SoloWomanRV

Friday, February 27, 2026

RV Pay to Play + WHERE ARE ALL THE RV SITES?

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING NEWS OF NEW, FUTURE, CHANGING AND CLOSING PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

Do you cut your own hair? Do your own mani-pedi's? File your own taxes? Sometimes to pays to pay a professional.

When It Pays to Pay a Pro

The name of our game, fellow RV-ers is INDEPENDENCE. A life of RV travel is the ultimate freedom. However, most of us have to depend on others for some things, some of the time.

The wise woman knows when to hold and when to fold. Here are some of my favorite professional services worth the price.

Cleaning. Auto detailers and carpet cleaners have products and equipment that are more effective than you can do on your own. Call in a pro once a year or so.

Financial Planner, Tax Accountant. A certified, fee-only planner makes recommendations based on your best interest, not commissions. There are very good DIY tax programs but a professional may be a better choice if you are self-employed or have complicated tax situations that change each year.

Mail Forwarding. It’s easier and cheaper to have a friend or relative handle your mail but individuals get sick, go on vacation or get too busy to run to the post office with that Special Delivery letter you need NOW. If all your mail goes to a relative in New York or other high-tax state, their address is your address, and you could be subject to their state taxes too. I recommend getting a full-service mail forwarding service that is on the job 24/7 in a state that does not have a state income tax.

Personal Trainer. There isn't room in most RV's to exercise. Yet, if you go to fitness centers in RV parks, the equipment is probably different each time. Have a personal trainer evaluate your condition and design a regimen you can follow anytime, sing different machines as you go.

Resume Writing. If you work as you go and are constantly applying for positions in person and online, invest in a clean, professionally prepared resume. Go to a pro who knows how to present your skills in a readable format. Then put the master document on your computer. Update and massage it as necessary.

Safe, Secure Storage Facilities. When you store things in a friend’s attic or basement, conflicts can arise. If there is a robbery, fire or flood, or if their cat decides to use your antique rocker for a scratching post, friendships fray. If your friend moves, you have to make other arrangements–often at the worst possible time. A professional storage facility offers insured, secure, heated, dehumidified safety for your stored goods.

Upholstery. I’m a fair seamstress and can do minor upholstering such as chair seats. In the RV however, upholstering requires special skills, materials and equipment. Have a professional do it right, with the best materials. It will pay in looks, comfort, long wear and resale value.

GIVE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM TO a Retiree, Empty Nester, Suddenly Single, New Graduate or Burned Out Colleague

We full-timed for 10 great years. We describe it, warts and all, from early beginning to a happy RV ending when we became part-timers again.

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

RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These hot-off-the-press news breaks may be incomplete or premature for travel planning. They are presented here by location so you can follow up on your own. No endorsement of any park or service is implied.

NEW & FUTURE RV PARKS, RESORTS, CAMPGROUNDS

Traditions Motorcoach Park, proposed for Starkville, Mississippi has been given the green light to proceed with development. The 13-acre plot is expected to hold about 72 RV sites. Stay tuned for this future destination in the heart of Mississippi Blues and Ragtime country.

Slated to open in May in Satsuma, Louisiana is the Patriots RV Resort with 20 RV sites at first and more to come soon. Race your RC boat in the lake, play pickleball, use the fitness center and laundry, and enjoy no end of activities indoors and out. Details at PatriotsRVResort.com/

New in Bastrop, Texas is A Place to Call Home, an RV park inviting long-term residents. It's only four miles from downtown and offers a long list of amenities for rigs 0 to 8 feet. Wi-Fi is complimentary and there are also gas grills, a stocked fishing pond, basketball hoops, a dog park and a pavilion with fire pit. Get details at www.aplacetocallhomervpark.com.

CHANGES, NEW OWNERS, UPGRADES

Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, Virginia is ready to reopen the newly renovated Campground Birch. The target date is May 22, but check the website below. Improvements include 50/30/20 amp electric hookups and water at each campsite. Campers up to 30 feet can be accommodated. The lake, known for fishing and boating, has a marina with services, snacks and boat rentals. See virginiastateparks.gov/claytor-lake, tel. (540) 643-2500.

Newly upgraded, Bishop Lake Campground in Brighton State Recreation Area, Michigan is slated to open by Memorial Day with additional campsites, 50-amp service and some newly adapted ADA sites. The Area has nine lakes, five campgrounds and a new Brighton Sensory Area for music lovers. Known for boating and fishing, the Area also has disc golf, special events, archery, hiking,and mountain biking. https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/brighton

Streamside Parks, a Nashville-based outdoor hospitality company, is on a buying binge. New to the network are Verde River RV Resort in Camp Verde, Arizona; Indian Water RV Resort in Indio, California; Fayetteville RV Resort and Raleigh Oaks RV Resort in North Carolina; Twin Grove RV Resort in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania and, Americamps in Ashland, Virginia. Will new owners bring changes? Know before you go.

More Briefs about changes in owners: Shady Oasis Kampground & RV Park in Victorville , California has a new owner that is planning major upgrades. In the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, the Dallas/Arlington KOA Holiday is now a KCN Campgrounds member. The park has a playground, bicycle rentals, a swimming pool, dog park, Wi-Fi, cable TV and guest gathering spaces. RV Sites have full hook-ups and some KAO Patio sites are available. 1-800-562-3705. New leadership is on site at the Richmond, Indiana KOA Holiday. The family-friendly park has a swimming pool,, stocked fish pond, crafts programs, planned events for al ages(.800) 562-0611. Meet the new owners at the Red Barn Campground in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The family-run park covers 225 acres and has 400 sites, ATV trails and a big barn for gatherings. See redbarncampground.com/

SCUTTLEBUTT

If city officials get their wish in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the former campground at Point des Chenes will be redeveloped. Stay tuned.

CLOSINGS

Hover Camp (formerly Camp Rendezvous), Swan Valley Idaho is said to be closed all this year for construction. The camp has RV, tent and cabin sites and, a fly shop. Ithe camp is famous for fishing the Snake River At press time the website isn’t helpful. Phone: (208) 483-2267

Lake Tulloch Campground & Marina, Jamestown, California has been closed because of storm damage and funding uncertainties. Check for its current status at (209) 881-0107

EVENTS

This year’s Forest Trail Music Festival will be held August 27-30 in Manistee National Forest, Michigan. Tickets are now available at ForestTrailMusic.org. Camp on site (separate camping pass required) to hear days of folk, roots, jam-band, and Americana artists in a family-friendly festival setting. Network with creative folks in arts, crafts, culinary crafts and performing. (231) 510 3056

Be at Devils Fork State Park, Salem, South Carolina on March 19 for the annual Oconee Bell Nature Walk. Walk the Oconee Bell Trail with ranger guide to celebrate this early blooming native wildflower. Cost is $15 per person. Children should be age 10 or older Register with tlee@scprt.com, (864) 944-2639 Reservations southcarolinaparks.com, (864) 944-2639

E-Book Armchair Adventure

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books series brings sailboat widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer to her husband's unexplained 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 crazy friends and cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on Kindle, https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao

See travel recipes for camping and RV cooks at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

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Friday, February 20, 2026

RV Insurance+ RV Park Good/Bad News

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

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

GET EARYBIRD INFO ON NEW & FUTURE RV PARKS

RV Insurance: Got You Covered or just Gotcha?

RV INSURANCE:

What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt you

My travelwriter colleagues– I’ll call them Betty and Bill,-- were traveling in an RV. There was a break-in and $800 in high tech video equipment was gone. Their RV insurance covered the broken window but not the video equipment. Why? The video equipment was their business tools, not things that ordinary RV travelers would have on board.

RV insurance is not one insurance but a big, baffling bouquet of hazards, coverages, warranties, restrictions and rates. Things get even more complicated if the RV is your full-time home. One of the biggest surprises is that your RV’s original warranty may be denied if you live on board full-time. Too, the personal liability coverage provided in a homeowner policy (such as your golf ball injuring someone on the golf course) may not be included in your RV coverage. If you have no other home and coverage, you'll need special personal liability insurance.

The problem is that an RV is both a domicile and a vehicle. For many it’s also an investment, office, family car or workshop. Here are just a few things to know as you wander through the briar patch of RV insurances.

* Understand what contents are covered for loss through fire, highway accident, flood or theft. Can you get special insurance for valuables or business equipment?

* What about liability for, say, a paying passenger on board, a different driver, a visitor? What if you rent out the rig?

* Can you get a discount for loyalty and years of claim-free service?

* In case of a total loss will insurance cover a loaner vehicle and/or alternative housing?

* If you have a medical emergency are you covered for getting yourself and the RV safely home?

ROUGH IT EASY WITH SLICK, QUICK CAMPING RECIPES. Go to https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

Photo BY GEICO

* Roadside assistance and towing coverages are a maze. Towing what, how and how far?

* What about damage or loss that occurs during storage?

* Can you get mortgage insurance for an RV that has a large loan?

* What about coverage for additional structures such as a shed on your RV lot?

* Does RV insurance cover meals, lodging and other expenses if you wreck the RV far from home? Do you need trip interruption insurance?

* Some RV policies cover pet injuries. If you medical pet insurance is it good everywhere or only at you hometown vet.

Oh, the woes of fine print

Bottom Line: It’s best to work with a specialist in RV insurance who knows the unique ins and outs of this specialized field. The agent will look at all your present coverages (home, auto, liability, professional, personal, high value items, ad inf. ) and create the right coverage for

your RV and your RV lifestyle.

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

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These news breaks from our local sources are presented early so you can follow up as the story develops. No endorsement of any park is implied.

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

By the 4th of July, the new Cypress Lake RV Resort and water park should be at least partially open in West Monroe, Louisiana with 65 RV pads. The 37-acre complex will eventually have 180 total campsites and a well-stocked fishing lake.

A former cement plant has been turned into a natural sanctuary with 14 miles of trails. Lehigh-Portland State Park, Iola, Kansas has a spring-fed quarry fishing lake, visitor center and campground. https://www.campitks.gov/

Trees have been marked for site clearing at city-owned Menahga Memorial Forest Park and Campground, Menahga, Minnesota. This is where ten new RV sites with water, sewer and electric plus three primitive sits will be added by next summer. The park has showers, flush toilets, a dump station and playground. Lake swimming is just 1/4 mile away. (218-564-4557)

CAMPGROUND CHANGES, NEW OWNERS, ADDITIONS

Cherokee Family Adventure Park, Cherokee, North Carolina, formerly known as Yogi in the Smokies, is now a member of the Wayhaven Resort group. The 180-site resort has bathhouses, a playground, outdoor theater with family movies, game room, arcade, a heated pool in season and a stocked river for trout fishing. (828) 497-9151

Free or fee overnight RV parking is offered by many many museums, attractions, farms, ranches, business, wineries and others. One of the best is Pioneer Village Museum in Minden, Nebraska, where 25 new campsites are being added to its 44-site campground.. It’s closed in winter. See PioneerVillage.com/

Near Austin, Texas, new management is in place at Redbud Ranch RV Resort, (512) 265-8000, and Jellystone Park Austin North (512) 641-.1072. Check for changes.

Roosevelt State Park, Mississippi has 110 newly renovated RV campsites. Each includes full hookups, picnic table and grill. The campground has newly reconditioned bathhouses, pickleball, a refinished pool slide, a camp store and kayak rentals. A new, online reservations system opens in early April.

SCUTTLEBUTT

In Chelan County, Washington, Beebe Bridge Park has joined the state reservations system. The park opens April 15 and reservations are expected to go online in March. .The park on the Columbia River has soccer fields, tennis, pickleball, horseshoes, a boat launch, swim area, and a shoreline trail. Also in Washington, Fort Flagler State Park now offers reservations year round. Previously, the campground was first-come, first served at some times of the year.

Washington State Park alerts at press time include: Cape Disappointment State Park campgrounds are closed for construction. The park remains partially open. Saltwater State Park campground is closed due to flooding and erosion issues. Twin Harbors State Park is partially closed due to flooding.

In Tennessee there is a plan afoot for turning 800 acres of the historic McDonald Farm into a state park and hub for the southern portion of the Cumberland Trail. Surely the new park, the 70th for the Volunteer State, will have a campground. Stay tuned.

EVENTS

Did you know that Ohio is known for its maple syrup? That means fabulous maple festivals with tastings, stirrings, music, food and family fun. This year’s state park maple festivals will be held March 21-22 at Indian Lake, Malabar Far, Hockcing Hills and Hueston Woods state parks. Check each park for RV camping details.

Reserve now for the Kentucky Yoga Festival, scheduled for May 14-17, rain or shine, Barren River Magic Campground, Edmonton, Kentucky. Sign up for four days of yoga with trained instructors and practitioners, meditation, drum circles, dance parties, live music, art workshops, kayaking, and shopping for herbal teas, crystals, body care and yoga attire. Day passes are also available. Kids under age 14 are free. Go to https://www.kyyogafest.com/ or email info@playthinkfest.com.

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 recipes made solely with stowed foods from supermarkets (not those expensive doomsday rations). Curate your own three-day standby pantry with familiar, affordable staples for travel, home, your boat, cabin or camper.

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

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Friday, February 13, 2026

RV's & Carbon Monoxide+ RV Park News

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING

RV PARK GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

CARBON MONOXIDE & RV SAFETY

Unless they are properly installed and vented in the RV, take gas grills and generators outside.

Carbon Monoxide, An Update

Carbon Monoxide, the invisible killer, continues to kill and sicken, and not just in winter. According to the National Safety Council, this odorless gas still kills about 200 Americans yearly and affects uncounted others. Let's take a new look.

CO is produced by the incomplete burning of a large variety of fuels including wood, coal, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas, gasoline and even tobacco.

Let’s say you’re swimming near a boat that is running a quiet generator or you're parked in an area where vehicles or generators run for hours. Unseen and scentless, CO pools on the surface of the land or water. Maybe your RV’s propane stove, furnace or water heater is faulty. Or you’re running a gas-powered leaf blower or power washer in a low area where the CO accumulates. Or a fireplace vent is clogged. Dangers lurk.

Studies at Brigham Young University found that about 25 percent of CO victims were left with some degree of permanent brain damage such as memory loss, nerve damage, depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders, and even personality changes–even if they had been treated with oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen. The solution, say the experts, is prevention.

Here is food for thought.

*Smoke detectors can’t “see” carbon monoxide. Your RV needs separate sensors for smoke, CO, gasoline and propane. Some alarms handle multiple sensors.

* Get a battery-operated CO alarm in case your electric hook-up fails. Replace batteries yearly on a special date such as your birthday or anniversary. While some alarms have a warning sound to signal low battery, it’s best to change batteries before they get to this point.

* Vent fuel-burning devices properly. Don’t burn charcoal under cover such as the RV awning or screen enclosure.

* CO victims may feel sleepy or achy and just want to stay in bed. If the CO alarm sounds, get everyone into the fresh air and don't take NO for an answer. Call 911. Victims may need evacuation to a treatment facility.

* Choose a CO alarm with a test function, and test it periodically. Sensors have a limited life, so get an alarm with an end-of-life warning: This feature alerts consumers when it's time to replace the unit (not just batteries).

* Get an alarm with a digital display screen that shows the level of CO detected in the home, and updates the reading every 15 seconds. If you wake up feeling queasy, check this first.

* Peak-Level Memory is a feature that records the highest level of CO present. The first thing rescuers do is get you out into fresh air, then air out the RV. However, Memory tells them the whole story of how long and strong your exposure has been. Knowing the CO level can help them determine treatment.

* Plug-in with Battery Backup: This model is easy to plug into any electrical socket, and it has 9V battery backup.

* Voice Warning: This feature clearly announces the threat so everyone can evacuate the RV ASAP.

* Prevent false alarms by mounting CO alarms at least 15 feet from cooking or heating appliances.

* Do a search for “best CO alarm” and you’ll find a number of reports that can lead you to a consensus.

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These news items are collected from our local sources. They may be incomplete or premature for RV travel planning. They appear here so you can follow each story on your own as it develops.

Where will YOUR next RV trip take you?

NEW & FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Approved for 2027 is the building of the Whoa Time RV Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The park will have eight RV sites. Check with VisitGrandIsland.com for all tourism information as this story develops.

The new member of the Roaming Trails family, Roaming Trails RV Retreat, is now open in Burleson, Texas and there is more to come. The luxury park has 196 oversize sizes and all hookups. Their website admits that some amenities are still under construction, so check ahead as the story develops. This year the resort will have zero entry pool, clubhouse, fitness center, laundry, security and lots of Texas fun such as horseback riding and line dancing. RoamingTrailsRV.com/Burleson/

Another newbie is the St. Maries Riverfront RV Resort on the St. Joe River in Ste. 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 summer, 135 new RV sites will 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 such as classrooms, a renovated pool, ball courts, laundry and a amphitheater. The park is on 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, one of the south’s best birding spots for migrating waterfowl. Check for an opening date in the New Year. Georgiastateparks.org

EXPANSIONS, CHANGES, NEW OWNERS

Branford, Florida is in the heart of Suwannee River country, where the new (November, 2025) Rivers Crossing is now into Phase Two of its development. During 2026 look for the addition of a permanent office, pull-thru sites, a swimming pool and pickleball courts. The resort has full hookups, Wi-Fi, a dog park, bathhouse, arts and crafts and storage for boats and trailers. A bicycle path that runs through the property is on the Rails to Trails Greenway.

Before booking, make sure you can agree to sign the extensive liability waiver. It’s found on the website. Camp@RiversCrossingRV.com/ (386) 266-9087

In North Dakota, Rough Rider State Park, formerly Sully Creek SP, is redesigning and expanding its campgrounds. The 50 sites will include primitive camping, sites with water and electric and equestrian sites. There’s a dump station ,hiking and biking trails, horseback riding and access to the 144-mile Mash Daah Hey Trail. Campsites can be booked 95 days in advance. (800) 807-4723.

The Triple R Camping Resort in Franklinville, New York has a new owner. The 108-acre campground has 215 campsites, cabins, a heated in-ground pool, a hot tub, a stocked fishing lake and a water park with splash pad. No changes have been announced at this time.

Portsmouth, Ohio has a $34 million grant for construction and restoration of its waterfront, which is expected to become a major tourist attraction. Included will be a 60-site campground as well as an amphitheater, stage, gardens,, overlooks and trails. The opening could be as early as Fall, 2026.

EVENTS

Fire up your RV for a trip to the FLAME Festival. It flares April 9-12 in Washington, Georgia. Enjoy springtime weather in the mountains. See spectacular shows featuring fire performers from all over the Americas. See fire art, music, and culture, fire performances, interactive workshops and fireworks. The 68-acre Skull Shoal Park and Campground has 18 sites with full hookups plus plenty of space for tenting and dry RV camping. (678) 677-3876. Get festival tickets at Eventbrite.com/

CLOSINGS

The Blue Oak RV Park in Ingram, Texas is closed for good. It’s among those parks and campgrounds that were destroyed in the floods last July and will not reopen.

Due to erosion, high maintenance costs and safety concerns, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has permanently closed swim beaches at two Beaver Lake campgrounds near Rogers, Arkansas. . Area campgrounds are reserved through Recreation.gov/

See Janet’s RV new recipes of the week at https://www.CampAndRVCook.blogspot.com

Free by return email. I'll send you a full page (about two dozen) of camp cook tips chosen randomly from my extensive archives. Email janetgroene@yahoo.com and put Camp Cook Tips in the topic line

Friday, February 6, 2026

Road Trip Wyoming in Spring+ RV Park Good/Bad News

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S JUST-IN NEWS OF NEW, FUTURE, CHANGING AND CLOSING RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

From snowy slopes to hot springs

Scenic drives, dinosaurs, ice skating and steamy springs

BEAT THE SEASON WITH A

SPRINGTIME WYOMING RV ROAD TRIP

Guest Blog

BY Lolli John, Wyoming Office of Tourism

ljohns@percepture.com

Edit by Janet Groene

For families ready for something different this spring, Wyoming is a practical and unique option for RV campers. Drive routes that connect parks, hot springs, and outdoor fun with room to explore.

Whether starting from Denver, Salt Lake City or points farther south, Wyoming makes it easy to plan a spring break that feels like a real change of pace. Days are longer, snow is still on the ground in many areas, some ski slopes are still open and wide-open skies make even short trips feel expansive.

Here’s a sample itinerary built around flexible travel, fresh air, and uncrowded campgrounds.

Begin in Laramie. Stop for lunch, walk through the historic downtown or visit the University of Wyoming campus. From there, take a short drive to Vedauwoo Recreation Area, known for its rock formations and easy access. The Vedauwoo Campground, elevation 8,300 feet, has no hookups but there are vault toilets, fire rings, trash pickup and a water hand pump. See Reserve.gov/

Drive north to Casper, where the newly opened Nordic Ski Lodge on Casper Mountain serves as a home base for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Hogadon Basin also offers spring downhill runs into March. In town, learn about westward expansion at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center .Developed campgrounds in the Casper area include a KOA. See VisitCasper.com/

Thermopolis is home to Hot Springs State Park and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The public bath house is open year-round with naturally warm mineral water, and the park’s bison herd is often visible from the drive. Recent updates to the museum’s galleries and lab spaces give kids an indoor hands-on option too. See a list of area campgrounds at https://www.hotspringsstatepark.com/?detailed_information=accommodations

Wind River Canyon or Saratoga are places to wrap up the trip with a scenic drive. Wind River Canyon cuts through layered cliffs and offers plenty of pull-off spots. For those heading south, Saratoga is a relaxing finish, with its open-air Hobo Hot Springs pools located along the river. Campgrounds with hookups are available in the area.

Take the slow lane through scenic Wyoming lands where wildlife is emerging from their winter quarters. From bison sightings to hot spring stops, The Equality State gives families a chance to stretch out and try something new without over-planning.

Janet adds:

Wyoming in spring presents capricious weather and unique hazards for RV travelers. Stay keenly aware each day of highway conditions, campground conditions and weather forecasts.

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

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/

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS, GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

Staying in the new RV campground at the esteemed Harris Ranch Resort, Coalinga, California, is like staying in a hotel (and almost as pricey.) The new RV park there has spacious sites, pickleball, showers, Wi-FI and more plus key card access to the features of the iconic, 50-year-old hotel complex. Take free coffee in the hotel lobby each morning. Dine in splendid hotel eateries. Shop the shops. Explore surrounding areas for golf, shopping and spa. (559) 935-0717

The Hoosier State’s first new state park inn since 1939 will open in Potato Creek State Park, North Liberty, Indiana in 2027 with 120 guest rooms, a café, indoor pool and a conference center, with easy access to trails and the 350 campsites. CAMPSites are full hookup, partial hookup, tents only, primitive and equestrian. Phone: (574) 656-8186.

RV PARK CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

New owners are sought for the historic Meramec River Resort, Cuba, Missouri. The 34-acre resort has 29 RV sites, tent sites, bathhouse with showers and watercraft rentals for fun on the river. Will there be changes? Know before you go. (573) 775-CAMP

Only a year old, Serenity RV Park near Belden, Mississippi is expanding. In the works are a new swimming pool, pavilion near the community fire pit and tons of activities such as movie nights and bingo. Email serenityrvparkms@gmail.com

In Carmel, California, Saddle Mountain Resort is now with RV Park Management, https://rvparkpm.com/ The resort has cabins, luxury tent sites and RV sites with full hookups. The resort has a dry sauna, swimming pool, group activities, hot water washing stations, hiking trails, Wi-Fi, cable TV and sweeping views of the Carmel Valley and Big Sur. See https://saddlemountian.com

A Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort has come to Williamsburg, Virginia. It’s a knock-out for family activities, water features and topnotch campground amenities. While you’re here, don’t miss the unique historical scenes and experiences at Colonial Williamsburg. The re-branded park will open March 2. campjellystone.com/virginia/jellystone-park-williamsburg/

According to the Times Colonist, 18 provincial parks in British Columbia are raising camping fees and adding a $20 fee for out-of-province guests.

EVENTS

Register ASAP for the annual Nature Wellness Weekend at Shawnee State Park, West Portsmouth, Ohio. The weekend of May 8-10 will be filled with nature walks, nature writing, identification of edible plants and evenings around the campfire with live music. Take the package that includes lodging, meals and activities or pay a $75 joiner fee for activities only and stay at the campground at prevailing rates. Registration is limited to 40 people. The deadline for sign-up is March 10. Contact ((740) 858-6652 or email jenny.richards@dnr.ohio.gov/

There’s no dark like the dark in Everglades National Park, where the annual Dark Sky Festival will be held at the Visitor Center, Flamingo, Florida, on February 21. Meet with astronomers, look through telescopes, attend photography workshops and take a boat tour.. For campground information and reservations in the park see Recreation.gov/

SCUTTLEBUTT

Do you have the right phone apps? All developed facilities in Umpqua National Forest in Oregon will be cashless starting in April. This applies to campsites, trailheads, showers, dump stations, boat ramps and days use areas. See recreation.gov/ (541) 496-0157

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