WENATCHEE RIVER COUNTY PARK, MONITOR, WA (ADJACENT TO WENATCHEE).

Our Opinion: Recommend, if you want close proximity to Wenatchee.
Date of Stay: July 7-8, 2011
Weather During Stay:  A very hot afternoon when we first arrived dropped a welcome 15 degrees when a cool front blew in that evening.
Site Description:   47 spacious, level sites well suited to large rigs.  Only 3 sites are pull-throughs (and are some of the least appealing sites in the park).  43 sites are FHU (20/30/50 amps); 4 sites are W/E only.  Good voltage, strong water pressure.  All roads are paved, as are the sites.  Most of the sites (40 back-ins) are arranged in circular groups of ten, like spokes on a wheel.  Plenty of space, grass and trees around each of these sites. 
No tents are allowed in this park.  There is a grassy dog run area, and plenty of playground equipment for kids.  Nice day use area adjacent to the campground.
Rate: $29/night for FHU, going up in 2012 to $30, I think.
Phone/radio/TV: Good Verizon signal for phones and aircard.   We were not able to get a satellite TV signal on our roof-mounted antenna because of the tall trees to our south, but this would not be a problem in some of the sites (those closer to the river).  We tried the air antenna, but only picked up one station, snowy analog.  NPR on 90.3.   
Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  At 700 ft. elevation, this park is so close to Wenatchee as to be considered urban, unfortunately impacted by noise from heavy traffic on Hwy 2.  It is visually very appealing, with large swathes of well maintained lawn and huge trees to provide welcome shade.  The Wenatchee River flows adjacent to the park.  Our view (from a north facing pull-through) was of the overflow/storage parking lot, a row of trees, and the rushing traffic beyond.  Views from the back-in sites are considerably more appealing.
Lighting/Noise: Night lighting is pleasantly dim.  Highway noise is noticeable until quite late.  Trains pass on the other side of the river occasionally. 

Favorite Sites: We had site 42, one of the three north facing, less appealing, pull-through sites.  If we had a choice (too late, by the time we called for a reservation - highly recommended, by the way), we would reserve one of the sites closest to the river in camp area A, B, or C: 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 24.  Camp area D is less appealing than A-C.
Hiking/Walking:  No trails from the park that we found, but there are a lot of recreational opportunities in Wenatchee, including a long, paved Riverwalk.
Comments: This county park was quite attractive, and very convenient for the errands we wanted to run in the urban area.  It was full while we were there, and apparently usually is in spring, summer, and fall.  It seemed to be very well maintained and managed; our stay was pleasant.  If we were planning to stay in the area longer for sightseeing (plenty to do here), we would be likely to try for a site at one of the nearby state parks, hoping to escape the traffic noise.

TUCANNON RIVER RV PARK, DAYTON, WA (CLOSEST TOWN IS TINY STARBUCK, WA)

Our Opinion: Neutral.  This spacious park worked well for an overnight stop.

Date of Stay: July 6th, 2011

Weather During Stay:  Hot!  95 degrees at 2 pm, 75 at 9 pm.

Site Description:  33 very spacious, level sites can handle the largest RV’s.  Entrance, interior roads, and pads are gravel.  Sites are separated by green lawns; most sites have a tree or two.  All sites are pull-throughs, and all have 20/30/50 amp FHU.  Good strong voltage.  Very well maintained.

Rate: Normal price is $22/night; we paid $11.00 with Passport America, good for one night only.  A real bargain at that rate, as we ran two AC units all day long.  WiFi included.

Phone/radio/TV: NO Verizon signal, so no phones or aircard.  NO FM radio stations at all.  Good signal for the free campground WiFi (down when we arrived, but repaired by evening and then quite reliable).   Because the sites are so spacious, we had no trouble getting the satellite TV signal.  We didn’t try the air antenna.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  At 750 ft. elevation, this RV park is located in a wide canyon next to the Tucannon River.  This time of year, the green grass of the park is only possible due to irrigation, and is a pleasing oasis in the otherwise dry, brown, barren landscape of Washington’s Palouse.  Views are of neighboring rigs, the green grass and trees of the pack, and barren, rocky outcrops to the north, trees bordering the river to the south.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet and dark at night. 

Favorite Sites: We had site 25, close to the clean, roomy, cinderblock restrooms.  No favorite sites here - they are all LONG, level, and essentially the same.

Hiking/Walking: Printed information says there is a rustic trail along the river, but it was too hot for us to search it out.

Comments: This was just an overnight stop for us, rather remote - we picked it because it honored Passport America so the price was right.  We were surprised by how nice the park is.  On the Tucannon River, not far from the Snake, it probably appeals greatly to fisher folk.  Nice, quiet, friendly park, well maintained.

5 PEAKS RV PARK, JOSEPH, OREGON

Our Opinion: Rave, if you have a self-contained RV.  Tiny (6 spaces), beautifully maintained, one block off the Main Street of Joseph.

Date of Stay: June 23-July 5, 2011

Weather During Stay:  Mountain-style summer weather - sun, clouds, rain, warmth, cold, wind, calm.

Site Description:  6 sites arranged in an L shape on a small, level, gravel lot.  All sites are FHU with cable TV.  Our site (site 1) had 50 amps, but apparently is the only one that does.  Each site has a sturdy picnic table. 

All sites backup to a wooden fence, so views are better for motor homes than for trailers.  On a cul du sac at the end of a gravel road, there is sufficient space for easy maneuvering of large rigs.  Lots of trees and flowers in the immediate area, and a clean, easy to use recycling station next to the small dumpster.

5 Peaks RV Park is intended for self-contained RV’s only: no restrooms, no showers, no laundry facilities.  This is not the place for tent or van camping.

Rate: The park has an interesting and unusual fee scale, starting at $30/night.  $120 pays for 6 nights (so if you pay $30/night for the first 4 nights, you might as well stay 6!) and each additional night is $20.  The monthly rate is $325.  We paid $20/night, the “6 days+“ rate, a very good price.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon signal for phones and aircard, and a good signal on the free campground WiFi.   38 channels on cable TV.   NPR on 89.5. 

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  The small town of Joseph is at the end of a long road at the foot of the snow-capped (even in late June) Wallowa Mountains.  Elevation is 4,150 feet.  The near view from the park is of the owners small home and yard, and beyond to looming mountaintops over the trees, flowers, and small homes of Joseph.  Enchanting!

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet and dark at night. 

Favorite Sites: We had Site 1, closest to the owner’s home, and enjoyed it.  Site 2 is the most spacious site, and site 3 is nestled in the corner of the L.  Sites 4-6 face west. 

Hiking/Walking: Enjoyable walking all around this appealing town.  Walk to the small (but well-supplied) grocery store, or stop by the bakery for fresh coffee and pastries in the morning.  Wallowa Lake State Park is 6 miles farther south; pleasant walking there.  Drive a bit farther to hike the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Comments: The first time we came to Joseph, we stayed in the pretty state park - but no cell service, no WiFi.  That’s fine when we are vacationing, but for a longer-term stay, we like all the amenities of home - including modern communications.  5 Peaks is the best of all possible worlds for us - tiny, friendly, beautifully maintained - and we enjoy the in-town convenience.  Very accommodating owners. 

EAGLES HOT LAKE RV PARK, LA GRANDE, OREGON

Our Opinion: Recommend.  A spacious, well-managed RV park in a rural area near La Grande.

Date of Stay: June 21-22nd, 2011

Weather During Stay: Sunny and hot one day; thunderstorms and cool the next.  The park had been underwater 3 weeks ago with rain and snowmelt!

Site Description:  100 FHU sites are arranged in two areas flanking the spacious entrance to the park.  Some sites are on gravel, others are on grass, but the overwhelming impression of the park is of a large, grassy meadow with ponds, landscaping, and lots and lots of parking for RV.  Plenty of room for rigs of any size here, and tenters have a shady, grassy spot away from the RV‘s. 

Our site had 50 amps, but not all do.  We faced a high, grassy hill, and when we made the reservation, the staffer thoughtfully asked if we have a roof-mounted TV satellite dish - apparently the hill presents an obstacle for satellite reception if you are in the row closest to the hill. Our site was on the west side of the entrance, where each site had a sturdy picnic table.  The grassy area to the east of the entrance was being used for a huge club rally and I’m not sure whether those sites had picnic tables.  Small (immature) trees are scattered through the sites.

Other amenities: laundry, recycling, small store in the office, grassy, shaded common areas, ponds, restrooms and showers.  The pool and hot tub were closed due to the earlier flooding.

Rate: $30/night; 10% discount for AAA, Good Sam and Military.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon signal for phones and aircard, and a good signal on the free campground WiFi.   Per staff, the tall hill to the south can provide an obstacle to the signal.  Several TV stations (including PBS) are available on the air antenna.  NPR on 90.3. 

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  This park sits in a low valley (2,720 ft. elevation) in eastern Oregon, an area of rolling range with mountains to the east and west.  The park is in a rural setting, separated from the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area by the gravel entrance road.  Lots of birds and morning birdsong, including the strange warble of the Sand Hill cranes.  Expansive views to the north, distant mountains to the west and east, and a very high hill to the south.  Quite appealing.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet and dark at night.  A train track about ¼ or ½ mile away is very active, but the sound was quite muted - rather pleasant.

Favorite Sites: We were in site 60 and enjoyed it very much - quite roomy.  Most sites here are similar, though; I didn’t see any that were objectionable.

Hiking/Walking: Do several loops around the park for plenty of exercise, or walk west on the gravel road (Hot Lake Lane) along Ladd Marsh.  VERY little traffic.  Ladd Marsh is reputed to have good walking/birding trails.

Comments: In our short stay, we visited the Farmer’s Market in La Grande (small but good), visited the historic Hot Lake Resort next door (being renovated), and drove The Grande Tour, a scenic route though small towns and historic sites in the Grande Ronde valley - barely scratched the surface of all there is to do here.  DON’T trust your GPS for directions if coming from the south unless you don’t mind a drive of several miles on a washboard gravel road - ask the staff for directions instead.

GRANT COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS RV PARK, JOHN DAY, OREGON

Our Opinion: Recommend.  Great price for FHU in a quiet and appealing setting.

Date of Stay: June 19-20, 2011

Weather During Stay: Sunny and mild, cool at night.

Site Description: 25 paved, level RV sites, half back-ins, the remainder pull-throughs.  Most are suitable for big rigs.  Each has 20/30/50 amps, water and sewer, along with a picnic table.  Lots of tall trees to provide shade.  The RV park is adjacent to a large grassy area where tenters can camp.  Restrooms and showers are available.

Rate: $20/night.  Sites can be reserved in advance (and apparently often are, for the various events held at the fairgrounds.)  Self-register at the kiosk as you enter the RV park – where you can also check to see which sites are reserved in the coming days.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon signal for phones and aircard.  Choose your site carefully if you have a roof-mounted TV satellite dish, as the many (appealing) trees present obstacles to finding the signal.  Three digital PBS stations (and nothing else) are available on the air antenna.  NPR on 91.5. 

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  At an elevation of 3,100 ft., the small town of John Day is just north of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.  Hillsides are cloaked with evergreens, and there was a lot of green grass to be seen when we visited.  Near views are of tall trees and the fairgrounds property (we are next to the equestrian ring); distant views are of high mountains (currently, with snow).  Very appealing.

Lighting/Noise: Very quiet and dark at night.  This probably changes when the fairgrounds hosts an event, but we camped here during a quiet time.

Favorite Sites: We were in site 16, one of the few back-in sites without trees to the south.  Several of the pull-through sites would have worked for us, but they face west… we wanted to face the morning sun so choose a back-in site.  The sites we would avoid are 12, 13, 14, and 15 – they are the least appealing in the park.

Hiking/Walking: The RV park is bounded on one side by a river; a new pathway along the river was recently completed, which provides about a 30 minute walk round trip.  Walking around John Day was very pleasant, and it is an easy walk to “downtown”.

Comments: Lots of history and recreation in this area, most of which we did not explore since we were moving on east.  We did make time to visit the fascinating Kam Wah Chung site, an well-preserved remnant of John Day’s Chinese history that is now an Oregon State Historic Site (within easy walking distance).  We will look forward to a return trip to this RV park next time we pass through.