The latest news about camping and developments in North American campgrounds and RV parks from Janet Groene and the staff of RVtravel.com
DISCLAIMER: Information is believed current at press time but conditions can change quickly. Check ahead for dates, rates and rules. No endorsement of any campground or product is implied by this reporter nor this website.
DATELINE: June 7, 2019
RED ALERTS: ALBERTA, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
Fire bans are in effect in many Alberta parks and campgrounds because of wildfire hazards. In the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, many campground openings are delayed because of an unusual amount of repairs required this year to the park’s aging water system. Late winter snows in Colorado are delaying openings of some parks in national forests.
CAMP QUIET OR PARTY ALL NIGHT AT NEVADA CONCERT
A Night in the Country is a star-studded music festival in the quiet farming community of Yerington, Nevada. During July 26-27 it becomes the largest, loudest camping party on the planet. With a concert pass you can also buy a camping pass with a choice of quiet or not-so-quiet areas. Rigs up to 50 feet can be accommodated on a first-come basis. Music icons on multiple stages will include the Brothers Osborne and Luke Combs.
IDAHO BLM CAMPGROUNDS OPEN
All campgrounds managed by the Challis, Idaho, Bureau of Land Management are open this summer. Of special interest to RV campers is the Joe T. Fallini Campground at Mackay Reservoir, where 22 sites have water and electric hookup for $14 nightly.
CLINTON, IOWA, RV PARK RAISES RATE
The city-operated Riverfront RV Park in Clinton, Iowa, is adding two new RV camping pads and raising rates by $2 nightly. Rules have been clarified. After 14 days a site must be vacated for 24 hours. However, if another site is available in the park, the RV may stay there before returning to its “home” site.
NEWS FROM PENNSYLVANIA CAMPGROUNDS
Hosack Run Campground, Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is pet friendly, will be closed to 2019 and 2020 reservations while permanent improvements are being made. Pet owners may use Pine Grove Furnace or Cowans Gap state parks.
VAN CAMPERS WELCOME AT BORDERLAND FESTIVAL
Make reservations now for the Borderland Festival in East Aurora, New York, to be held September 21-22. Three-day dry camping passes are available for spaces up to 20 feet. The Wood Spring Club is 8 miles from Knox Farm State Park, site of the music extravaganza, and a shuttle is provided. Headliners include Gov’t Mule and Greensky Bluegrass.
KIDS GET IN THE SWIM AT TEXAS CAMPGROUND
Children and teens through age 18 are invited to join “The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson,” which takes place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 20, at the Jellystone Park in Burleson, Texas. Water safety experts will be on hand to teach kids about drowning prevention. Last year this nationally recognized program was presented to more than 40,000 young people worldwide.
CAMPGROUND CLOSURES IN OKLAHOMA
For a list of weather and/or flood related campground closures in the Tulsa District go to this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
ARISE FESTIVAL OFFERS TWO LEVELS OF RV PASSES
Many camping/admissions packages are available at the Arise Festival in Loveland, Colorado, August 2-4. The small RV camping package is for rigs up to 25 feet; rigs over 26 feet need a large camping pass. Extra activities at the festival include yoga instructors and “street” performers with variety acts. Nonstop music will be performed by more than a dozen groups including Tipper, Rising Appalachia and CloZee.
OKLAHOMA RV RESORT HITS TRIPLE PLAY
RV camping, boating and entertainment venues are just the beginning of the amenities at the new Xtreme RV Resort in Eufaula, Oklahoma. It has a movie theater, amphitheater, swimming pool, lake with marina, playground, ball courts for basketball, volleyball and bocce, general and liquor stores and a storm shelter. Rent a golf cart or schedule the banquet hall for an RV rally.
TAILGATE FEST PLAYS EASTVALE, CALIFORNIA
Reserve a package at the Tailgate Fest in Eastvale, California, that buys an RV site and a wristband that gets you into two days of flat-out fun on August 17 and 18. More than a music concert, the event includes a swimming pool, cornhole championships, honky tonk dancing, s’mores, Bloody Marys and headliners including Brantley Gilbert, Brett Eldredge and Clint Black performing nonstop.
KOA ADDS MAINE CAMPGROUND
Another family campground has joined the KOA family. The former Flat Rock Bridge Campground in Lebanon, Maine, is now the Salmon Falls/Lebanon KOA.
ADDITIONS FROM RVTRAVEL.COM STAFF
All Washington state parks will be free this weekend, June 8 and 9, for day use but not overnight. Washington State Parks is waiving entrance fees or the need for a Discover Pass in support of National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday. There is also free fishing this weekend at some locations, but regulations will still need to be followed. More information here (parks) and here (fishing).
Veterans, pet owners and others can enjoy fireworks-free Fourth of July celebrations at Michigan state parks. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency are highlighting quieter camping options, located farther away from fireworks displays, over the Fourth of July weekend. Read the list on wxyz.com.
The Kalispel Tribe has opened its new $14 million Northern Quest RV Resort in Airway Heights, Wash. The 17-acre gated resort is next to the Northern Quest Casino & Resort, and offers 38 pull-through, back-in and luxury RV sites, as well as 18 furnished tiny cottages for rent. Featuring many amenities including clubhouse, outdoor pool with cabanas, golf cart rentals, fitness center and a concierge service., the resort expects to expand to 67 RV sites by July.
The Twelve Mile Flat Campground in the 1.4 million-acre Manti-La Sal National Forest in southeastern Utah may open late this year because many of the roads remain closed due to snow. (The website says it’s open, but their Facebook page included the photo at the right and stated, “… summer camping will start late this year.” Click here for current road conditions.
The Bureau of Land Management began renovating the North Boulder Lake Campground near Boulder, Wyoming, on June 3, 2019. Among other upgrades, the project will level the existing RV sites. The campground will be closed during the six-week-long renovation period. If you wish to camp in the Boulder Lake area during that time, use the dispersed camping sites around Boulder Lake or visit the U.S. Forest Service Boulder Lake Campground on the southeast side of Boulder Lake.
Campers in the Thompson-Okanagan region of British Columbia this summer will have more places to camp and more facilities to use at B.C. Parks and recreation sites. The provincial government announced earlier this month that close to 600 new sites opened up across the province this season. According to the Camping and RVing B.C. Coalition, more than one million campers from B.C., Alberta and Washington are expected to camp or RV in B.C. in 2019. See the list of new sites and amenities at provincial parks at infotel.ca. here.
The Country Bend Campground north of Litchfield, Illinois, celebrated its grand opening on May 25. New owners Jeff and Kate Tuxhorn purchased the on January 9 and opened for business on April 1. They’ve been upgrading the property and amenities, including an in-ground swimming pool, four ponds with pedal boats, a banquet hall and miniature golf. The campground features 145 campsites, some primitive and seasonal camp sites, and 13 cabins.
Janet Groene is the author of 25 books including Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition, available at Amazon.com.
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