Copyright Janet Groene 2026
Grab the news before it's news, then follow the story as it develops and get reservations before they're gone.
RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS;
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Keep scrolling to see news from previous weeks
Locations are in boldface; dates are in red
Just-in news from our local sources
US and Canada as of April 10
This is news, not reviews nor recommendations.
SCUTTLEBUTT
It’s early in the process but if New Mexico is on your bucket list, start following the revitalizing plans at Fort Bayard. Plans for the historic site will involve additions or upgrades to everything from the parade ground to the RV campground. See Visit engagestantec.com/fort-bayard-revitalization-plan/
Gold Panner RV Campground in Cherryville, British Columbia has new owners. They do not have access to reservations made with previous owners, and they ask campers to re-book with them at campspot.com/book/goldpanner/ Pan for gold in the creek at added cost.
An old gravel mine is well on its way to becoming a 73-site campground at Porteau Cove, on Howe Sound south of Squamish, British Columbia. The commercial campground will be next to Porteau Cove Provincial Park’s campground. Stay tuned in hopes this project gets approved.
EVENTS
May 1-2 is Wildflower Weekend at DeSoto State Park, Alabama. Come for guided hikes, special programs and a world of spring wildflowers. The park’s campground has full hookups including Wi-Fi and cable TV. Go to ReserveAlaPark.com/
CLOSURES
According to some reports, Doheny State Park, Dana Point, California will close October 1 through May, 2028 for construction and improvements. However plans and dates are different at the official website, Doheny State Beach Campground Climate Resilience & Modernization Project, which will be doing the work. If you’re aiming for this campground, stay on top of this developing story.
REOPENINGS, EXPANSIONS, NEW OWNERS
After being closed for months for renovations, Lake Lurleen State Park, Alabama will re-open this spring with a $15 million facelift for its campground. The 1,000 -acre park has hiking trails, a 250-acre lake, a swimming beach and 91 developed campsites. The showers and bathrooms are new. So are rental cabins, boat rentals and Wi-Fi.
Formerly named Crystal Crane Hot Springs, Crane Hot Springs southeast of Burns, Oregon has expanded its RV sites. Come here for the vast geothermal pond, private soaking tubs, dry camping, glamping or 25 RV sites with full hookups. Soak in warm waters any time of the year. See CraneHotSPrings.com/
Hurray for Union Township, Ohio, which will gain 70 RV campsites now that the county has given approval for a managed RV park with a dog park and perhaps a pond. The park will be built with temporary workers in mind and stays will be limited to 90 days. Get information from the local tourism office in Washington Courthouse, (800) 479-7797.
Campers now have a choice of 75 spacious campsites at the upgraded, year-round Crow’s Nest Campground in Newport, New Hampshire. The park has RV sites, tenting, glamping and cabins, a heated swimming pool, putt-putt golf, an events pavilion and game room. 1 603-945-1142
In Howard, Colorado (near Salida) a Grand Re-opening on May 1 will herald the new upgrades and additions at Pleasant View RV Park. Choose views of the river, mountains or native landscaping. The park has 56 full hook-up RV sites, fishing, a boutique for shopping, laundry, showers, a dog park, outdoor meeting area, children’s play area and access to hiking trails. Contact Pleasant ValleyRV.com/ to ask about reopening specials.
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
RV FRIENDLY EVENTS
Thanks to an agreement between the USDA Forest Service and Arkansas State Parks, Blanchard Springs Caverns, including guided cavern tours and camping, will reopen May 1 and run through October. For camping information go to Recreation.gov/ Make tour reservations at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233266
This year’s Solid Sound Music Festival in North Adams, Massachusetts is scheduled for June 26-28. The long list of music headliners includes Mermaid Avenue, Wilco and Billy Bragg and Hannah Cohen. Comedy acts will include Jo Firestone, Jordan Klepper and more. Come for good times, food and drink, pop-ups, children’s activities, artist signings, craft demonstrations, nature hikes, vendor tents and surprises. Go to SolidSoundFestival.com/
RV camping is at Camp Aggie in Adams. Shuttles will run regularly to the festival. Reservations are essential at (413) 662-2111. Get festival tickets separately.
Lakeland RV Campground, Milton, Wisconsin is a Thousand Trails campground but you don’t need to be a member to book. Be there for live music every Saturday through Labor Day, The park has 682 RV sites, a big swimming pool, 200 acres of Lake Koshkanong, fishing, a boat ramp, volleyball, tennis, hayrides, poker runs, hiking trails and more. Call to get details of the Spring Fling $500 deal. (877) 570-2267
NEW AND FUTURE CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS
Approval has been given for a new, campground in historic Arrington, Virginia. Phase One will add 18 RV pads. In Phase 2 more RV pads with utilities will be added and Phase three will be for tents only. More permits and plans lie ahead on the way to completion. An opening date for the unnamed park hasn’t been specified, so stay tuned. Check with the county tourism bureau at (434) 263-7015.
A yet unnamed , 36-site campground is in the works in Carberry, Manitoba. Don’t miss the local museum, the historic downtown, local restaurants and nearby Spruce Provincial Park. Go to Town of Carberry.ca/ for updates as this story develops.
SCUTTLEBUTT
Despite local opposition it appears that a new RV park will be built in the Pireway area of Columbus County, North Carolina. County officials approved plans for a 5.72-acre campground along the Waccamaw River. No further details are available and more permissions must be met, so stay tuned as this story develops.
East of Tower, Minnesota, the first state park for ATV drivers is about to open. The park’s Pyrite Campground, opening June 12, has 24 campsites with electric and plenty of room for trailers and toy haulers. The campground will have showers and an ATV wash station. Water service closes October 10. https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/
CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS
Long a favorite campground, the Silver Creek Campground in Mount Herman, Louisiana finally has new owners. Known for its popular Cajun Olympixs, the 72-acre campground will continue its family-friendly image under a new husband-wife manager team. The opening date is expected to be soon. Disc golf will be added but the future of the Olympixs hasn’t yet been decided. Go to SilverCreekCampground.com/l
Newly opened at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Roland, Arkansas is the paved, multi-use Owl Pass Trail. It’s open to runners, bicycles, track chairs, wheelchairs and mobile scooters and it connects with other trails as well as the parking lot. This park has a great visitor center but no campground. The nearest is Maumelle Campground in Little Rock. It’s on the Arkansas River and the Nutall Trail. The park has 128 sites, electric hookups, hot showers, a boat ramp and a playground. (501) 868-9477
In Oak Flat, Arizona, recreation facilities including the campground will stay open following a federal land exchange. The campground and access roads will be managed by a separate contractor
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





































