Bud Simpson

We booked our stay at Petit Jean with no prior information about the park, but when we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Our site faced the lake, and our stay was quiet, peaceful, and definitely one of the best of 2016.

The approach to the park is a steep climb from the river valley from Morrilton, Arkansas, but the top of the plateau is a green and beautiful pine forest. The staff is pleasant and friendly, and the park has hiking trails to explore, excellent meals at the Park Lodge.

We wanted to keep this place a secret, but we'll share, anyway. Petit Jean is worth the trip.

This is a pretty nice stay-over spot, and up to KOA quality standards, but this is the tightest spot we've ever stayed in.

Check-in was fast and easy, the staff was friendly, and directions to our site were clear and easy to follow. Once parked and hooked up, we realized how tight we were all jammed into this park. When our awning was extended, it was less than three feet from the slide of the Class A next door. Maybe we're a bit spoiled from spending the last few months in wide-open spaces, but it was the tightest park we've ever stayed at.

It's quiet enough, and while there were many full-time residents there, none seemed sketchy. All the amenities were present, and the area had all the shopping necessary to get us restocked and back on the road again.

El Reno is a few miles west of Oklahoma City, and the city park at Lake El Reno offers the usual amenities - fishing, canoeing, picnicking. It also offers a pretty nice place to camp.

There are two camping loops - East is smaller of the two and has sites, including a few pull-throughs, with water, and 20/30 amp service. These sites are $15 per night

West is all pull-through full-hookups with 20/30/50 amp service. These large, level, sites are $20 per night.

All sites are first-come, first-served. Payment is by Iron Ranger and is checked daily. The park is patrolled by El Reno Police on a regular basis, and, in spite of being a half-mile from I-40, is pretty quiet.

This park was a nice surprise. We had planned on going farther west, but after a long day of driving, this popped up on our list of possible stops. We're glad we stayed here.

Hot Springs KOA is carved out of a hillside spot near town. It's close enough for easy access to Hot Springs National Park and the town of Hot Springs - they're really all one thing - but far enough out that traffic isn't bad, and noise is minimal.

Management was friendly and helpful and the park was clean.

This is why you travel in an RV. The lots here are within a few hundred feet of the Admiralty Inlet - the main transition waters between the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound. You can hear the surf crashing at night, and the seagulls and ravens by day. The very first day I moved in here on a two-month extended stay, I watched a Navy submarine headed back toward the Pacific under escort. I have seen aircraft carriers, container ships, and every kind of sailing vessel imaginable. You can set your watch by the Port Townsend to Coupeville Ferry. You'll also get to hear practicing fighter jets from the nearby Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Might be an acquired taste for some. Otherwise, it's a quiet and relaxing stay. If you're coming in on shoulder seasons, be prepared for Pacific Northwest weather. Not so much rain here in the Rain Shadow, but some serious winds and tides at times.
What do you get for your money? A pretty basic, unpaved, parking spot, 30 amp service with water and sewer. There is strong community-provided wifi. Good laundry facilities, though not cheap. (Better than anything you'll find in town, though.) These things, and the most incredible eastern sunrises over the Cascades imaginable, walking distance to the Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend, good food nearby, and a helpful staff at the marina office and friendly camp hosts.
I came in for a short extended stay (thus the small daily price tag) at the end of the winter off-season and worked part-time in town. I stayed in the RV row away from the beachfront sites. I truly wish I didn't have to leave.

We booked our stay at Petit Jean with no prior information about the park, but when we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Our site faced the lake, and our stay was quiet, peaceful, and definitely one of the best of 2016.

The approach to the park is a steep climb from the river valley from Morrilton, Arkansas, but the top of the plateau is a green and beautiful pine forest. The staff is pleasant and friendly, and the park has hiking trails to explore, excellent meals at the Park Lodge.

We wanted to keep this place a secret, but we'll share, anyway. Petit Jean is worth the trip.

Hot Springs KOA is carved out of a hillside spot near town. It's close enough for easy access to Hot Springs National Park and the town of Hot Springs - they're really all one thing - but far enough out that traffic isn't bad, and noise is minimal.

Management was friendly and helpful and the park was clean.

We booked our stay at Petit Jean with no prior information about the park, but when we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Our site faced the lake, and our stay was quiet, peaceful, and definitely one of the best of 2016.

The approach to the park is a steep climb from the river valley from Morrilton, Arkansas, but the top of the plateau is a green and beautiful pine forest. The staff is pleasant and friendly, and the park has hiking trails to explore, excellent meals at the Park Lodge.

We wanted to keep this place a secret, but we'll share, anyway. Petit Jean is worth the trip.

Hot Springs KOA is carved out of a hillside spot near town. It's close enough for easy access to Hot Springs National Park and the town of Hot Springs - they're really all one thing - but far enough out that traffic isn't bad, and noise is minimal.

Management was friendly and helpful and the park was clean.

We booked our stay at Petit Jean with no prior information about the park, but when we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Our site faced the lake, and our stay was quiet, peaceful, and definitely one of the best of 2016.

The approach to the park is a steep climb from the river valley from Morrilton, Arkansas, but the top of the plateau is a green and beautiful pine forest. The staff is pleasant and friendly, and the park has hiking trails to explore, excellent meals at the Park Lodge.

We wanted to keep this place a secret, but we'll share, anyway. Petit Jean is worth the trip.