We don't often stay at privately owned campgrounds because we prefer the solitude & natural beauty of more remote options, so when we find one that exceeds expectations, we like to let others know.
The staff is friendly, and there's clearly significant pride of ownership here. We spent 3 nights over a weekend in June, and not a day went by that we didn't see staffers out cleaning, monitoring, and making improvements.
Bathrooms were sparkling clean, well appointed with plenty of hooks and counter space, $1 for 3-minute shower. Laundry was $3 per machine to wash or dry (2 washers, 4 dryers). Spaces were level and well spaced; the campground was not full even on a summer weekend. Highway noise was not frequent enough to bother us.
There's a covered pavilion with concrete floor, nice seating options, and electrical outlets, and that made for a nice place to do yoga or work on our laptops. Plenty of flowers decorate the park, including along the walkway to the washrooms, which is a surprisingly lovely touch.
*Note: all prices are in Canadian dollars, which at the time of our stay were the equivalent of about .75 USD.
Nightly Rate: $50.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 7
We pulled into the spacious lot near midnight, and parked as far away from the buildings as possible. I'd say it took us less than 15 minutes to get from the highway exit to the lot. There was already a mobile home parked there, so we pulled in as quietly as we could behind them.
We did not talk to any facility personnel to request permission; nor were we bothered in the night.
In fact, it was probably our quietest parking lot night ever! The place closes at midnight, and we heard *nothing*. I am a very light sleeper, so this is incredibly unusual. We left at around 6:30 the next morning.
Did not test cellular connectivity, as this was a sleep-n-go only.
Pulled in on a Saturday in late January and stayed until the following Sunday. Only one other camper there for the first few days, but even when a group of about 8 pulled in on Thursday, we did not feel encroached upon. Plenty of space.
We chose the second entrance to avoid the ruts at the first, only to encounter a gauntlet of thorn bushes sturdy and mean enough to leave scratches down the length of our RV. Husband spent several hours buffing them out *and* battled the bushes with a machete to clear the path for our exit, and make the entry wider for the next folks to arrive, however long that lasts. Looked like he got in a fight with a very angry cat. Ha!
State park a mile farther in has a dump station, rest rooms, and fresh water, but we did not inquire about price or make use. If you walk or bike in, there's no admission charge, and they've got a couple of trails for those interested in hiking.
It's a 15-20 minute drive into Alamogordo, which has plenty of shopping and dining options. Easy access to White Sands National Monument, Holloman AFB, the cute mountain village of Cloudcroft, and the Sunspot National Observatory.
I don't remember how many bars of cell service we had, so I left that part blank, but we had no issues with either Verizon or T-Mobile.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 8
Site Number: -
The lot is huge, well off the main roads, and the night we stayed (a Sunday in July), there were only 3 other RVs in the lot with us. I did not count the spaces, but it looked like there'd be room for at least 30-40 units when full.
The parking spaces are double wide, so we were able to open our slides. The lot is for RVs only, so there were no trucks idling next to us throughout the night, although one of our our RV neighbors ran a generator for a few hours.
There is fresh water and a dump station in the adjacent lot for big rigs, and restaurants, coffee, gas/convenience store within walking distance. There is even a restaurant inside the Cabela's, but it was closed when we arrived, otherwise we would have happily "paid" for our parking privileges by dining there.
It is basically the anti-Walmart of boondocking. Cabela's really got it right, and we will plan future travels to include their locations whenever possible!
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: -
Site Number: -
We approached on 12/19/2020 to find the gate closed and locked. No sign.
Subsequent search of TVA web site (you know, the fact-checking step we should have done *before* we left?) revealed that the park is closed for annual upkeep and maintenance. No dates were given. I see from other reviews here that people have stayed there in both November and January, so maybe it's a December thing, or maybe it's 2020, not sure. Lesson learned!
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 0
Site Number: -
The 2-mile road into the campground is narrow, hilly, and curvy, but we managed it successfully by going slowly in our 1-ton dually/38-foot 5th wheel combo.
Would not recommend the drive for anything much bigger. In fact, RV length is limited to 40' by the campground.
The park itself is worth that tricky little drive. We stayed for just over a week in April, and thought it was one of the prettiest state parks we've visited -- in any state. Very, very peaceful, with wooded sites that offer the type of camping experience we far prefer to "parking lot style" RV parks.
Limited wifi (at office/store, but not at camp sites)
Laundry (1 W, 1 D in bath house)
No sewer hookups (dump station on site)
Further details are in my post under the "Blog Posts" tab. (Note: blog contains NO ads or affiliate links.)
Nightly Rate: $30.00
Days Stayed: 9
Site Number: 17
We pulled in easily with our 41' fiver yesterday, and plan to stay 5 more nights.
Pay attention to written directions to turn onto Empire Ranch Road (we're not the only ones who relied on GPS, and ended up taking the wrong road first).
Looks like they're adding more sites here. As other reviewers mentioned, there's a loop at the end of the campground road, so it's easy to take a look at what's available before turning around and claiming your favorite.
Some markers were missing, so I'm not exactly sure which site we're in, but it's a nice big loop on the right with a fire ring, and we've got a perfect view of snow-capped Mount Wrightson out our rear window.
In fact, that view is the only "con" to this site. I spend so much time staring at it that I'm getting few other things done, but don't we all need distractions like that from time to time?
Cell service: 1-2 bars on T-Mobile; 2-3 on Verizon (I selected the minimums in the review menu)
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 6
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
This is our go-to overnight between Pensacola and San Antonio, and we arrived this evening (04 January 2021) to find the entire sprawling compound -- including all the parking lots -- fenced in.
Their web site (islelakecharles.com) says they are temporarily closed, but unfortunately we didn't look online until it was too late. Who closes an entire casino for renovations?
Anyway, we were able to find free overnight parking at the Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino only 25 miles farther west, just off I-10. It has its own entry here on Campendium full of all the info you need.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 0
Site Number: -
This is our go-to overnight between Pensacola and San Antonio, and we arrived this evening (04 January 2021) to find the entire sprawling compound -- including all the parking lots -- fenced in.
Their web site (islelakecharles.com) says they are temporarily closed, but unfortunately we didn't look online until it was too late. Who closes an entire casino for renovations?
Anyway, we were able to find free overnight parking at the Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino only 25 miles farther west, just off I-10. It has its own entry here on Campendium full of all the info you need.
Nightly Rate: $0.00
Days Stayed: 0
Site Number: -
Ended up going elsewhere, but did confirm via phone call that the price (previously unreported) is $10.