Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yolanda Ramsey on June 7, 2009 at 7:46pm

Gulf State Park Gulf Shores Al is wonderful full service campground that is really close to the beach and shopping is convient too I'd give this campgroung a 10+ it also has a lake that you can fish at in the campground to see more on this and other Alabama state parks go to www.alapark.com

Permalink Reply by Sandra on June 7, 2009 at 9:31pm

Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park has a terrific location but the sites are a bit close together, so look for one that suits your tastes -- they exist. There is a well-stocked store, laundry facility, showers, a nature center that show films and sells books right close to the campground. A great hiking trail starts right in the campground by the bridge and is an easy walk to some waterfalls.

There is a $20 fee to get into Sequoia NP (less if you are a senior or disabled) and the campground fee is $20 per night. There is so much to do and see in Sequoia NP it's ridiculous. Giant redwoods, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, and Grant Grove are just a few. But the big attraction are the humongous redwoods. They are a must-see at least once in your life.

Rating: 9.9 (not a 10 only because of the crowds. Go in the spring or fall for the best experience.)

Permalink Reply by Cindy Smith Owen on June 8, 2009 at 9:17am

Yolanda is right about the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. We live about 22 miles from that area and we use our boat to go camping along the Alabama and Florida coasts. Fishing and crabbing for blue crabs (see my pix on my page) is really wonderful. Johnson Beach, FL is a fantastic place to camp by boat. You are allowed campfires, no pets or glass allowed. It is FREE!!!!!! All you do is pull your boat up to the beach and CAMP! In some areas the water is like the Carribean and the beaches are sugar white. I give this area 5 stars!!

Permalink Reply by Myra Johnson on June 9, 2009 at 9:26am

We camped at two of the Gulf Island SP, Mississippi and Florida. Very nice parks, showers, electric. We were there in April and they were full, glad we made reservations. In FL. the park was close to where the Blue Angels are based in Pensacola. It was about a 10 to 15 minute drive. Got to see a 45 minute practice and then checked out the museum. Worth the trip...

Permalink Reply by Leslie on June 15, 2009 at 5:13pm

I just returned from Rocky Mountain National Park. Stayed one night at Aspenglen, two at Moraine and looked at Glacier Basin. Timber Creek is closed because they are taking out a lot of the trees killed by the beetles. Far and away, Moraine is the nicest. No hook-ups or showers but the sites are all very nice. An especially great place to tent camp although we did it in an RV this year. Lots of hiking trails nearby, riding stables and just a few miles from fantastic shopping in Estes Park. $20/night. Generator hours twice a day. Firewood and ice available during certain hours. Reservations are advised. We were just lucky to get one of only two sites available without one. Also looked at the RV parks in Estes Park proper...yuck.

Permalink Reply by WildernessWillie on July 13, 2009 at 1:27pm

Apple River Canyon State Park (297 acres)

I visit this state park several times a year and camp there no less than once. It is my favorite park and I highly recommend it.

Located in Northwestern Illinois in Jo Daviess County about six miles north of Stockton off US 20.

The park offers 47 Primitive sites without showers and also two handicap accessible sites. Reservations are not accepted, sites are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camping permits must be obtained at the park office and cost $8 per night. Most sites are fairly large and the campground rarely fills up.

Hiking:
There are 5 hiking trails which offer great views as well as solitude. Hiking is also available at the satellite units.

Fishing:
The Apple River has a variety of fish including smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp, and suckers. I have even caught a walleye. There is also a lake in the Hanover Bluff Unit that you can fish.

Hunting is available only at the satellite units throughout Jo Daviess County in the Thompson and Salem Units, Witkowsky Wildlife Area, Tapley Woods, Hanover Bluff Natural Area, and Falling Down Prairie.

Overall I rate this a 5 Star State Park

Permalink Reply by Tamara Madison on August 1, 2009 at 3:49pm

Wow! The McCloud River in Northern California is GREAT! No wonder it gets a 10 for scenic! We stayed at Fowler Campground. The lack of showers and sinks was made up for by the beautiful, clean, clear, sweet river with its gorgeous waterfalls and swimming holes. It was so hot -- 104 degrees in the afternoon! -- that the water running over the rocks was all the sweeter. Diving off boulders, doing laps in the pool at middle falls and getting our heads pelted by the huge chilly drops tumbling over the falls made for the greatest camping experience I've ever had. I only wish we could have stayed longer! I can't recommend this place highly enough. It's run by the US Forest Service, no reservations, $15 a night, not far off the 5 freeway, about an hour north of Redding.

Permalink Reply by Sandra on August 1, 2009 at 11:20pm

104 and it was the greatest camping experience you ever had? There must have been some very heavy positives to outweigh that temperature negative.

Tamara Madison said:

Wow! The McCloud River in Northern California is GREAT! No wonder it gets a 10 for scenic! We stayed at Fowler Campground. The lack of showers and sinks was made up for by the beautiful, clean, clear, sweet river with its gorgeous waterfalls and swimming holes. It was so hot -- 104 degrees in the afternoon! -- that the water running over the rocks was all the sweeter. Diving off boulders, doing laps in the pool at middle falls and getting our heads pelted by the huge chilly drops tumbling over the falls made for the greatest camping experience I've ever had. I only wish we could have stayed longer! I can't recommend this place highly enough. It's run by the US Forest Service, no reservations, $15 a night, not far off the 5 freeway, about an hour north of Redding.

Permalink Reply by Linda Frazer on January 11, 2010 at 1:44pm

I've been there, that is very nice! :)

Sandra Essary said:

Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park has a terrific location but the sites are a bit close together, so look for one that suits your tastes -- they exist. There is a well-stocked store, laundry facility, showers, a nature center that show films and sells books right close to the campground. A great hiking trail starts right in the campground by the bridge and is an easy walk to some waterfalls.

There is a $20 fee to get into Sequoia NP (less if you are a senior or disabled) and the campground fee is $20 per night. There is so much to do and see in Sequoia NP it's ridiculous. Giant redwoods, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, and Grant Grove are just a few. But the big attraction are the humongous redwoods. They are a must-see at least once in your life.

Rating: 9.9 (not a 10 only because of the crowds. Go in the spring or fall for the best experience.)

Permalink Reply by Linda Frazer on January 11, 2010 at 1:46pm

OOOH I love that place! One of these years I'm going back. My husband has never seen the Rockies. He'd be impressed.

Leslie said:

I just returned from Rocky Mountain National Park. Stayed one night at Aspenglen, two at Moraine and looked at Glacier Basin. Timber Creek is closed because they are taking out a lot of the trees killed by the beetles. Far and away, Moraine is the nicest. No hook-ups or showers but the sites are all very nice. An especially great place to tent camp although we did it in an RV this year. Lots of hiking trails nearby, riding stables and just a few miles from fantastic shopping in Estes Park. $20/night. Generator hours twice a day. Firewood and ice available during certain hours. Reservations are advised. We were just lucky to get one of only two sites available without one. Also looked at the RV parks in Estes Park proper...yuck.