Author Archives: campgroundoftheweek

17 Mar

Campground #19: Bear Creek RV Park and Campground in Asheville, North Carolina

Bear Creek RV Park and Campground Asheville North Carolina

On this episode of Campground of the Week, Jeremy and Alexandra from the Vandyvagabonds.com share a review of Bear Creek RV Park and Campground located in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled in western North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a favorite destination for many travelers offering a rare mix of craft breweries, live mountain music, boutique shopping, foodie favorites, and exciting outdoor culture. Basically, Asheville has something for everyone.

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10 Mar

Campground Review #18: Nashville KOA in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville KOA in Nashville, Tennessee

On episode #18 of Campground of the Week, Keith and Tia Sims give us a fantastic review of their favorite place to stay when visiting Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville KOA has rebranded as a Resort, so it has all the activities and amenities that you would expect from the top KOAs around the country.

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03 Mar

Campground #17: Bennett Spring State Park, Missouri

Bennett Spring State Park

On Episode #17, our Midwestern correspondent Kerri Cox gives an in-depth review of Bennett Spring State Park, Missouri. She explains why this location offers her family the “classic campground experience”.

Located in the southern part of the state, 12 miles away from the town of Lebanon, Bennett Spring State Park is a popular regional destination offering fly fishing, canoeing, and plenty of hiking trails.

Bennett Spring State Park

Kerri describes the different campground areas (1-5) and gives recommendations for making a decision on which site to book when you visit. She also describes the other activities and amenities avaialbe at Bennett Springs State Park:

  • Hike to the Natural Bridge
  • Nature Center with scheduled programming
  • Fish hatchery
  • Canoe Rentals
  • Fly fishing (Opening Day is right around the corner!)

Kerri also tells us all about the best area attractions:

To read more about Kerri’s visits to Bennett Spring State Park, check out this blog post at travelswithbirdy.com. And if you have other recommendations for this area, we would love to hear about them in the comments below. Or you can head on over to the RVFTA forums and leave a trip report!

See you at the campground!

 

25 Feb

Campground #16: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, Virginia

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Luray Virginia

On Episode #16 of Campground of the Week, our northeastern correspondents, Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, give a complete review of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, Virginia.

This is the very first Jellystone that Jeremy and Stephanie ever visited, and they were blown away by the resort experience. This is the type of campground that has virtually every activity and amenity that you can imagine. Added bonus? It is just five miles away from the stunning Shenandoah National Park.

Jellystone Luray Virginia

In this episode, Jeremy and Stephanie highlight the following campground details:

  • Printed daily schedule with organized activities ranging from team sports to crafts to story time.
  • Many opportunities to visit and spend time with the characters, from the morning flag rising to story time.
  • Multiple bounce pillows and pools/splash pads, creating uncrowded recreation spaces.Image8
  • No additional charge for most of the campground activities, including paddle boats, mini golf, and water slide.Image6
  • Amazing customer service.
  • Complete discussion of site details including the pros and cons of different campsite areas and options.

You will also hear about their favorite area attractions:

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Jeremy and Stephanie adore great road food joints, and they highly recommend:

Shenandoah National Park is one of our country’s great RV destinations, and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, Virginia is a wonderful base camp that offers families resort-like amenities next door to countless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Definitely a win for RVing families.

Have any other recommendations for this area? Leave a comment below! Or head over to our RVFTA forum, where you will find great discussions on RV travel happening everyday.

RVFTA Podcast Network

18 Feb

Campground #15: Lake Lopez Recreation Area, California

Lake Lopez Recreation Area

On Campground of the Week episode #15, our California correspondent Kate Dunbar the beautiful campground situated in the Lake Lopez Recreation Area. This lakefront campground offers fishing, boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding opportunities.

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Kate has been camping at Lake Lopez since she was a child, and her knowledge of the park and the surrounding area is encyclopedic. Kate was kind enough to give us the true insiders guide, and even included her very favorite campsite number. Listen to hear her advice for visitors with big rigs.

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Also listen to hear her tips on area attractions:

Get in line early to sample the Old West Cinnamon Rolls in Pismo Beach, and don’t miss the fish tacos and key lime pie at the Cracked Crab Restaurant. You know if Kate Dunbar recommends the food, it’s gonna be good!

Let us know if you have been to Lake Lopez, or if you plan on making a trip! Tune in every week for another great campground recommendation…and we will see you at the campground.

RVFTA Podcast Network-2

11 Feb

Campground #14 Covert/South Haven KOA in Covert, Michigan

Covert_ South Haven KOA Michigan

On this Campground of the Week episode, Matthew and Melissa Kellas are back on the show with a wonderful camping option in the great state of Michigan.

The Covert/South Haven KOA is located in the southwest corner of Michigan and is just a few miles from the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The campground features an array of amenities, but Melissa and Matthew particularly loved the wide variety of recreational activities available including a Gaga Ball pit and trampoline basketball court. Another unique highlight? The u-pick blueberry field that greets visitors as they pull into the campground.

The Covert/South Haven KOA is situated in a well-loved vacation destination, and there are many great attractions and activities in the surrounding area:

Listen to the episode for inside details on reserving a site at this fantastic campground. And add any of your own recommendations for the area below in the comments.

See you at the campground!

04 Feb

Campground #13 Green River Campground, Dinosaur National Monument

Green River Campground Dinosaur National Monument

On Campground of the Week #13, our Western Correspondent Brett Neilson gives a complete review of Green River Campground in Dinosaur National Monument. Dinosaur National Monument straddles the border of Colorado and Utah, and the campground is located on the Utah side of the NPS site.

This is a completely dry campground with no hookups, no showers, and no place to fill your tanks. There are flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and a few jug filling spigots. Despite the lack of activities and amenities, this was one of Brett’s favorite places to camp in 2015, and you have to listen to the episode to find out why.

Brett highly recommends the following activities within Dinosaur National Monument:

  • A visit to the quarry
  • Hiking the River Trail to Split Mountain Campground, 3.2 miles
  • Tilted Rock Auto Tour
  • Extensive Junior Ranger program offering 3 badges
  • Star gazing

Outside the park, Brett recommends:

Listen to the whole episode for Brett’s Insider Tips and Nobody’s Perfect recommendation. You can also check out Brett’s blog post on his trip.

And we would love to hear from you! Have you been to this campground? Can’t wait to go? Tell us about it in the comments.

See you at the campground!

RVFTA Podcast Network-2

28 Jan

Campground #12: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold New Jersey

www.campgroundoftheweek.com-2

On this week’s episode our Northeastern correspondents, Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, review their favorite place to camp close to home…Turkey Swamp Park Campground in Freehold, New Jersey.

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This county park campground is located in the hub of central New Jersey, but it feels miles away from anything with its large, wooded sites and remote atmosphere.

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Although tucked away, it is within driving distance of some of the best Jersey Shore beach towns and attractions. Listen to hear as these resident Jersey Shore locals describe everything you need to know about this campground and the surrounding region.

They will describe the best area beaches:

Popular area attractions and shopping:

Food Recommendations:

What are your favorite places to visit when vacationing on the Jersey Shore? Add your personal recommendations in the comments below.

See you at the campground!

21 Jan

Campground #11: Ventura Ranch KOA, California

On Campground of the Week episode #11, our California correspondent Kate Dunbar reviews her favorite local campground the Ventura Ranch KOA. This 76-acre campground is located next to an orange orchard and a creek, offering a phenomenal natural experience just 60 miles outside of Los Angeles.

Ventura Ranch KOA, California

The variety of accommodations at this KOA is impressive, including tent sites, pull-thrus, teepees, cabins, lodges, and executive suites. Kate likes to visit during the less crowded times–during the week and in the shoulder fall and spring season. She notes that the summer and weekends are more crowded, but they are also full of fun activities for the family.

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Scheduled events like the Bigfoot Adventure Walk and on-site activities like the zip lining are popular at the Ventura Ranch KOA. There is also a climbing wall, race car pedal bikes, a jump pillow, and movies under the stars.

The region is full of attractions that will keep you busy during your whole stay. In the second half of the show, Kate recommends her favorite area hikes, beaches, and NPS sites.

Take a listen, and let us know if you visit the Ventura Ranch KOA!

RVFTA Podcast Network-2

See you at the Campground…

14 Jan

Campground #10 Rancho Sedona in Sedona, Arizona

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, Kerri Cox gives a complete review of Rancho Sedona RV Park in Sedona, Arizona. Her family stayed here on their “Birdy Goes West” tour last summer, and it was the absolute favorite campground out of 12 different stops!

Rancho Sedona RV ParkSedona, Arizona

Kerri calls the Rancho Sedona RV Park “cool, clean, convenient, with a creek”, and explains why it was an oasis in the middle of the gorgeous Arizona desert. Her description of the natural beauty that surrounds this campground and all of the outdoor activities will encourage you to schedule a stop in the near future!

Kerri wrote some great blog posts about her time at the Rancho Sedona RV Park, and about exploring the area.

Read her complete campground review here and check out her recommendations for hiking, off-roading, and shopping here.

If you have any questions about the Sedona area, leave a comment below! Or you can head on over to the RVFTA Forum and join in on the RV and travel conversation.

See you at the campground!

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