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: July 26, 2019
BRITISH COLUMBIA CAMPGROUND HAS EV CHARGERS
Twenty-two sites at Robson River Campground in Mount Robson Provincial Park now have charging stations for electric vehicles as well as 50-amp service for RVs.
FLORIDA MUSIC PARK IS A CAMPING RESORT TOO
It’s a year-round campground first and also a music park well known on the national scene. The challenge here is to make your RV site reservations early for the next big-name concert. Schedule a trip to Suwannee Music Park on the Suwanee River in Live Oak, Florida, for the Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on August 17. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is the eighth-best-selling album of all time by claimed sales (40 million). Concert tickets are $15 in addition to RV camping.
ILLINOIS CAMPGROUND EXPANDS WESTERN THEME
Coming soon to this Western-themed park and campground in Grayville, Illinois, are a ball court, an authentic old-fashioned barbershop and an Old Tyme Photo option. New last year, the Westwood Recreation complex includes a dance hall, 18-hole miniature golf, saloon, and the 100-space Rest Up Camping & RV Corral.
INDIANÂ POWWOW AT FLORIDA CAMPGROUND
From 1800 to 1859, High Springs, Florida, was known as Alligator. Now O’Leno State Park remembers history and the Seminole chief named Alligator Warrior with an annual festival to be held this year October 18-20. See a Seminole battle re-enactment, Native American music and dancing, living history encampments, traders, food vendors and crafters. The park has several camping areas including 60 family camping sites with water and electric.
OHIO RIVER CAMPGROUND SAYS GOODBYE
Steamboat Bend Campground in Woodland Mound, Ohio, will close permanently in early November due to repeated flooding.
OHIO TO HAVE BIG CAMP-IN MUSIC FEST
Come to the Clear Fork Adventure Resort in Butler, Ohio, August 9-11 for the Freakstomp Music Festival headlined by the funk, reggae and rock group Tropidelic X2 and more than a dozen other groups. Camping packages include electric and non-electric sites. General admission tickets start at $80. Music plays on two stages and the entertainment includes circus-type performers such as stilt walkers and aerialists.
NEW OREGON CAMPGROUND PRIMITIVE BUT RVS WELCOME
There are no hookups at the new, family-run Smith River Campground near Reedsport, Oregon, but there is a dump station and 80 acres of scenic camping with spacious sites for RV campers.
SHINE UP TO A 2020 CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Cars of all kinds and eras will compete for prizes next year at the 9th annual Classic Car Show at the Quail Run RV Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The 292-site camping resort is north of Tampa off I-75. Make reservations now for the popular March 20 event to see all makes and model vehicles, from pristine to daily drivers. A DJ will play oldies while car buffs enjoy the clubhouse, a quilt raffle, door prizes and a menu of pulled pork, hot dogs and cold drinks.
SEPTEMBER FOLK FESTIVAL IN SISTERS, OREGON
Dates are September 6-8 for the Sisters Folk Festival. Organizers can’t offer on-site RV parking but they are designating certain sites, such as the high school parking lot, for self-contained RVs. No hookups are available but shuttles will take RVers to the event site. RVs parked in other places will be ticketed or towed. Apply early for tickets and an RV parking permit. The lineup includes a long list of folk music icons including Canadian singer and songwriter Bruce Cockburn, soul and blues specialist Ron Artis and the Celtic group Le Vent du Nord.
Stay Tuned
A plan is in the works to increase rates at eight campgrounds in the Mogollon Rim area near Payson, Arizona. If approved, new rates will apply starting in spring 2020.
ADDITIONS FROM RVTRAVEL.COM STAFF
Newly renovated Firefly Meadows RV Park and Campgrounds in Wood River, Nebraska, is located right off Interstate-80 across from the Pilot gas station. The park and campground sit on 12 acres. There are 30 lots with water, sewer and electrical hookups.
After Hurricane Harvey damage in 2017 delayed a restroom replacement project and other plumbing and electrical work at the campground at Mustang Island State Park in Port Aransas, Texas, the campground has finally reopened for overnight camping. Additional Harvey repairs are still ongoing to park buildings, including the headquarters and maintenance shop.
The Wood River Campground in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming will close between Aug. 8 and Sept. 8. Improvements to the campground and stream restoration will take place during that time and will include enhancement of camp sites and infrastructure at the campground, according to codyenterprise.com.
Oceanfront RV campground in Port Alice, British Columbia, formerly known as Ozzieland, opened for business on July 6 as a seasonally run campground. New owners have been cleaning up the campground, enlarging the sites and adding more privacy, and plan more upgrades.
According to its website, Cooper’s Landing and Campground in southern Boone County, Missouri, reopened as of July 26 after flooding began in late May.Cooper’s Landing is expected to be more resistant to flooding after rebuilding.
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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