1 (Back In)
Cost per night (with taxes): $40/day
Discount Used:  None
Connections: 50 amp Electric/Water and Dump Station
Stars:  2
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground managed by the Jefferson County Fairgrounds has 40 RV sites.  The Campground was easy to get to off of US-6.
Sites 1-18 are on pavement; first section are back ins (50amps) and second section are parallels (30amps); it was a weird configuration.  Sites 19-40 are gravel pull-throughs (not level).  Since we were in site #1, we can’t speak for reviewing or giving knowledge of the gravel sites.  The back-in sites back up to a small hill; most take their dogs back there to unwind and do their business (and not clean it up!).
Being a Toyhauler, we could not unload our toys from the back which was not an issue for us; we hadn’t planned on it anyways.  Picnic tables were present at each site in the back (we moved ours to our awning/door side because we were so long and we had more room).  The bath houses were very clean and had ‘codes’ so no one from outside the campground could use them.
There is a nice covered pavillion with lots of picnic tables with a children’s playground to the right after the entrance check-in building (which was directly across from the front of our rig).  There is a bit of highway noise but that wasn’t an issue for us as we were out playing tourist.
Reservations highly recommended (by us) with thorough explanation of your size and needs.  They assigned us in site #1 which was fine except if the parking spots directly in front of our rig were taken.  Spaces were TIGHT; literally, slides touching which made it difficult for privacy and walking around your rig.
While parked, we toured and visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckenridge, Frisco, and Golden.  Lots to see and do in this location.

In our experience and opinion, Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground was overpriced for what it was.  This is not a long-term campground’/park; only good for a couple/few overnights.  This was the only place with vacancy for our 44′ big rig toyhauler 5th wheel.  Though accessibility to I-25/US-6 was great, no sewer connections (except for dump station which was not big rig friendly), layout of the park, spaces between sites, maneuverability, and no sewer earned only 2 stars.

Would we stay here again?  As a last resort.

 

 

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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Robidoux RV Park – Gering, Nebraska

Robidoux RV Park - Gering, Nebraska

Robidoux RV Park is the place to camp or park if you’re wanting to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument, Chimney Rock and Court House and Jail Rocks in Gering, Nebraska. The view of Scotts Bluff is incredible. As well, its close proximity to hiking and driving tours makes it a great location to enjoy the scenery and small town.

Continue reading “CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Robidoux RV Park – Gering, Nebraska”

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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Tomahawk RV Park – NEBRASKA

CAMPGROUND/RV PARK
REVIEW

Campground/RV Park:  Tomahawk RV Park – NEBRASKA
Location:  Broken Bow, NE
Date(s) Stayed: 7/28/14 – 8/2/15
Length of Stay:
 5 days
Site #: #13
Cost per night (with
taxes): $20/night (tents are less)
Discount Used: None
Connections:  FHU
Stars: 3.5
Tomahawk RV Park is a city/town managed RV Park is centrally located
within the town of Broken Bow, Nebraska. 
Broken Bow is located on the railroad and considered a farming/ranching
town.  The park has all the amenities one
could ask for; level gravel sites, easily in-easy out, children’s playground,
bath house, and within walking distance to the town square.  We gave this park a 3.5 due to
non-availability of a laundry facility (we had to go into town), no campfires
or grills provided at each site and the close approximity to the railroad
crossing.  However, recently within the
past couple years, Broken Bow has ‘quiet crossings’ (no whistle blows) except
for when signaled of impairment on the tracks. 
The sites also are close together but that didn’t bother us because we
were always out learning about the area. 
The park has a wonderful picnic pavilion with lots of picnic tables and
charcoal grills and lighting for evening dinners or picnics. The park was clean
and staff was minimal.  We called ahead
of time to insure availability which they seem to always have.  Their sites vary in size and is recommended
that you only use a site that coincides to your rig size; in other words, don’t
use the big rig sites if you have a small setup.
The town/city of Broken Bow is located on Route 2 in the heartland of farming
and ranching.  It is about an hour drive
to  Fort Hartstuff; a post Civil War
Cavalry Historic Park and a short drive to begin the Sand Hills Journey to
points west.  There are small businesses
and café’s however, there is no Walmart in the town.  There are two or three small grocery stores
that will meet your needs (they sell beer and wine in them!).  Since we ride motorcycles, it’s a nice town
to camp overnight if needed in a tent.
All in all, Tomahawk RV Park met our expectations and we will be back. We
stayed in a 5th Wheel Toyhauler.
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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Ives Run Corps of Engineers Campground – PENNSYLVANIA

CAMPGROUND REVIEW


Campground/RV Park: Ives Run COE Campground (Corps of Engineers) – PENNSYLVANIA
Location: 710 Railroad Grade Trail (Ives Run), Tioga, PA 16946     (570) 835-0110
Date(s) Stayed: 6/13/15 – 6/20/15
Length of Stay: 1 week
Site #: 111 (Walk-in Site)
Cost per night (with taxes): $17 ($34 for others)
Discount Used:  50% National Park Access Pass (Disabled)
Connections: 30 amp Electric/Water and Dump Station
Stars:  4.5



Ives Run COE Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lake offers recreation.  The campground is approximately 30 minutes to Mansfield and 30 minutes to Wellsboro and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  This campground is what all campgrounds should replicate!  Nicely manicured, staffed and managed by the Corps of Engineers proved its worthiness with cleanliness, ample spacing between sites, beautiful views of Hammond Lake and nice roads to walk or bicycle.  To reserve a site, you must be registered through Reserve America online.  Because of the popularity of this campground in the summer season, expecting to find a campsite during weekends or extended stays (14 day maximum) is difficult because PA and NY state residents have made their reservations a year ahead of time.  However, the campground has three ‘walk-in’ sites that are left vacant for RV’s and Campers that are passing through.  The three walk-in sites open at 10:00am when the office opens.  You can reserve for three days at a time before having to go and reserve again in person if you need another three days, but be sure to be at the office to do so at 10:00am (be first in line so no one bumps you).  The campground season begins May 1st and ends October 30th each year.  


The campground is absolutely gorgeous!!  Lots of gentle wildlife!!  We oftentimes took three walks a day/night. There is a separate swimming area from the boat ramp. Fishing is allowed with proper license.  We appreciated their rules of not allowing boats/trailers on the campsites.  They have overflow parking down at the boat ramp and elsewhere throughout the park.  The campground rules state that each outside guest that visits your site must pay $3 each.  There is a small campstore for basics (ie. hamburger/hotdog buns, hotdogs, chips, soda, water, etc.)  Quiet time is kindly adhered to.  A roving Park Ranger makes his rounds regularly noting safety issues and adherance to the campground rules. 


Make certain you bring extra leveling blocks; note that this site sits in the mountainous region of Pennsylvania. As with all campgrounds, we highly recommend filtering your water. The only drawback to Ives Run COE Campground is internet capability is seriously lacking because of its location in the mountains (AT&T and Verizon); spotty at best.


We WILL return!  We would have given it 5 stars if internet capability existed.  

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CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Tompkins Corps of Engineers Campground – PENNSYLVANIA

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

Campground/RV Park:  Tompkins Corps of Engineer Campground –
PENNSYLVANIA
Location:  Lawrenceville, PA
Date(s) Stayed: 5/31/15 – 6/13/15
Length of Stay:
 2 days (had a reservation of 2 weeks)
Site #: #65…then #19 both Back-in
Cost per night (with
taxes): $17/night
Discount Used: 50% off with National Park Access Pass
(Disabled)
Connections:  Electric
& Water; separate Dump Station
Stars: 1.5

We arrived at Tompkins COE
Campground entrance building at 5:30pm; after a tiring drive through the
mountains of Pennsylvania.  The woman
Camp Host handling our check-in was sweet and gave us our paperwork from our
reservation, vehicle passes and pertinent campground info.  Our reservation was for site #65 in which we
made months prior on Reserve America. 
When we found our site, we were stunned and disappointed.  On the Reserve America site, it listed #65 to
be 55’ long.  It was 37’ (we measured) so
we had to go back to the entry building office to get reassigned a site.  Things quickly went downhill from there.  Because we were looking for a two-week stay,
the Camp Host(s) said because every weekend, every site was taken, that we were
out of luck.  We sternly told them that
we made this reservation two-months prior and that we should be made an
exception based on the inaccuracy of the Reserve America site listing (which
the info is given by COE) and to find us a site.  They clearly didn’t know what to do to find
an answer for us; all they offered was a full refund.  They didn’t even think of offering us a spot
in the dry-camping section for an overnight so we didn’t have to go back on the
road fatigued.  This was not an option
for us because of the area, not many campgrounds as well as finding something
that will accommodate our size.  We asked
that they find us ‘something’.  They
called another COE (or so they said) campground but they were already to
capacity.  We then said, since they can’t
find us ‘one’ campsite for a two-week stay, let’s look into breaking the time
period up.  The woman wasn’t too
enthusiastic nor knew the RA site and how to manipulate it to accommodate our
reservation promise.  Finally, she found
three sites for us to go check out.  Out
of the three, only one would work, so we unhooked and as soon as we were
getting into the truck to go tell them, their maintenance person drove up to
tell us ‘all of a sudden, a reservation was made on RA for that site’.  By this time, we were frustrated and
angry.  I then, went up to pretty much
tell them how horribly we were treated. 
Finally, they found a site #19 for M-F and then we move to the SITE NEXT
TO US for S & S and then back again to #19 for the following M-F and we
were on our own to find somewhere else to stay the following weekend.   Now,
here’s the kicker.  It took ALL of our
blocks we brought to level our rig; it was so bad that on one side, all three
tires of our rig were off the ground. 
Our rig felt incredible unstable.   The site was not long enough for us; nor our
ability to use our back deck when extended. 
We had to unload our motorcycle(s) on the narrow road prior.   In
addition to that headache, we had absolutely NO connectivity to the internet OR
phone service.  The campground is located
in the middle of a ‘bowl’ between mountains. 
This also was not an option for us as we needed connectivity because we
had a son who was deployed overseas as well as family in the area with health
issues.  We had to find somewhere else to
go. 

As a whole, this campground needs
SERIOUS updating from the get-go.  The
COE needs to re-measure every site and post more accurate site lengths on the
Reserve America website.  Do not trust RA
site measurements and good luck finding someone to get that accurate
information.  They need to prune and thin
some of the trees.  The campground roads
were very narrow; only one-lane wide at best. 
If you were trying to park your RV and needed time, no one could pass or
get around you.  Most sites had seriously
low overhanging branches that would damage even the smallest of RV’s or
campers.  Most sites were not level;
understandably because it’s in the mountainous region but still, could have a
little ‘engineering’ done to make the sites more level.  Some sites that were blacktop surface had
divots and holes from campers who’s jacks may have sunk in; needs to be filled
in.  Each site was provided a picnic
table and firepit; both were in fair condition. 
The picnic table required us to put a blanket on the seat as to not get
splinters or paint chips.  The bath
houses were clean however, needed serious updating with new lighting and
moisture control.  The laundry facilities
were there, however, we weren’t there long enough to evaluate them.  Quiet time is 10am-6pm.  No more than two vehicles and six people per
site.  Pets are welcome but must be on a
leash. 

Part of the campground (newer
sites – not where we were located) overlooked the COE Lake.  Those sites were nice with a view and a
little more in the open; not so overgrown with trees like the rest of the
campground.  Those site were either
packed sandy gravel or black top. 
Leveling blocks still necessary but not as bad as the other
campsites. 

If you’re looking for a ‘campy’,
heavy foliage and trees, tight maneuver sites with very little expectation,
this campground is for you.  If you care
about your rig, its stability, its outside fiberglass and decals, then this is
not the place for you. 




We do not plan on staying at Tompkins COE Campground again until they make
updates and improvements.