RV NEWS FLASH. FIREFLY SEASON!

Copyright Janet Groene2025. To ask about rates to use this content or to place on ad on all six Groene sites for one rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

News Flash :

RV TRAVEL FOR FIREFLY SEASON

Remember those summer nights when families gathered to watch the firefly show? Those times can still be rekindled if you know where and when to find these magical bugs with their flashing fannies.  

Fireflies aren’t as abundant as they once were,  due to factors such as loss of habitat and use of pesticides. On the plus side, the 165 species of  fireflies native to the United States are still seen and celebrated with festivals, concerts, hikes,  tours and quiet evenings under the stars.  On the science side, they are subject of seminars, workshops and seminars. 

Here’s just a sample of ways to add firefly magic to your RV travels each year. Firefly flights vary, depending on latitude, temperatures and rainfall . Generally fireflies put on their best show May through August. 

The most famous firefly events occur during  the synchronized firefly seasons at Smoky Mountains and Congaree national parks. At these times, the little sparklers flash in sync as a way of attracting mates. However, these events have become so popular, attendance is by lottery. Sign-up begins weeks ahead.  .

Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania is s a long-time favorite for firefly fans. Blue Spring State Park in Florida is also named as a good location. Because of the warm climate, firefly season may start as early as March or April. 

The stunning Little Smokies Firefly Watching Workshop in Portsmouth, Ohio is scheduled for June 20-22 at Tremper Mound Preserve. Cost is $300 per person, which includes some meals and a personalized course

Wall Doxey State Park in Mississippi offers guided firefly tours for families during the last weekend of May.  

Madison, Georgia holds its Firefly Festival the last weekend in July. The Huntsville,  Alabama  Botanical Gardens has firefly tours in season for the price of garden admission. 

Here’s another way:

Do  browser searches  for Firefly + State Name,  or for  Firefly + Festival,  or Firefly + Campground.  I also try Try Firefly + State Park. Another search might be Lightning Bug by state. 

    A new website, SpaciousSkies.com llsts  dark sky campgrounds. At these places,  astronomy is the focus but dark nights may also be best for viewing fireflies in season. Note that the some Firefly Festivals are concerts, not dark sky events. 

 Be patient, Be choosy.. Some firefly events are concerts , art s hows or carnivals that have nothing to do with the actual insect. Some events require advance reservations. Some are free. Some change admission. Many are in parks or places with RV camping on site. 

 CAMPGROUNDS;GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These news reports from our local sources may be incomplete or premature for travel planning purposes. They are presented here to give you a heads-up so you can follow up as the story develops.  No endorsement of any park, product nor service is implied. 

CAMPGROUND CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS, EXPANSIONS

Twin Lakes Golf Course and RV Park in Kaleden British Columbia is adding 84 new RV campsites. They’ll open as they become available throughout the year. Also added are 5G Wi-Fi and potable water. The park has an outdoor patio, clubhouse and a restaurant serving wines and micro-brew beers. Online reservations can be made at TwinLakesGolfResort.com/ Call (250.) 497.5359

The former Backyard RV Resort in Montgomery, Alabama is now a member of the Unhitched Resort family. The new name of the campground  is Unhitched Montgomery. We could find only the old phone,  (334) 304-4404. The resort has a laundry,  dog park and 105 full hookup RV sites for long- or short-term stays.  Enjoy the coffee bar and pavilion. Use your camp here as a base camp for exploring the area. Fish or ski in the lake.

Rate increases at campgrounds are daily news, and we don’t attempt to keep up with them. However, the May 1 hike in rates at Desert View, North Ric and Mather campgrounds in Grand Canyon National Park are a BIG jump, worth noting. Campsite rates will be almost double the former $18 fee at the new $30 nightly

The KOA Journey in Mitchell, South Dakota plans  upgrades and improvements with special attention to pets.  The seasonal (May 1-November1)  family destination will have new KOA Paw Pen sites added to its amenities, which already include a heated swimming pool, attractive camp store, colorful playground,  sports courts and walking trails. (605) -996-1131

    Digital nomads now get a special welcome at  Rustic Acres RV Resort and Campground in Shippenville, Pennsylvania.  New owners began restoring the decades-old campground two years ago. One of their trendiest upgrades is the addition to a group work space called The Hub  with desks, coffee lounge, conference tableand StarLink. Long-term rats are available.  The resort is open year-round.  Check out (www.)CampRustic.com/ (814) 226-9850

NEW CAMPGROUNDS, FUTURE OPENINGS

At the 200-acre  White Pine Valley Recreation Area in  Michigan, construction has begun on a year-round primitive campground that will serve up to 160 visitors. Well water, portable toilets and a kiosk with information and emergency contacts will be provided. The Area has been closed  overnight  for several years and is hoped to reopen for camping as early as mid-summer.

In Swanton, Ohio, Superior Mode RV Resorts opened with a gala ribbon cutting on April 5. Formerly the Big Sandy Resort, the seasonal  campground connects to Oak Openings Metropark, giving guests access kayaking, fishing and walking trails. (www.) superiormadervresort.com/

Slated tp open April 26 in Penrose, Colorado, Observer Ranch is a family campground  designed to be a learning center as well as a traditional campground.  In its event center,  courses will be offered in topics ranging from building a rocket to founding a quail ranch, wilderness survival and local history. Go to (www.) ObserverCampground.com/  (719) 203-2436, email info@observerranch.com

EVENTS WITH CAMPING

Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

What’s not to love about bats and their important role in nature? Honor these under-appreciated creatures at the 35th Annual Bat-O-Rama at Devil’s Den State Park, West Fork, Arkansas the weekend of June 6-8. 

Take part in guided hikes, seminars, workshops and family events. The park has equestrian, hike-in, bike-in and Class A RV campsites with full hookups. All sites have a fire ring, grate and picnic table. For questions about the event call the park at (479) 761-3325.  Make camping reservations at _Https://reserve.arkansasstateparks.com/devils-den/camping_

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RV Themes & Memes+ Latest RV Park News

Copyright Janet Groene. To ask about rates to reprint this content, or to place your ad on all six Groene sites for one rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com  

RV for a Reason:

Are you weary of rootless, routeless RV trips that may or may not turn out to be worth the time and expense? Here are ways to scratch your travel itch by stitching them together under one theme.  

Breathe new purpose and passion to your RV travels. Mesh them with your hobbies, causes, studies, volunteerism, family, friends. Best, of all, you have your own bed and breakfast with you no matter where you end up. 

With a little digging and persistent Googling you can come up with itineraries that make lasting memories.  

Would one of these RV-friendly  travel themes work for you  now or perhaps even the life on your RV? 

BLAZE A TRAIL. Start by Googling the word Trail and then get specific. The country is laced with self-guided wine trails, quilt trails, rails-to-trails, historic trails,  hiking trails. Take as long as you like to follow Route 66 or the Oregon Trail. The Great River Road Trail follows the mighty Mississippi River from headwaters to the Gulf. If you’re an East Coast snowbird, take the slow lane and follow U.S. 1 from Maine to Key West, with bonus points for detouring to even slower coastal roads on barrier islands. 

Often such routes are put together temporarily by tourism promoters during, say, wildflower season, fall color season or apple harvest time. Watch for new trails that pop up. 

BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST. All over the world, volunteer groups are doing beach clean-ups, wildlife counts and state or national park projects such as clearing a trail, creating a trail or removing intrusive plants. Some such projects are one time; others are ad hoc, seasonal or annual. Do a search for, say, Bird Count + State name or Beach Clean Up + name of waterway. 

CIVIL WAR travel is immensely popular with history buffs in general and in specific areas from military history to genealogy.  It can take years just to visit every battle site, many of them with yearly re-eneactments. 

GENEALOGY. Visit cemeteries. Seek out distant relatives to exchange information and old photographs.  Attend or organize  family reunions. (Many RV resorts are ideal places for such get-togethers.)  Revive your interest in your  ancestral culture by visiting Greek or Gaelic  festivals, tribal pow-wows, church camps, anniversaries, revivals.  

Collect gravestone rubbings. Write a book. Contribute to family history on Ancestry.com. 

MUSIC tourism is ideal for RV travelers because so many music festivals are in campgrounds, in state parks that have campgrounds or in large outdoor spaces where RV parking is allowed overnight during the festival.  From jazz and bluegrass to gospel and EDM,  there are festivals to keep you traveling all year. 

SET A RECORD. You may not make the Guinness Book of Records, but do you want to set a goal of riding all of the country’s fastest or highest or oldest roller coasters? Fishing the longest fishing piers? Daring highest water slides?  You might decide simply to visit every state and province in North America or focus on  the 100 best botanical gardens or nautical museum or aquariums or every national park.  

SPORTS MANIA  Travel to games, competitions, NASCAR races. Come to Florida or Arizona for baseball spring training. Visit every sports hall of fame from bowling to and swimming to the iconic baseball museum in Cooperstown. 

Do you have a travel theme that fits perfectly with RV life? I’d love to hear about it.  

              CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/ BAD NEWS

This is recent news from our local sources. It may be premature or incomplete and does not imply endorsement of any campground. It's presented only to give you a heads-up about what just happened, could happen or is about to happen. 

Listings are by state or province. 

New PARK OPENINGS, UPGRADES

After several delays, reservations are within reach for the new Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort in Oxford, Mississippi. The 84-acre resort plans a grand opening on April 24 with 150 RV hookup sites, several swimming pools, water slides, a lazy river and a fitness center. The opening date is also the date of the Double Decker Arts Festival in the city. Go to (www.) roundaboutoxford.com, (662) 371-0496

Long-delayed upgrades to the county park in campground at  Lake Cachuma Recreational Area in California will be completed by Memorial Day  and will include a hefty upgrade to rates. The $14 million project brings full hookups to the park as well as improved facilities from landscaping to showers and rest rooms. Campsites will  be fewer but larger. Wi-Fi will be added. Expect to pay $85 to $95 nightly.  Call the park office at (805) 568-2460 for latest updates. 

Officially open on April 1, the Haven Hills Campground & Resort, Aledo, Illinois is located on the former Hawthorne Ridge Golf Course.   (www.) HavenHillsCampground.com/

 The Lone Star State has a new destination north of Houston with the Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV and Cabin Resort, Onalaska, Texas.  Camp on the shores of Lake Livingston in a resort with  240 full hookup RV sites, an open air dance floor,  swimming pool with swim-up bar, fire pits, on-site dining,  hot tub, splash pad, dog park, spacious RV sites and gazebos. (936) 209-2495. 

A new  campground designed for ATV riders is scheduled to open this fall. The Pyrite Campground across from the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Minnesota is a new, 400-acre ATV-friendly campground . It has 24 oversize  pull-thru sites, showers and an ATV wash station. We couldn't find a phone for the campground yet. Stay tuned or call the state park.  

NEW OWNERS OR MANAGEMENT

Despite objections from locals, new owners at Harmels on The Taylor in Almont, Colorado  have received approval for the addition of 35 RV sites, more cabins and upgraded restrooms and laundry. Objections may still be made, so get current updates to the plans at  (800) 235-3402. 

Now to the KOA family and offering all the famous KOA Holiday camping comforts,  are the  Tellico Plains/Cherokee National Forest KOA Holiday, Tellico Plains, Tennessee, (423) 253-2447,  and the Decatur/Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday, Hillsboro, Alabama, (256) 280-4390. 

EVENTS

This year’s Bluegrass Festival at Tico Time River Resort just outside Durango, Colorado will be held May 14-16. Jam with other musicians, attend daily yoga sessions, swim or kayak  in the Animas Rier, camp, dance, hike, shop the general store and eat at food trucks or in the café. RV Sites have full hookups. (Www.) TicoTimeResort.com/

May 2-3 is Wildflower Weekend atop Lookout Mountain. The gala begins on Friday night with a social. Guest speakers will be on hand for a weekend of learning, seeing, smelling, hiking with expert guides, and observing the state’s burst of spring wildflowers. at DeSoto State Park Fort Payne, Alabama. 

Pre-registration is not required, but do check ahead for reservations and a schedule of events for this busy weekend. Campground  (256) 845-5075

CLOSURES

At  Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania, campgrounds to close until further notice are Seven Points, Susquehannock, and Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore. Also closed is  Tompkins Campground on Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes. 

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RV Stain Solutions + Campsite News

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content, or to place your ad on all six Groene sites for one year, one low rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

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SOLUTIONS FOR RV STAINS

Spot Checks

By Janet Groene

As women we’re up to date on treating common stains such as chocolate and lipstick, but RV life introduces new stubborn stains such as campfire soot, grass stains,  rubber skids and all the oily,  greasy goo it takes to keep machinery humming. 

Here are some stain solvers for RV life. 

First, it’s always important to make sure the treatment is safe for the fabric or surface. Read labels on garments, RV upholstery and gear and on the cleaning products themselves. Also, use the cleaning product according to label safety directions. Some are caustic, poisonous, flammable and/or allergenic. 

Most cleaners should be used only where there’s good ventilation. Most also  require rinsing with lots of water, which is a problem when you’re camping on limited water rations.  It’s always wise to test in a small area first and wear rubber gloves and eye protection. 

Grease stains can ruin jeans

* Engine oil and other greasy automotive stains are often a combination of grease and carbon and perhaps metal particles. They must be both dissolved and flushed out.  Surprisingly, the answer is to add more grease. Rub white shortening into grease spots on a washable fabric, such as your favorite jeans. Then launder in hot, soapy water. If the stain remains, rub in more shortening while the fabric is still damp and repeat. 

* If a garment is stained with soot, mix ½ cup dishwasher detergent in 2 quarts of hot water. (Don’t put bare hands in this brew.) Soak the garment overnight. Repeat if necessary, then launder normally. 

COOKING ABOARD YOUR RV

    For yourself or a gift,  Janet Groene's timeless RV cookbook is packed with shortcuts, tips and 270 easy, delicious recipes to cook inside the camper or outside on the campfire, camp stove or grill.  

https://amzn.to/3nNndWY 

* Oven cleaner can be used on the bottoms of pots that got sooty over the campfire. Rinse thoroughly. 

* Women have long known about using hair spray on ball point ink, but felt pens and grease pencils are a different story. The ink in colored felt pens used by kids usually comes out in the wash. For indelible ink used in felt pens and  laundry markers try denatured alcohol, then a wash with mild detergent. Treat grease pencil stains like other grease stains. 

* If a pot boils dry, remove as much of the loose crud as possible. Then fill the pan with a couple of inches of water and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. Bring to a boil, then let cool. Most of the debris will float loose. Scrape the rest or repeat the baking soda treatment. 

* If a stain removal calls for paint thinner, spend a little more to use mineral spirits instead. They are more highly refined, work better and stink less. 

* Besides chlorine bleach, bleaching agents include lemon juice, white vinegar diluted with water one to one, hydrogen peroxide 3 percent used full strength, and ammonia diluted two water to one part ammonia. Never mix ammonia and chlorine. 

* Dish washing  (not dishwasher) detergent is usually (but not always)  a good grease killer for washable fabrics and surfaces. Let it penetrate at least five minutes. Then rinse, rinse, rinse so no residue is left. When buying dish soap choose a clear liquid. Why add perfumes and dyes to the mix? 

Blot,  don't rub

* Unless it’s battery acid or other harmful caustic that requires immediate flushing, blot the stain. Don’t rub it in. With patient pressure and paper towels, or perhaps absorbent baking soda or cornstarch, much of the goo can be wicked up.  Work from the outside in so you don’t spread the spot.  

* RV and marine suppliers sell spray-on cleaners for black streaks that develop on RV siding after a rain.  Try Magic Eraser for small streaks and skids. 

* Harsh cleaners work fast but may remove color from fabric or  protective wax on painted surfaces, fiberglass or aluminum. Re-wax as needed. . 

See Janet Groene’s easy recipes for camping and RV trips at campandrvcook

          CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

CAMPGROUNDS CLOSING

Many government parks are closed.  We've heard about six closings in Smoky Mountains National Park plus lots of changes in BLM parks. Check ahead. In many cases closures are due to storm damage. In others,  budgets couldn't keep up with repairs and trash removal required because of abuse by slob campers.

Closed until further notice are campgrounds at Raystown Lake in Hesston, Pennsulvania ( see raystown.org) and Cowansque Lake in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania  (570) 835-5281.   U.S. Corps of Engineers campgrounds are affected. Non-government facilities and some day use facilities are reported to remain open. Check ahead for additional closures of government campgrounds. 

The city RV park in Lometa, Texas closed in January for budgetary reasons. The campground has 19 full hookup sites, and a dump station for a fee. Call for current information.  (512) 752-3331

CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS

     Facility improvements and additions in the Vulture Mountains Recreation Area in Arizona are entering Phase Two. The current phase and Phase Three will add a nature center, picnic areas,  trailheads, an amphitheater and campsites. When Phase Three is completed in Fall, 2026, campers can find here 80 RV sites, showers, restrooms and a dump station. Get updates at at MCDOTProjects@maricopa.gov or (602) 506-3342.

Daisy State Park In Kirby, Arkansas has a new Visitor Center and playground. The park is known for its  boating, fishing, hiking and camping.  See www.arkansasstateparks.com or call (870) 398-4487.

NEW CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS OPENING

The Yogi Bear Jellystone RV Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana will open May 21  as a first class family campground as well as a  major music venue. 

Amenities include full hookups, a café, golf cart rental, cabins, water features galore, a jumping pillow, mini-golf, gem mining, fishing and a laundry. A list of upcoming  performers will soon be posted on the website, Those announced so far include The Chee Weez on May 24,  Damon Troy and Louisiana Beat on May 31, The Paddio Daddios on June 7, Wayne Toups on June 14 and more through the summer. 

https://www.campspot.com/book/jellystone-park-lake-charles Call (337) 433-1114. 

EVENTS

Springtime brings spectacular blooms to Georgia, where you'll find festivals for cherry blossoms, strawberries, azaleas and more. One of largest is the annual Rhododendron Festival at Georgia Mountains Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. This year it goes on for a month from mid-April to mid-May. There are two campgrounds with more than 200 campsites, most of them with full hookups. Get reservations and tickets in advance. (www.) georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/

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RV Laundry Tips + New Campsites Found

 Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content or to place your ad on all six Groene sites email janetgroene@yahoo.com

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CAMPGROUND GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS REPORTS

(Don't miss the Events including free petroglyph tours in an Arkansas state park and a major art festival at a state park in South Carolina.) 

Come Clean

Let’s talk dirty. Laundry, that is. Here are some tips on the RV traveler’s washday.

* Compact washers-dryers are available for installation in larger RVs but before you buy, consider whether you’d rather devote the weight and space to something else. Laundry machines are heavy and they also require ample water and electric power. 

* Plastic laundry baskets are bulky for a small RV. Make or buy fabric bags. Fill with with dirty clothes and whatever treatment “pods” or “sheets” you use and everything goes into the wash including the bags. Bring clean clothes back to the RV in them. 

Laundry bags fold flat for storage

* Assuming it’s safe for the fabric and appropriate for the type of soil, use a stain stick on dirt before putting items in the hamper. You won’t forget them later.  

Be ready for the next hurricane, forest fire or other natural disaster with Janet Groene’s Survival Food Handbook. Unlike doomsday prepper books it’s a guide to stowing, using and rotating supermarket staples to provision your home pantry, RV or boat for brief emergencies, power outages and busy day meals.  http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe

 

* Use dye-absorbing sheets in every load. They prevent accidents (the elusive red sock among the white tee shirts) and allow you to save money by washing everything  in one load.

* Take plenty of hangers to the laundry room. Partially dry garments in the dryer, then shake and hang them.  Most garments will dry wrinkle free.

* Don’t trust an expensive item (your silk blouse; the custom bedspread) to a laundry machine you haven’t tried before. It could be hotter, colder or more harsh than similar machines. Too, water hardness varies widely around the country, so you could use too much or too little soap if this is your time experience with this machine. 

Don't damage trees with clotheslines or hammocks

* Be aware of campground rules. It may be against rules to dry laundry outdoors. Howwever, even in the most remote woods, avoid damaging tree bark by tying clotheslines to trees. 

* Retractable clothesline reels that mount permanently indoors (the shower stall is a good spot) are available from camping supply stores..

Portable, folding dryer racks are lightweight but cumbersome to carry. If you have room in your basement to carry one, it will hold an entire load of laundry when set up inside the coach. 

* Read labels on new garments and observe laundry instructions. Using chlorine bleach, for example, could destroy forever a fabric treatment that was meant to last the life of the item. 

Do you yearn to sell the house and lawn mower, hit  the road and live a free wheeling life in a self-contained RV, camper or van?  Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene and Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels, warts and all.

We answer questions. Sell the house or rent it out while gone?  Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? There’s a chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

              CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

NEW CAMPGROUNDS TO COME

Near Shell Creek, Florida approval has been given for a 33.66-acre development to be known as the Paradise Palms RV Park. The park will have 138 RV hookups, a general store, clubhouse with swimming pool, laundry, shower/bathhouses and ball courts. Stay tuned.

Deep Lakes Park in Muscatine, Iowa, is about go to camping. Currently a day use park, the  435-acre greenspace will add a modern shower house and  22 campsites with full hookups. In due course the former quarry will add another 24 campsites and possibly a golf course.  At present the park has restrooms and offers fishing, kayaking, a beach on Lake Chester, a paved walking and biking trail,  and nature watching. The campground is expected to  be ready for the 2026 season. (563) 264-5922

The Bend Resort on the Cumberland River near Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee has been in the offing for a few years now and it’s finally coming into reality as a high-end resort on 200 acres. The first phase will have 320 RV sites, cabins,  a welcome center, camp store, event center, swimming pool, petting barn, chapel and a pavilion for crafts. There’s also talk of a future hotel and restaurant. 

CAMPGROUND CHANGES, NEW OWNERS

New owners at the Twin Falls/Jerome KOA Holiday in Jerome, Idaho are making improvements including a makeover  and expansion of the camp store. Drop in to meet the Mazurs. The park has oodles of activities and popular amenities including bicycle rentals and mini-golf. The swimming pool opens on Memorial Day weekend. (208) 324-4169

The city-owned Claybanks RV Park in Merritt, British Columbia  is about to come back under city management after some years of outsourcing. The reopening could be accomplished as early as this summer. .Call  +1 250-378-6441

NEW AMENITIES

Here is exciting news from Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Roland, Arkansas. High-tech Trackchairs now make it possible for physically challenged visitors to tour the rugged outback. Reservations are required at  arkansasstateparks.com+2accessibilityacrossarkansas.org+2arkansasstateparks.com+2

The 55,000-acre park has forests, wetlands and hosts of both natural and historic/cultural features. The park has no campground. It’s just west of Little Rock, so check surrounding areas for RV campsites. 

EVENTS

Save the date. The 50th annual Atalaya Art Festival will be a humdinger at  Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Dates are September 26-28 so reserve now your choice of the 173 park campsites. Full and partial hookup sites are available and Wi-Fi throughout is free. One of the South’s premier art festivals, the affair attracts more than 100 fine artisans and artists. Local musicians and food providers will be on hand. (843)-237-4440.

On selected dates through 2025, interpretive guides provide free petroglyph tours of  Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Missouri. The park is home to rock carvings made by ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Get dates and details at  (660) 665-6995. Registration is not required for the tours. The park has two campgrounds with electric hookups. They are seasonal, closing November through March.  Reserve your campsite at (877) 422-6766..

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PAST POSTS AND CAMPGROUND NEWS

10 WAYS to Save on RV -ing

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content, or to place your ad on all six Groene sites for one year, one low rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com 

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CAMPGROUND GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

10 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR

RV-ING MORE AFFORDABLE 

1. Schmooz with your insurer(s)  and warranty contracts. Loyalty pays but it works both ways. Review, compare, question. You may save by bundling all insurance policies (homeowner, boat, motorcycle, RV) s with the same agent or company. However it also pays to look at ala carte pricing, especially for specialty or unusual coverage like the antiques you put in storage. Warranties are a minefield. Keep in mind that some maintenance steps must be observed to keep a warranty valid. 

2.  Shop around for storage options. Temperature-controlled, highly secure, easy access storage is always best but it’s pricey. Yet more companies are now entering the RV and boat storage business. A new location might offer an introductory rate for the first year. Your campground may have a storage program. If zoning laws allow, a pole barn addition to your property for RV storage may add to your home’s value. 

3. Don’t forget the RV during gift giving occasions. When asked what you want for your birthday or anniversary, hint that many RV parks,  including state parks,  sell gift certificates that can be used for overnights stays or merchandise at the camp store.  

4.  Before committing to a campground reservation, know the full cost. Little phrases such as “plus taxes”  can add as much as 24%. The reservation fee itself is probably non-refundable and other surprise fees are hopping on board everywhere. Watch for things like a one-time or daily pet cleaning fee, a resort fee (covering use of the pool and fitness center, for example), a non-refundable cleaning deposit or overtime rates when you don’t check out on time.

5. Are rates based on two adults only or...? Do you pay extra for guests or kids? Is it extra to park your boat trailer? To pitch a tent next to the RV?  Note that some states require a yearly permit to enter a state park. This is in addition to daily entry fees and camping.  Look into annual permits and/or discounts for state residents, seniors and first responders

6. Read campground rules in advance. They are usually on the website. Rules may require things you  must sign for when checking in, such as a liability waiver or a large hold on your credit card. Know what fines and fees apply for violations of absurd, unexpected missteps.  For example, there may be a fee for arriving without reservations. Violate quiet hours or dark sky regulations  and there may be a fine. If you’re evicted for breaking a rule, there is no refund. Also, refunds may be denied even if you have to leave early because of a medical emergency.  

7. SHOP SMARTER FOR camping clubs and memberships. A 50% discount on nightly rates isn’t worth it if you have to drive 200 miles out of your way to use a member campground. 

 8. Trust, then verify. Good or bad, take campground reviews with a grain of salt. I will never trust Yelp again. Who decides what's good or bad, and what are their qualifications for making judgements?  Some reviews are "first time golly" raves from a writer who never camped before. Others are pay-offs for a free night. 

9. Make your own meals. Learn more about outdoor cooking and managing in a tiny kitchen. In addition to the higher costs of food and labor, restaurant meals (including take-out)  carry a hefty tax, usually 6-10%, plus tip and perhaps a service charge. See https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com.    

10. Join every free Rewards or Loyalty system you find. If there is a fee, however, consider carefully when you’ll use it enough to be worthwhile. Is the program full of gimmicks? Does it result in floods of spam? Do points expire?  Many campgrounds are changing owners these days. Are the points transferable? 

      CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS 

This breaking news is from local sources and may be premature or incomplete. It's presented here so you can follow the story as it develops. No endorsement of any RV park is implied. Listings are by state or province. 

FUTURE CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS

Sterling,  North Dakota is another new place where you can soon find a Love’s Travel Stop. It’s expected to open by this fall with overnight spots for RV’s, a dog park, fuel and vehicle supplies. Eat, shop, shower. Other outlets  in the complex will be the trademark  Love’s Fresh Kitchen, a Godfather’s Pizza and a Subway, Get updates at Loves.com. 

SCUTTLEBUTT

East Knoxville, Tennessee is said to be getting a large new sports park that will also have an RV park. Construction could start soon. 

Jackson, Mississippi city officials have voted NO to a massive casino complex in town that would have included a hotel, restaurants and an RV park.

In San Luis Obispo, California, the 750-acre Toro Coast Reserve, formerly an oil storage facility, has been purchased by a conservation group that will develop it with a campground, dog beach, trail system for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians and other features for outdoor recreation. 

Roswell, New Mexico has approved a plan for a new 3.3-acre campground with up to 50 RV sites.  This is just the first step, and there is some local opposition, so stay tuned. 

CAMPGROUND UPGRADES

Since your last visit, these RV parks and campgrounds have expanded or improved in some way.

Historic Harmels guest ranch resort, known as Harmels on the Taylor in Almont, Colorado is expanding with new housing,  guest cabins and 35 RV sites. Come here for renowned trout fishing in well-stocked streams.  Vacation amenities include a laundry, Wi-Fi a playground, restaurant, lawn games and horseback riding. Dating back to the 19th century, the facility once served miners on their way to the Tin Cup in search of gold and silver. (970) 641-1740

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Rose Trail Campground is a waterfront county park in Cherokee, Alabama.. It’s open now  for the summer season after upgrades. The park has full and partial hookup RV sites,  a dump station, hiking trails, a  pavilion, piers and boat ramps, bathrooms and showers. Monthly rates are available. (256) 904-1742