Campground Chatter with Janet Groene, June 21, 2019

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 21, 2019

CALIFORNIA CAMPGROUND UPGRADE UPDATE
For a year now, new owners have been spiffing up Tucalota Springs RV Park in Hemet, California. Remodeling continues in the clubhouse, store, laundry and restrooms. The elevation is 2,500 feet, so it’s a little cooler for active horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, hiking trails and fishing. Swim in the (heated) swimming pool and take selfies with the emus and peacocks.

FLORIDA GATEWAY AREA TO GET NEW RV SITES
For many vacationers and snowbirds, Wildwood is the gateway to Florida, the place where the Florida Turnpike goes southeast towards Orlando and Miami and I-75 goes southwest to the Gulf of Mexico. Wildwood RV Village Campground, which has 400 RV sites, will expand to 600 sites plus an 800-bay storage facility for RVs, trailers and boats. Storage customers receive a discount on camping.

MAINE CAMPGROUND OPEN DESPITE FIRE
Bayley’s Camping Resort in Scarborough, Maine, remains open despite major fire damage. The main restaurant was one of the facilities destroyed but a small restaurant remains open. The large restaurant will be rebuilt.

OHIO STATE PARK HOSTS MUSIC SPECTACULAR
“Rock the Lake” at Indian Lake State Park on August 2-3 is a worship fest featuring Christian music artists Matthew West and Stephen McWhirter of Iron Bell. The programs begin at 7 p.m. Friday evening and 2 p.m. Saturday. Bring lawn chairs. The festival at Old Field Beach features family food, music and activities. The park’s campground has more than 300 RV sites but full hookups and premium electric sites are limited. Reserve early.

OHIO PARK NOW A CAMPGROUND
Mill Creek Park, Berlin Heights, now welcomes overnight campers as well as day visitors.  Day use and boating ramps are free. The park also offers fishing, hiking and historic trails. The park is cash-less. Camping reservations are made only online or by phone.

WISCONSIN CAMPGROUND GETS WATER PARK
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Caledonia will soon open Bear Paw Beach and Adventure Island, a massive water park that will have separate access and admission but is connected to the campground by a private roadway. The resort is also adding 100 campsites.

MICHIGAN CONCERT WELCOMES CAMPERS
The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival at Ontonagon on August 23 features music legends such as Ray Bonneville and Cary Morin. Camp in a 60,000-acre wilderness paradise of hiking trails, green forests, waterfalls and Lake of the Clouds. RV sites with 20/30-amp service are available but few. Reserve early.

WILSON, NEW YORK CAMPGROUND TO GROW
Approval has been given for expansion of Daisy Barn Campground to 45 campsites over 36 acres. Presently a small facility, it aims to become a major Lake Ontario destination. Proceed with caution when booking this campsite at this time. Some campers complain of foul odors from agricultural run-off.

PENNSYLVANIA TO HAVE A PEACH OF A CAMP-OUT
Passes  for the Peach Music Festival July 25-28 at Montage Mountain, Scranton, are for the entire four days. Choices include a camping pass package and a VIP camping package. Read rules carefully because RV spaces are limited and have no hookups. Phil Lesh headlines the long list of artists playing the festival. Off-site camping is free and shuttle buses will be on hand for festival ticket holders. The annual festival was founded by the Allman Brothers Band.

Stay Tuned

Campground improvements in Gateway Park, Monona, Iowa, have begun. New campsites will have full hook-ups and the bathrooms will have hot water. A completion date has not been announced.

A new park that will include 375 campsites has been approved by city council members for Bryan, Texas. It will be near the Brazos County Expo Complex. A starting date has not been announced.

Starting late in June and continuing through the summer, Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort in Larchwood, Iowa, will add 25 more campsites. A massive expansion project will also call for renovating the resort’s Show Lounge and adding hotel rooms.

ADDITIONS FROM RVTRAVEL.COM STAFF

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has closed the Deer Lake State Forest Campground in Iron County, Michigan, until June 26 for removal of trees that pose a hazard to campers and other visitors.

The popular Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) near Moab, Utah, is closing two of its main campgrounds for improvements. The Cottontail and Datura campgrounds are now closed until Aug. 26. Tourists are encouraged to camp in one of the other 7 campgrounds at Sand Flats. The improvement project is being built in cooperation between the Bureau of Land Management, Moab Filed office and Grand County/ Sand Flats. Source: kutv.com

The Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest in Arizona is looking for campground hosts for the summer season at Mt. Graham. The host camps onsite without paying standard amenity fees and performs maintenance work as well as greeting and assisting visitors. The maximum trailer size that can be accommodated is 22 feet; there are no utilities available at the sites. Anyone interested should contact the Safford Ranger District for additional information at (928) 428-4150. Source: kold.com

Glacier National Park has rolled out a new online tool that aims to help visitors find places to park. The Missoulian reported the Montana park’s Recreation Access Display gives live updates on campgrounds, parking lots, car access restrictions and weather. The website is currently for optimized for computers, but it does work on mobile phones. Click here for info.

Janet Groene is the author of 25 books including Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition, available at Amazon.com.

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