Timberwoods Campground, Van Wert OH

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 8

Most seasonal campgrounds in this part of the country are noisy and not too welcoming of overnighters.  This park was an exception.  Friendly check in and fellow RVers, and a separate area of pull-thru sites for transients.  Nicely shaded, but no cable or satellite view, and only a few OTA channels.  Good Verizon cell/data and acceptable WiFi.  Even on a Friday with a full park, it was quiet at night.  A bit off the main roads but worth the drive since good parks in this area are few.  We enjoyed our stay, although $38/night was high for the few amenities.  Timberwoods Campground

Carl Spindler Campground, East Peoria IL

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD –7

This is a county park and marina on the river with large trees and lots of seasonal residents.  Check in was easy, and we had an escort to our back-in site which was paved, level, and just long enough for us.  Good hookups, Verizon cell/data was good, but no park WiFi or cable.  A good selection of OTA channels and very limited views of the TV satellites.  Easy access just off the main highway with shopping, dining, and a large casino nearby.  Quiet, shady, and comfortable.  A value at $27/night.  Carl Spindler Campground

Caboose Lake Campground, Remington IN

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  UGLY –3

We try to review RV Parks before we visit them, but sometimes one will escape us.  In this case, reviewers commented on the road noise, but most said that while it was noticeable, they didn’t have a problem.  They must have been hard of hearing.  First, the park is located right alongside the interstate, but the bad part is that it’s right at an exit that features a large truck stop.  So not only do you get the normal road noise, but also the teeth-jarring sound of exhaust brakes as trucks slow down on the exit.  To reach our site required a long drive on a road that generated fine dust, all the way to the end of the park and then back to our pull through.  The sites were too narrow to extend our passenger side slide without hitting a tree, but there was grass and a fire ring.  Verizon cell/data worked well, and there were a few OTA TV channels.  But it doesn’t matter – don’t stay here.  The ever-present roar of trucks and exhaust brakes even penetrated our ear plugs and left us exhausted the next day.  All this for $41/night.  Caboose Lake Campground

Checker’s Welcome Campground, Welcome MN

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 9

This park is a great value, and even at full price rewards a visit with a quiet, relaxing stay. Long, level pull thru sites under large trees with lots of grass - the perfect place for a recliner, a good book, and a nap. The owners were friendly and helpful, and are quick to provide assistance. No cable TV and few open areas for a satellite, but ample OTA TV. Good, solid WiFi, and Verizon cell/data were excellent. Some train noise in the early evening, but quiet at night. Not a lot to do in the area, but perfect for a relaxing stay. We'll visit again.  An amazing value at the Passport America rate of $20/night.  Checker’s Welcome Campground

County Line Campground, Summit SD

Stay Date: July 2016

Our Rating:  Good – 9

We're glad we stopped at this extremely well maintained park. Checked in and led to our site by the friendly owners, we were impressed with the manicured, long, pull-thru site. Interior roads and sites are level gravel, with conveniently placed hookups. No cable TV, limited OTA TV, but no obstructions to the satellites. Unusually solid WiFi, and Verizon cell/data were very good. Some train noise during the day but quiet at night. Don't be put off when driving through the sad little town of Summit - this park is a gem and shouldn't be missed. We'll stay here again. A bargain at the Passport America rate of $24/night.  County Line Campground

Country Cabins and RV Park, Mobridge SD

Stay Date:  July 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 8

An interesting park with great deal of potential. The long dusty driveway and interior roads were an irritant, but the sites are extra long, level, and ours had a large tree for shade. Sites are nicely spaced and have a table and fire pit. No cable, OTA TV, and limited views of the TV satellites. The park WiFi was too weak to use, but Verizon cell/data were strong. While train tracks are close, the noise was minimal, and the park is far enough off the road to be quiet at night. The owners, while not overly friendly, were professional and helpful. A popular place for fisherman, the long sites are perfect for an additional vehicle and boats.  $32/night.  Country Cabins and RV Park

Area Tips:  Not much in Mobridge, but there’s an Indian Casino up the road with a minimal, but inexpensive restaurant.  Sitting Bull’s gravesite is located here, and the area draws fisherman to the Missouri River.

Big Sky Camp and RV Park, Miles City MT

Stay Date:  June 2016

Our Rating:  Good – 8

A perfect park for an overnight stay. Nothing fancy, just a friendly owner, low price, long pull thru sites, and 30A power and water. Surprisingly strong WiFi, cable TV, and good Verizon cell/data. Right off the interstate, easy in/out. Not a destination park, but we weren't looking for one. We'll stay here again.  Only $22/night. Big Sky Camp and RV Park

 

 

Area Tips:  Miles City has an interesting, historic downtown and good restaurants.  The Montana Rib & Chop House is new and has very good food at reasonable prices.

Malmstrom AFB Famcamp, Great Falls MT

Stay Date:  June 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 6

Compared to other Famcamps, we rate this location below average largely for the inane policy of not taking reservations or having a phone contact. Getting there requires a six plus mile drive off the interstate through the heart of the business area, and if they're full your option may be the on-base annex, except you can't get through the main gate with a large RV. I feel sorry for the hosts, who were very professional, when they have to turn people away. The park itself is average; paved interior roads with unusually sloped concrete pads that are difficult to level on without raising the front wheels off of the ground. Hookups were good, no cable, little OTA, but no obstructions to satellite TV. The park WiFi was unusable, but Verizon cell/data were strong. An unusual rule was that tow vehicles could not be hooked up on the pads, which was inconvenient and made no sense. Opposite facing sites resulted in better than average space, but overall a mediocre location.  $24/Night  Gateway Famcamp

Area Tips:  The commissary is just OK and the BX is, well, the BX.  Nothing special on base, and the town of Great Falls, unlike other towns in Montana, is drab and unremarkable.  The usual shopping at a strip mall along the interstate, with the usual chain restaurants.  Everything requires a six-seven mile drive from the base.

Choteau Campground, Choteau MT

Stay Date June 2016

Our Rating:  GOOD – 6

The new owners are wonderful and working hard to improve the park. Obviously an old KOA, the layout and infrastructure are dated, with 30A only. Most sites have no shade, and there is little grass. Our site was a fairly level pull-thru, and with few RVs in the park, there was ample room. The park WiFi worked well, but there is no cable or OTA TV. Verizon cell/data signal was strong. A park with enormous potential but with some ways to go. Somewhat overpriced in it's current condition, but it's the only park in the area.  $33/Night.  Choteau Campground