Blog

Location & Map

• When – Sept. 2019
• Weather – Comfortable.

Facilities

• Notes
  • McDowell is on the top of a plateau NorthEast of the Phoenix area and North of Fountain Hills.
  • The pads were packed gravel and asphalt and in great condition. All the sites were level and accessible.
  • Each site is spacious with fire rings and tables. We assumed the additional space was provided for privacy as there are no trees and shrubs to provide plenty of space between neighboring pads.
• Park Map

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What we liked / disliked

• There is a covered playground and fun ‘snake slide’ for the kids, (see photo below)
• The bathrooms and showers were clean with hot water.
• The trails we walked were maintained and in good shape even after a couple of significant rains.

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – Sept. 2019
• Weather – Comfortable!

Facilities

• Notes
  • This park is located east of Gallup, NM next to the Church Rock Post Office.
  • The office is disconnected from the campground by the rodeo arena and event center. You will need to visit the office, (even if you have pre-paid your reservation), to obtain a key for the restrooms. The bathrooms were clean, but need repair. 
  • The park is primarily “perma-campers” living in their RVs and travel trailers with a few overnight campers like us.
• Park Map

What we liked / disliked

• The ‘pads’ are dirt and sand areas with power and water hookups. 
• None of the available sites were very level.
• The park is next to Pyramid trail and Church Rock and has some nice hikes available.
• There were trains running at regular intervals, so don’t expect too much peace and quiet at this park!
• It is clear that the campground has a lot of use for all the Gallup events and rodeo grounds… and therefore a lot of hard use by the temporary residents.

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – Sept. 2019
• Weather – Warm!

Facilities

• Notes
  • The camp area had clean restrooms and free showers with plenty of hot water!
  • The camp sites are at the bottom of the canyon and very quiet. Because we were at the bottom of the canyon, there was also no cellular service but a couple of Amarillo TV stations available that kept us informed about the weather.
  • We were in the Juniper area that had spacious pads and easy entry / exit. There was a mix of pull-through and back-in sites.
• Park Map

What we liked / disliked

• “There’s a hole in Texas!” This is a big park, like most things in Texas… The Palo Dura Canyon area is second only to the Grand Canyon in Arizona for canyon size in the the US.
• It was dry during our visit and the conditions were a bit dusty. The flies were a pain…
• Wildlife – tarantula, road runners, armadillo, deer and turkeys.
• Trails for all users – easy hikes to some scrambles and bouldering for the climbers. The trails were dog friendly, although that may change with the amount of dog poo left behind by not so smart dog people!! Take water and bags for your dog!
• The Trading Post had supplies for the things you forgot and tourist stuff to commemorate the visit.

Photos

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After Palo Dura Canyon, we headed west of Amarillo past the Cadillac Ranch to the halfway point of Route 66 and then on to the Petrified Forest and Painted Dessert.

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Location & Map

• When – July 2019
• Weather – Warm

Facilities

• Park Map

What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • This is a very clean state park!
  • It is a good sized park with trails, pool, lake and a golf course near by.
  • There are a lot of trees, however, little camp site shade!
  • The pads are level and concrete with many pull through sites.
  • There is a small general store at office.
  • The trails are seasonally groomed and there is access to the North Canadian River.
  • Restroom and shower area are clean, however, the showers offer minimal privacy!
  • The park was fairly quiet… until you notice the trains… every 3-5 minutes it seemed, all night long!

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – July 2019 (second visit in Sept 2020)
• Weather – Warm (2020 visit very comfortable)

Facilities

• Park Map

What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • Pads are relatively level, some are quite short so hopefully your assignment will be sized right for you.
  • The pads are gravel, but stable and packed.
  • Showers are clean and some have fans to move the air around.
  • Several camping areas in the park and 6 separate camping loops in our area.
  • Sites 1-38 are up the bluff from the lake numbers 40 and up are closer to the water level. The upper area has less noise from the water.
  • Activities:
    • Playgrounds
    • Horse shoe pits
    • Sand volleyball area separate from the beach
    • Swimming area
    • Sand beach
  • There is an automated Day Use pay station, recycling, fish cleaning area and dump station all at the park entry.
  • Not far off the interstate 80, but no noise from the traffic
  • It looked like there was a trail or bike path into the city.
  • About a 20 min. drive to the Amana Colonies.
  • Update:
    • We stopped through this park for a second time in Sept. of 2020 and entered from the east side.
    • We camped closer to the lake and had good weather for our stay.

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – July 2019
• Weather – Hot! Rained and cooled down 20 degrees… but warmed to 95 degrees the next day

Facilities

• Park Map

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What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • This park is on Lake Erie and is a wonderful facility!
  • One point of concern:
    • The signage does not lead you to camp registration building… and
    • Google leads you to the lodge
    • Here is the link to the store/registration building.
  • Most pads are semi private with trees and bushes separating the areas.
  • Everything around us was level and had easy access.
  • Clean showers and plenty of hot water in the restroom/shower buildings.
  • Laundry facilities were located throughout the park.
  • This is a big park with a lot to do!
    • A golf course and other amenities
    • Activities listed for every day.
    • Huge trail system!  
    • Great for biking, hiking and birding
    • There were Gold Finches everywhere…
  • It was Hot! 

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – July 2019
• Weather – Warm

Facilities

• Park Map

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What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • This park is just east of the Nashville metro area.
  • The spaces are narrow for big rigs, although most are long enough for anything.
  • The camp area is clean and simple.
  • Most pads were shaded and level
  • The pads are pull through which is handy.
  • See brochure for amenities 
  • A pool and the pool area is huge, however it is closed for reconstruction! 
  • The deer seemed to be everywhere and were not bothered by the campers.
  • The park is quiet and off major highways.
  • The sites are small and close to your neighbors.
  • Trails are available in the park and at least one Eagle Scout marked trail that we hiked.
  • Hot water was available in the showers!!! Yeah!
  • This was a quiet park and even at dusk, most campers were in for the night.
  • We noticed a large laundry area and all machines appeared to be in working order.
  • There is a small general store in campground that is opened late and accommodates late check ins.
  • There is a gas station at entrance of park as some routes to/from this park had no services available.

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – July 2019
• Weather – Warm

Facilities

• Park Map

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What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • This park covers large area outside Hot Springs, AR.
  • There are numerous water activities and trails through the trees and near the lake.
  • We saw yurts and tent rentals available. See the state park website for info.
  • The bath and showers units are modern with  3 or 4 units all in walking distance in the park. 
    • However, the showers were lukewarm…
  • Most sites seemed fairly level and could accommodate most rigs.
    • Large pads are available for big rigs.
    • Some pads are all completely asphalted, however, some are partially covered in crushed rock.
  • There are shaded sites off the water and waterside sites with few trees.
  • The park is not near the highways  and is very quiet
  • Raccoons! Keep your gear stored and protected!

Photos

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Location & Map

• When – June, 2019
• Weather – AC needed… hot!

Facilities

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• Notes:
  • Restrooms in disrepair, but showers were hot!!
  • Some sites have privacy with brush and small trees
  • Bike and horse trails available.
  • All sites have sheltered picnic tables
  • Lake accessible from camp sites
  • Very quiet
  • Pads are level
  • Visitor center allows an up close view to a mounted bison
  • Trails are available However, Bison have right of way!
• Park Map

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What we liked / disliked

• Notes:
  • Dump station closed
  • Restrooms in disrepair, but showers were hot!!
  • Minimal shade
• Wildlife
  • Bison and prairie dogs
• Media
  • No TV and Minimal cell service

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Photos

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