roadtripper5171991

Devil's Den has been highly recommended for a long time on many camping-centric sites, and deservedly so. Our early May camping experience was near-glamping - full hookup, level site, its own trail hooking up to the larger trail system, excellent shower facilities. A park ranger asked if we wanted to change from site 62 - a very tall dead tree had been targeted for removal but was still in place. High winds that night, and the instability of the tree prompted the park query. We stayed put; a trailer two sites down was hit by a very large branch separated from a healthy tree by the storm. As we left, workers prepared to fell our Killer Tree - hats off to those folks responsible for keeping campers alert.

Excellent hiking trail system meant you could leave your truck at the campground. It's also a mountain biking haven, but mid-week off season campers don't tend toward adrenaline and crashes. Yellow Rock overlook trail is a must for hikers, the Lake and Woody Plant trails are pleasant and start in the campground. The CCC architecture, preserved and refurbished in a 21st century project, makes this a particularly photogenic park. No cell service or internet anywhere in the park - a blessing for some, a curse for others. We got brief signals at the top of the Yellow Rock trail.

Pay attention to the signs on the highway warning of curvy Highway 74 - not for trailers, or even big pickup trucks! Take Highway 170 for a smooth entry.

We picked Bennett Spring State Park because it was on our way, got excellent ratings, and was available on a weekend in early May. And it is a well-maintained campground, with good showers, pretty good spacing for most sites, friendly staff and a family atmosphere. Picked up water at the entry dump station, and all sites have electricity.

Still, we were fish out of water at this comfortable state park - no anglers in our crew, and this park is dedicated to trout fishing. Everyone was down at the well-stocked stream and pools with a pole in hand. For us, leisurely biking to watch the fishing action and see the CCC-era architecture, a pleasant campsite, and an excellent trout dinner from the park's Dining Lodge made this a good camping place for us. However, not being into fishing, we probably won't be back, but would recommend Bennett Spring for anyone who is.

Our access into the park felt weird - google maps short cut nearby Lebanon, directed us down a rural route and finally onto narrow gravel road for the final couple of miles coming in from the south. It worked, but was uncomfortable and left us at the opposite end of the park from the campgrounds. Take the approach through Lebanon for the best entry.

Spent a Friday & Saturday night in mid-May at this immaculately groomed county park - nice trails, wide open spaces. Basically empty except for campers during our stay. The rv sites were okay, site 14e was on a hillside: leveled up 6 inches on one side. We arrived looking for the water sources on the park map: two were inoperable, the single working faucet required us to fill up our six gallon jug, no hose attachments. No dump station on site. Vault toilets were well-worn but stocked and clean. Showers were locked up.

However, the park is regularly patrolled, quiet at night and looks to be mainly a locals/family hangout. Good wi-fi coverage. For us, Mukwonago Park was on the way to somewhere else and a good spot to layover for a day.

An October overnight stop heading west on I-40. Five miles off the interstate to the secluded park. Excellent paved waterfront sites stretched along the Arkansas River - electric/water at all sites, dump station at the entrance. Everything trimmed/mowed, clean park with big sites, many shaded by massive cottonwoods. Very quiet, handful of campers on a Sunday night. Docking a star for the restrooms - everything works, but the campground side facility was very, very worn out and dirty. The day use restroom was moderately better. Courteous volunteer host! Senior pass made this a very reasonable $10. Recommend as long as you don’t require the washrooms.

For a couple days in early May, the nearly deserted Red Oak campground at Okmulgee Lake was a pleasant getaway. Four days of rain had chased everyone from the park when we arrived on a Sunday evening. No rain for 24 hours, but Monday night was tornado time. The park was in a heavy storm, and around midnight a local emergency services truck pulled right up to our trailer, lights blazing and a loudspeaker repeating: "Tornado spotted in the area - get to shelter now". We did just that, moving to the designated storm shelter (a concrete, enclosed shower). All clear after an hour, the park suffered minimal wind damage. No tornado in Okmulgee that night, but towns further north were wrecked. Hats off to the camp host, who stopped by earlier that day to make sure we knew what to do and where to go.

Red Oak campground is well kept, although showing its age and a decreasing maintenance budget \. However, nice walking trails, clean restrooms and roadways, and a location close to town are all plusses. Host told us that the campground is pretty busy on summer weekends, and rightfully so - the park is a little CCC-era gem. Being a little off the beaten path will mean mid-week travelers should have little trouble securing a spot in the all first come, first served campground - cash or checks only, and a senior discount, too!

Brantley Lake State Park was our hangout while visiting nearby (and unmissable) Carlsbad Caverns National Park in late February 2024. Our second day was spent hunkered down during a red flag warning afternoon and early evening. Limestone Campground is interesting - well thought out design, water/electric worked as advertised, shower/washroom facility was clean and large. A bit of landscaping around the campground is welcome in this windswept, high desert setting. The state park - we never visited any of its facilities. The water seemed extremely low. Recommend the campground, about 45 miles north of the Carlsbad Caverns entrance.

Really nice one-night stopover at this small, simple yet well tended campground, no reservations taken. Only four miles from the interstate, but far enough to feel like the backcountry. We rolled in around 3pm on on a Friday and grabbed pull through site 13, with electricity and water. Two ATV trailheads make this campground a noisier place, but mid-week must be quieter. Early in the season, restrooms were super clean. Noticed several water spigots with bad leaks; ours had a minor but constant leak, and got turned off when we didn't need it. Lake McClellan looks to have been bone dry for years - a walk down the old boat ramp into the middle of the lake bed was a fun stroll.

Lake McClellan Campground is a quick 4 miles from I-40 at Allenreed, TX, and it's a good one. Far enough from the highway to feel like the windy backcountry. No reservations, we pulled in around 3pm on a Friday in early May and snagged Site 13 - water, electric, a bit removed from the other sites. Restrooms were super clean, showers functional. Noticed a few sites had leaky water spigots like ours; we turned our water off when not in need to save the resource. Two ATV trails begin at the campground, so be prepared for engine noise and dust, but probably quieter during the week. With the lake long since dried up, most folks are here to ride their machines.

Here for two nights at the end of September - super campground! Relatively new Mississippi River State Park opened in 1999. Very small campground (15 rv sites, all FHU) yet spacious feel on a spit of land with beautiful lake views from every site. Great staff, everything here feels new. Close to historic sites, backcountry drives and real good bbq in Marianna. No internet for us at the site, Wi-fi five miles away at the visitors center. A winner!

Stayed for two nights at the end of September. Relatively new Mississippi River State Park (established 1999) campground where everything feels…new! All rv sites very large and FHU, paved and level, super clean restroom/showers. Enchanting views of Bear Creek Lake from every site. Very small (15 rv sites) yet feels spacious. Close to historic sites, cool drives in the national forest, and excellent bbq in nearby Marianna. No internet or phone for us, wi-fi available five miles away at the visitors center. A winner if you’re in this part of the country!