We realize that many of you may be following us because you too have dreams to travel in an RV and you may be looking for information on places to stay. So we’ve started this new “mini-critique” category outlining campgrounds where we’ve stayed. Here’s what it takes for Howie and I to give a campground a perfect 10! (Prices listed are not exact)
* Spacious, private sites * Level site with cement pad * Bath houses well maintained and clean * Reasonably priced for the area * Cell service * Friendliness and helpfulness of staff * Maintenance of grounds and landscaping * Amenities and service
SCORE: 9 COMMENTS: Missed a 10 because the sites were not overly spacious and the pads were gravel. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful park and we highly recommend staying here.
SCORE: 4 COMMENTS: Not a great place to stay. The campground was just an open field with no landscaping. The sites were not private and you parked “back to back” with another RV, sharing a utility post. No shuttle service to the main attraction, the colonies. You had to walk 1.5 miles or so to get to restaurants and shops.
SCORE: 7 SITE: 150 PRICE: $23/night COMMENTS: Limited full hook ups, sites were not level and pads were blacktop otherwise gravel and grass. Bathrooms were reasonably clean. We would definitely stay here again but nothing super special. The ranger on duty at night was super helpful and friendly. Close to the Branson attractions! No pool but Moonshine beach was really nice – a couple of miles from the campground.
SCORE: 7 SITE: 38 PRICE: $47/night COMMENTS: Sites were very close together and bathrooms needed updating. Garbage pick up service and decent cell service. Sites were level and they had a dog park. Pool was small but clean. Full hook ups – 30 amp.
SCORE: 5 SITE: 129 PRICE: $25/night COMMENTS: Sites were mostly grass and dirt with a little gravel. The sites were quite private but not spacious and needed trimming. The campground is actually a couple of miles from Starved Rock. No pool. Only had electric but it was 50 amp.
SCORE: 9 SITE: 002 PRICE: $24 COMMENTS: We really liked this campground! The sites were beautiful – very spacious, well maintained and cement pads. Water and 50 amp but no sewer. Missed a 10 because of a weak if any cell service and no pool. But a fabulous place – we’d come back!
SCORE: 4 SITE: 064 PRICE: $21 COMMENTS: This campground has seen better days. Needs maintenance. We actually had a very hard time picking out a site as they were either very short or extremely unlevel. The pads were gravel and just a few had a cement pad for the table as you see above. 30 amp and water but no sewer. The bathrooms, however were very good. We definitely will not return to this campground!
SCORE: 8 SITE: 33 PRICE: $30 COMMENTS: This is a really great state park area. It had a bit of everything: Lodge, Beach, Golf Course, Cabins. Everything was really spread out so you had to drive to everything. 50 amp and water, no sewer. No pool and many sites were uneven. Cell service was marginal.
SCORE: 9 SITE: 373 (a handicap site) PRICE: $27/night COMMENTS: We loved this state park and our campsite. Very wooded area but still had fantastic cell service. Very private and spacious sites
SCORE: 5 SITE: 34 PRICE: $45 COMMENTS: Short gravel sites right on top of your neighbors. Roads were bad. 50 amp full hook up. A good base for St. Louis exploration. Good cell service and it did have a pool. The price was not bad for WHERE it is but too much for WHAT it is. We would stay again in a pinch.
COURT SQUARE RV PARK – MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARKANSAS (sorry, no picture)
SCORE: 5 SITE: 9 PRICE: $28 COMMENTS: Narrow, uneven, grassy pads. 50 amp full hook up. No landscaping, pool or beach. Small, outdated bathrooms with 1 shower and 1 toilet. An OK place to stay to enjoy Mountain View, capital of bluegrass and folk craft center.
SCORE: 8 SITE: 25 PRICE: $15/night (senior America the Beautiful Pass) COMMENTS: Our site was beautiful. Private and a babbling brook. Sites along the stream were flat and private. Other sites had quite a slope to them. No pool or beach. 50 amp full hook up. NO SHOWERS but the bathrooms were nice and clean. A great park while you enjoy Hot Springs. We’d go back again…..can’t beat the price!!
SCORE: 7 SITE: 60 PRICE: $56/night COMMENTS: All sites were level and gravel. Landscaping between narrow sites was well done and maintained. Staff was pleasant and helpful. 50 amp full hook up. Messy site in the rain!! Muddy. A reasonable rate for the New Orleans area but still a bit pricy for what you got. French Quarter within 15 minute car ride. Offer shuttle to and from town. Is also a Marina.
SCORE: 10 SITE: 164 PRICE: $770/month (monthly price increased to $915/month while we were there = “in season”) COMMENTS: This is a fantastic campground in the heart of Gulf Shores. Many biking paths, large pool, activity center, camp store. The sites are spacious, concrete pads and afford quite a bit of privacy. 1.5 miles to the beach. Free access to Gulf Park Pier and Lodge. Friendly staff – this park is HUGE. Gated and great 24 hour security and they allow long term stays.
Ramblin' Rosie 