Willym.Leaming

As far as the Charlottesville KOA, I wanted to like it but just can't. It is in an awkward, out-of-the way location and both of my GPS led me on a very narrow, absolutely no shoulder, over-hanging trees, one-lane bridge, winding, curvy road to get here. There were no KOA signs and once close, on GPS said turn left in 500 feet while my RV specific GPS said turn right in one mile. Coming the way I did, you see the KOA sign at almost the last minute and there is an oncoming blind curve - I had a school bus zip around that curve as I was turning - could have been disastrous (I "yea, everyone zips around that curve.) Regardless of your approach and what your GPS's may tell you, stay on I-64, take the Hwy 20 (south) to Red Hill Road - still a little curvy and narrow but at least a little bit of a shoulder.
The check-in host was really nice but considering the overall condition of the park and my impression, it doesn't warrant a $48 (weekday) $51 (weekend) price.
On entering, there is no clear signage so where to go to register is confusing and I apparently did it wrong - taking the loop to the left in front of the office. I mentioned that they should put a sign "STOP / PARK HERE FOR REGISTRATION," "yea, everyone says that," so I'm not sure why they don't. I had to unhook my toad on an angle since I didn't turn sharp enough to make the loop and there was a large tree in my way.
The interior roads are gravel and are good enough but, very confusing! I did not get an escort and the roads are not laid out as well as what their camp map shows. I had to stop twice to study the map; back up twice to get back on track; site signs are over-grown and not clear; the way the road and some sites are, you don't know if you are still on the road or driving through someones site!
Sites are fairly close. Mine was gravel, grass, weeds, and mud.
50-amp, water, sewer and 17-channel cable available and are convenient. I doubt you would get satellite at any but maybe a couple sites.
Despite some reviews, I could not get a Verizon signal. Free wifi which was adequate.
Standard KOA stuff - playground (currently a little muddy with all the rain), fenced dog area, pool - although, the pool is a little strange being somewhat isolated through the woods in the back - and it looked a little murky. Game room, camp store, laundry, etc. There is a Pet Walk/Nature Trail - muddy and overgrown. A "Beaver Pond" with fishing - not really - too overgrown and muddy.
I like the over-all "woodsy" nature but getting to the park, the price, over-all condition and the really bad check in parking, road navigation to your site (at least my site) warrants more of a $25-30 rate than a $48-51 rate and I probably would not stay here again nor make a strong recommendation.
On to Cherry Hill tomorrow!

Day 28, 2,188 Miles. Today Misty and I are at Mama Gertie's Hidaway in Swannanoa, North Carolina - just east of Asheville. Rate is $53.10/night for a "Mountain View Site" with a Veteran/Military discount (or Good Sam). My site is pretty nice, gravel and level with a picnic table, fire pit and grass "yard." Easily long enough for my 39'6" and toad. 50-amp with well laid out hook-ups. There are a few "Deck View" sites which look really nice.
The park is more or less carved from the side of the mountain. The roads are a mix of blacktop and gravel and at first may look a little daunting, but nothing to worry about. The park, laundry, bathrooms, etc. are extremely well-kept and clean. There is a decent "camp store" and exercise room. It is a "closed" park with a key-pad gate.
WIFI is the best I've experienced at a park for some time and the cable is good with 62 channels (did not try OTA). My Verizon signal is strong as well. I am using my Dish but on the lower sites, satellite would be difficult, even with a tail-gater type satilitte due to trees.
If you want a good pizza and wings, I highly recommend Pepperoni's Gourmet Pizza just down the road n Black Mountain (they deliver). I had the "kitchen sink" pizza and lemon pepper wings - best wings in my recent memory and the pizza was sooo good!
I really like the park and being able to look out towards the mountains of Pisgah National Forest - amazing.

Second time at this KOA. A variety of sites available. I chose a "premium" site which is pretty large, well maintained and has a nice patio area with furniture and a stone fire ring. Rate worked out to $93.41 / night which isn't the most expensive KOA I've been at. KOA members receive a 10% discount and of course, KOA points add up if you use them consistently. Overall, compared to some other non-KOA "resorts" I've stayed at, and for what they offer, it's a decent rate. (I think the rate was also a little higher than usual due to the CMA Fest). Free wifi and I have had both great and poor connections depending on number of guests and time of day I suppose.
The park offers a lot of activities with a really nice pool, outdoor games, children's play area and jump pad and a small but well equipped exercise room. Two nice, enclosed dog "parks." There is "Notes Cafe" which offers basic fare for breakfast and lunch. Cable TV is free and there are also good OTA channels. Lots of trees so a fixed satellite may be difficult. They have a shuttle which for $10. round-trip, will take you downtown, within a couple of blocks of Broadway. Runs from 10a.m. -12:30a.m. M-T 10a.m.-1:30a.m. F-S and 10-9:30 pm on Sundays. Well worth it to get downtown without hassling with traffic and parking. There a number of close and really good dining options. Of course, The Grand Ole Opry, the Opry Mills Mall, the Gaylord Opryland Resort (go spend a couple hours here - its not just a hotel), and a number of other restauarants is only about a 5 minute drive. There is a Camping World just a couple of blocks down the road. There is so much to see and do in Nashville - if you haven't been yet, add it to your next trip.

We are staying at Tom Sawyer's RV Park - right on the Mississippi in West Memphis, AR. Stayed here last year and wanted to return and watch the river again. If you've not been, it's a worthwhile stop for a couple of days just to sit and watch the River and the barge traffic. Last year I was able to watch the "living" river as a huge sand bar appeared over a period of 5-6 days.
The park is quiet (but for when a river barge is passing) and very peaceful. Memphis is just across the river and Graceland being 15 miles. There is a Super Walmart and a Kroger within minutes. There is another local grocery - Stimson's Big Star - that is just a couple of minutes closer on Broadway. Plenty of fast food and other dining choices are close by as well.
Rates are $31-49 per night depending on whether you have a "by the river" site as well as either a gravel or concrete. I have a concrete "by the river" site and paid $294 for the week - $42 bucks a night and I have what I consider the best site in the park - #66. For the "on the river" sites, they offer a section for motorhomes - see the river through the windshield; and a 5th wheel section - see the river from your back window.
There are no amenities (pool, pickle ball, etc.) to speak of but the river itself is enough for me. Wifi is offered and is free "but NOT guaranteed." I did try to connect and although connection was easy, I could not open Facebook. I use my Verizon hotspot with unlimited (old plan) data and have a good signal.
There is no cable and satellite may be difficult in SOME sites due to large shade trees. I have a good choice of 32 HD OTA channels and television is not a huge factor for me so I'm good. Sites are long and decent width with well-placed hookups and have a fire ring and picnic table. Concrete pads are wide enough to have a bit of a "patio" as well. There are fishing ponds, a nice hiking trail as well as a huge, well-manicured field if you have a group for football or futbal (soccer). There is easy access to bike path to the "Big River Crossing" over to Memphis.
Laundry is FREE - there are two shower/laundry buildings. The one closest to me has two washers and two dryers. Bathroom / showers are dated but very clean. Trash is picked up at your site throughout the day.
Staff/owners are great and the park is convenient to downtown Memphis. Do yourself a favor and plan a stay if you're ever in the area.

The Benton KOA is pretty nice, very clean with long, spacious, pull-through sites available. Double check your route with Apple Maps, Google Maps or even a paper map - I have no idea where the RV GPS was going to take me. No need to unhook tonight. Sites have a fire ring, picnic table and BBQ. There is nice partial shade but this affected my Dish. No worries, they have a 60-channel cable line-up. I chose just to use OTA and got 13 hi-def channels which is good enough for over-night. Although there is a "green buffer" between the park and I-57 there is some road noice. I can't hear it inside the house and its not enough to bother me if I were sitting outside - but, some people get pretty bothered. The wifi is really good as is my Version signal. The park has a nice looking pool as well as a good children's playground, catch and release fishing pond and enclosed dog park.
Laundry, showers, bathrooms available but can't comment. They also also a delivery menu - I had a pulled smoked chicken sandwich basket with onion rings and a 4-piece chicken strip - $13.05 - I spent more at McDonald's the other day. It was pretty darn good and they deliver to your site.
Only saw a small portion of Benton as we drove through but seemed like a clean city with lots of dining options. Also saw a sign for the "antique district."
This KOA would be good for a few days or excellent over-night. the rate for a pull-through, 50-amp full-hook-up was $43.20

Stayed at the campground for the Escapee's 58th Escapade. Full, 50-amp hook-ups. All grass parking - my site, assigned by the Rally "parking guides," was on a bit of a slope, back to front - add to this the soft, wet grass - made leveling very difficult. A lot of more level appearing sites though.

Easy to get to from freeway. Nice, grassy site that was not too close. Mini-golf, pool and small store as well as a club house. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. I had reservations but when I realized I'd arrive by 10:00 a.m., I called and asked if there was someplace to park until check-in time (12:00). I was told to come on in, my space was open. Sites are decent size with good placement of hook-ups. Park was quiet and clean. I'd definantly stop here again. We camped at Osage Prairie RV Park in a Motorhome.

Not impressed - Considering the high daily cost, then add $10./day "resort fee" and $3./day pet fee - I just feel its ridiculous. Resort fee to use "their facilities" - showers, restrooms, pools etc - guess what - I have my own bathroom and shower and don't need a pool. I provide my own dog walking/care and poop bags - not sure why I need to pay $3.00. The most expensive, crowded, busy, loud KOA (or any RV park for that matter). Paid for a "deluxe patio" which was right across from the check-in lanes - traffic all day; right behind main building - garbage trucks, ATV/motorcycle rentals. Although wifi is stated at "limited" - they really mean non-exisitant.

Pleasantly surprised. Host couple at check in very nice and pleasant. Really good value; clean with great amenities. Nice large, grassy site. I'd defiantly stay here again.

Nice little campground - especially if you want a decent place somewhat close to the airport, Minneapolis, Mall of America. Clean and well kept. Sites wide enough but only long enough for rig - need to unhook toad. Inner roads however are narrow and depending on other peoples parking, can be quite tight to get rig out.