Sycamore Grove Campground, Red Bluff, California

Date of Stay: May, 2018 - $22.00
Overall Rating:

We were greeted by a large billboard that proclaimed 'Reservations Only' coming in. As the park was pretty much empty we pulled into a 'Open' site, and walked around the campground to meet the camp hosts per instructions for those arriving with no reservations. The host told us that despite the fact we had parked in a 'Open' site, and despite the fact that the campground was about a quarter full near dusk on a weekday, we would have to call in a reservation and pay $10 for the privilege of doing so. My geezer pass put the $22 rate down to $11, but the 'reservation' fee jacked it right back up and we moved on. Seems like a rip-off to us. The campsites were pretty sizeable and the place was very green, but it did seem a bit down on it's luck, as did some of the campers we encountered. We are hardly RV snobs, but I could see why some folks might feel uncomfortable here. The place needs some attention. Hosts were helpful. Red Bluff might seem a little beat on this (the east) side of I-5, but hidden across the freeway is a big, thriving community. Pretty much whatever you might need. We camped at Sycamore Grove Campground in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Haven RV Park, Lake Isabella, California

Date of Stay: May, 2018 - $35.00
Overall Rating:

We liked this place a lot. Very nice folks running the place! Lot of shaded sites so our satellite never worked, but Verizon (including streaming) worked well. Some sites needed more leveling than others. We struggled with one before moving to a nice, much more level site. About a mile to grocery stores, etc. Small but good laundry. Outdoor clotheslines! We camped at Haven RV Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Tule COE, Porterville, California

Date of Stay: May, 2018 - $15.00
Overall Rating:

Beautiful campground; huge sites with lots of space. Lovely lake but sketchy swimming unless you're hardy. Pontoon rentals were a good deal! Helpful and friendly couple at he check-in; very knowledgeable. Bathrooms clean but no soap at washbasins - not unusual but a shame. Ever heard of hepatitis? Gorgeous sunsets every nite we were there. 10 miles or so to town. The first few days we had no Verizon cell/internet service - none. But on our last day phones worked as did our MiFi device. Good signal! Go figure. We camped at Tule COE in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Diaz Lake Campground, Lone Pine, California

Date of Stay: April, 2018 - $14.00
Overall Rating:

Enjoyed our 4 nights dry camping here, but the park could use a little attention by the county. We camped at Site 112 -the very far end of the park - and while the site was pretty clean the little beach and fishing area next door were very dirty. We picked up trash for a half-hour, but left the wads of toilet paper in plain sight in the bushes along the shore. This stuff had been here awhile... Day users were a mixed lot, but most campers were quiet & neat. Next time I would chose a spot back away from the lake; you can see the lake from pretty much every site. Fine views all around, close to town, (Lone Pine) and the water from spigots was tasty. Lots of sunshine for the solar panels, and Verizon MiFi was pretty good. Haven't seen anyone of authority, and we're still looking for the alleged dump station. Big rig friendly. We camped in a motorhome. We camped at Diaz Lake Campground in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Playa Bonita Resort, Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Sonora

Date of Stay: December, 2017 - $24.00
Overall Rating:

We've stayed here on & off for years, when the park was empty, full or nearly full, and thru spring break. We pay by the month & price reflects that. Very convenient to the neighboring hotel, where we USUALLY have fine Mexican food. Several miles of very good beach. The showers have been improved a lot! The toilets are ok, and the laundry is 'interesting'. It's Mexico. But the place is more and more over-run with 'Motos' (ATV's) despite TWO signs as you enter declaring ' No Motos'. Some riders are slow and respectful in the park, but plenty are loud and create a constant dust storm, especially on the entry road along the back wall...all the way to the back of the park. Try to get a site up nearer the office, or close to the seawall especially during busy times. The management insists that you can reserve A site, but not a particular site. We don't believe this is true, but haven't figured out how to reserve a premium (away from the back entry road) site. Many sites sit empty even when it's busy, but are still somehow not available for days at a time until some gringo rolls in that understands the 'system'. Somehow the people in the office seem to be getting more and more surly as time passes. Not very welcoming. That said, the internet while sketchy thru much of the park is fine in the Read Room, the 'campers' are fun and mostly energetic, and the work done by service folk (contractors) in the park is usually very good. We camped at Playa Bonita Resort in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Valley of Fires Recreation Area (BLM), Carrizozo, New Mexico

Date of Stay: September, 2017 - $9.00
Overall Rating:

Loved our stay here. Most (not all) sites close to level, lots of room, interesting geology and stellar views! Good Verizon cell service, which meant strong internet with MiFi device. Big central bath was clean enough but needed a little care - holiday (Labor Day) weekend could have been the reason. Good 50 amps service, tasty water at site. Dump station in campground. We will be back. We camped at Valley of Fires Recreation Area (BLM) in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Harmon Lake Recreation Area, Mandan, North Dakota

Date of Stay: August, 2017 - $22.00
Overall Rating:

Big, wide open park. Much dry camping but several (unknown) number of sites with electric. On a hillside above a pretty man-made lake, the park can be very windy at times. Sites are huge; ours was a pull-through. Potable water faucets here and there; we don't recall any at sites. Good beach & swimming. Quiet 'No Wake' Lake Harmon is popular with paddlers. Some miles north of Mandan so stock up in town. We would certainly stay here again. We camped at Harmon Lake Recreation Area in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Hickiwan Trails RV Park, Ajo, Arizona

Date of Stay: March, 2017 - $19.00
Overall Rating:

Just a wonderful park. Very quiet with a spectacular night sky! Coyotes singing and a herd of (wild?) burros provide entertainment. Gas station (+diesel) with general store and small casino within walking distance, otherwise quite remote. Sizeable sites; excellent water. Staff & management very helpful and friendly. 30 amp or 50 amp, same price. Good walking and biking paths, but these are also remote and pretty wild. Understand the desert before you wander off. We camped at Hickiwan Trails RV Park in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Bishop RV Park (at the Tri-County Fairgrounds), Bishop, California

Date of Stay: October, 2016 - $30.00
Overall Rating:

A great place to stay. Basically a dirt parking lot and pretty dusty, but it's the desert! There were several sites large enough for our 38' motorhome; we were one of the largest in the campground. Strong 50 amp service, water & sewer. Excellent bathrooms and showers; very clean and roomy. The only downside was that there was absolutely no provision to hang anything up, unless you used the handicapped shower.
If you enjoy walking at all you can walk to any number of restaurants and retail stores, typically 3-4 blocks away including Von's (Safeway) grocery and K-Mart. Other campers here were very friendly and it was busy with a couple of 'groups' when we stayed. Office people charming & helpful.
We would be happy to stay here again. We camped at Bishop RV Park (at the Tri-County Fairgrounds) in a Motorhome.

Value

Clean Restrooms

Service

Clean Showers

Cleanliness

Butch Cassidy RV Park and Campground, Salina, Utah

Date of Stay: September, 2011 - $22.00
Overall Rating:

Very friendly and interesting. Check out the exotic bird enclosures! The pool was closed when we were there, and the pull through sites were a little tight. But everything was well kept, with large clean restrooms. Fair Verizon service and 22+ channels of free TV on the bat wing antennae. Our very reasonable price reflects the Good Sam discount. We camped at Butch Cassidy RV Park and Campground in a Motorhome.

Hideaway RV Campground, West Yellowstone, Montana

Date of Stay: September, 2011 - $30.00
Overall Rating:

We enjoyed this small, friendly park. The sites were small but manageable. Hosts very friendly & helpful; very good Verizon service. The bathrooms were small but clean, and the location was excellent -- you could walk or bicycle anywhere in town. We camped at Hideaway RV Campground in a Motorhome.

Oxbow Park, Byron, Minnesota

Date of Stay: May, 2011 - $18.00
Overall Rating:

This place is like a dream. Beautiful park! Small but attractive campground, great little zoo with well cared for animals, a pretty river and lots of hiking. The newer restroom building is also the storm shelter, and very well-built indeed. For a county park this is good as it gets. Lots of antenna TV, fair Verizon reception. 8 miles to Rochester and the Mayo Clinic. We would definitely return if we had the chance. We camped at Oxbow Park in a Motorhome.

Outlet (Melvern) COE, Melvern, Kansas

Date of Stay: May, 2011 - $20.00
Overall Rating:

Beautiful park. Restrooms ok, (no hand soap), showers were great with fierce water pressure! Hang on to your toupee. Nice collection of TV channels with batwing antenna, including PBS. Verizon access good. Excellent nature trails and lots of wildlife. Another excellent COE park. We camped at Outlet (Melvern) COE in a Motorhome.

Canyon Cove (formerly Canyon Falls RV Park), Canyon Lake, Texas

Date of Stay: May, 2011 - $45.00
Overall Rating:

Tough times here. The nice camp hosts tried very hard, but they don't have much to work with. There are little ponds and streams through out the park, but they are mostly empty because of the drought. Many permanent guests; few RVer's. Lots of roaming dogs and cats. Cable TV didn't work, but we had 12 channels using the batwing. Verizon coverage was fair. The laundry, toilets and showers were in a quonset type building, 4 unisex toilet/shower stalls had no sinks or toilet paper(?!) There was one sink near the end of the stalls, near the laundry. Unless you're pretty hardy, you might want a self-contained rig to stay here. The nightly rate is WAY too high. We camped at Canyon Cove (formerly Canyon Falls RV Park) in a Motorhome.

Bunk Haus Lodging & RV Park, Canyon Lake, Texas

Date of Stay: May, 2011 - $21.00
Overall Rating:

A little dusty, as previously noted - but so is most of Texas in this drought. Decent sized sites. At $21.00 this place was a good deal at Canyon Lake. If you are towing & can't back up, you might want to park at the office and walk thru to check out the campground. We found a dead end street after we'd turn down it. Fair Verizon coverage, several channels of TV with the rooftop antennae. We would stay here again. We camped at Bunk Haus Lodging & RV Park in a Motorhome.