RV Parks that deliver

A few weeks ago I wrote about one of the worst RV parks we have stayed in, and I promised to also write about the really good ones that we encounter. This past trip we had many opportunities to stay in RV parks in California, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, although some were on military installations and one was connected to the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming. They were fine places to stay, especially the FamCamp at the Air Force Academy, but the military installations are not usually open to anyone who isn’t an active duty member of the military or retired.

After leaving the crowded parking lot-style and perfectly horrible RV park in Spokane, we next went to Anaconda, Montana. Fairmont RV Resort is a large park with widely spaced sites, making it great place to stay. Outside the park on one side were horses in a pasture; on another side, a resort. We belong to Passport America, which gives us half-price camping at many RV parks throughout the country, and that’s how we found this park several years ago. The valley where it is located is surrounded by snow-covered mountains (at least in June), the air is fresh, and the deep blue sky seems endless past the mountains.

Our next really great RV parks were located in New Mexico, just off I-25 and I-40. In Las Vegas, N.M. we decided to stay at a state park since the one commercial park was unappealing, and that’s being kind. We headed to Storey Lake State Park just a mile or so further down the road, where we found great pull-through sites with covered picnic casitas overlooking a blue lake. These get reserved early, so overnighters might have to stay in a back-in site, plus it appeared that people who didn’t even own tents could reserve the casitas and sleep in them. We were plucky enough to ask about the pull-thrus after being assigned to a back-in site, and lucky that there was one available for one night, which was all we needed. Storey Lake State Park would make a really fine destination for those wanting to spend a week or so where they can also enjoy their boat, and it’s conveniently located just outside of town.

Then there was Gallup, New Mexico, where we had been forced to stay in a dirt pullout off the freeway a few years ago because no RV parks were listed in our directory. But this time we made reservations at U.S.A. RV Park, and we were pleasantly surprised. The park looks fairly new and is clean and spacious. We had a pull-through site near the office and entertainment area, and were handed a menu for our evening meal when we checked in. The offerings mostly consisted of barbeque sandwiches and hamburgers, but they were deliciously prepared by a young man who is a culinary student, and prices were very reasonable. They also served breakfast, but we passed on that. I’m sure it was also wonderful. Hey, I love a place where good food can be had within walking (or waddling) distance.

Neither of the parks in New Mexico were Passport America or otherwise discounted parks. Apparently, few parks in New Mexico feel it necessary to offer discounts, but for a few that offer an Escapees membership discount, which is usually 10-15 percent.

I shouldn’t forget the RV parks we stayed in on our way through California, Oregon and Washington. We went a few miles out of our way on the first night on the road, and because of a low tire that had to be changed (by emergency road service), it got dark before we arrived at Twin Lakes RV Park in Newberry Springs, CA. The park was down a narrow road off I-40 (also, access off I-15), and after first missing it, we managed to get the RV (after taking the car off the dolly) turned around and headed back. Inside were dirt roads and it was impossible to tell what condition the park was in, but we felt sure it was safe. Were we ever surprised when we woke up the next morning to find a small lake outside our window with ducks placidly floating back and forth? The park was a little rundown, but that mattered little after we spent some time watching the ducks with our very happy and excited cat. This was also one of the Passport America parks, so the price was way less than we would have paid anywhere else, and that made it worth the few extra miles.

We also stayed at Mountain Gate RV Park north of Redding and just off I-5. We had stayed there before, so knew it would be beautiful—especially in the spring. This is where our right front wheel on the car slipped over the front of the car dolly as we headed downhill and made a sharp turn. No problem for the hosts there. They hauled out two hydraulic jacks, and with the aid of our pitiful car jack, the car was soon back where it belonged and we had no further problems.

Our next stop was in Sutherlin, Oregon, where we usually stay at the Escapees park, which is absolutely beautiful. This time, since we were only stopping overnight, we turned left off I-5 and drove about one-half mile to the Hi-Way Haven RV Park. We had stayed there overnight before, so knew that it was neat and clean, and just an overall nice park. We also knew about the outdoor movie screen, which had been left in place after it was turned into an RV park. What we didn’t know was that on weekend nights when the weather is nice, you can sit right in your RV and watch the feature movie that the park runs. We were there on the wrong night, but had there been a movie, we were parked directly below the screen and would have had front-row seats. So if you’re pining to watch a movie at an old-fashioned drive-in theater and you also need a pull-through RV site for one night, this is a great place to stay.

I’m pretty sure we spent one or two other nights on the road, but apparently the places we stayed were forgettable. We ended up in Tacoma, Washington at one of our favorite places to stay since it is lakefront and only one-half mile down the shore from where we used to live. It is also located on a military installation, so isn’t open to the general public. Three military installations operate FamCamps in this one area just south of Tacoma, luckily for us—because there are no other RV parks in the immediate area—and that’s exactly where we needed to be.

If you are eligible to stay in military parks, contact me for more information on military FamCamps or you can purchase a directory to all FamCamps across the country at base exchanges. The parks are not necessarily inexpensive, but sometimes they’re the only game in town. And sometimes they offer great views overlooking water or are located in pristine wooded areas.

If you’re interested in Passport America’s discounted program, their Website is at: www.passportamerica.com. Our first three nights on the road back in 2003 saved us the membership price. It’s so worth the cost!