RV: Grand Opening or Red Flag? +Latest Park News

 Copyright Janet Groene. This site has had more than 270,000 views. To ask about rates to see your ad on all five Groene sites for a year, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING NEWS OF RV PARK OPENINGS, CHANGES, EVENTS

 

Gala parties? Prizes? Discounts? A chance to get in on the "ground" floor? 

RV PARK GRAND OPENING, SOFT OPENING, RE-OPENING: Need to Know

What does it mean when a campground, RV Park or RV Resort is opening or re-opening in PHASES?  Is there a red flag here?

A phased RV park opening, an expansion, addition or construction could mean delight or disaster for your RV dollar, depending on how deep you dig into the details. 

There are Soft Openings, Grand Openings and routine, annual season openings. Pre-opening sales could mean anything from a discount on future site rentals to a large down payment for a lot in a development that has yet to begin construction.

Re-openings could be related to a renovation or to full or partial recovery from a natural disaster.

1. Pre-opening or pre-construction.  Here you’re buying a promise and a dream but also a chance to buy or reserve a choice site before they’re all snapped up. Read the fine print on the contract and check the timetable as well as the reputation and financial status of the builder.

2. Re-opening after a disaster. After suffering one tragedy, it’s only natural that campground managers need to get back to earning revenue as soon as possible. That may mean skimping on some features for a while. I know of one park that was made basically livable within a few days after a tornado, but the park was a mess and the swimming pool didn't open again for more than two years.  

 Another campground lost 20,000 trees in a recent storm.  They are back to normal but there are no longer any shaded sites. In one re-opened RV resort, sites were available but the Wi-Fi hadn’t been restored yet.  Call the park directly to ask about specific features that are important to you such as a shower house, full hookups, pool or golf course. 

3. Will the opening of Phase Two or Three bring new features you have been looking for or more crowding and higher rates?  In one midwestern RV park, Phase Two means the addition of 50 acres and more than 250 RV sites, all crammed together far from the pool and clubhouse.  Is your quiet, leafy park being "upgraded" by adding a noisy theme park or worse? 

Lastly, can you get there? The park may be open but you can’t get there due to highway closures anywhere along your route. Get information directly from the park and highway patrol, not Facebook nor the park's website. 

WHEN TRAVEL EMERGENCIES HAPPEN IN YOUR RV

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 make-do menus made solely with stowed foods from supermarkets (not those expensive doomsday rations).  Plan your personal three-day standby pantry with familiar, affordable staples for travel, home, boating and camping. 

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

             CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS;

            GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS 7-31-26

Information here is from local sources and isn't intended to be a review or recommendation. It's up to you to follow the story as it develops.  Locations are in boldface. Event dates are in red. 

CHANGES, UPGRADES NEW OWNERS

The 35-acre Wolf’s Den Campground in East Haddam, Connecticut is now owned by a private equity firm. The campground is big rig-friendly and has weekend theme events for all ages, free cable and Wi-Fi, a convenience store, outdoor sports galore, clubhouse, a laundry, dump station, swimming pool and more. (860) 873-9681

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

New this season in Lake Havasu City, Arizona is the Upper Cattail Campground in Cattail Cove State Park. The campground has 78 sites with water and electric. Most also have sewers. There’s a shower building and a new white sand beach.

Now under development in Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County, Arizona is a new, 50-site campground that is expected to be finished by next March. The park will have an equestrian trailhead, restrooms with showers, a dump station and five sites for camp hosts.

A new KOA is coming to Texas Hill Country and should be open officially by this fall and it's offering reservations for early in September.  The new luxury RV resort in historic Frederiksburg, Texas will reflect the area’s German heritage with its Social Haus café’. Upscale features will include a lazy river, family swimming pool, pickleball, walking trails, hot tub, a shop selling sports accessories and a wine barn serving local beers and wines. See KOA.com/

The name says it all. Near Dushore, Pennsylvania, the new “Best Campground Near Me” is celebrating its first official season. Owned by a husband-wife team, the new place has cabins, renovated bathhouses, upgraded Wi-Fi, RV sites with hookups and pet-friendly sites. Future plans include a pavilion and a camp store featuring locally made goods.  See bestcampgroundnearme.com or call (601)691-2267

EVENTS

On Lake Champlain and next to a boat launch, Sunset Rock RV Park, Isle La Motte, Vermont holds a potluck with live music by Night Hawk on September 5. Come to listen or dance to a signature mix of rock, funk and dance numbers. The park has full hookups, a swimming pool, arcade, ice, propane, firewood, tiki bar, billiards and special events all season. (802) 393-2576, sunsetrockcampground@gmail.com

Now through September, Mississippi River State Park, Marianna, Arkansas, is the home of the esteemed Painting the Arkansas Parks exhibit. See original artwork created during artists’ visits to Arkansas parks. Included are large studio works and smaller plein air studies. Admission is free. The park has a number of camping areas, some with full hookups. (870) 295-4040

 Be here September 14-18 to participate in a "copyist" opportunity. Bring your favorite painting materials and set up your easel directly in front of the professional landscape art on display. 

See this week's camp recipes and inspirations for the camp cook. Save time and space, eat healthier and save money when you cook "at home" in your campsite. https://campandrvook.blogspot.com

Ready for an RV Upgrade + RV Parks News

Copyright Janet Groene 2026. To ask about about rates to reprint copyrighted Groene content, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S JUST-IN NEWS BREAKS

ABOUT NEW, CHANGING OR CLOSING RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Does your RV Need An A+ Upgrade?

It’s smart to have a reserve fund for upgrades to your RV. Sometimes you just have a yen for something new. Other times, the old must go and the new is available in an improved version.

Here’s how an upgrade might fit into your budget. 

Window coverings such as mini-blinds take a beating from highway motion and strong sunrays. They may need replacing every few years. Standard sizes cost about $35 to $90 and up per window plus installation. 

Awnings can be added for $1,000 and up depending on size, material and the complexity of the manual or electric mechanism. Installation adds to the cost but there are good reasons to get professional help, even for a simple, manual, DIY awning. If you need replacement only for the fabric, get quotes from two or three awning specialists  It isn't just a matter of color and pattern. Many grades are available and it's essential to get the right type for your existing hardware. 

Privacy matters.  Even when your computer firewall is secure, it does not mask your personal  IP address and location. For additional privacy, get an IP address you can set up to indicate any location worldwide. Hide My IP can change your “address” every day if you want. 

  

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Patio mats rarely last more than a season, but they pay for themselves in good looks while keeping grit out of your RV. Buy an all-weather, lightweight, reversible, folding mat to carry in the RV  for under $200. Bonus pooints if it comes with its own carry case. Sweep or hose it clean, fold and stow.

A new mattress? Maybe not. Get a memory foam topper at least three or four inches thick and even a futon pad feels cushy. 

A Taller toilet? To save space, most RV toilets skimp on size. You may be able to get more comfort from a new one that is taller or has a more generous seat design, even though it takes up no more floor space. Shop around. 

Spare tire covers take a beating from the sun while saving the spare that hangs on your stern. They are sold in plain white or black, with slogans,  or as custom works of art. Get a classy new one for $50 or so.

Water filters are a health plus. They range from built-in, under-the sink filters with separate faucet to simple types that screw onto the hose. The better the filter the softer your shower water and the tastier your coffee and reconstituted orange juice.

WHAT IS FULL-TIME RV TRAVEL REALLY LIKE? 

 We spill our whole story, start to end, warts and all.....

We traveled full-time for 10 great years. 

 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 it's time to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.   https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

Camping cuisine is part of the fun, the art, the sport of RV travel. Save money. Make friends around the grill or campfire. Eat healthier. See weekly tips and recipes at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS JULY 24, 2026

    These news items are from local sources in tourism and real estate and are not for RV travel planning. They are presented here to give you a heads-up so you can follow the story on your own as it develops. 

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS

 

The year-round campground at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, Alberta, is adding a new loop. The campground has primitive and hookup sites, washrooms, flush toilets, a dump station (fee), life jacket loaner station, playground, ice fishing, skiing and other winter sports and a full menu of things to do in all seasons. Bookings are now accepted through September 20, 2026. Phone 1-877-537-2757. 

 

EVENTS

Camp with woods, water and whoopee at the Jellystone Camp Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Known for its theme weekends and live entertainment, the resort has booked The Paddio Diddios band for August 1-2. The resort has a full menu of amenities for RV-ers: Premium and Standard RV sites, golf cart rentals, a laundry, campfire get-togethers, a Wibit Water Course, Splash Zone, swimming pool, jumping pillow, mini golf, gem mining, food and drink for adults and kids, a camp store, pavilion and fishing. (337) 433-1114

This will be the 51st year for the esteemed Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival at Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Dates are September 25-27, 2026. The setting is the historic Atalaya Castle, a Moorish-style winter home and sculpture studio built in the 1930s by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. See works by more than 100 prominent artists, sculptors and creators, then enjoy the park’s wildlife, walking paths, nature centers and camping. The campground has sites with water and electric, and some with sewer. (843) 237-4440 or southcarolinaparks.com/

SCUTTLEBUTT

    In Point Arena, California, the city council has approved permits for a small campground at Arena Cove. The project will have ten campsites and a manager's site. Existing structures will be removed. A start date for the seasonal campground hasn't been decided. 

In historic Tonawanda, New York there is talk of turning a former dump site into an RV park. Rumors are flying and tempers rising. Stay tuned. 

    Near Mehama, Oregon, work ius expected to begin next February on the restoration of Bear Creek Park, which was destroyed in the Beachie Creek fires. The expanded park will have additional day use facilities and new RV sites as well as walk-in and ADA sites.

Expected to be ready next year, a new clubhouse is coming to the Wine Region RV Resort, Marsing, Idaho. During construction the resort has no showers, restrooms , WiFi nor laundry. Nightly and weekly rates are available. The resort is well situated for touring 15 nearby wineries. Phone: (208) 872-2509

COME BACK EACH WEEK FOR THESE DATED REPORTS

Why Rent an RV + Latest Campsite News

Copyright Janet Groene. To ask about rates for rights to reprint Groene content email janetgroene@yahoo.com   Ask about rates to advertise on all Groene sites for one low, yearly rate. 

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S NEWS OF NEW AND FUTURE CAMPSITES; GET THE JUMP ON RESERVATIONS

Why Take a Rental RV Vacation?

Renting an RV is expensive but some things are even more costly, such as buying the wrong RV and regretting it later. Here are real reasons to consider a rental RV at some times in some places. 

If you already own an RV:

* Fly across country, move into a furnished RV and have a totally carefree vacation without having to spend half your vacation days just getting there.  A fly-drive rental is an ideal way to visit Alaska and countries across the sea, . 

* Too many house guests? Rent an RV to serve as your guest house for a week or two in your own yard (zoning permitting).

* Before putting down hard cash on a new rig, try rentals in different sizes and layouts. Costly, yes, but cheaper than buying the wrong rig.

* Want to audition the EV experience? Diesel versus gasoline? Pusher versus puller? 4WD? Rent one. 

Camp the infield and have a front row seat

* Skip set-up and parking. At special events, rental RV’s are often brought in, parked, setup and ready to go. Skip the long lines and hassle of arrival and departure. 

If you are thinking of buying an RV:

* If the RV lifestyle is new to you, a rental gives you a chance to experience all of it, good and bad. Try as many different sizes and layouts as you can afford. Renting isn’t like owning and customizing your own rig but it’s a start.

4. Know the rental company’s  rules about pets, cleaning, refundable and non-refundable deposits, managing tankage (fuel, fresh water, grey water, sewage) and seat belts. (Seat belt rules for RV’s may vary by state). 

5. Pre-planning saves hassle and money. Check with your own insurer to see what coverage you already have.  You may not need the rental’s policy. Investigate optional extras such as using their linens versus bringing your own sheets and towels. Study routes and sightseeing ahead of time to avoid floundering around in a big rig on unfamiliar highways. 

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These weekly reports from our local sources are premature or incomplete for travel planning. They are presented here only to give readers a heads-up on recent happenings. It’s up to you to follow the story as it develops. 

NEW & FUTURE RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS & RESORTS

It's just off Route 66

Just off Route 66, on 15 acres of peaceful Oklahoma countryside, a new RV destination is taking shape. The Redbud Tiny Home & RV Resort, Newcastle, Oklahoma, offers full hookups, a dog park, pickleball, fishing and more,(918) 212-8750. 

A new, gated, luxury resort has come to Porter, Texas, 25 miles from Houston. At Porter Strong RV Resort the welcome mat is out for travelers, full-timers and workers. Long- and short-term RV sites are spacious, have full hookups and Wi-Fi. The resort has 24/7 security, a laundry, fitness center,  showers, a dog park and pet wash station, an outdoor kitchen,, fishing pond, fitness center and more. Go to (281) 404 5976 or porterstrongrvresort.com/

Stay tuned as the new Eastern Pines Camping Resort becomes a reality in Rochester, New Hampshire.  The 45-acre project has been approved by the Planning Board but more plans and approvals are yet to come. Owners propose a 96-site campground with dog park, playgrounds,  a bathhouse, smokeless fire pits and river access for paddlers. .For now the best contact is the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, (603) 332-5080 

New this season on Topock Bay and the Colorado River is Dwell Lake Havasu. The luxury resort has private bathhouses, a fitness center, pickleball, a dog park, swimming pool, hot tub, dog park and general store. Go  dwelllakehavasu.com

A work in progress is the campground Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear, Arizona. Construction began last year and is expected to be complete by next March. The camp will have RV sites, a dump station, covered sites for camp hosts, a fenced equestrian trailhead, shorts and restroom.. The park has activities, ranger-guided hikes, a nature enter and more . (602) 506-2930 ext. 6. 

SCUTTLEBUTT

Look for more camping spots soon in Point Roberts, Washington. The 16.5-acre Nielson Campground has a conditional permit for a proposed 166-site campground with 18 RV sites, restrooms and unnamed “recreational facilities”. It’s not a done deal yet, but stay tuned.

Things are looking good for the future of the long-waited Oak Ranch RV Park in The Dalles, Oregon. The county-owned, 154-acre  property has a $1 million state grant to develop the unfinished campground. Plans call for 48 full hokup RV sites, tent sites and ADA accessible restrooms and showers. Stay tuned. 

CHANGES, NEW OWNERS, UPGRADES

In Bellevue, Ohio two big new amenities  greet guests at Gotta Getaway RV Park.  Come see the new resort style swimming pool and the new pickleball court. RV Sites have electric an city water. The laundry is open 24 hours.  (419) 483-3177 

Prairie Junction RV Resort in Stettler, Alberta is adding nine fancy, themed  glamping sites. The resort  northeast of Calgary calls it the  Prairie Haven Expansion. The year-round resort, opened in 2013, make an ideal base camp for exploring the area’s trails, train rides and events. Go to pjrvresort.com/

New owners are in place at Cypress Landing RV Park in Dozier, Alabama.  The 30-acre waterfront resort on Gantt Lake has 30 RV sites. Fish for bass, shellcrackers and crappie. Shop the park store for everything including fishing gear. Enjoy water sports including skiing, tubing, swimming, kayaking and boating. Go to clrvpark.com/

The former Williamsburg (Virginia)  Campground is now a Jellystone Camp Resort with RV and tent sites, cabins, mini-golf, nature trails, a splash pad and lots of planned activities for all ages. Go to jellystonewilliamsburg.com.

WHAT IS FULL-TIME RV TRAVEL REALLY LIKE? 

 We spill our whole story, start to end, warts and all.....

We traveled full-time for 10 great years. 

 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 it's time to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.   https://amzn.to/29XFEkq