my travels in pixels

Smokemont NP Campground Campground Road A, Cherokee, NC Site A6 Smokemont Campground Why we chose here? It’s in the southern part of the Great Smoky Mountains Location: North Carolina, just north of Cherokee Peak Season: 15 May to 15 Oct Sites: 142, they say it accommodates 35-40’ RV’s but there are limited spots for these sizes, especially for 5th Wheels as we need to fit a truck on the site as well, unhooked. There are a number of loops, F loop which is for RV’s was closed as it doesn’t open until the 15th May. The campsites are tight. Facilities: Restrooms, Dump Station with drinking water, Garbage bins Groceries: Cherokee is 8 miles away, the Lion grocery store is next to McDonalds on the 441 Reservations: Yes, but not before 15 May Cell Coverage / WiFi: No, you will get it in Cherokee Price Paid: $17 off peak, $20 in peak season Date of visit: May 2016, we camped in A6 Other: There are some trails accessible from the campground. No generator...

Cades Cove Campground 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend TN Why we chose here? We wanted to explore the northern part of the Great Smoky Mountains. Location: Near Townsend TN Sites: There are two loops B (85 sites) & C (76 sites) and four group sites (2 x 20 & 2 x 30). Maximum size is supposed to be 40’, we are only 35’ and we had trouble getting into a few spots in both sections. In section B, the driveways are narrow, many with trees right on the side so you wouldn’t be able to put your slides out. Section C has a couple of old sites with gravel driveways that slope, so these really only cater for tents. The rest are concrete slabs, each with a tent area. Many were just too short for us. Backing into all the sites in this park is difficult as the roads are too narrow to turn without the truck running out of road. These sites are not very old, I cannot believe they are not catering for larger rigs. Sites C17-20 are the easiest for our size and we had to park our tru...

T.O. Fuller State Park 1500 W Mitchell Rd, Memphis, TN 38109, USA Site 15 is in the middle section near the playground Why we chose here? The closest State Park to Memphis Location: 10 miles south of Memphis Sites: 45, some back in and some pull through, set in a woodland setting. Quite a number of sites fit large RV’s. All sites have 30 or 50amp and water and there is a dump on the way in/out. Facilities: Restrooms with showers, laundry $1/wash, $1/dry, playground. In another area of the park is an Olympic sized swimming pool. You also get free tickets to the Chucalissa Indian (prehistoric) Village that was found when they were digging a swimming pool in the 1940’s Groceries: Shops are about 5 miles away Reservations: Yes Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon 3G 1 bar, 4G with aerial Price Paid: $21.85 Date of visit: April 2016 Would we come here again? Yes, it’s a lovely park. Even if you don't want to visit Memphis, it's very peaceful to rest for ...

Site 41 Cathedral Palms RV Resort 35901 Cathedral Canyon Drive, Cathedral City CA Why we chose here? We were meeting up with friends in Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Desert Location: In between Palm Springs and Desert Springs, CA Sites: 145 – 33 50 amp FHU, 14 E & W, all the rest are FHU 30amp Facilities: Pool, Recreational room, pickleball court, restrooms, free wifi Groceries: shops are a 7 minute drive away Reservations: Yes Cell Coverage / WiFi: Their Wifi was unusable at our site, it is strongest in the recreational room Price Paid: $43 + tax Date of visit: December 2015 Other: We were in site 41, wifi was terrible and we had noise from the equipment hire place next door using air compressors. Would we come here again? Not sure, we would look at alternatives first.

Site 31 Sweetwater County Park Campground 3218 Summit Meadow Road, Bonita CA Location: South East of San Diego, near Chula Vista Why we chose here? Near San Diego Sites: 150, The South loop has partial shade sites with gravel pads. Number of: 7 FHU, 41 W&E, 12 W&E Equestrian. Pull throughs on the inside of the loop, back-in on the outside. The North Loop has no shade but with concrete pads, nearly all pull throughs. Number of sites: 51 FHU Facilities: Dump, Community Center, Trailheads, Restrooms, Showers Groceries: Chula Vista Reservations: Yes $5 fee. It was less than half full when we were there, we did not need to register after all, but you never know. Even on the weekend, it was only half full. Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon works here, but there is a free wifi at the office near site 32 Price Paid: $33 FHU, $29 W&E Date of visit: Mid November 2015 Would we come here again? Yes. This is a lovely campground. Our site #31 FHU was huge ...

Rockhouse Trail  A campsite on the right hand side of the trail Why we chose here? We were on our way to San Diego Location: Rockhouse trail is off the SR22 in the Anza Borrego Desert CA. Two hours east of San Diego, west of Salton City, near the Salton Sea. There is a green street sign, so you shouldn’t miss it. More than likely there will be other RV's there as it's a well known boondocking area. Sites: Quit a few, look for the rock ringed fire pits Facilities: None, it’s primitive camping Groceries: 7 miles to Borrego Springs Reservations: No Cell Coverage / WiFi: Both Verizon and AT&T work here. The further you go from the SR22, the weaker the signal Price Paid: $0 Date of visit: Mid November 2015 It's just a big open space Other: This is a low desert so has the same temperature as say Palm Springs. There can be high winds as this is a desert. Fuel and food are available in Borrego Springs 7 miles away The road at...

Waterton Lakes Townsite Campground Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta Canada Why we chose here? It is inside the park close to both the Akamina Parkway and Red Rock Parkway Location: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta Canada Sites: 237 Facilities: 94 x FHU pull throughs, 46 back in electric & water, 97 unserviced, Hot showers, restrooms. Water is available throughout the campground, dump station Groceries: Waterton grocer Reservations: Yes, $14 fee – you need to book on the weekends Cell Coverage / WiFi:  The campground has free WiFi Price Paid: $27.40 unserviced - there were no others available, $32.30 E&W, $38.50 FHU Date of visit: June 2015 Other: Maximum 2 weeks stay, Parks fee of $20 a day or annual Waterton or National Parks pass. Fill up propane before you come, it is available from Pat’s but is double the normal price. Would we come here again? Yes. I would book different sites for weekdays and weekends if I couldn't get...

Chief Joseph City Park Campground 3rd St SW, Harlowton, Montana - off Hwy 191 Why we chose here? It was between Cody and Great Falls and there is nothing else around Location: Harlowton is a small town off the 191. Located near the fairgrounds Sites: About 20 RV sites and a few tent sites away from the RV sites. I think we had site 12 which was gravel and right next to the water spigot. As we were the only ones there we connected to the water! Pull through sites. Facilities: 30amp, one water spigot for the whole campground, trash disposal, playground, restrooms Groceries: There is a grocery store in town Reservations:  Don't know Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon works here Price Paid: $15 for electric, $9 for dry camping and $7 for tents Date of visit: May 2015 Other:  Playground Grill Water - one spigot 30amp for 20 sites Fishing in the river Tent sites Pet friendly The camp host comes around at night to collect the fees. He has cha...

Mammoth Campground Why we chose here? It is the only campground in Yellowstone open all year round Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, the northern entrance of Yellowstone Sites: 86, spacious and most are pull throughs, some sites have flat pads for tents. Hiker/biker site.           2 x Handicap sites Facilities: restrooms, fire pits, water spigots, firewood for sale Groceries: Gardiner Market in Gardiner, 5 miles away, General Store in Mammoth Reservations: No, first come first served. Come early as it fills up quickly during peak season. Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon, for AT&T you will need to drive to Gardiner Price Paid: $20 – cash or credit when the office is open Date of visit: Feb & May 2015, May 2014 Would we come here again? Yes Notes: No dump station – there are dump stations at Madison, Fishing Bridge – but it’s a long way to drive You can use your generator during the hours of 8am to 8pm, quiet time ...

Fishing Bridge RV Park You have to park your truck next to your RV Why we chose here? The only campground open in the eastern section of Yellowstone Location: Fishing Bridge, the middle east part of Yellowstone NP Sites: 346, but loops A to D are under reconstruction in 2015 Facilities: 50amp sites, heated restrooms, showers & laundry near the main office, general store near the gas station out on the road. Gas and diesel prices are not much higher than outside the park. There is another gas station at Canyon, same prices. Groceries: the general store has a small selection of food and drinks Reservations: Yes, it's run by Xanterra Cell Coverage / WiFi: Yes, 4G Verizon Price Paid: $54.45 Date of visit: May 2015 Notes:  The sites are small and crowded - not a pleasant experience at all, they are upgrading other loops presumably to make the sites bigger Opens approx 8th May to 20th September - see NPS website for up to date info Only al...

Madison Campground Why we chose here?  It's the only campground open in the middle section of Yellowstone NP between 1-7 May Location: 14 miles east of the West entrance of Yellowstone Sites: 278 Facilities: Restrooms, dump station, dry sites, tables, fire pits Groceries: West Yellowstone Reservations: Yes, it's run by Xanterra. We booked by phone to make sure we got the right size. Cell Coverage / WiFi: None, but you can get Verizon further into the park, especially near Fishing Bridge Price Paid: $25.66 per night Date of visit: May 2016 Notes: The sites are well laid out amongst the pine trees, it's a nice campground The dump station closes when temperatures dip below freezing – it was closed the morning we left. Our campsite looked like a pull through, but you have to back half-way in and then park your truck at the back. We had site A30 Would we come here again?  Yes, because it opens before Fishing Bridge small site V...

Utah Lake State Park Campground Why we chose here? seemed a nice place to stop while waiting for some parts from Campingworld in Draper Location: Utah Lake, Provo Sites: 55, 40' max RV length. Back in and pull through's Facilities: Showers, Electric and Water hookup, Dump station, Grill, Groceries: Provo Reservations: Yes, only one site available before May 1, all others first come first serve Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon Price Paid: $30 Date of visit: April 2015 Would we come here again? Sure, it's nice and quiet

Horsethief BLM Campground On the road into the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands Site 25 Why we chose here? The closest campground to Island in the Sky (Canyonlands) that allows RV’s over 28’ Location: Just outside the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands and just before the road to Dead Horse State Park Sites: 56 sites of various sizes, up to 35’ RV allowed. Nicely spaced out. Facilities: Vault toilets and rubbish dump, Fire pits with BBQ grill, metal slotted table/bench seats Groceries: Nearest town is Moab (60 miles) and there is a City Market grocery store there Reservations:  No, first come first served Cell Coverage / WiFi: Yes we were able to access Verizon at the campsite, but not on the road in Price Paid: $15 Date of visit: April 2015 Other: Nearest dump station is at the Maverick Gas station in Moab or RV parks Would we come here again? Yes Looking down the campground road to other sites Site 25 from the b...

Needles Outpost RV Campground Our site near the Juniper Tree Why we chose here? The National Parks campground only allows 28' RV's, this park allows larger RV's Location: Just outside the Needles section of Canyonlands Sites: 26, don't drive around the group tent section (on the right) in an RV, there is a big dip! Facilities:  Dry Camping - no hookups. Showers, Food - fresh and cooked, Dump, Water - but as they have to truck it in, don't fill up your tanks, fire rings Groceries: Monticello or Moab Reservations: Yes Cell Coverage / WiFi: No Price Paid: $20 Date of visit: April 2015 Would we come here again? Yes Looking back towards the group and tent area

Cottonwood Campground in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ Chinle, AZ One of the larger sites Check with the visitor centre on arrival as they have ranger programs and a free walking tour. There is only one walk to the White House Ruins that you can do on your own. The other options are private walking tours, 4WD tours or horse trail tours Why we chose here? There are only two campgrounds in Canyon de Chelly (pronounced shay), one near the visitor centre - Cottonwood and another – Spider Rock, a fair way in on the south rim. Location: Drive to Chinle, AZ, then drive east. Coming out from the visitors centre, turn right, then turn right, then the campground will be on your left. Sites: 92. Up to 35’. Most of the sites are difficult to get in to if you are large. The entries seem to be in the opposite direction than you are supposed to be driving. Lots of small sites. There is a dump, but no water in winter – they take the hoses away. There is only one tap in th...

OK RV Park 1576 Roadrunner Road, Holbrook AZ Site 15 yellow is under a tree Why we chose here? Closest RV park to the Ford dealer in Holbrook Location: East of Flagstaff, 5 mins east of Holbrook Sites: 79 long pull throughs, you need to park either at the end or front of your site (they will tell you) so that you are not alongside your neighbour Facilities: Restrooms with showers, laundry: $1.50 wash, $1.50 dry, free coffee and muffins every morning between 8-10am Groceries: Safeway is 2 miles away in town Reservations: Yes, but we didn't. They do get very busy in the snowbird migration season. Cell Coverage / WiFi: Good wifi most of the time, occasionally it stops, especially late afternoon Price Paid: $177 a week = $25.29 a night, normally $30 Good Sam park Date of visit: April 2015 Other: a popular stop for snowbirder’s returning home, most people only stay one night Would we come here again? Yes, but probably wouldn’t need to Place...

Twin Peaks Campground , Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ Highway 85 Why we chose here? To visit the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument park Location: 4 miles south of Why, AZ on highway 85. Close to the Mexican border. Sites: 34 Tent sites, 46 RV no generator sites, 128 RV generator sites (25 x 36-40’) Facilities: Restrooms with solar showers, Dump site with fresh water. All RV sites have concrete pads and are pull throughs, gardens in between sites and a water tap close to each site. The campground is well laid out and really nice. Groceries: Shop before you come. Reservations: No, first come first serve. As you enter the campground, a ranger at the booth will check your NP pass and allocate you a site and take your money. Cell Coverage / WiFi: Verizon - good Price Paid: $12 per night, $8 entrance fee or National Parks Pass Date of visit: 10 March 2015 Other:  Generators can be used in generator sites 8-10am, 4-...

VFW BLM Campground , Yuma AZ 7120 US Hwy 95 Why we chose here? We wanted to go to Los Algodones Mexico, felt it was safer than just out in the middle of nowhere. Location: Drive east on highway 95 past S. Fortuna Road. After the signs to Quartzite  you will see a sign for VFW, drive in here, go around the buildings, through the gate. Sites: 150 approx, nothing laid out, just park anywhere leaving 20' between you and your neighbour Facilities: Nothing, dry camping Groceries: Yuma Reservations:  No Cell Coverage / WiFi: Yes Price Paid: $0 Date of visit: March 2015 Other:  You must register with the campground host, he will give you a form that has your exit day on it to put on your dashboard - 14 days hence. If you have a 5th wheel or travel trailer, park with your end toward the highway There can be quite a bit of traffic noise as well as trains Would we come here again? Yes