Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Mountain View RV Park, Arco ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  Good – 6
A nice park with grass, some shade, and long pull-thrus.  We’d been here before but were disappointed on this visit; the café was closed, so no “free” breakfast, and it was self check-in with no hosts present.  We found a site for our one-night stay, but would have appreciated a discount from the normal summer rate of $32 since the café was closed and everything was do-it-yourself.  Arco is a miserable little town with limited eating choices, and of the two we picked the worst (Pickles) place in town.  An OK place for an overnight but certainly not a destination.  Overpriced at $32/night (with 10% discount!).  We’ll pass through town next time.  Mountain View RV Park

Challis Valley RV Park, Challis ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
Occasionally we find a park with owners who make your stay so pleasant you want to extend your visit.  This was that kind of park.  While a work in progress, the pull-thru sites were huge, with level gravel, convenient hookups, and even a lawn swing.  The owners stopped by daily to see if we needed anything, and after suggesting a restaurant in the Sawtooth Valley, called them to make sure they’d be open for us.  To top it off, they offered a “gas guzzler” special, two nights for $29.95, which made it an affordable stay.  Great people, and we’ll be back to see them again.  $15/night with the special.  Challis Valley RV Park.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Valley View RV Park, Island Park, ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
Island Park RV ParkNothing stands out while staying at this park; it's a flat expanse of semi-dead grass and gravel with good hookups. Sites are spaced well apart so there's plenty of room, and the pull-thrus are extra long. Friendly hosts will take you to your site and help park. No cable but clear shot to the satellite. Verizon cell service was good, Aircard slow, and good Wi-Fi was available for $1/day. Island Park RV Park2Road noise is a factor, lots of trucks on the highway day and night are a distraction. With the Passport America rate of $17, this is a good place to stay and we'll visit again. Valley View RV Park

Absaroka Bay RV Park, Cody WY

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 8
We enjoyed our stay here; a reasonable rate for accessibility to Cody, Yellowstone, and the Beartooth Highway. Our pull-through site was just long enough for our 40'MH, and there was a space adjacent for tow vehicle parking. Sites are fair-sized, level gravel with grass but no shade. Very good free Wi-Fi, no cable but clear shot to satellite. Verizon cell and Aircard service were good. Owners were very friendly and were eager to please. Excellent large laundry facility with reasonable prices. Road noise, a distraction during the day, tapered off at night and was easy to live with.  With the weekly rate, the $28/night was very reasonable.  Absaroka Bay RV Park.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Ten Broek RV Park, Ten Sleep, WY

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
One of those delightful parks that you enjoy staying at.  Cool shade, pull thrus, and good hookups.  A friendly ol’ cowboy owner who takes you to your sites, helps you park, and shows you the unusual hookups (water/elec on the right).  We were able to get a site under the trees and still have a clear shot at the DirecTV satellite.  Beautiful green grass and a table at each site.  Located in the quaint town of Ten Sleep with a great little restaurant, the Crazy Woman Café, and close to Ten Sleep Canyon and mountain roads where we saw moose.  A great place to stay, but not cheap at $33/night.  No cable or WiFi.  Ten Broek RV Park.

Wyoming Cam-Plex, Gillette WY

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  BAD – 5
This is a rally location only, and is part of a large complex.  Cam-Plex ParkingSites are located in fields surrounding the complex, well beyond walking distance, and are composed of dead grass and dirt.  Full hookups are available, and some sites have 50A.  Leveling is a problem, and blocks will be necessary at most sites.  No shade or tables, just a place to park.  Gillette is an industrial town with little to offer except shopping and average dining places.  There’s no reason to stop here except for a rally, and having been here we won’t return.  Price depends on rally cost.  Wyoming Cam-Plex.

Ellsworth AFB Famcamp

Stay Date:  August 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
A great park convenient to the main gate at Ellsworth AFB.  Ellsworth AFB FamcampPaved entry roads with concrete pads, full hookups, table, and grill.  It would be nice if the grill wasn’t so close to the door, but it’s not a hindrance.  The grass was pretty much dead while we were there, but there are some shaded sites.  The hosts were friendly and helpful, and provided information about the Black Hills attractions.  There’s a laundry building, and the shoppette/class VI store is within walking distance.  Nice commissary but below average BX.  A nice stay, and inexpensive at only $20/night or $120/week.  Ellsworth AFB Famcamp.

Central States Campground, Rapid City SD

Stay Date:  August 2011
Our Rating: BAD – 4
We stayed here because it was close to a Freightliner service facility.  It’s nothing but a field with dead grass, no trees, but pull through electric (50A) and water sites.  There’s no one on site; you call the fairgrounds office and someone will meet you at the campground to take your money and unlock the power box.  If you pay by credit card you’ll have to follow them back to the office.  OK for a quick overnight, but certainly not a destination.  $25/night.  Central States Campground.

Spearfish City Park, Spearfish, SD

Stay Date:  August 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
This was our summer home while volunteering at D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery.  Spearfish ParkVolunteer sites were generous in size with lots of grass, trees, and backed up to Spearfish Creek.  All sites were 50A/full hookups, and the park has free WiFi.  The volunteer sites were paved, but standard sites are gravel and much closer together, although still very nice.  Camp hosts are active, and there is little noise at night and almost no traffic in the area.  The park is located across the street from the hatchery and a large park area with playgrounds and an amphitheater – and everything is beautifully manicured.  A great place in a wonderful town of friendly people. Full hook-up rate is around $30/night.  Spearfish City Park.