Amana Colonies RV Park, Amana IA

Stay Date:  July 2009
Our Rating:  BAD – 6
A large expanse of grass without tree or bush, this campground fills the basic requirement of a place to park but not much else. Dirt roads and big, long dirt sites, but it didn't matter much over the 4th of July as the place was almost empty. Long walk to office or restrooms, although the dumpsters were convenient. Free WiFi was spotty and Verizon Aircard just barely worked. No cable, no broadcast TV, no pool, no playgrounds, just lots of grass and a place to park. No trees, so easy shot to satellite.  Close to the Amana Colonies, interesting but expensive if you decide to shop. We were interested in seeing the area, but there isn't enough to lure us back to this bare-bones park.  Overpriced at $32/night.  Amana Colonies RV Park

Hickory Hollow Campground, Utica IL

Stay Date:  July 2010
Our Rating:  GOOD – 8
This is a great Passport America park for an overnight or longer stay. The park is convenient to the Interstate yet far enough to be fairly quiet at night. The level, gravel pull-thru sites are long and wide enough for slides and awning and hookups are convenient. The park has a nice pool, small store, and walking trails through the woods. Verizon Aircard worked well and the park's free WiFi worked well depending on the amount of users. No cable TV and lots of trees, so ask for a satellite-friendly site.  A Flying J is 10 miles west, and the town of Utica is nearby.  A bargain at $17/night.  Hickory Hollow Campground

Spaulding Lake Campground, Niles MI

Stay Date:  June 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
We enjoyed our stay here; quiet, well landscaped, and very friendly owners/managers. There are a variety of sites, from tree shaded to open, all level grass/dirt with solid hookups and a picnic table. The lakes are full of small bluegill and provide a fishing experience for the kids. There's a playground, basketball court, hiking trails through the woods and rec room, along with a small laundry. Verizon Aircard worked well, but the free park WiFi was exceptionally fast and secure. No cable TV, but plenty of open sites to see the satellite.   The location was perfect for exploring the Amish communities, South Bend, and the lakefront communities. A very good value in this area at $28/night.  Spaulding Lake Campground

Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA, Streetsboro OH

Stay Date:  June 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
While the price was a bit high, this KOA is the only quality RV park in an area with few options. Most parks in this part of the country are 30 amp, no sewer, and crowded with seasonal campers. Interior roads and sites are gravel.  We opted for a back-in site for our 10 day stay, and it was fairly level, grass covered, and tree shaded (we had to use a portable satellite dish). The free WiFi was generally not usable, even though an antenna was close by. TV broadcast reception was spotty, and there is no cable TV. The Verizon cell and Aircard reception was excellent. There are many activities for families on the weekend, and plenty of areas for children, including a swimming "pond". The area has many restaurants and adequate shopping, and access to I-480 and Cleveland attractions is very good but at $37/night it’s overpriced.  Streetsboro KOA

Renfro Valley KOA, Renfro Valley KY

Stay Date:  June 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
This is a park that works best for those with a medium or smaller RV, children, and who use the restrooms. For those of us with large motorhomes and who are only passing through, it is at best an average park. A narrow, climbing road leads to a cramped registration area, and we were led to a level gravel site that was steeply terraced and nearly precluded the use of passenger side slides. The free cable TV and WiFi worked well, and Verizon cell and Aircard also were strong. Lots of trees so find a hole for the satellite may be difficult.  For an overnight stay, there are less expensive and easier to access parks in the area, especially with the KOA price of $47/night.  Renfro Valley KOA

Creekwood Farm RV Park, Waynesville NC

Stay Date:  June 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD –9
Wow - what a beautifully maintained park and at a Passport America rate! At arrival we were checked in by very professional staff and led to our site. The level, gravel sites have a patio area, table, and manicured grass with some shade. Sites are not huge but are large enough to extend slides and awning without feeling cramped. The free cable TV was excellent, and although the park has no WiFi, Verizon cell and Aircard service was very good. Lots of trees, but still had a clear shot at the satellite.  The park is surrounded by hills and forest and is quiet and dark at night. Disneyland could take landscaping lessons from these people, and the Passport America rate of $17.50 was outstanding.  Creekwood Farm RV Park

Fort Chiswell RV Park, Wytheville VA

Stay Date:  June 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD - 7
This is a quality park with a reasonable cost considering facilities. The free WiFi actually worked very well, an unusual event since most parks advertise WiFi but seldom deliver. Although a great park, we were in site 8, which is next to a large security light. Along with the bright light, it buzzed loudly all night long, and was a significant irritant. Ask to stay in a site other than 7 or 8. The cable TV worked well, and most sites had a clear shot at the satellite.  The convenient location of this park (right off the interstate but quiet, with a Flying J next door makes it a location that we'll stay in again, the nightly fee was $30.  Fort Chiswell RV Park