REDDING ELKS LODGE, REDDING, CALIFORNIA

Our Opinion: Recommend. This is our usual stop for an overnight or two when traveling the I-5 corridor. Private; you must be an Elk to stay here.

Date of Stay: May 20, 2009.

Weather During Stay: Hot. High close to 90 degrees, cooled quickly as the sun set. Low around 55 degrees.

Sites: 20 RV sites on reasonably level asphalt on the perimeter of the large parking lot. Each site has 50/30/20 amps and water. All are suitable for big rigs, but parking is very tight if all the sites are occupied - room for slides, but not awnings. All sites are backins.

There are a couple of picnic tables here and there, and a convenient dump station. Dry camping is allowed only if all the sites are occupied.

Rate: $20 for electricity, water and cable TV. Dump included in camping fee.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon phones and aircard signal. No obstructions to block TV satellite. Several TV stations using the TV antenna, and cable TV is at each site. Local NPR on 89.7 and 90.9.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat, level parking with large trees in the lot and around the perimeter. Elevation is 550 feet. The lodge is next door to a senior center; views are of lots of cars in the lot (at times), other rigs, the lodge and the senior center.

Lighting/Noise: The lodge is far from any busy streets so, unless the lodge is rented for an event (we suffered through an all-night party during one stay), it is quiet at night. Occasional trains run fairly nearby. Bright night lights are on 3 foot tall pedestals behind the sites - could be worse!

Favorite Sites: They are all similar. About half face west (hot, hot, hot in summer); the other half face north. No reservations here, so take your choice from what is available when you arrive.

Hiking/Walking: Excellent walking is the reason we stop in Redding. The lodge is on the banks of the Sacramento River, with a wonderful walking/biking trail (this photo) that goes miles in either direction. Walk east along the river about 1 ½ mile through parks and greenspace to the famous Sundial Bridge (not this photo) at Turtle Bay, with it‘s lovely arboretum. Great!

Comments: This lodge is well away from I-5, in a convenient and appealing residential location. The river and walkway is a high point for us, but the lodge itself is also very pleasant, with a huge lawn sloping from the lodge down to the river. Their large swimming pool was closed for repairs on this trip - too bad. We have done a sightseeing daytrip from here to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Truly a convenient stop with plenty to do in the area.