Kate Dunbar | Campground of the Week

16 Nov

Campground Review #107 Cody KOA Holiday in Cody, Wyoming near East Yellowstone

Cody, Wyoming was not originally planned as a stop on Kate Dunbar’s 2017 epic RV journey, but a change of plans ended up bringing the family to one of their favorite stops of the journey. On this episode of Campground of the Week, Kate shares all of the reasons why they enjoyed Cody so very much, and gives us all many days worth of recommendations for activities, food, and drink.

Campground Details

The Cody KOA Holiday is located about a one hour’s drive from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park and a little over six hours from Jackson, Wyoming. The campground is branded as a ‘Holiday’, which means that it provides a great basecamp for exploring the surrounding area, along with family-friendly amenities and activities to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing.

The campground offers ample RV and tents sites, along with cabin rentals. Most of the RV sites are full-hook up and pull thru, and Kate particularly loved site #205, since it was an end cap and offered the family plenty of space to spread out along with a tree and fire ring with grill. Listen to the episode to hear her describe the various areas of the campground and which one might be right for your band of traveling RV pirates.

Campground Activities and Amenities

Cody KOA offered plenty of activities and amenities to keep the Dunbar family happy on this stop of the trip. The kids particularly enjoyed the pool, but other highlights include:

hot tub
sauna
bike rentals
communal fire pit
dog park
playground
jumping pillow

Kate also took time to rave about the staff at the Cody KOA, telling us that they were always offering service with a smile and looking to make their guests’ stay the very best one possible.

Visitor’s also won’t want to miss the FREE daily pancake breakfast or the FREE shuttle to the nightly Cody Wyoming Rodeo!!!

Regional Highlights

Kate really emphasized that this destination offered way more interest than her family had originally expected. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is huge and requires more than a day to take it all in. There are six parts: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Planes Indian Museum, Whitney Art Museum, Outdoor Education Center. One entrance fee gets you access to all the areas. There is also a café as well as a picnic area. The RV/trailer parking lot is large and easy to navigate.

Other area attractions that Kate recommends are…

And Kate’s awesome eats include…

A huge thanks to Kate for another great campground review. You can follow Kate’s RV adventures AND get some seriously yummy recipes at Katescuriouskitchen.com. You probably want to follow her on Facebook and Instagram, also!

And thanks to our sponsors who support weekly content for all our camping and RV fools…

We will see you at the campground!

Stephanie + Jeremy

05 Jul

Campground Review #89 Amarillo Ranch RV Park in Amarillo, Texas

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, Kate Dunbar reviews Amarillo Ranch RV Park in Amarillo, Texas. This campground is located along the historic Route 66, and Kate talked about her epic journey on the Mother Road over on Episode #140 of the RV Family Travel Atlas podcast. You can listen to that episode to hear more of her recommendations for the area.

Campground Details

Amarillo Ranch RV Park embraces all the traditional kitsch of Route 66 and offers a great atmosphere to talk in this region. The campground has 151 full hookup, pull thru and back in sites, and many are big-rig friendly. It also has plenty of other amenities including…

Indoor heated pool with jacuzzi
enclosed dog parks
playground
daily complimentary coffee and donuts
Pavilion and pool patio with grills
clubhouse
updated, clean restrooms and laundry facilities

Perhaps the most enjoyable amenity of all is the onsite restaurant, The Big Texan Steak Ranch. You have to listen to Kate describe the ridiculously amazing 72 ounce free steak challenge at this famous joint.

Area Attractions

On of the most famous Route 66 attractions of all time, the Cadillac Ranch, is located right near the Amarillo Ranch RV Park. Other great regional attractions include…

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

17 May

Campground Review #81: Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post in Albuquerque, New Mexico off Historic Route 66

Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post is a privately-owned campground located just minutes off of Historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Our correspondent Kate Dunbar from KatesCuriousKitchen.com stayed here on her epic solo adventure traveling the Mother Road. To hear Kate’s complete review of Enchanted Trails, listen to Campground of the Week episode #81, and to hear more about her entire Route 66 journey, check out RVFTA episode #140: Kate Gets Her Kicks on Route 66.

The Campground

Read More →

29 Dec

Campground Review #61 Ventura Beach RV Park in Ventura Beach, California

On this episode of Campground of the Week, Kate Dunbar returns to her old California stomping ground and gives us a great review of Ventura Beach RV Park in Ventura Beach, California.

This campground is a short 15-minute walk to the beautiful beaches of Ventura (or just 10 minutes along the gorgeous and well-maintained bike path) where you will find opportunities for surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, bird watching, scuba diving, and sand castle building. It is also within biking distance of downtown shopping and dining.

Read More →

08 Sep

Campground #45 Balmorhea State Park in Toyahvale, Texas

Balmorhea State ParkToyahvale, Texas

On this week’s episode of Campground of the Week, we are so excited to welcome Kate Dunbar with our very first review of a Texas campground. Kate takes us to Balmorhea State Park in Toyahvale, Texas.

This unique state park was first constructed during the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The crew of unemployed young men built the San Solomon Springs pool, which covers over two acres of land and is home to a variety of aquatic species. Over 26 million gallons of pure artesian water flows through the pool every day, and the water is a constant 74 to 76 degrees. This is truly an oasis of a state park during the hot Texas summers.

Kate provides all the details you need to know about camping at this State Park, including her pick of sites and how much you can expect to pay. In addition to swimming, expect your activity’s calendar to be scheduled with star gazing, hiking, and photography. Oh, and you could also get scuba certified during your visit!

Read More →

19 May

Campground #28 Grand Canyon Railway RV Park in Williams, Arizona

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park in Williams, Arizona

On this episode of Campground of the Week, Kate Dunbar of katescuriouskitchen.com, tells us about her family’s visit to a famous bucket list destination: The Grand Canyon. Kate stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, located in the town of Williams, Arizona which is known both as the gateway to the Grand Canyon and a legendary stop along Route 66.

Read More →

18 Feb

Campground #15: Lake Lopez Recreation Area, California

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.

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.

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

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!

RVFTA Podcast Network-2

See you at the Campground…

10 Dec

Campground #5: Flying Flags RV Resort, California

On Campground of the Week #5, our California Correspondent Kate Dunbar is reviewing Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, California. This campground is a member of the Highway West Vacations chain that has properties along the entire West Coast.

FlyingFlagsRV Resort, California

Listen to hear Kate describe all the perks to camping at this Good Sam Park, including on-site wine tastings and Friday night barbecue dinners. She gives great insider tips on the best RV and tent sites, and also gives intel on available cabins and glamping tents.

Read More →