Midwest | Campground of the Week

25 Aug

Campground #42 Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, we are reviewing the Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was names on of America’s most beautiful places by Good Morning America, and there is not better place to stay while exploring than the Platte River Campground. This is a hugely popular campground, and booking 6 months in advance when the reservations window opens is necessary if you want to nab a spot during peak season.

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18 Aug

Campground #41 Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, Michigan

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, we are talking about our family’s recent stay at the Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, Michigan. This place is very special and served both as a great base camp for exploring downtown Traverse City, and as a peaceful waterfront lake retreat.

This is the type of campground where the site REALLY matters. We booked early (January 2, 2016) and were rewarded with one of the coveted lake front sites. Listen to this episode to hear us describe the various areas of the campground, and where you might like to stay if you visit.

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09 Jun

Campground #31 Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park, Illinois

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, Matthew and Melissa Kellas review one of their favorite home state retreats, Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park, Illinois. This peaceful campground offers a great combination of back to nature experiences and easy access to fun local activities. Plus, it’s open year round!

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02 Jun

Campground #30 Tall Pines Campground in Branson, Missouri

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, Kerri Cox of TravelswithBirdy.com, tells us about Tall Pines Campground in Branson, Missouri. This peaceful campground offers plenty of natural beauty while simultaneously offering easy access to nearby Branson, a bustling tourists’ mecca full of t-shirt and fudge shops.

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21 Apr

Campground #24 Bella Vista Village RV Park near Bentonville, Arkansas

Bella Vista Village RV Park Bentonville Arkansas

On this episode of Campground of the Week, our Midwest Correspondent Kerri Cox is going to convince you to put Arkansas on your RV trip bucket list. Kerri gives a great review of the Bella Vista Village RV Park, a unique and exclusive campground located in a planned community. You need to be a member of the community or a Good Sam Club member to reserve a site at this location.

Kerri describes why this campground is the perfect base camp for exploring nearby Bentonville, Arkansas, the city where Sam Walton opened his first store. Bentonville has experienced a boom of growth over the past few years and its restaurants, breweries, and boutiques make this a fantastic downtown to visit.

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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:

The Route 66 Museum
The Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Springfield
Triple Eight’s Springfield Style Cashew Chicken
Fantastic Caverns
Float Trips down the Niangua River

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!

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:

The Local Wineries: Contessa Wine Cellars, Karma Vista, Vineyard 2121, and more
South Haven Lighthouse (see the lighthouse map here)
Michigan Maritime Museum
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
Shopping in downtown South Haven

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!

09 Dec

Campground #2 St. Louis West KOA, Missouri

On Campground of the Week #2, our Midwest Correspondent Kerri Cox is reviewing the St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA, located just 30 minutes outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

This private campground has all of the family-friendly amenities and activities you expect from a KOA, including Check out the Lone Elk park right near the campground to see elk and bison up close.

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