Author Archives: campgroundoftheweek

10 May

Campground Review: Echo Bluff State Park in the heart of the Ozarks, Missouri

On this episode of the Campground of the Week podcast, Kerri Cox of travelswithbirdy.com shares a review of Missouri’s newest developed state park campground at Echo Bluff State Park. The Missouri State Park system did an amazing job of creating a top notch campground in the heart of the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways Region. Listen to episode #80 to hear a complete review of Echo Bluff State Park campground in Missouri.

Echo Bluff State Park offers 72 campsites at the Timbuktu Campground. The sites have fresh concrete pads and plenty of space, but be forewarned that there is very little shade coverage, so you will probably need good AC during the warmer months. Kerri also describes top-notch tent sites and cabin options, as well as a beautiful lodge that offers a hotel, restaurant, and camp store.

Campground Amenities:

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03 May

Campground Review: Anaheim RV Park near Disneyland, California

On this podcast episode of Campground of the Week, we are very excited to have Brett Neilson of OurCampingAdventures.com on the show reviewing the Anaheim RV Park near Disneyland, California.

Anaheim RV Park is under two miles away from Disneyland, so if you want to stay near the theme park in your RV, this is definitely your best bet. Anaheim, California is 30 miles south of Los Angeles and about 250 miles southwest of Las Vegas.

Campground Details

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26 Apr

Campground Review #78 Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA Holiday near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Campground Review: Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA Holiday

On this episode of Campground of the Week, we are reviewing the Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA Holiday which is located just outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and is a short 10-minute drive to the Gettysburg National Military Park.

We planned on using the Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA as a basecamp to explore the area nearby, including the national park site and historic downtown. We never imagined that the campground itself would charm the socks off of these very seasoned campers. We have stayed at hundreds of campgrounds around the country, and this one checks off all the boxes, offering warm hospitality, beautifully maintained grounds, spacious and level sites, and plenty of family-friendly activities for all ages.

The Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA has tons of amenities including:

  • heated pool
  • bouncy pillow
  • playground
  • dog park
  • recreational games such as corn hole, carpet ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes
  • weekend pancake breakfast
  • on-site nature trail

They also offer plenty of activities:

  • bike rentals
  • shuttle tours for the battlefield
  • Thursday night ghost stories
  • rotating weekend activities (we participated in the flashlight egg hunt while there)

Listen to the episode to hear our insider tips for site selection and booking, plus our nobody’s perfect feedback.

We also chat about the local attractions, including the star of the show: Gettysburg National Military Park. A visit to this NPS site requires some advance planning and scheduling so listen for our recommendations on:

We also had a great meal at Food 101, coffee and treats at the Ragged Edge Coffee House, and enjoyed exploring the historic downtown.

A big thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting weekly content for all our RV and camping fools:

We’ll see you at the campground,

Stephanie + Jeremy

19 Apr

Campground Review #77 Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina in Hilton Head, South Carolina

On this episode of the Campground of the Week Podcast, we are heading to one of the most iconic RV beach destinations on the east coast: Hilton Head, South Carolina. Our upper Midwest correspondent, Matthew and Melissa Kellas, took a trip down south last season and they loved camping at the Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina.

In this episode, Matthew and Melissa talk about some of the unique booking arrangements at the Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina. This campground features privately owned campsites, so individual owners decide when to rent out their sites and the office handles reservations. Tune in to hear their recommendations for navigating this unusual arrangement.

Matthew and Melissa also share some of their favorite activities and dining experiences from the area. Listen to hear about the best beaches, lighthouses, and family-friendly (and vegan friendly!) restaurants.

A big thank you to our sponsors who support weekly content for all our RV and camping fools!!!

See you at the campground!

Stephanie + Jeremy

12 Apr

Campground Review #76 Gunter Hill Campground outside Montgomery, Alabama

On this episode of Campground of the Week, our Kentucky correspondent Casita Dean reviews Gunter Hill Campground just 12 miles outside of historic Montgomery, Alabama. Casita Dean and his wife Laura first visited Gunter Hill Campground while attending a Green Eggs and Ham rally in their 2005 Casita 17′ Freedom Deluxe.

Gunter Hill Campground is a Corp of Engineers (COE) campground located on the Catoma Creek, part of the backwaters of the Alabama River. It consists of 142 sites, most of which are back in. However, there are about 20 pull thru sites if that is your thing.

Casita Dean talks about the two loops, Catoma and Antioch, and describe the differences between the two area. They offer very distinct camping experiences, so make sure you listen to hear which loop would suit your camping preferences best.

Reservations for Gunter Hill Campground can be made via Reserve American, and the prices are very budget friendly at $18/night for water & electric, and just $26/night for full hook up. That low price will give visitors access to boating, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

The campground also offers playgrounds, basketball courts, group shelters, and adequate comfort stations. Don’t bother to bring along your devices as WiFi is not one of the amenities offered at Gunter Hill.

The Region: Activites, Attractions, and Good Eats

Casita Dean is very familiar with the Montgomery area, and shares great recommendations  for enjoying both the historic sites and the great dining options.

Montgomery:

Prattville:

Gunter Hill Campground can offer campers a quiet, outdoor retreat or an affordable basecamp to explore on of America’s great historic destinations.

Thanks to our sponsors for supporting weekly content for all our camping and RVing fools!

We will see you at the campground!

Stephanie + Jeremy

05 Apr

Campground Review #75: Badlands/White River KOA near Badlands National Park in South Dakota

On this Campground of the Week episode, Kerri Cox of TravelswithBirdy.com reviews the Badlands/White River KOA outside of Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

Kerri and her family didn’t actually plan on staying at this KOA. They had made reservations at the Cedar Pass campground in the national park. Well, weird things happen, and when they showed up to claim their site, there was no record of the reservation.

Enter the Badlands/White River KOA.

In retrospect, Kerri is quite happy this mix up occurred. Her family loved staying at the Badlands/White River KOA and weren’t thrilled with what they saw of the Cedar Pass Campground. You can listen to the whole story and find out why the KOA was such a hit on Episode #75 of Campground of the Week.

You can also read Kerri’s own blog post on the Badlands/White River KOA, and find all her recommendations for activities in and around Badlands National Park.

Many visitors simply make a day trip out of the Badlands, stopping by on their way to Mt. Rushmore, or driving out for the day. Kerri recommends staying at least a night or two and really enjoying the unique and stunning beauty of the region.

A special thank you to the sponsors of Campground of the Week for supporting weekly content for all our RV and camping fools:

We will see you at the campground!

Stephanie + Jeremy

29 Mar

Campground Review #74: Townsend/Great Smokies KOA in Townsend, Tennessee

On this episode of Campground of the Week, we are reviewing the Townsend/Great Smokies KOA in Townsend, Tennessee.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and we covered both the North Carolina and Tennessee side extensively over on our RV Family Travel Atlas Podcast a little while back. Make sure to take a listen to these episodes if you are planning a trip to the Smokies. We gave a ton of recommendations for hikes, activities, and good eats:

The Townsend KOA is located on the Tennessee side of the Smokies in the small and charming town of Townsend, just about 7 miles from the Cades Cove loop drive, one of the most popular places in the national park. This area is sometimes called the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” and if you are looking to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Cherokee this might be the perfect option.

This is branded as a Holiday KOA, which means it offers upgraded amenities and activities while providing a great basecamp for exploring the local area. With about 100 sites for RVs and tents, and a few dozen cabins, you will need to book early if visiting during the peak summer season.

Amenities:

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • fudge and ice cream shop
  • snack bar
  • basketball
  • bike rentals
  • tube rentals and shuttle service
  • clean, well-maintained bath houses

Activities (from Memorial Day to Labor Day):

  • Outdoor movies
  • Wagon rides
  • Tie Dye
  • Bingo
  • fishing

Cell service is sketchy in the Smokies to say the least, but if you need WiFi you can get a good, strong single up by the fudge shop and camp store. Listen to the episode to hear our recommendations for the best sites at the Townsend KOA and tips for booking them!

The RV Family Travel Atlas podcasts are going to give you a ton of recommendations for activities in the area, but if you want to chill near the campground, here are some great options.

Area Activities:

  • 5-mile bike path
  • Tubing the Little River with River Rat Tubing
  • Fishing with Smokey Mountain Angler or Little River Outfitters
  • Tuckaleechee Caverns
  • Smoky Mountain Heritage Center
  • Townsend Festivals

There is no shortage of great campgrounds in the Smokies, but the Townsend KOA stands out as a charming, warm, beautiful campground providing a peaceful location and plenty of amenities. People return year after year, and that says everything.

See you at the campground,

Stephanie + Jeremy

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors for supporting weekly content for all our RV and Camping Fools…

22 Mar

Campground Review #73 Curt Gowdy State Park in Wyoming

On this episode of Campground of the Week, our Colorado Correspondent Scott Elias reviews the beautiful Curt Gowdy State Park in Wyoming. Located a mere 2.5 hour drive from the Detroit Metro area, Curt Gowdy State Park is a beloved weekend escape for many campers in Colorado. This campground is the place to go to get away from all, relax, and enjoy the natural landscape and wealth of outdoor activities.

But you will have to plan ahead if you want a reservation or electric hookups. This state park is an example of one that allows a small percentage of sites to be reserved in advance, and only a small percentage of sites offer hook ups. Scott will talk about the booking window and how you can nab a great site with shore power in advance.

If you are on a tight camping budget, Curt Gowdy is going to give you a ton of bang for your buck. Site fees are only $10 for residents, and $17 for non residents. Best part? That site fee includes a pass for the rest of the state park. That is a serious camping bargain!

Scott also talks about all the great activities to enjoy while staying in the park. Most of the activities center around the two bodies of water, Granite Reservoir and Crystal Reservoir:

  • Boating
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Visitor’s Center with wildlife and geography exhibits
  • SUP Rentals
  • Mountain Biking

Bottom of line? Curt Gowdy State Park offers families the classic camping getaway: a remote location, natural beauty, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities.

A big thanks to our sponsors for supporting weekly content for all our RV and camping fools:

See you at the campground!

15 Mar

Campground Review #72 River’s End Campground and RV Park in Tybee Island, Georgia

On this episode of Campground of the Week, Janine Pettit, host of the Girl Camper Podcast, reviews River’s End Campground and RV Park in Tybee Island, Georgia.

Tybee Island is a premier RV destination in it’s own right, plus it happens to be just 15 miles away from Savannah, Georgia. Janine loved enjoying a beachy, relaxing campground while being an easy drive from one of America’s most historic and beautiful cities.


River’s End Campground and RV Park is a year round RV destination, so expect the rates and availability to fluctuate greatly throughout the year. They separate the calendar year into low season, mid season, peak season, and high season with different pricing for each category, ranging from as low as $49 to as high as $99. Thankfully, the website offers a very clear breakdown of the seasons and charges, so check it out if you want to make sure River’s End Campground fits into your traveling budget!

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08 Mar

Campground Review #71 Astoria/ Warrenton/ Seaside KOA in Oregon

On this episode of Campground of the Week, our Pacific Northwest correspondent, Neil Potter, shares a glowing review of the Astoria KOA. Located in the northwestern corner of Oregon, a two-hour drive from Portland, this resort campground is just minutes from Highway 101 and the beautiful coastline.

The Astoria KOA was Neil’s first experience with resort camping, and he talks about what an amazing time his family had enjoying the activities and amenities at the campground. It’s a pretty large place, with over 200 campsites and dozens of cabins, but Neil says that the layout makes it feel comfortable and cozy nevertheless.

Activities and Amenities include:

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