roadtripper974072

No non-sense convenient boondocking to take in the city! We parked and got Uber everywhere. Close to everything but not really walkable — so we used Uber to take us to the train in the morning and then back in the late evening. We were able to put out our slides and it was great to come back and crash at the end of a long day in Chicago. It’s just a paid parking lot for semis and bus/trolleys that are out of service You are right in the city and just off I-55 so it is loud — if our windows were closed and we ran the air — you couldn’t really hear it. We used ear plugs and it was fine if we wanted to leave the windows open. It felt safe and secure and there was an attendant. We made reservations and paid in advance but think you can pay there also. Would do again!

Reservation process was easy, with good information provided about how to navigate getting there. Even though it is right off the interstate - you are nestled along the river with trees that dampen the sound a bit. Read their directions carefully about where to turn around to get to the entrance. The road is narrow and there is a really tight turn to navigate — but it’s doable. Diesel available just down the road. We camped for one nights rest with our 24’ class C, but would love to come back with our 43’ fifth wheel just to be close to Asheville and take advantage of being on the River with access to parks and the broad River trail. Very outdoorsy vibe with the well maintained public trail that cuts through the campground and continues along the River for miles - lots of bikers and runners. Small campground with paved sites and full hookups. Had a nice shower house with a keypad for security that was convenient. Just no nonsense accommodations for your rig while out exploring Asheville area.

We stopped for diesel and were pleasantly surprised to see a dump station that was free with fuel purchase. Fresh water too! Did not stay and camp but the sites behind fill-up and convenience store area was nice and clean with shade and level gravel pads with picnic tables. Full hookups and strong Verizon signal. Friendly service. I think there is also laundry. It is right off highway ... but not too much traffic and other campers were friendly. We were in our way from Page AZ to Moab UT in our 40’ class A.

Little hidden gem. We came down to Terre Haute to move our son into his dorm at ISU. This is a really nice county park with a decent fishing lake with a nice kayak launch and decks and picnic areas. Nice playground area and lots of shade. Archery range, paved paths, walking path around the lake as well as hiking paths. Not very crowded! Next to Rose Hulman Engineering School. One side of the park had nice campsites, some with electric and water, spacious gravel pads fairly level, and primitive tent sites with nice tent sand pads. We camped in our 24’ class C Sprinter with our two dogs. Camp host was friendly and helpful, and staffed entrance booth checked is in and was so friendly and welcoming. Shower house is big and well appointed - not sure on cleanliness as we didn’t use it. Nice quiet get away.

The cons - We did everything wrong - new place after dark with a new to us 43’ fifth wheel. Prior to this we had diesel pushers. Either would be a challenge getting into these tight campsites - but in the dark when road weary - we set ourselves up for a headache. Life happens and so does traffic - so we arrived hours later than planned. Either way, the roads into the campground are narrow, sites are not very deep, so no place to park the truck - and almost took our awning off backing in as not only are there lots of trees, they arch over the paved pad and lots of branches scraping.

Pros - picturesque campground with the nicest shower house and secluded feel. Folks are so so nice. Had a fellow camper trying to help us last night, then the park ranger stopped by to check on us. Such nice staff and def would come back in a smaller rig. Well equipped sites, but small due to the trees. Tent pads look nice. We woke up to rain, so rather than hang out and explore, we continued on our journey.

Needed a place to camp with family for Purdue Family weekend - and this was perfect! Just 9 miles from campus, it worked out perfect for us. Shower house is big, modern and clean. Tent camping up to big rigs. I think there are only 15 sites. Electric only but dump station and fresh water easily accessible. Firewood restrictions and strict camp rules, I believe camp hosts and sheriff deputy are housed on-site. Very friendly and well run. No frills camping, decent size gravel sites, fairly level. Beautiful woodland all around as well as large open spaces. Nice picnic table and small fire pit. Verizon wireless only got 1-2 bars but adequate enough for what we needed.

Just what we needed for a few days rest on our travels. Finding the park and campground went smoothly, ample signage and prominent entrance made it easy to navigate. Beware the grades into the park are steep, but the views are worth it! We only had a 24’ Class C 350 diesel, but saw quite a few big rigs there. Sites are pull thru with water and electric. Shower house close by was ample, cleaned daily, and showers were warm. They take bear safety very seriously - are vigilant about not leaving food out. Yurts have food lockboxes. Staff said they haven’t seen bears, even though there are often bear alerts. My guess would be their diligence has paid off. We felt comfortable hiking the well marked trails with our dogs. The hike down to the natural tunnel is steep, with gorgeous views and lots of places to rest. There is a chair lift (that allowed our dogs to ride with us!) that will bring you part of the way back up - so the hiking accommodates different abilities. Chair lift staff were so helpful, and chair lift exits at a smooth level boardwalk along the train tracks where you can watch the train go by and enter the tunnel. The campground itself is accommodating with ramps everywhere, and handicap friendly playground (I am not speaking from experience - but seemed thoughtfully done to me). You don’t have to hike down to chair lift, there is a park entrance and parking lot there with a little shop. Restrooms, bottle filler, and snacks and drinks were welcoming after we hiked down. Camp hosts and park staff were so friendly. Sites are pretty close together - so if it were a busy weekend, it would feel cramped. But hardly anyone there when we camped. Each site had a nice picnic table and fire ring. Crushed stone unleveled pads, but not terrible. The yurts looked really nice from the outside.

This Walmart is 2.5 miles away from trailhead for Horsehoe Bend lookout. Since the shuttle (I heard it was $5 round trip per person) was over a mile away, we just walked the 2.5 miles there and then back. We are a family of 5 with teenagers and we all made the best of it —- there aren’t sidewalks and it was March and in the 70s and sunny — but lots of water and silly conversation — it was worth the effort to see the lookout from Horseshoe Bend!! We walked to Sonic after for dinner and it was an efficient place to park the RV for the night. Good chance to replenish supplies.