SKIDAWAY ISLAND STATE PARK, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

Our Opinion: Recommend. This country setting makes a good home base for exploring Savannah - but getting here is tedious for a big rig.

Date of Stay: March 26th through 30th, 2010.

Weather During Stay: Most days were partly cloudy, with highs ranging from the upper 50’s to mid 70’s. Big rainstorm one night.

Site Description: When we checked in, the ranger described all 87 sites as pull-throughs. True, perhaps, if you drive a Class B van camper! During our stay, we saw many rigs back in on arrival or back out upon departure. Once in place, though, most sites are very spacious.

We backed into site 25, a large, level, site with 30/50 amps, water and basic cable TV. Thirty-seven of the sites here have both 30 and 50 amps; the remainder have 30 amps only. Sites are not paved. Each has a picnic table, fire ring and a tent pad.

Roads in the campground loops are paved and narrow - one lane but NOT one way (see photo)! Big rigs maneuver with care (watch those trees), and hope you don’t meet a vehicle coming the other direction.

The campground has 3 restrooms with showers and laundry facilities. Odel reported good water pressure in the showers and plenty of hot water. The park has a large swimming pool - closed this year due to budget constraints. A dump station is conveniently located for departure.

It rained heavily during one night of our stay. A walk the next day revealed that campground areas #2 and #4 would be poor choices for a heavy rig - they were very wet and swampy, with deep, muddy, tire tracks (see bottom photo).

Rate: We paid $20/night (senior discount - usual rate is $25/night), plus $5 for a parking pass - $105 for five nights.

Phone/radio/TV: Great Verizon service for phone and aircard. The campground is heavily wooded, so the basic cable TV was welcome - no chance our roof-mounted TV satellite would lock on. NPR is available on 89.9.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This is a flat campground at low elevation in a forest of incredibly tall trees. Poor drainage. Lots of dappled shade. Sites are not particularly private, but are so spacious that you don’t feel crowded. Our view is of trees and several other RV’s. Our site is adjacent to a golf course, barely glimpsed through the trees and shrubs.

Lighting/Noise: No light or noise to bother us at night.

Favorite Sites: We preferred the sites in areas 1 and 3 because they are drier. The 50 amp sites are first-come, first-served and are mostly in area 1. As usual, the sites on the outer edge of the loops have more privacy than those on the inner area. Sites are not reservable by number.

Hiking/Walking: This park encompasses 588 acres, with plenty of trail options, including a 3 mile trail and a 1 mile trail, with loops and boardwalks. GREAT walking and interesting history.

Comments: Getting to this park is tedious for a big rig, though much easier (fewer miles on commercial surface streets) if you are traveling 95 south rather than north. It is an easy drive to Savannah and Tybee Island, and there is a grocery store within a couple of miles. Due to the distance and traffic between the interstate and the park, we would not come here for a stay of under 4 nights. Otherwise, we recommend it.

STEPHEN FOSTER FOLK CULTURE CENTER STATE PARK, WHITE SPRINGS, FLORIDA

Our Opinion: Rave.  Huge level sites, plenty to see and do.

Date of Stay: March 22, 2010.

Weather During Stay:  Partly cloudy and breezy, mild during the day.  Low at night was 38, a cold surprise.

Site Description:  We’re in site 28, a large, level, pullout with 30 amps and water.   The 45 campsites are arranged in three loops, with about an equal number of back-ins and pull-throughs/pull-outs. Our site had plenty of privacy, and the campground is in a wooded area with lots of cool Spanish moss.  Sites are on gravel and each has a picnic table.  Roads are paved.

The campground has 2 restrooms with showers and covered outdoor laundry facilities (first time I’ve seen that).  A large playground is located near the Suwannee Loop.  A dump station is available.

Rate: We paid $22/night.  No discounts.  Florida uses the Reserve America system for reservations – but we weren’t charged the usual “convenience” fee; the total fee for our site reserved online was $22.

Phone/radio/TV: Great Verizon service for phone and aircard.  Although we had no problem locking on our roof-mounted TV satellite, the tree cover in some sites would present challenges.  We got nothing on our antenna.  NPR is available on 88.9, from Tallahassee.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  This is a flat campground at low elevation.  Lots of saw palmetto, tall pines, large oaks and huge deciduous trees draped in Spanish moss. Sites are relatively private; our view is of trees, moss and a few other RV’s.

Lighting/Noise:  No light or noise to bother us at night.  Sites near the restrooms might have a different light experience.

Favorite Sites:  We liked site 28, but would pick 27 next time, since a rig in site 29 would be smack in the center of our view and very close (it was empty last night).  This would be a great site for a 5th wheel, though.  There are MANY large, level, semi-private sites in this park.

Hiking/Walking:  Miles and miles of hiking, including a wonderful trail along the banks of the dark, mysterious, Suwannee River.

A typical campground loop view	The dark Suwannee River

Comments: LOTS to do in this state park: hike, bike, canoe the Suwannee River, visit the Stephen Foster Museum and the Carillon Tower (which plays concerts 4 times a day), visit the gift shop and craft demonstrations.  Lovely grounds and facilities.  The historic town of White Springs looked interesting, and we were given a brochure for a walking tour of their historic buildings.  That will have to be on the list for “next time”.  We would return here anytime we are in the area.

HO HUM RV PARK, CARRABELLE, FLORIDA

Our Opinion: Rave.  We would love to return here.  Scenic, friendly, unpretentious.

Date of Stay: March 18 through 21, 2010

Weather During Stay:  Two days of cool sunshine, one day of PERFECT 70 degree sunshine, and one stormy, cloudy day.

Site Description:  This small campground has 50 level, graveled sites, 15 of which face St. George Sound and the Gulf of Mexico.  We were in site 38, facing the water and the campground’s small fishing pier, with 50 amp FHU.   The 35 sites off of the water are 30 amp FHU.  All sites have included cable TV and included WiFi.

Sites on the water have no shade; sites off the water are developed in a sparse stand of tall pine trees.  Site sizes are typical for a commercial park: close neighbors but enough room for your slides and awnings.  Big rig friendly, and there is plenty of space for your tow or towed vehicles.  We didn’t check the recreation hall, laundry or bathhouses - couldn’t tear ourselves away from our fabulous view - but they are available.

Two interesting notes: We saw more dogs here than most parks, all on leashes (required) and well-mannered.  We saw NO children here; the park “caters to seniors and adults” and the Ho Hum RV Park website makes a point of saying that there is not much for children to do here.

Rate: $33/night or $198/week for beach front, 50 amp sites; $29/night or $174/week for 30 amp sites.  10% discount for AAA and Good Sam.  Monthly rates are available, but not posted and we didn’t ask. With the AAA discount plus taxes, we paid just under $33/night.

Phone/radio/TV:  Our Verizon phones worked well, but the aircard had occasional problems, dropping the signal as it switched from Broadband to National Access.  We used the free WiFi some of the time and found it to be reasonably reliable.  No obstacles for our satellite TV, and we watched local shows on the included cable TV.  NPR on 88.9.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This is a flat campground a few feet above sea level.  A small pier juts into the water, and a few small palm trees line the narrow “beach” area. Not really much of a beach here, but you can walk the narrow strand for a short distance (where most of the dog walking took place).

Lighting/noise: Half a dozen bright streetlights illuminate the campground at night, somewhat annoying.  Even though the campground is sandwiched between the ocean and Highway 98, the main highway along the “Forgotten Coast”, road noise at night was non-existent.  

Favorite Sites: We LOVED our view, and considered it money well spent to have a 50 amp, pull-in, beachfront site. Site 35 probably would have been our favorite, since it is on the end of the row and would have no neighbor on the patio side.

Hiking/Walking: Not much opportunity for walking in this little park, though we did stroll down the narrow beach during low tide.  Hiking is available in Tate’s Hell State Park (within 10 miles); miles of beach walking available at Carrabelle Beach, 5-6 miles west.  Fabulous beach walking and a nature trail at St. George State Park, about 20 miles away, on a barrier island.

Comments:  When Odel made our reservation, he asked the owner if there was much to do around here.  Her answer? “It’s not called Ho Hum for nothing!”  We were looking for downtime, and found it here - though we found plenty to do each day. Carrabelle (3-4 miles back to the west) is a small town with a big marina – seems geared to fisher folk.  Small, well-stocked IGA.  I hope we’ll be able to visit again

PINEGLEN MOTORCOACH & RV PARK, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA

Our Opinion: Neutral. Though sites are tight, this is an oasis in a congested area.

Date of Stay: March 15 through 17, 2010.

Weather During Stay: Unseasonably cool and windy.

Site Description: This small campground has 60 level, graveled sites, arranged in several curving roads in a stand of tall, tall pine trees. We were in site 34, a 50 amp FHU pull-through along the back row, well away from busy Hwy 98 and its fast-moving, noisy traffic.

The park includes three small, pretty ponds, and sites are arranged to take advantage of the views when possible. In the back row, where we were, our views were of our closely parked neighbors (front and sides) and the small screened pool. Finding a spot to park your tow or towed vehicle can be challenging.

Rate: This is a resort area and prices reflect it. We paid $132 for three nights. Ouch!

Phone/radio/TV: Our Verizon phones and aircard worked well. WiFi is available, but we didn’t use it. No obstacles for our satellite TV; several networks on air antenna. NPR on 89.1 and 90.7.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: This is a flat campground at sea level in a stand of beautiful, tall pines. Benches beside the ponds in the park are appealing. Views vary - if you are lucky, you will be looking at a pretty pond. Otherwise, you get close-ups of your neighbors and the tall trees. Though the roads are winding and narrow, it was not difficult to negotiate in our rig.

Lighting/noise: Nighttime lighting was subdued in our site, and noise was not an issue.

Favorite Sites: Sites 2-10 looked delightful, facing a nice pond. Huge site 39 was an end pull-though with lots of space.

Hiking/Walking: Not much in the park, but the white sand beaches of Panama City Beach are not far away.

Comments: This is not an area of much interest to us - too busy and over-developed - but this is where will stay if we return. Try not to get run over on Hwy 98!

ESCAPEES RAINBOW PLANTATION, SUMMERDALE, ALABAMA

Our Opinion: Recommend.  Trees and grass, mellow atmosphere, friendly Escapees, lots of area attractions.

Date of Stay: March 8 through 14, 2010

Weather During Stay: Transitioning from winter to spring: rain, sun, cold, warm, windy, calm… we had it all.

Site Description:  All 87 FHU sites are level, on grass with matures trees between the sites.  Spacious sites are arranged in 4 long rows, with plenty of space between.  We were in site 31, facing south.  Roads are paved, sites are on grass.  A few sites have drainage issues after a heavy rain.

Though this is an Escapee park, the daily/weekly sites can be rented by non-Escapees.  Besides the rental sites, the park has an area of long-term lease sites (with a waiting list), and a huge neighborhood of deeded lots that can be built on and bought/sold like normal real estate.  The park’s clubhouse (with common rooms, laundry, library and swimming pool) is located in the deeded-lot neighborhood, but accessible to all guests of the park.

Rate: FHU (30/50 amp) sites are $14.50 plus electricity daily; $85 plus electricity weekly.  Boondocking (limited to 21 days) is $5.00 per day.  There is a small fee to use the dump station.  Non-Escapees pay a higher rate.  No reservations - first come, first served.  Reportedly, the park is rarely full and observes the Escapees first-in, first-out rule.

Phone/radio/TV: Verizon cell service wasn’t strong, but was sufficient not to pose problems.  Our TV satellite worked well in site 31 (we asked for a site without obstacles).  Several networks (including PBS) on antenna.  Local NPR on 90.3.  Tengo Internet WiFi is available for a fee.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: The RV sites are on slightly sloping terrain with lots of mature trees. Views are of neighboring rigs, trees and grass.

Lighting/Noise: Quiet, with subdued night lighting.

Favorite Sites: Not much difference between the sites.  We’d ask for a site without obstacles for a roof-mounted satellite, and for something closer to the west end (a bit higher) if rain is in the forecast. 

Hiking/Walking: Plenty of walking in this huge park; three loops of the perimeter and you’ve got 10,000 steps.

Comments: We found this park very relaxing, with a friendly, rural feel.  In the week we spent here, we barely scratched the surface of the restaurants and attractions (natural and man-made) in the area.  Close to the cute town of Fairhope on Mobile Bay; 20 miles from the beach.  Easy day trips to Pensacola, Florida and Mobile, AL.   Good, fresh seafood abounds in restaurants and stores.

DAVIS BAYOU CAMPGROUND, GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS

Our Opinion: Recommend.  Nothing exceptional about the campground, but an excellent location for visiting Mississippi’s gulf coast.

Date of Stay: March 3 through 7, 2010

Weather During Stay:  Mostly sunny, cool days with lows in the 30’s or 40’s.

Site Description:  The 51 first-come, first-served sites in the Davis Bayou Campground all have water and 30/50 amp electric, no FHU sites.  Many of the sites (mostly in the main loop) are suitable for large rigs, though the slope on some sites is a bit of a challenge.  All sites are paved, and each has a campfire ring and a picnic table on a concrete slab.  Privacy between sites is limited or non-existent.

The bathhouse has restrooms and hot showers.  The access road and the roads in the campground are paved but narrow, with the occasional encroaching tree.  Dump station on-site, but inconveniently located. Overnight stays are limited to a maximum of 30 nights per calendar year; no more than 14 of these nights may fall between January 1 and March 31.

Rate: Standard rate is $16/night.  We paid half price with Odel’s Golden Age pass.  $8/night is an incredible bargain for this campground.

Phone/radio/TV: Excellent Verizon service for aircard and phones.  Our roof-mounted TV satellite worked, but large trees in the campground mean you need to choose your site carefully.  Several TV stations (including PBS) on the antenna.  NPR on 90.3.

Elevation/landscape/Terrain: This is a flat campground not much above sea level adjacent to Davis Bayou.  Lots of large evergreens, oaks and deciduous trees in the campground.  Views are of  neighboring rigs, large trees, and dense surrounding jungle.

Lighting/noise: Lights on campground buildings only.  No road noise. 

Favorite Sites: We were in site 9, which worked well for our 40’ motor home AND had a bit of privacy on the patio side.  Site 8, close to us, was unappealing to most campers, so it was empty each of the 5 days we stayed - nice for us!  Site 38 looked like the overall winner to us, and was occupied the entire time we stayed.

Hiking/Walking: Lots of walking on the miles of roads in this national park, and on a few trails.  We walked to the beach several days, leaving the park via an old entrance (now a bike path entrance) and walking ½ a mile or so to the gulf.  Lots of bikers and joggers use the park’s roads.

Comments:  We definitely would return here on future visits.  Though you don’t have much privacy, the location is great, and the rangers and campers friendly.  For the discounted price, it can’t be beat - and looked as good as any RV park we saw in the area.  The only potential problem: no reservations… but the park was never full while we were visiting.