SoloWomanRV

Friday, January 30, 2026

RV Park Sold. Now What? + New Good/Bad News

Your RV Park

Has a New Owner

NOW WHAT?

RV and campground real estate is changing hands at a hot rate. This may mean that your favorite mom-and-pop campground will become a corporate look-alike or, worse still, a high-rise condo.

Is an ownership change good news or bad news for you? It depends on many things starting with something as simple as the selling price, which will determine the new taxable value of the property. Taxes are, of course, passed on to consumers.

Also, rental rates at most campgrounds and RV resorts are now subject to hotel taxes, which are as high as 15.5% in Los Angeles and 17% in Houston. This is in addition to sales tax.

Here are some changes that may occur:

* RATES will probably rise or change under the owners, perhaps in subtle ways that aren’t apparent at first. Will you pay a surcharge for pets, “resort fees” or pay extra for more than two or four people per campsite? Are rewards programs now free? Available? Subject to expiration?

* LOCAL MANAGEMENT may not mean local control over rules and rates. When rates and rules are determined by corporate headquarters miles away, local managers may have no say on features or rates that apply to all campgrounds under that flag.

* COST CUTTING measures are happening everywhere. The swimming pool, fitness center and other amenities may be now be open to day guests, resulting in crowding and your loss of privacy. The new laundry machines and the arcade take dollars, not quarters. Hot showers are now coin-op. Fees creep in. Features that were once included in rates, such as Wi-Fi, .water, dump fees and electric may now be metered . Pigtails and adapters are no longer available free on loan.

* REWARDS POINTS. If you accumulated rewards or points under the former owners, will they be honored?

* TENANT RIGHTS. You may get an eviction notice. Many new owners are developers who plan to do away with the campground, clear the land and build housing. RV dwellers who considered the park their home are being evicted. Too, you may no longer qualify to live here because your rig is too old. Are long-term rates available?

* RESERVATIONS The new owners may use a different booking service. Gone are the days when you picked up the phone, called your old friend at the front desk in Green Acres and reserved Site A12 for two weeks next July. You may now be required to reserve online with a credit card .and pay a non-refundable fee. Some parks have gone cashless; some take cash only. Some parks open the reservations window six months ahead; some a year ahead. Some take same-day reservations. Some are reservations only. Others reserve some spots for first-come travelers.

* SECURITY. Some parks now require a background check with your reservation especially for RV-ers who seek long term or seasonal reservations. Does the park have on-site security? Is is 24/7? If there is trouble, who responds? Is the area covered by city, county, state or national law enforcement? What is the neighborhood like?

* AUTOMATION. The new, non-attended RV parks are a huge plus, especially for RV travelers who simply want safe parking and hookups for tonight. You reserve online and get a security code that activates the gate, hookups, shower house and laundry. If something doesn’t work, is there a panic number you can call 24/7?

Bottom Line: Never forget that an RV is a vehicle, not a homestead. It’s only as safe and comfortable as the place where it’s legally parked. Stay aware, nimble and mobile.

While many books are written about full-timing (and you should read them all) ours covers the entire lifestyle change, warts and all. It begins with making the decision in the first place, and ends with easing out when and if that time comes.

Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq

CAMPGROUNDS GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This late-breaking news is from local sources and may be incomplete or premature for trip planning. It's presented here for you to follow up as the story develops and get a head start on reservations. Is there news here from your state or province?

NEW AND FUTURE CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS

Although it isn’t mentioned yet on the website, a 100-site RV park with full hook-ups is in future plans at the Haven of the Wild zoo in Chittenango, New York. The attraction offers drive-through and overnight accommodations. You'll see lions, tigers, giraffes, camels and dozens more exotic animals in the park. Safari type luxury tents are set to open in late April. The website doesn’t indicate a start date for the RV park but it will probably open next year. (315) 897-2970

CAMPGROUND CHANGES, NEW OWNERS, UPGRADES

In Rio, Wisconsin, Silver Springs Campsites is now part of the Starlight Campgrounds group. The campground has 298 sites now, with room to add more. The camp has a swimming pool, planned activities for all ages and a camp store, Go to SilverSpringsCamp.com,

Cadiz RV Park, Cadiz, Kentucky, is now one step closer to expanding thanks to an OK from the local planning commission. Some 15 to 20 acres will be added to the park. Stay tuned.

Thanks to a f $2 million grant, the county-owner River Delta Marina & Campground in Creola, Alabama will be getting a clean-up of old vessels, an upgraded boardwalk and a facelift for the campground. A timeline for the project has not been announced. The facility has a laundry, playground, boat launch, seasonal swimming pool nd bathhouse. The park is on the Bartram Canoe Trail. See mobilecountyal.gov/parks/mobile-river-delta-and-campground

SCUTTLEBUTT

Although it’s being challenged by local residents the 619-acre Thermal Ranch project appears to be going ahead in the Coachella Valley, California. The $1 billion+ plan is for a luxury equestrian enter, 110 estate homes, 191 condos, housing for workers and an RV park. To be added later are a hotel, resort condos,, retail stores and an entertainment center.

Surf’s up! Planned for the future near Yakima, Washington is Barreled, an 80-acre surf park for all skill levels. It will also have a campground, surf shop, surf school, food court, bar and restaurant. Watch this developing story at SyrfBarreled.com/

The 11-acre site of the former Carolina Beach Family Campground, in New Hanover County, North Carolina is for sale. The site is pre-approved for 113 RV sites. A nearby RV campground 69 RV sites. Both campgrounds have easy access to the Atlantic and the Cape Fear River. Check it out as the sale develops.

Meanwhile in Porters Neck, North Carolina the Big Apple RV Resort is proposed for a 27-acre plot behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement store. Stay tuned.

CAMPGROUND CLOSURES

Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic State Park in Tennessee will close its Gee Creek Campground and boat ramp next fall. It will reopen in spring, 2028. The campground will remain primitive, however, with no facilities for RV's. Exact dates for closing and reopening are not yet available. (888) 867-2757.

EVENTS

Grandpa's Cough Medicine
Tickets to the concert and and reservations for campsites and cabins are now available for the Suwannee Spring Reunion. It’s scheduled for March 19-22 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground in Live Oak, Florida. Come for one day or the whole schedule of arts, family fun, workshops, pickin’ parties, bluegrass, newgrass, folk and blues under ancient oaks hung with Spanish moss. Performers in this year’s lineup include Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Habanero Honeys, Jerry Douglas and the Jim Lauderdale Band.

Celebrating centuries of American arts and culture, the Ballyhoo Festival will be held March 7-8 in Gulf State Park, Alabama.

Enjoy Lake Shelby, fine arts from pottery to prints, a fiddle and banjo contest, children’s arts and performance arts including dances by the Poach Band of Creek Indians. The park has 500 campsites and 11 bathhouses. Reserve at alapak.com/

Tico Time Bluegrass Festival (May 15-17, 2026): Held at Tico Time River Resort, Aztec, New Mexico. ), featuring bluegrass music and camping with full hookups. The resort offers swimming, planned activities, ziplining, river tubing and a 60-foot tower challenge. See TicoTimeResort.com/

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Friday, January 23, 2026

What Wardrobe for RV Women?

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S JUST-IN NEWS ITEMS OF NEW, FUTURE, OPENING AND CLOSING RV PARKS BY STATE OR PROVINCE

Photo by Winnebago

HANG IT ALL

What-to-Wear Tips

From a Solo RV Woman

Thanks to Kathy M. for sending these tips based on her personal experience as a veteran traveler. Here are some of the wardrobe tricks she has up her sleeve:

* One of my most used, yet underrated , pieces is a man's button-front cotton shirt in a large size in light denim blue cotton. It is my swim suit cover, bathrobe and a sun coverup. It’s simple, cotton for easy care, lightweight and it feels great.

“I also have an old Scott Travel Vest that has worked in many situations. It's a decent windbreaker on a cold day, and looks much more stylish than the fisherman/photo vest many people wear. It holds all those maps, travel brochures, and a wallet, and I don't have to carry a purse.

* A small assortment of quality jewelry goes a long way,” Kathy finds. “Sterling silver and stonework add instant style to the outfit. They're reasonably priced and take up little space.”

* Kathy likes roll-up slacks/ capri pants in a quick-dry fabric. She recommends, “Get a V- neck pullover sweater in a color and style that you love. A pullover instantly adds warmth without too much bulk, plus a bit of color and style.” Janet adds: With a V-neck, you can add warmth, style or a color accent according to the garment worn under it.

* A must-have is a hooded windbreaker from a good company such as L.L. Bean or Columbia. She wears hers for field trips, beach walks, sudden drizzle/rain.

“ I also test my travel clothes for hand washing," Kathy says. "I found that doing a nightly hand laundry of my day's light clothes saves a bundle of time in the long run. I agitate and soak a few things in the sink while I'm showering, then rinse and dry overnight in the shower stall. It takes only minutes a day. "

Bless the Little Black Dress

* What about style? Some women travel to cities, see museums, attend wine tastings. Others want garments for rugged backcountry hiking, biking, kayaking. In any case, Kathy recommends packing a dressy city outfit (two skirts, three slacks/pants, multiple tops). Also one city jacket, one denim jacket for dirty work around the RV and a wind/rain jacket. “ Shoes-wise she likes country walkers plus hiking shoes, run/race walkers, a pair of dressy pumps and a part of dressy flats.

Photo by Winnebago

WHERE WILL YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP TAKE YOU? See Janet Groene's reports of places, destinations and dates near and far, sooner and later, here and there in the USA. https://janetgroene.blogspot.com

Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq

CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These late breaking news items are from our local sources and may be premature. It's up to you to follow the lead as the story develops. Items are listed by state or province. No endorsement of any place is implied.

NEW AND FUTURE CAMPGROUNDS

Using a kicky Sasquatch theme, the new Squatch Pines Family Campground will open by mid-May in Houghton Lakes, Michigan, with a Grand Opening in June. Reservations are now open. The 66-lot facility will have full hookups (electric, water, and septic), an in-ground pool, a full bathhouse, a playground, a pavilion, planned activities and a pickleball court for guests. Go to SquatchPinesFamilyCampground.com/

CLOSURES

In Pennsylvania, closures are coming for at least two state parks including Lackawanna and Ricketts Glen. The good news is that they’re closing for improvements. That means new showers and other comfort facilities will be brought up to date. Closures at these parks may continue into 2008, so follow this story as it develops.

CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

Clarkco State Park Campgrounds, Quitman, Mississippi (on the Alabama border) will soon be back open to the public. The 815-acre park has been undergoing complete renovations of its campgrounds and its 43 campsites. Improvements include new picnic tables and grills, updated hookups and renovated pads. Email clarkcostatepark@wfp.ms.gov

Jellystone Park Barton Lake in Fremont, Indiana is adding a new Water Zone for Summer, 2026. The eye-popping new water playground will have waterslides, water blasters and a 750-gallon hydroblaster. The park has free Wi-Fi, swimming pools indoors and out, an arcade, laser tag, 18 holes of mini-golf and planned activities for all ages. Phone: (260) 833-1114

In Sundre, Alberta, the Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort is now part of the Western RV Country portfolio. The 18-hole championship golf course will now be known as the Coyote Golf Club. The resort offers RV lots for sale, rent or nightly stays. Under new owners the resort will modernize the clubhouse, pave golf cart lanes and offer new programs. See CoyoteCreekResort.ca for information on reservations, sales and tee timesl

SCUTTLEBUTT

Keep an eye on Benton, Arkansas as the new Thomas Benton Park takes shape. The 10-year program will include an RV park and a soccer field suitable for tournaments. RV sites may be available within the next two years. Completion of the entire park project is expected to take ten years.

South Florida TV stations are reporting that the KOA campground at Lion Country Safari in western Palm Beach County will close at the end of April.

Some Alabama state parks will offer cocoa and campfire s’mores for registered campers on Thursday nights at 5 p.m. during February. Check with Buck’s Pocket, Frank Jackson, Wind Creek and Old Mountain state parks.

Did you know that many states offer gift cards for state parks? Alabama is just one of them.

EVENTS

Sign up now for the annual Fins, Feathers and Flowers event March 2022 at Lakepoint State Park, Eufaula, Alabama. There are weekend packages for singles, families, and groups. Packages are available with lodging or with meals and programs only. The program-packed weekend is filled with socials, some group meals, presentations on wildflowers and wildlife, guided field trips, birding and meetings with experts n various fields. Go to https://www.alapark.com/parks/lakepoint-state-park/fins-feathers-and-flowers-weekend

SURVIVAL FOOD HANDBOOK is a guide to survival when you're Out There and out of fresh provisions. It's written just for RV travelers and campers who have limited storage space.

Whether it's fridge failure, or you're broke, or quarantined or weathered in, stuff happens. See provisioning information, lists, tips and recipes made solely with stowed foods from supermarkets (not those expensive doomsday rations). Create a three-day standby pantry for travel, home, your boat, cabin or camper with familiar, affordable staples.

Kindle or paperback, it's a great gift idea for yourself or a friend. https://amzn.to/3mIfryC

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Friday, January 16, 2026

FUN & FINANCE; WINTER RV SHOWS

IT’S RV SHOW SEASON!

Fun and Finance: 5 Tips for

Wins at Winter RV Shows

That’s right. I said shows. Plural. Your time and money are well spent at this winter’s RV shows. In addition to the razzle-dazzle you’ll attend seminars, see new layouts and chassis, listen to dueling sales pitches for accessories and gear, get coupons for freebies or discounts and probably run into a lot of nice folks.

The more RV shows you can attend this winter, the better.

For one, thing, major RV expos are just plain fun for all ages and interests. There are bright lights, action, music, give-aways, demonstrations and probably the usual stadium food treats.

How to get started?

1. Do a Google search to scope out all the RV shows within the area you are willing to travel. Note dates, times and ticket prices. Learn more about the show. Is it an RV & Camping show or a travel or outdoor sports show where you’‘ll also see boats, archery equipment and fishing gear?

2. If possible, plan to attend twice. On the first day, scope out the location. Some arenas are so huge you need a map. Note where you can see the latest models in the type and brand of RV you want to see. Go with family or friends and enjoy the whoopla.

3. Make a list of accessories and gear you may want to buy, Come back a second time to sit down with sales people. Hear them all. Say you’re looking for a new security system, or a new convertible sofa, or the latest technology in tent construction. Note exact locations of displays. Later you’ll talk turkey with every factory rep representing convertible furniture or security systems or tents but for now, your family would be bored stiff. You can learn a lot by hearing competitors dish on each other.

Get business cards and perhaps leave your own. Make notes. Listen to advice from family and friends even if you don’t plan to take it. Then leave the show before the kids get cranky. Now you have names and locations for serious follow-ups

4. If you’re here to buy a big-ticket item such as an RV, know your credit rating. At the show you can get bids from RV finance companies. Have a budget in mind. Sleep on it. Assess your chances for getting a better deal if you hold out until the last hours of the last day.

5. Don’t get sidelined. It sounds silly to make a list of your rock-bottom requirements but having it with you in black and white can bring you down to earth after you’ve toured that mansion on wheels.

BRING THE KIDS,HAVE FUN, THEN COME BACK TO BARGAIN

IS THIS THE YEAR YOU'LL GO FULL-TIMING?

Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels, from making the decision and living the good life to the time when you decide to settle down .

Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq

Where will you go on your next RV trip? See places near and far, now and again, here and there, free and fee. https://janetgroene.blogspot.com/

RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This is hard news from local sources, not a campground guide. No endorsement of any park or product is implied. It's up to you to follow through as the story develops.

CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEWS OWNERS

Heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene’s floods in 2024, David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, Tennessee has a new master plan. The future will include a museum, camp store, modern hookups, a playground and water feature for children, a replica Crockett log cabin, watersports rentals on the Nolichucky River and waterfront picnic pavilions.

Not be to be confused with David Crockett State Park, this park remains closed as work continues. Want to help? Volunteers can contact park ranger Thomas Batchelor, (423) 740-3340; thomas.batchelor@tn.gov/ Get park updates at tnstateparks.com/parks/david-crockett-birthplace

In Munith, Michigan, the Oaks Campground is now a member of the GatherGrounds Resorts family. The 155-acre resort will revitalize its lands and miles of golf cart trails, with emphasis on family activities in the outdoors. Plans include an upgraded beach area with lounge chairs and a sand volleyball area. Also to be added is a Wibit inflatable waterpark. The park has a fishing lake, an ice cream parlor, laundry and a camp store. See gathergroundsresorts.com/the-oaks-campground/

SCUTTLEBUTT

Job openings are now open in a variety of Washington state parks for many types of skills in many types of parks. An RV campsite may be included. Hourly pay ranges from $18.33 to $25.45. Get details and an application at (www.) Governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/

NEW AND UPCOMING RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Salida, Colorado has a new RV park on the Arkansas River. The Salida RV Resort has full hookups, fiber optic internet and it's open all year. The resort has a clubhouse with kitchen and billiards. Guests have access to a fitness center, laundry, propane service, dump station, dog park, walking trails along the river, views of the surrounding Collegiate Peak mountains and outdoor gaming areas. Go to SalidaRVresort.com/

In Aztec, New Mexico, the new RiverView RV Park is opening this month with 39 RV concrete pads and full hookups. The park is on the Animas River, next door to Riverview Park and the Riverwalk. It’s expected that about half the RV spaces will be for long-term residents and half for overnighters. In Phase Two, a laundry office and other services will be added. Go to RivervewRVPark4corners.com/

New in Klamath Falls,, Oregon is the Volcanic Legacy RV Resort, (541) 698-1908. Stay one night or up to one month at this 70-site park. Enjoy high speed internet, two miles of pet friendly walking trails and an easy walk to Growler Guys for craft brews

CAMPGROUND & RV Park OPENINGS, CLOSINGS

Winter campers rejoice! Berry’s Grove Campground in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts is now open all year with access to recreation such as skating and ice fishing on Lake Mascuppic. The campground has 24 campsites with hookups that are reported to be usable all year. (978) 890-6216

County parks in South Padre Island, Texas, opened reservations on January 15 for the summer season, May 1 to September 30. The exception may be the new Andy Bowie Park. When officially open, that park will have full hookups, showers and a boardwalk to the beach. For now the website provides links to other county parks including Isla Blanca Park and Adolph Thomas Jr. Park. Go to cameroncountytx.gov/parks-coastal-parks/parks-andy-bowie/-andy-bowie

The Zion Mt. Carmel Highway Zion National Park will be closed to large vehicles next season. The vehicle can be no longer than 35 feet 9 inches, more than 11 feet tall, wider than 7 feet 10 inches and weighting more than 50,000 pounds. Because of the sharp curves, larger rigs simply can’t navigate the road safely.

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See Janet Groene's newest shortcut recipes for camping and RV at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

Friday, January 2, 2026

10 RV TIPS FOR ALLERGY ESCAPE + RV Park News

SEASIDE CAMPING BRINGS FRESH AIR TO POLLEN SUFFERERS

RV TRAVELER: ESCAPE YOUR ALLERGIES

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE BREAKINGNEWS OF NEW AND CHANGING RV PARKS

10 Tips: How RV’s Run from Allergies

Are you on the lam from a pesky allergy that could ruin your stay in the mountains, seashore or prairies? Thanks to your RV you can out-run some allergies and out-smart others.

Here are just a few random strategies to keep in mind while planning your next RV trip.

1. Start with the RV itself. Take an allergy inventory of the RV's indoor air. Clean filters. Get HEPA air filters and perhaps even a HEPA air purifier.. Wipe down surfaces with a product such as Clorox PURE allergen buster. Give the RV plenty of ventilation, especially when it’s new and gassing off volatiles from building and furnishing materials.

If the RV has ’been closed for a while, a good scrub down can banish allergens that flourished during storage such as dust, dust mites, fungi, molds and mildew. Launder bedding and towels if they smell funky or just refresh and fluff them with a run through a hot dryer.

See camp-tested recipes for camping and glamping. Save fuel, water, mess and eat better for less. https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

2. Know your enemy. The more you know about your specific allergy, the better. Pollens are often regional and seasonal. If you know the one pollen that affects you, and when that pollen blooms in a particular area, you can fine-tune travel dates to suit.

3. Do your driving in early morning and late evening,, when pollution levels are usually lowest. Park the RV down-wind from sea breezes, which are purer and park away from winds off, say, a smoky factory, farm field or woods.

4. Shower and shampoo often. Change pillow cases frequently.

5. Consult pollen.com for maps, times of day, wind conditions and the many factors that drive a particular pollen.

6. Would it be a good idea to carry a card listing your food sensitivities for the restaurant chef? Severe food allergies, of course, call for stronger measures such as carrying an Epi-Pen and wearing a medical alert bracelet or device.

Make your own trail mix, sweet or savory, to shave calories, save money, avoid allergens. Easy recipes at https://createagorp.blogspot.com

7. The most common pollen allergies involve three main plant families. They are trees in spring, grasses in late spring and summer, and weeds, especially ragweed in late summer and autumn. Your nemesis may be specific such as oak, birch, Bermuda grass, Timothy grass, or ragweed. Keep records of your reactions and see an allergist who can test for specific pollens

8. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, many plants release pollen early in the day. Add in morning’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity and pollen stays closer to the ground.

9. Check the pollen forecast for your destination and plan your itinerary accordingly, especially if you’re thinking of spending a lot of time outdoors.

10. While you may not be allergic to your dog or cat, its fur can be loaded with pollen when it comes into the RV from the outdoors. Try a quick wipe-down with a pet wipe or damp cloth..

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

NEW AND SOON-TO-BE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Introduced last summer in Hallsville, Texas is Galilee Oaks RV Park and Campgrounds with 13 spacious, full hook-up RV sites and plans a-plenty for future additions such as a fishing pond, a lounge for digital nomads and a covered area leading to the bathrooms and laundry. They don’t appear to have a website yet. Email galileeoaksrvpark@gmail.com or phone (903) 240-9623.

Now open just outside Hugo Oklahoma,, Hugo RV Park has 29 RV sites with full hookups and Wi-F. The park also has a laundry, general store and mini-storage. Hugo Lake is known for fishing and boating. (580) -919-1503.

Roaming Trails RV Retreat is coming to Burleson, Texas in February: This park will feature 196 generously sized RV sites and all hookups. The resort will have zero entry pool, clubhouse, fitness center, laundry, security and lots of Texas fun such as horseback riding and line dancing. Other luxury Roaming Trails luxury RV resorts are coming to San Antonio and Killeen. See RoamingTrailsRV.com/

New in the Gem State is the St. Maries Riverfront RV Resort on the St. Joe River in St. Maries, Idaho. The 42-site resort has modern hookups, a laundry, fishing pier and swimming area. Reserve far ahead for special events such as Paul Bunyan Days over Labor Day and jetboat races in May. Get full details about this historic, scenic area from the Chamber of Commerce, StMariesChamber.org/

By next summer, 135 new RV sites are expected to be available in Anchorage, Alaska with the completion of the Denali View R-V Resort. Plans call for trails, a garden with historic markers and a playground. Reservations are not yet open.

George T. Bagby State Park, Georgia has a new, 32-site RV park with full hookups as well as new park features including classrooms, a renovated pool, ball courts, laundry and an amphitheater. The park is on 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, one of the south’s best birding spots for migrating waterfowl. Check fpr an opening date in the New Year. Georgiastateparks.org/

CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

It takes a scorecard to keep up with all the improvements and additions that are happening at Burlingame State Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island. It’s been difficult to get reservations because of uncertainties and delays but now is a good time to book for 2026, when many new campsites and facilities will open. Phase 1 (2023-2025):has been replacement of outdated facilities in the Mills Camp, Midpark North, and Fish Camp areas. Phase 2 (2026-2027): will bring replacement of facilities in Legiontown, Midpark South, and Main Camp.. Get updates at https://riparks.ri.gov/campgrounds/burlingame-campground/.

Thanks to a $100,000 grant, Poland Creek Campgrounds in Louisville, Tennessee will have a bright new look in 2026. Improvements will include anew fishing pier, better grading around the campground and general upgrades to the amenities. The campground is SSW of Knoxville on Lake Loudon. It has 34 campsites at present, most of them with electric hookups.. It’s expected that more will be added. (865) 257-6320

In Hibbing, Minnesota, city authorities are funding a new 29-site RV campground for Carey Lake Park. Facilities will include a dump station, showers and access to the beach and a bike trail, all ADA accessible. An opening date for the RV sites has not been projected. Check for progress at g hibbingmn.gov/ (218) -262-3486

The province of Alberta is on a campsite growth spree. By the fall of 2027, popular Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, Alberta is expected to add dozens more campsites. It now has 250 sites, about half of them with electric, The new sites are expected to help meet the growing demand for hookups. Other parks that will be receive new campsites over the next few years Lesser Slave Lake, Writing-on-Stone, Castle Provincial Park, Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area.

EVENTS

Now through mid-March, take in a free geology program at noon every Sunday at Gingko Petrified State Park Interpretive Center, Vantage, Washington. Buried under the park’s landscape are remnants of an ancient forest, turned to stone by a convergence of geologic events. What were they? Check ahead for camping information in winter. (509) 856-2290.

CLOSURES

In the interest of public safety, Bear Trap Campground in Cibola National Forest & Grasslands, New Mexico, will remain closed for 2026. Access roads are in poor condition, bathrooms are unacceptable, flash flooding can occur and the area hasn’t yet recovered from a fire that occurred in 2022.

See you at the beach!

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books brings widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer of her husband's death.

Read the six cozies in any order as Farley copes, cooks and solves crimes with the help of her wacky cast of characters. You'll laugh at her frailties; cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on Kindle, https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao