Since our family lives in the southwest Minneapolis area, we stay at Dakota Meadows RV Park at the Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee, Minnesota. Claimed as the Twin Cities premier RV Park, it is literally steps away from blackjack tables, slots and entertainment venues. It is also near Minneapolis’ Mall of America, Valley Fair, Cleary Lake Regional Park as well as many other fun things to do in the area.
However, our review may not be what you expect. Remember, we all have different journeys, likes and dislikes, perspectives and expectations.
Let’s have a show of hands. Who has taken a shower in a campground bath house? You? If you’ve ever been in some campground bath house showers, you’d surely understand why I’m writing this. I’ll say it here; some campground bath house showers are just plain narsty (yeah, that’s spelled like I say it out loud!).
Some think that when they go camping or RV parking, it’s a no-bars-held party atmosphere. Seemingly, etiquette and courtesy flies right out the window while neighbors grate in frustration and anger. We all have to remember, we aren’t the only ones at the campground or park.
As full-time RVers, we’ve become seasoned enough to give our assessment of what attracts us to certain RV parks, resorts and campgrounds. Consider this article as a ‘Letter to RV Park and Resort Developers, Owners and Managers’.
Usually, we are more selective in finding a campground, RV park or RV resort that ‘fit us’. Not this time. We made the costly mistake of not making reservations back in the late fall. Our fault…and we paid for it dearly.
One of the best pieces of advice we received from seasoned full-time traveling RVers when we started our journey is ‘that’s why they have wheels’.
Alsation RV Resort located in Castroville, Texas is only about thirty minutes to San Antonio and an hour to the wonderful towns in Hill Country. Alsation is a Good Sam 10-10-10 Resort however, there are some things we loved about staying there and other things that need improvement. Come read why…
Campground/RV Park: Bay Palms RV Resort
Location: 15440 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Coden, AL 36523 (251) 873-4700
Date(s) Stayed: 12/18/14 – 2/18/14
Length of Stay: 2 months
Site #: 42 Pull-Through
Cost per night (with taxes): $450/month 2014-15 winter rate (for 2019 daily, monthly and seasonal rates, see graphic image below)
Discount Used: none
Connections: FHU
Stars: 4.5
Reservations
We found Bay Palms RV Resortvia RV Park Reviews. We called to make a reservation about two months prior to arriving. The office staff was friendly and our reservation process went smoothly. She let us know that the day we would arrive, there was a holiday pot luck party. So, I RSVP’d immediately.
Bay Palms RV Resort Location
Bay Palms RV Resort is located on Rt 193. Its about 7 miles to Dauphin Island, 30 minutes to Mobile and roughly 15 miles to I-10 (Dauphin Island Exit).
Rates and Check-In
Their rates were comparable and competitive to those in the area and conducive to the type of location.
Navigating the resort was easy. Most sites are paved concrete pads with exception of the center big rig (where we were) which are hard-packed, crushed shell. Our pull-through site was located in the back middle of the resort. It was easy to pull in despite our toy hauler fifth wheel length. There was plenty of room to park our RV, truck and two motorcycles.
Be aware that Bay Palms RV Resort does not provide picnic tables or fire pits at each site.
Amenities
I can’t say enough about Bay Palms RV Resort amenities! Let me say this. There is ALWAYS something fun being planned or happening. They leave no stone unturned when it comes to entertaining their guests. Lots of potluck meals, pool parties, games, fishing outings, etc. They even had a big Mardi Gras party during our stay.
Bath houses, though dated, are clean and sufficient. There are two laundry rooms with two washers, two driers each and folding table. The laundry facility is clean and in same building as bath house and restrooms.
Propane is available for sale and delivered to your site from the staff (small portable tanks only). The recently remodeled pool and playground is in operation during Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. They also built an oversized pavilion to shelter from the hot sun or allow parties to continue during tropical rains. While we were there, they had huge fire pits and grills all for the using.
There is a small camp store in the office.
I also wanted to add that because of it’s locale and proximity to great Gulf fishing, they also have a fish cleaning station.
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Located south of Mobile, Alabama, this RV resort is a friendly, code-gated place to enjoy the Gulf Coast! It’s also perfectly located for day trips to Mobile and Dauphin Island.
While some may question the validity of this facility being labeled ‘resort’, there are several factors that place this one in a resort category. First, it’s located right across the Gulf of Mexico with easy access to the beaches of Dauphin Island. It has a beautiful pool. It has propane delivered to your site. So, while ‘small’ and not impeccably manicured (because of it’s coastal theme), it resembles many that are ‘resorts’.
We did want to be transparent in saying that there are quite a number of permanent residents and they do allow some RV and vehicle maintenance at their sites. Even so, we made life-long friends here with the full-time residents. They made us feel welcome! Bay Palms RV Resort is a family friendly FUN RV Resort that we will definitely stay at again!!
