Camp Ripley National Guard Post, MN

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 9

Quiet, heavily treed, with huge sites spaced well apart, this park is a perfect getaway. Level, wide concrete pads, 50A power and water, with a convenient dump station at the exit. Fire rings and free firewood, large table, a short walk to the Mississippi River. Good WiFi, acceptable Verizon cell/data, and while there is no cable or clear area for satellites, we received nine OTA channels. Very quiet post, and except for the mosquitoes, a perfect place to spend a day or two.  An added bonus was the laundries – four large ones on base and all free. A bargain at $17/night  Camp Ripley NG Post

Leech Lake COE Campground, Federal Dam, MN

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 10

This is the kind of park you wish for as a traveler - beautiful large sites in a park like setting. Paved interior roads are narrow but doable in a large motor home. Our full-hookup site had a large table and fire ring, and backed up to the forest. No WiFi or cable, but Verizon cell/data worked well and although there are lots of trees, we were able to find the satellites with a tripod mount. Extremely well maintained by a large cadre of friendly volunteers, quiet at night, and even free firewood from downed trees. An enjoyable stay and very reasonable using the Golden Access pass. Only a few full hookup sites, so reservations are a must.  Nothing within 30 miles so stock up before coming here.  One of the few “10s” that we’ve given.  $18/night with Senior Pass.  Leech Lake COE Campground.

Northland Camping & RV Park, Superior WI

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  UGLY – 3

Suitable for an overnight stay only because of the convenient location next to the highway, this is an old park with tight but doable interior roads. Our pull-through, uneven gravel site was very close to our neighbor, and hookups, including electric, required walking through two inches of water and mud. The sites had a distinct sewer odor, and there were gnats and mosquitoes everywhere. The office lady was very nice, but the office and "bar" had an odor of mildew and stale beer that kept our visit to a minimum. No WiFi except at the office, but our Verizon cell/data worked well. No cable TV, but no obstructions to the satellites and a decent OTA selection. Crowded and noisy on our weekend stay, but fairly quiet at night with a little road noise. We'll look elsewhere if passing through the area again.  Overpriced at $34/night.  Northland Camping & RV Park

Log Cabin Resort and Campground, Curtis MI

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD - 7

This large campground has a lakefront area with beach and marina, and many shaded sites, both back-in and pull-thru. One of the few that has sewer hookups and 50A power. The deluxe sites have concrete pads, tables and fire rings with generous spacing; however they are in the trees so there is no opportunity for satellite TV. We had one of the last sites available, as a result it was next to the bathrooms, which gave us an opportunity to meet most everybody in the park.  Back-ins are up against the tree line, on fairly level grass, and some are satellite friendly.  Cable had many channels but was grainy analog. The park WiFi was excellent throughout our stay, and Verizon cell/data worked well. Very busy on weekends but fairly quiet during the week. Large playground for children, small office with only minimal supplies, and three miles to the small town of Curtis. We found the manager to be helpful and friendly, as were the few seasonal residents.  $32/Night.  Log Cabin Resort & Campground

Ann-Osborn Campground, Sault Ste. Marie MI

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 6

This is a crowded, busy park, and it's not about the amenities, it's about the view. Dried up grass, uneven gravel sites, no shade, 30A and shared water, but ample space between most spaces. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Waterfront view sites are booked well in advance, but you can get a glimpse of the large freighters from almost anywhere in the park. The free WiFi was unusable, but Verizon cell/data worked well. No cable, but some OTA channels and no obstructions to the satellite. Convenient to the tour boat docks, museums, and downtown.  A bit overpriced at $32/night, but it’s all about location.  Ann-Osborn Campground

Sunny’s Campground, Waseon OH

Stay Date:  Aug 2016
Our Rating:  Good – 8
The overnight section is a flat, grassy area with good separation between sites.  This huge park is mostly seasonals, but has a separate area of level grass full-hookup sites for transients. Just OK with the full rate, the park is a bargain at the Passport America rate. Our site was fairly level, hookups worked well, and the for-fee WiFi was adequate. No cable but a few OTA channels, and no obstructions to the satellites. Good Verizon cell/data. We were there on a weekday so it was quiet during our stay. Well worth the stop with the PA rate of $20/night.  Sunny’s Campground

Tiki RV Park & Campground, St Ignace MI

Stay Date:  Aug 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 6

A worthwhile stay if using Passport America or other discounts; otherwise it's a bit pricey. Sites are arranged helter-skelter, some pull-thrus but mostly back-ins. Our site was on a slope but was doable, some had their front wheels well into the air. Some sites are very close together (ours was), others have adequate spacing. The dust from interior roads is significant and you can expect your vehicles to be covered each day. The free WiFi was sporadic, and while Verizon cell was weak, data worked well. Some areas are heavily treed, but we were able to use a tripod to receive DirecTV. Fair OTA TV. Hookups worked well except for the sewer fitting being elevated 8" above ground level. A park with a large variety of sites, and how well you enjoy your stay will depend on where you're located. Passport America rate of $22/night.  Tiki RV Park & Campground

Finn Road RV Park, Essexville MI

Stay Date July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 8

Although in a rural area away from town, this township operated park is worth the drive. Large paved and level back-in sites are well spaced. Hookups worked well, although the sewer connection is 6" above ground and four sites share water connections. WiFi worked well and Verizon cell/data were strong. No cable TV, but ample OTA channels and a clear shot at the satellites from most sites. Be sure and ask for a site with shade if visiting during hot weather, as some sites are in the open. Watch carefully for street signs, since the park is on a back road and poorly marked. Overall, a quiet, worthwhile stay at a very reasonable price of $27/night.  Finn Road RV Park

Maywood Community, Chesterland OH

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 8

Finding a decent place to stay in Northeastern Ohio is always a challenge.  Most parks are “seasonal” parks where people set up their trailers for the summer and visit on weekends.  These parks tend to have a few visitor sites, but are generally 30A and without sewer hookups.  Plus, they’re noisy on the weekends when the kids show up.  This time we hit the jackpot in finding this mobile home, over-55 community that has a half-dozen secluded RV spots with full hookups and 50A power.  Sites are all back-in on gravel/dirt, but have a concrete patio, and are shaded by large trees.  It’s a quiet area except for during weekdays when the noise from an adjacent landscaping company can be a little distracting.  No WiFi, but Verizon cell/data were strong.  Only a few sites and strategic positioning will result in a clear shot to the satellites, but there are ample OTA channels.  The owner and his sister were welcoming and gracious, and were easy to deal with.  Convenient to I-271 which gives good access to the Cleveland area, and a short drive to the quaint village of Chardon.  This is a great place to stay, and for $21/night is an amazing bargain.  Maywood Community