Guide To State And National Parks - New Mexico

 

Brantley Lake State Park

Carlsbad, New Mexico

Address: 33 E. Brantley Lake Rd., Carlsbad, NM 87045

Our rating: ****1/2

+ Located 45 minutes from Carlsbad Canyons National Park and a little over an hour to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

+ Each campsite comes with a small covered patio containing a picnic bench and BBQ grill.

+ The bathrooms were being renovated when we camped here.  We actually really liked the private porta showers that were provided during the renovation.

+ Campground and park amenities include a playground, fishing, boating, water skiing and two trails.

Additional Comments:  We did the Lake Loop Trail and were a little disappointed that the loop didn't actually look and we had to turn around and head back to where we started.  It might be cleared by the time you go.

 

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Guide To State And National Parks - Maryland

 

Susquehanna State Park

Havre de Grace, Maryland

Address: 4122 Wilkinson Road, Havre de Grace, Md. 21078

Our rating: *****

 

+ Located 3 miles off I-95

+ Campsites are graveled and each site has a fire pit grill and picnic bench.  We appreciated the garbage bag hook and raised cooking table that was also on our site.

+ Bathrooms are clean and showers are private with space for all your personal items.

+ Campground has a playground, trails, boat launch and fishing.  We took advantage of the large dish washing sink near the bathrooms.

Additional comments:  We enjoyed the 7 mile round trip, flat and easy trail that led to the Conowingo Dam.  This was the place to be if you wanted to see, and photograph, bald eagles.  You can get some nice views of the river along the way.

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail

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Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - North Carolina

 

Medoc Mountain State Park
Hollister, North Carolina

Address:  1541 Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister, NC 27844

Our rating:  ****1/2

+ Conveniently located 16 minutes from I-95.

+ Campsites were graveled and large.  Each site had a picnic table and grill.

+ Bathrooms were clean and showers were private with plenty of space for bath essentials.

+ Campground amenities included bathrooms and hot showers.  The park itself has picnic areas and trails which include several hiking trails, bridle trails and mountain bike trails.

3/4 mile, easy

Stream Loop Trail

 + We had to take 1/2 star away from this campground because of the fact that of the 34 campsites here, only 12 have electric and none have water.  We only stayed overnight so we didn't have a problem with running out of water.

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Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Kentucky

 Barren River Lake State Resort Park

Lucas, KY

Address: 1149 State Park R., Lucas, KY 42156

Our Rating: *****

Cost: RV site w/W/E $26.25 per night

+ Located 45 minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park.

+ Campsites were large and some came with spacious wooden decks and all had W/E and firepits with BBQ grates. W/E/S sites are available.

+ Bathrooms were spotless. Showers had a bench and several hooks for personal items. The shower water warmed up quickly and kept a consistent temperature.

+ Campground amenities included a playground and laundry. The hotel located in the park had a pool that was available to campers. Also in the park was a beach and a golf course.

Additional Comments: The sites are awkwardly placed and makes it a bit confusing when you first pull in to figure out where your hook-ups are and where to park your car. Some water hook-ups were on the opposite side of the electrical boxes and were about 100 feet from the RV pad.

Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Georgia

GEORGIA STATE AND NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS

Fort McAllister Historic State Park

Richmond Hill, Georgia

Address: 3894 Ft. McAllister Rd., Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Our Rating: *****

+ Conveniently located 5 minutes from I-95.

+ Campsite was a good size with W/E, no sewer hookups, and included a picnic table and grill.

+ Bathrooms were clean and we have no complaints about the showers.

+ Some campground, and park, amenities include an outdoor gym, playground, gift shop, Civil War museum and film, Earthwork Fort, 4.3 miles of trails and more.

Additional Comments:  There is a charge for the museum and fort.  There is also bike, kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals available.

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OTHER PLACES WE CAMPED IN GEORGIA

Stone Mountain Park Campground

Stone Mountain, GA

Address: 4003 Stonewall Jackson Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Our Rating: *****

Cost: $44-65 for RV sites depending on amenities included 

+ Located on property of Stone Mountain amusement park and only 30 minutes from Atlanta.

+ Our small site was in the least expensive category and included W/E, WiFi, picnic table, grill and fire pit.

+ Bathrooms were clean and had several toilet stalls and sinks. The shower was small and there was no private bench in the stalls although there was one community bench in the bathroom itself. There were three hooks for hanging clothes and towels. The water warmed up quickly and pressure was good.

+ Campground and park amenities includes a pool, playground, general store and laundry room.

Additional Comments: There were several trails in the park with great views of the Stone Mountain River. Also, driving over the short 100 year old wooden bridge was a must-do here.

Check out these posts for things to do in Georgia.

     Stone Mountain Park

    A Weekend In Atlanta

    Savannah, Georgia

Click here  State By State Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds for more state guides.

Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Louisiana

LOUISIANA STATE AND NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS

Sam Houston Jones State Park

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Address: 107 Sutherland Rd., Lake Charles, Louisiana 70611

Our rating: ***

+ Located 15 minutes off I-10.

+ 38 campsites were packed into a small area.

+ Bathrooms were clean but the showers had a push button that only made the water flow for about 3 minutes each push and the water was very cold until you pushed the button several times.

+ Campground amenities include laundry, disc golf course, fishing, boat ramp and a nature trail.  There is a small playground near the campsites.

Additional Comments:  Be careful maneuvering around the small campground in a large RV.  This unlucky vehicle was stuck here for hours.

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Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Texas

TEXAS STATE AND NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS

Rio Grande RV Park

Big Bend, Texas

Address: Big Bend National Park, Big Bend, Texas 79834

Our rating:  ****

+ Conveniently located in Big Bend National Park.

+ Campsites were basically in a large parking lot with two rows of back-in sites.  There was small bit of grass behind each site with a picnic table and grill. 

 

+ Bathrooms were located in the camp store/laundry room building.  Showers were clean but cost $2.00 per 5 minutes of hot water.

+ The camp store and laundry located in the campground was very convenient.

Additional comments:  We had to minus a star from our rating because of the parking lot campsite and the expensive, inconvenient showers but we did love that we could walk from our campsite to a couple of very beautiful trails.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail

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Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill, Texas

Address:  1570 F.M. 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104

Our rating:  ***1/2

+ Located 5 minutes from I-20.

+ RVsites are available with W/E/S or W/E.  Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.  We purchased extra lighting after our stay here.

+ Bathroom could have been cleaner.  No soap in dispenser.  One open changing area for 2 showers.

+ Campground amenities include a playground in one camping area, outdoor activities like fishing scattered around the park and 2 hiking trails.

Additional Comments:  We camped here off season.  That might have been the reason why the area we camped in was desolate and dark.  We didn't hike either trail as we didn't have free time to spend at the campground with our main reason for camping here was it was conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth.  We did enjoy a beautiful sunset the evening we arrived here.

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Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Arkansas

 ARKANSAS STATE AND NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS

Lake Catherine State Park

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Address: 1200 Catherine Park Rd., Hot Springs, AR 71913

Our rating: ****1/2 

+ Located 12 miles from I-30.

+ Campsites are paved and have W/E/S hookups, tables, fire rings and barbeque grills.

+ Bathrooms were clean.  Had to take off 1/2 star for the push button shower, although the water stayed on a good amount of time with one push.  The shower was uncomfortable due to a shower curtain being what separated the two shower dressing areas.  I used the shower against the wall for more secure privacy.

+ Campground amenities include campstore, playground, beach and plenty of outdoor activities can be experienced around the lake including horseback riding.  There are also four trails.

Falls Branch Trail

Additional Comments:  We highly recommend this park if you are in the Hot Springs area.  This trail was one of our favorites, and we did many, on a trip that took us from Florida to New Mexico and back.

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Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds - Florida

FLORIDA STATE AND NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS

Blackwater River State Park

Milton, Florida

Address: 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Milton, FL 32564

Our rating:  * * * * *

Cost:  $20 per night (1/2 price for FL residents over 65)

+ Located in Northwest Florida, 12 miles from Interstate 10 and 35 minutes from Pensacola, FL.

+ Campsites are level and graveled with W/E/S, tables, bbq grills, fire pits and clothesline.

+ Bathrooms are very clean with a row of private shower stalls equipped with a bench and hooks and plenty of hot water.

+ Campground has playground and two hiking trails.

Chain of Lakes Trail - 1 1/2 mile easy, level trail.

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Colt Creek State Park

Lakeland, Florida

Address:  16000 State Road 471, Lakeland, FL 33809

Our rating: *****

Cost:  $24 per night, $168 per week (1/2 price for FL residents over 65)

+ Located in Central Florida.

+ Campsites are graveled and very large with grill, firepit and table.

+ Bathrooms were very clean and had 2 extra wide showers with large bench and plenty of clothes hooks.

+ Campground amenities include a community sink for washing dishes, one washer and one dryer and snack vending machine all located near the bathroom.

+ Additional Comments: The park had three trails.  We did the Mack Lake Trail which was 0.3 miles.  The other two trails were 10 and 7 miles long but we were able to do a shorter route on both trails.  There is canoe/kayak rentals in the park.  It costs $8 to rent a kayak for the first two hours which was enough time for us.  Then $3 each additional hour.

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Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Wales, Florida

Address:  14248 Camp Mack Rd., Lake Wales, FL 33898

Our rating: *****

Cost:  $20 per night, $140 per week (1/2 price for FL residents)

+  Located in Central Florida.  Approximately 1 1/2 hours south of Orlando attractions.

+  Campsites are private and many are very spacious with tables and grills.  Sites have water and electric but no sewer.  We couldn't get wifi at our site.

+ Bathrooms are clean and have an extra long bench outside the individual showers so plenty room for all your stuff.

+ Campground amenities include laundry room, lookout tower and small store.

Additional Comments:  We sat outside the store which had wifi available when we needed it.  The trails were flat, no hiking stick needed.  There is a also cowboy camp here worth checking out.   

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Highland Hammock State Park

Sebring, Florida

Address:  5931 Hammock Rd., Sebring FL 33872

Our Rating: *****

Cost: $22 per night (1/2 price for FL residents)

+ Located in Central Florida off US-27

+ Campsites are on the smaller size.  All have picnic tables and grills.

+ Bathrooms are clean.  Showers are large with roomy benches and plenty of hooks.  The ceiling fans worked great to keep the bathroom cool and were a welcome sight.

+ Campground amenities include a large camp store, museum and 9 walking trails. 

Fern Garden Trail

Additional Comments:   There is a band shell where Music in the Park Concerts happen.  It costs $10 per person and children 12 and under a free.  We highly recommend the park tram tour.  Make reservations for the last tour of the day for a longer tour.  The cost is $10 per adult, $5 for kids aged 6-12.  Kids 5 and under are free.  

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Lake Griffin State Park

Fruitland, FL

Address:  3089 Hwy. 441-27, Fruitland Park, FL 34731-4470

Our rating:  *****

Cost:  $18 per night, $126 per night (1/2 price for Florida residents 65 and over)

+ Located in Central Florida.

+ Campsites are on the short side but level with metal lantern posts (we like to hang our garbage bags on them), grills and picnic tables.

+ Bathrooms are clean with 4 large fans that kept the room comfortable.  The shower stalls were a good size and each had a bench and clothes hooks.  

+Campground amenities included laundry area and community sink.

Additional Comments:  The small public park was just steps away from the campground.  The many amenities here included a couple of trails, including the trail that led to the Mammoth Live Oak.  Other activities to enjoy here was the playground, outdoor exercise apparatus and canoe and kayak rental (the $12 per hour, 2 hour minimum was worth the price and 2 hours was enough time to kayak out to Lake Griffin and back).

Mammoth Live Oak

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O'Leno State Park

High Springs, Florida

Address:  410 SE O'Leno Park Rd., High Springs, FL 32643

Our rating:  ****1/2

Cost:  $18 per night (1/2 price for Florida residents over 65)

+Located in North Central Florida.

+ Campsite (Loop: MAG1 - Site #11 - 20' back-in) was long enough for our car to fit in front of our 18' trailer with the front bed extended.  The fenced in area to the right of our trailer contained a picnic bench and fire ring with attached grate.  No wifi but got a couple of TV stations to come in clear with an indoor antenna.

+ Bathrooms were very clean with very large handicapped toilet stall and shower.  Other showers were a good size with a plastic shower curtain separating the shower from the dressing area which had a bench and clothes hook.  The only problem with the shower was that the faucet handle was on the dressing area side of the space which made adjusting the water temperature a bit awkward.  Ceiling fans kept the air circulating.  

+ Campground amenities included a playground and community sink.

Additional comments:  O'Leno State Park is one of Florida's first state parks and one that was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.  There is a museum that is dedicated to this important group but it was closed when we visited the park. The 6,000 acre park has miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails.  We were able to walk from our campsite to the two trails we hiked.

River Trail 

(The suspension bridge here, built by the CCC, crosses over the Santa Fe River.)

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COUNTY PARKS

Fort DeSoto Park

Tierra Verde, Florida

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715

Our Rating: *****

Cost: 33.50 - $38.50

+Located on one of 5 interconnected islands (keys) located on Florida's west coast in Pinellas City.

+Most of the campsites we saw, including ours, were short and narrow. Amenities include water and electric, picnic table and grill.

+Bathrooms were clean and well-ventilated by a gap between the top of the wall and the roof.  I really appreciated the way the shower was designed with the water on one side of the wall and the dressing area on the other so that it kept this area completely dry.

+Campground amenities included a camp store, large playground, beach, bike and kayak rental and three trails.

Additional Comments: We did not run out of things to do here and never needed to leave the campground to find entertainment. One of our favorite experiences here was a ferry ride we took from the park to Shell Key Preserve. I brought back lots of shells but the highlight of the trip was spotting dolphins from our ferry on the ride back to the park.

Check out these posts for things to do in Florida.

    New Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld, Orlando

    City of Murals, Lake Wales

    Budget Friendly Attractions In Orlando

Click here  State By State Guide To State And National Park Campgrounds for more state guides.

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