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.