Sunday, October 16, 2011

Gowen NGB Campground, Boise, ID

State Date:  Oct 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
A great place to stay while visiting the Boise area. A small park on the National Guard Base on the South side of the airport, the seven sites all have concrete pads and paved access. The sites are short for big rigs, but there's plenty of room to extend into the asphalt parking area. Good hookups and a free laundry down the street. There's a fair amount of airport noise during the day, but it's fairly quiet at night. Easy access from I-84, and big rigs will have no problem accessing the main gate. Verizon cell and air card worked well. No internet or cable available, but clear shot to satellites and good broadcast TV. Reservations recommended since you will need to pick up a key for the power box, either at the billeting office or the main gate if after hours. A bargain location at $10/night.  Gowen NGB Campground

Meadows RV Park, New Meadows, ID

Stay Date:  Oct 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD - 6
Located at the base of the climb to McCall, this park is acceptable for an overnight but is a bit timeworn. A long dusty entrance road leads to the park, and interior roads and sites are dirt with a bit of scrub grass. Sites are close together with little space for an awning or lawn chairs. Hookups were convenient and Verizon cell and air card worked well. No cable but open sky for the satellite. Friendly host was very helpful. Beware the speed bumps, especially on exit; it's difficult to hit it straight on and will rearrange your cabinets for you. We'll pass on this park the next time in the area.  Full hook-up site for $26/night.  Meadows RV Park

Bear Den RV Resort, Grangeville, ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
An exceptional place to stay; with the Passport America rate this is truly a bargain. Friendly owner, long, terraced but mostly level pull-through, convenient hookups, and good free Wi-Fi. The laundry is without doubt the cleanest we've seen, and is well equipped. Verizon cell and air card worked well. Small trees provide some shade, and the park is reasonably quiet and dark at night. A great stay in a beautiful area, we'll stay here again.  Passport America rate $16/night.  Bear Den RV Resort

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Powell Campground, Bitterroot Mountains, ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
P1050523One word describes this place: perfect! Located in the heavily forested Bitterroot Mountains, yet easily accessible with paved interior roads and sites. We were lucky to have one of two pull-through sites, extra long with a large clearing for the table and fire ring. No cell or Aircard service, but some sites (ours included) allowed a clear shot to the satellite. Quiet, dark, and peaceful at night. Close to the Lochsa River and surrounded by high, tree-covered mountains, and within walking distance of the lodge and small store. A magical place; we'll stay here again.  $7.50/night with Golden Access Pass.  Powell Campground

Square Dance Center & Campground, Lolo, MT

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
Squaredance CampgroundAn exceptionally maintained campground in the tall pines just outside Lolo. Primarily a park that caters to square dance visitors, it welcomes non-dancers also. Crowded during the summer, we had a choice of a number of sites with full hookups, and chose a beautiful back-in site surrounded by trees and grass, with convenient hookups. Hosts were very friendly and helpful during our stay. Verizon cell and air card worked well, as did the free park Wi-Fi and cable TV. Quiet with little road noise, and dark and peaceful at night. Convenient to Missoula and other Bitterroot Valley locations. We'll stay here again. $26/Night.  Square Dance Center & Campground

River Forks Lodge & RV Park, North Fork, ID

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
This was a return visit for us; we'll go out of our way to spend a couple of nights at this delightful little park. Parking nose-in gives a windshield view North Fork RV Park2of the Salmon River, forest, and mountains, and the sound of running water makes sleeping at night easy. Nice grass, shade if you want, and as friendly and helpful owners as you'll ever meet. No cell or Aircard, but free phone at the office. A great place to rest and recharge, we'll stay here again. $26/night for full hookups.  River Forks Lodge & RV Park

Challis Valley RV Park

Stay Date:  Sept 2011
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this park. Huge, level gravel pull-through sites, good hookups, and even a table and yard swing at some sites. While a work in progress, our stay was memorable due to the friendliness of the owners. They checked each day to ensure our stay was meeting our needs, and after recommending a restaurant in Stanley, called to make sure they'd be open. Convenient to shopping and the Yankee Fork visitor center, and quiet and dark at night. Verizon cell service was good, but no Aircard service. Some shade, but plenty of clear shots to the DirecTV satellite. With their internet “gas guzzler” special, only $15/night.  Challis Valley RV Park