Family Friendly | Campground of the Week

28 Jan

Campground #12: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold New Jersey

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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:

Strollo’s, near Seven President’s Park
The Turning Point in Pier Village
Moonstruck in Asbury Park
Shore Fresh Seafood Market in Point Pleasant Beach
The Scone Pony in Spring Lake

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.

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!

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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!

07 Jan

Campground #9: Antelope Island State Park in Utah

Antelope Island State Park

On Episode #9, our Western Correspondent Brett Neilson is reviewing Antelope Island State Park in northern Utah, just a couple of hours outside of Salt Lake City.

This state park is small and has no hookups, but Brett raves about the clean, well-maintained sites and beautiful topography of the island. His family loves spotting wildlife on the trails, and also taking advantage of the educational programs available, including a junior ranger course.

Campground #8: Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort in Cosby, Tennessee

In Campground of the Week Episode #8, Keith and Tia Sims review a new Good Sam campground, the Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort in Cosby, Tennessee which recently won Tennessee Campground of the Year.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is our country’s most visited NPS site, and there is no shortage of wonderful camping options. So what makes the Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort stand out from the rest?

Customer service, for starters. Listen as Keith and Tia describe the warm welcome and hospitality they experienced during their stay. They also talk about the amenities available right now…and the ones that are coming in the near future as the campground develops further.

Of course, Keith and Tia highlight some of the amazing activities available in this popular region.

Let us know if you have stayed at this campground, or if you are planning a visit in the future. You can also leave any recommendations for area attractions in the comments below.

See you at the campground!

24 Dec

Campground #7: Barton Lake Jellystone in Fremont, Indiana

Located near the crossroads of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Barton Lake is the perfect example of destination camping. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or an entire week, there are enough activities and amenities to keep you entertained right on site. This Jellystone is located about an hour from South Bend and about 3 1/2 hours from Chicago.

Barton Lake JellystoneFremont, Indiana

On Campground of the Week Episode #7, Melissa and Matthew Kellas will give us a complete review of the campground, starting with a description of two different camping areas and tips for choosing your own best site. They recommend looking at a Barton Lake Jellystone campground map while making reservations by phone, just to make sure you wind up in a good spot for your family. They also recommend booking as early as possible, since this is a wildly popular regional campground.

With 3 outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a splash park, jump pillows, and a volleyball court, it is virtually impossible to be bored at the Barton Lake Jellystone. Nevertheless, they also offer a full roster of daily activities beginning at 9 am and running into the evening hours. Melissa and Matt will talk about some of their favorite activities, and you can also check here for a sample daily schedule.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Barton Lake just celebrated it’s 50th camping season, and it is easy to see why this is such a popular place for family campers.

Let us know if you visit this campground, and if you have any additional thoughts or area recommendations, make sure to drop us a comment below!

See you at the campground!

17 Dec

Campground #6: Recompence Shore Campground, Maine

On Campground of the Week #6, our roaming correspondents Alexandra and Jeremy are reviewing Recompence Shore Campground in Freeport, Maine. This campground is located on Wolf’s Neck Farm, and offers beautiful waterfront sites, fresh eggs and milk, and easy access to shopping in downtown Freeport.

Listen to hear Alexandra and Jeremy describe the various camping areas, the pizza garden, the children’s day camp, and online booking features.

In addition to biking, walking, and swimming at the campground, they also recommend area attractions including:

LLBean Flagship Store
Freeport Outlets andStores
Fishing and hiking at Wolf’s Neck Woods State Park

Hungry? Alexandra and Jeremy recommend:

Have you been to this campground? Have some more recommendations for this region of coastal Maine? Leave a comment below!

10 Dec

Campground #3: Baraboo Hills Campground, Wisconsin Dells

On Campground of the Week #3, our Upper Midwest correspondents Melissa and Matthew Kellas are reviewing Baraboo Hills Campground in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

This private family-friendly campground is about 20 minutes outside of Wisconsin Dells and less than one hour’s drive from downtown Madison.

Listen to hear Melissa and Matt talk about the fun and engaging activities available at the campground. They will discuss amenities, best sites, and the pros and cons of the activity bracelet, available for an extra charge.

Campground #1: Jordanelle State Park, Utah

On Campground of the Week #1, our Western Correspondent Brett Neilson is reviewing Jordanelle State Park Campground located in the Heber Valley region of Utah. This is a public campground and reservations must be booked using Reserve America.

Full hook-up, partial hook-up, and dry camping sites are available, as well as a couple of cabins. Brett gives a complete run down of all the amenities and water activities at this stunning lake front state park, plus he offers tips on picking the best campsite for your tastes and preferences.