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 online for dates, rates and rules, as well as a campground’s location. No endorsement of any campground or product is implied by this reporter nor this website.
DATELINE: August 2, 2019
ARIZONA MUSIC GOES TRADITIONAL
Pickin’ in the Pines, a music festival near Flagstaff, Arizona, invites fans of traditional acoustic bluegrass to a mellow weekend of music September 13-15 at Fort Tuthill. An immense area of campsites offers a variety of choices and costs, some by reservation and some first-come. Most camping areas open by noon on Thursday and extended camping can be arranged for after the concert. In addition to main stage concerts the weekend offers workshops, classes, bluegrass jam sessions, children’s activities, a band contest and community dances. Connect at pickininthepines.org.
COLORADO’S BOYD LAKE STATE PARK BASH
Bring your running shoes, swimsuit and bicycle to this multisport event. Compete or just cheer for contestants in the triathlon, aquathon, duathon, aquabike and foot races. The state park at Loveland, Colorado, has 148 paved, pull-through sites that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. All have 20-, 30- and 50-amp hookups. In season there are three restrooms with showers; the park is also open in winter but with reduced facilities. Reservations are essential.
DELAWARE SEASHORE WELCOMES RV CAMPERS
September 28 is the date for Brews by the Bay at Bethany Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park. The seashore, spread for miles along the scenic barrier islands, has a number of campgrounds that have RV sites. The brewfest features 100 local beers and costs $30 ($40 after July 31) for a ticket that includes samples. Enjoy the concert, waterfront and food services. Without the beer, pay $10 plus camping fees.
OHIO CAMPGROUND ADDS SITES, FEATURES
The Resort at Erie Landing in Port Clinton, Ohio, has added 80 RV sites, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, a fitness center, a bocce court, kayak rentals and a large children’s playground. The sites are now connected to city water. The campground is adjacent to the Portage River Inn, giving RVers a place to host friends and family who do not have RVs.
HILLBILLY HIGHJINKS AT NEW YORK CAMPGROUND
August 24-25 is Hillbilly Weekend at the Ridge Campground in Mount Morris, New York. Dress the part. Join the games. Bring a redneck story to tell. The park has 21 RV sites, some as deep as 85 feet to accommodate any size rig and tow. Full hook-up sites have 30- and 50-amp service. This is family reunion weekend, with rental cabins for family who don’t have an RV. There’s a fishing pond, camp store and swimming pool.
VIRGINIA MUSIC FESTIVAL WELCOMES RVERS
It’s held twice a year and this is the fall version of the iconic Misty Mountain Music Festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dates are September 13-15 at the Misty Mountain Camp Resort in Greenwood, Virginia. Space is very limited for RVs, so act quickly. Featuring Virginia’s top musicians, the event benefits local charities. Hear the best in down-home bluegrass, country, blues, soul, rock and Americana. While you’re here make reservations to assure a spot at the next festival next April.
TEXAS STATE PARK OPEN FOR CAMPING
The campground at Mustang Island State Park in Port Aransas, Texas, was destroyed two years ago in a hurricane. Now it is open again for overnighters. Campsites can be reserved; some are on a first-come basis.
WASHINGTON’S NEW CASINO RESORT
Jeff Dunham and his loony characters will be a laugh a minute in concert on September 7 at the new (June, 2019)Â Northern Quest RV Resort in Airway Heights, Washington. A project of the Kalispel Tribe, the resort offers 38 large, pull-through sites. The 17-acre gated resort features a clubhouse, outdoor pool with cabanas, laundry facilities, catering kitchen, golf cart rentals, fitness center, dog park, fire pits, shower facilities and a concierge service. New concerts are announced constantly.
WYOMING CAMPGROUND CLOSED FOR MONTH
Closed from August 8 to September 9 is Wood River Campground in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest. Popular for fly fishing, the campground has RV sites but no hookups.
Stay Tuned
Here is sad news for the few but loyal campers who use the Viney Creek Recreation Area campground on Table Rock Lake near Golden, Missouri. A Corps of Engineers facility, it has been losing money and is in need of maintenance that isn’t economically feasible considering the low usage rate. It’s expected to close permanently by the end of the year.
The old Pioneer Inn in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been demolished and a developer is eyeing the property to build a luxury campground and marina. The prime land is on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago.
ADDITIONS FROM RVTRAVEL.COM STAFF
In Dubuque County, Iowa, public local campgrounds are just opening after repairs following major flooding. Three of the county’s eight campgrounds were affected by flooding, including Finley’s Landing, Mud Lake and Massey Marina. Finley’s Landing and Mud Lake are up and running again. Some of the areas have to dry out before repairs can be made.
The Kaibab National Forest in Arizona is proposing to increase fees for overnight camping at Ten X Campground on the Tusayan Ranger District for the first time in 25 years, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The proposals are to increase the overnight camping fee for a single site from the current $10 to $24, and for a double site from $20 to $48, with increases in the group sites as well. Members of the public are invited to provide input on these proposed fee increases through Oct. 31. Comments should be submitted to Dutch Maatman at joseph.maatman@usda.gov or (928) 635-5661. To learn more about the proposed Ten X Campground Expansion project, please visit here.
At Devil’s Backbone Park and Campground in Grand Tower, Illinois, cleanup efforts are underway following flooding, but the park is running out of money and the park may not open in 2019. More repairs are needed, since there is no electrical and no running water. Park board members are hoping for assistance from FEMA.
Janet Groene is the author of 25 books including Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition, available at Amazon.com. Her brand-new book, “January Justice – A Yacht Yenta Mystery,” is available at Amazon.com.
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Nothing like just more than doubling the camping rate at that AZ campground. Looking into the proposal I see it’s near the Grand Canyon, so that’s reason one. They say they’re expanding the size of the campground as well. They also say “it will improve the overall experience by upgrading aging facilities and adding amenities”. We’ll see, I guess. I think this is the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, which is the busiest side.
It’s time. I support the increase.
If it is such a good deal, why is it for sale? Perhaps it’s the heat & humidity of Houston, Texas. Still, with so many RV’ers parking their monster rigs and never leaving til they die, it could be an opportunity. ..