Stay Date: April 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 8
Rate is based on the "winter" rate. A convenient place to stay for exploring the Black Hills and Rapid City. This is a large, open park with a few small trees, mostly level gravel sites, and grass between average-sized pull-through sites. Very good free WiFi and limited, but clear cable TV. Verizon cell and AirCard worked well. Friendly staff and nice office area. Close to the road, but noise was largely limited to the daylight hours. One apparently permanent resident had two dogs tied outside, that occasionally barked to distraction, but otherwise quiet and dark this time of year. Probably much less quiet and pleasant during the tourist season. $18/night winter rate, $35/night during the summer. Heartland RV Park
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Lamar Sportsman’s Campground & Horse Motel, Lamar CO
Stay Date: April 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 6
This park is an old KOA which, although in the process of renovating with new owners, still has some of the problems of an older design. Sites and roads are difficult to maneuver in/out of with big rigs without driving over or through adjacent sites. The gravel sites were fairly level, and hookups were good; however the free internet would not connect. Verizon Aircard worked well. Close enough to the highway to hear the many trucks, but tolerable. Lamar is not a destination, just a stop on the road, and for one night this is the best park in the area. Nightly rate of $24. Lamar Sportsman’s Campground
Our Rating: GOOD – 6
This park is an old KOA which, although in the process of renovating with new owners, still has some of the problems of an older design. Sites and roads are difficult to maneuver in/out of with big rigs without driving over or through adjacent sites. The gravel sites were fairly level, and hookups were good; however the free internet would not connect. Verizon Aircard worked well. Close enough to the highway to hear the many trucks, but tolerable. Lamar is not a destination, just a stop on the road, and for one night this is the best park in the area. Nightly rate of $24. Lamar Sportsman’s Campground
Cactus RV Park, Tucumcari NM
Stay Date: April 2011
Our Rating: Good – 8
A good place to stop if using Passport America; rate includes 50A service charge. The park is nothing fancy, but if you arrive early enough you can get one of the sites sheltered by trees to help block the ever-present wind. The owners are very friendly and guided us to the site. Hookups were very good and centrally located. Verizon Aircard worked, but very slow; 
however, the free park wireless worked well. Dogs barking in the surrounding neighborhood were an irritant but not overly intrusive. Just down the street from Del's, the town's best restaurant, a clean, friendly place to eat. PA rate $18/night. Cactus RV Park
Our Rating: Good – 8
A good place to stop if using Passport America; rate includes 50A service charge. The park is nothing fancy, but if you arrive early enough you can get one of the sites sheltered by trees to help block the ever-present wind. The owners are very friendly and guided us to the site. Hookups were very good and centrally located. Verizon Aircard worked, but very slow; 
however, the free park wireless worked well. Dogs barking in the surrounding neighborhood were an irritant but not overly intrusive. Just down the street from Del's, the town's best restaurant, a clean, friendly place to eat. PA rate $18/night. Cactus RV Park
Fort Bliss RV Park, El Paso TX
Stay Date: April 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
El Paso doesn't offer much in the way of quality parks, but even if it did, this park would stand out above the others. Paved interior roads, concrete sites and pads, sparkling restrooms, and a beautiful community center make this place special. Check-in was quick and friendly, and using our Golden Access pass resulted in a $12 day fee. Hookups are all centralized and work well. If given a choice, opt for the old section, which has trees and some shade; the new section has small trees and no picnic tables yet. 
The post is a short drive and has an amazing shopping area, the "Freedom Center", with huge PX, numerous shops, a 10-screen theater with first-run movies for $5, and restaurants, including a Buffalo Wild Wings. El Paso isn't exactly picturesque, but Sunland Park on the West side has good shopping and a casino. Surprisingly, the city claims it is the safest large city in America even though the border to Juarez is very close. No problem in the park, it's fenced and patrolled by military police. A great stay - the best in the area by far. Daily rate $14, $2 off per day with Golden Access (Geezer) Pass Fort Bliss RV Park
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
El Paso doesn't offer much in the way of quality parks, but even if it did, this park would stand out above the others. Paved interior roads, concrete sites and pads, sparkling restrooms, and a beautiful community center make this place special. Check-in was quick and friendly, and using our Golden Access pass resulted in a $12 day fee. Hookups are all centralized and work well. If given a choice, opt for the old section, which has trees and some shade; the new section has small trees and no picnic tables yet. 
The post is a short drive and has an amazing shopping area, the "Freedom Center", with huge PX, numerous shops, a 10-screen theater with first-run movies for $5, and restaurants, including a Buffalo Wild Wings. El Paso isn't exactly picturesque, but Sunland Park on the West side has good shopping and a casino. Surprisingly, the city claims it is the safest large city in America even though the border to Juarez is very close. No problem in the park, it's fenced and patrolled by military police. A great stay - the best in the area by far. Daily rate $14, $2 off per day with Golden Access (Geezer) Pass Fort Bliss RV Park
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Caballo Lake RV Park, Caballo Lake, NM
Stay Date: March 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
A well-maintained, great little park on the shores of Caballo Lake (although the lake is down and it’s a long walk). The pull-thru sites are a bit short, but wide, and the 50A sites have small trees and shrubs. Lots of birds and quail running around. Convenient to I-25 (one mile) but fairly quiet at night. Very informal, a host will meet you or give you instructions if you call as the office is not staffed. Good hookups, fairly level gravel sites, and a great price – $15/night plus electric and tax. Caballo Lake RV Park
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
A well-maintained, great little park on the shores of Caballo Lake (although the lake is down and it’s a long walk). The pull-thru sites are a bit short, but wide, and the 50A sites have small trees and shrubs. Lots of birds and quail running around. Convenient to I-25 (one mile) but fairly quiet at night. Very informal, a host will meet you or give you instructions if you call as the office is not staffed. Good hookups, fairly level gravel sites, and a great price – $15/night plus electric and tax. Caballo Lake RV Park
Enchanted Trails Camping Resort, Albuquerque, NM
Stay Date: March 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 6
This is an interesting park, with antique cars and trailers, old appliances and posters in the laundry and game room, and a nicely landscaped office/activity area. When we needed to change from a monthly to a weekly rate, the manager, who was very friendly, quickly changed the rate and provided a refund. There's a lot to like about this park; however, the sites are the front to back type, so you share your "yard" with your neighbor. In our case, we had a long term neighbor with a lot of trash, although since the sites are dirt/gravel, it's not a comfortable place to sit outside. A great place for a short stay, convenient to I-40 but fairly quiet, and reasonably priced. High above the city, so expect a lot of wind, and of course, dust. Reasonable at $26/night. Enchanted Trails Camping Resort
Our Rating: GOOD – 6
This is an interesting park, with antique cars and trailers, old appliances and posters in the laundry and game room, and a nicely landscaped office/activity area. When we needed to change from a monthly to a weekly rate, the manager, who was very friendly, quickly changed the rate and provided a refund. There's a lot to like about this park; however, the sites are the front to back type, so you share your "yard" with your neighbor. In our case, we had a long term neighbor with a lot of trash, although since the sites are dirt/gravel, it's not a comfortable place to sit outside. A great place for a short stay, convenient to I-40 but fairly quiet, and reasonably priced. High above the city, so expect a lot of wind, and of course, dust. Reasonable at $26/night. Enchanted Trails Camping Resort
Friday, March 18, 2011
Valley of the Fires State Park, Carrizozo, NM
Stay Date: March 2011
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
With the Golden Access pass, this has to be one of the greatest bargains you'll find. Paved access roads, paved sites, covered pavilions with table and grill, and panoramic views of the lava beds and mountains make this little park a gem. The pull-thru sites are easy to access loops, but none are remotely level; better choice are the back in sites; they also provide a better view. 
Our first attempt at a pull-thru resulted in a breaker that continually tripped. The host blamed it on our motorhome, but when we moved to a back-in site the power was fine. Not much in Carizozo, but there is a great nature trail through the lava beds at the park, and Capitan and the Smokey the Bear Museum and White Oaks ghost town are easy drives. Nightly rate $18 for water and 30A electric, $9 with Golden Access Pass. Valley of the Fires State Park
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
With the Golden Access pass, this has to be one of the greatest bargains you'll find. Paved access roads, paved sites, covered pavilions with table and grill, and panoramic views of the lava beds and mountains make this little park a gem. The pull-thru sites are easy to access loops, but none are remotely level; better choice are the back in sites; they also provide a better view. 
Our first attempt at a pull-thru resulted in a breaker that continually tripped. The host blamed it on our motorhome, but when we moved to a back-in site the power was fine. Not much in Carizozo, but there is a great nature trail through the lava beds at the park, and Capitan and the Smokey the Bear Museum and White Oaks ghost town are easy drives. Nightly rate $18 for water and 30A electric, $9 with Golden Access Pass. Valley of the Fires State Park
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)