The ideal way to learn about the best campgrounds in the west is to pack up the RV and go experience them yourself. However, if you’re still in the trip planning stages it pays to research other RVer’s experiences about the area.
The RV Life archives feature decades of expert insight about campgrounds in California, Idaho, and the Canadian Rockies. These are just four of the many comprehensive travelogues you’ll find here.
iRV2 Member GregoryJ camping in Banff, Canada.
RVing gives you so many choices for luxury or primitive camping in comfort. Check out these great getaways chosen by RV Life writers.
Snowbird RVers flock to Outdoor Resort Indio
Winter is the high season for Outdoor Resort in Indio, California. If scorching triple-digit temperatures aren’t appealing, plan your snowbird season now. Billed as “The Ultimate Motor Coach Resort,” it’s an exclusive getaway that’s just for Class A motor coach owners.
This five-star resort has 419 lots for sale or rent. The entire property sits on 45 lushly landscaped acres with an upscale cafe, clubhouse and more. Former RV Life Editor Mike Ward writes that Outdoor Resort basks in splendor with lots that have “fully developed, modern outdoor kitchens with protective pergolas and cozy gazebos. Most oversized lots back onto an 18-hole private executive golf course that is open to unlimited play by resort residents at no added cost.”
If this sounds like your ideal snowbird getaway, be sure to plan your season well in advance.
Head south for nearby camping and stargazing in Borrego Springs
When getting away from it all appeals to you, head south from Outdoor Resort to go stargazing in Borrego Springs. That’s where you’ll find a laid-back community that truly loves astronomy.
For example, The Springs at Borrego RV Resort has an Astronomy Park on the premises. Guests can stare into the night sky through an 11-inch telescope and help from astronomers.
It also has a nine-hole golf course and driving range, pickleball courts, hot mineral baths, a saltwater swimming pool, and a 1,000-seat amphitheater for big-name concerts. The Springs at Borrego is a perfect astronomy paradise under the stars.
Go North for a Cool Summer in Idaho’s Rugged Wilderness
Cool off this summer in Idaho’s rugged wilderness region known as the Sawtooths. In her RV Life travelogue about Idaho’s Ponderosa State Park in McCall, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the Yankee Fork areas, RVing travel writer Mary Trimble shares expert advice.
If you go, you may also find that Idaho leaves unforgettable memories in your heart. She writes:
This was the absolute highlight of our trip. . . Through our binoculars we saw about a dozen pronghorn antelope grazing and watched a couple of youngsters butt heads in a playful tussle, while their indulgent mothers stood by. In the late afternoon a thunder and lightning storm streaked over the mountains, bringing with it alarming gusts of wind, giving us an exhilarating—even anxious—few minutes, and cooling off the land.
The majesty of the Canadian Rockies
You’ll think you landed in Switzerland when you make the trek north to experience the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. When author Doug Imberi traveled to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, he knew the trip was worth the effort.
“There is no doubt about the majestic blend of heaven and earth as you travel the mountain highways through these Canadian national parks,” he wrote. The area also contains some of the best campgrounds in the west such as Banff’s Tunnel Mountain campground. With over 1,100 spots for tents and RVs, vacationers enjoy larger than usual campsites with privacy. Best of all campground fees are lower than in the U.S. for developed or primitive spots.
Don’t leave home without researching your destination campground ahead of time. The RV Life archives make it easy. Just use the “SEARCH” box in the top right corner of our site and you’re halfway there!
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Here’s a link to a Western RV Park I’ve stayed in over the years.
http://www.kenannarv.com/
The RV spaces are spacious and all are pull throughs. The 13 acre RV park has several small cabins for rent. Plus campsites in a wooded area without any utilizes other than fresh water. There are separate toilets available for the campers. Toilets and showers available for all park guests including the campsites that are designed for smaller RV’s, trailers, truck campers and tents.
Located next the the Pacific Ocean there are miles of beach open to the public, Vehicles are allowed on only on area of the Ocean Beach between April 15th and labor day. Where the north and south ends are closed to vehicles.
Recreational things to do in the area are fishing, clamming, observing wildlife, some shopping, antiques, sometimes a few garage sales, hardware stores, mom and pop stores, a few restaurants, etc.
The area still has wildlife of many ocean sea birds, some are migratory and only show up specific times each year or every so many years.
Year around there are Sea Gulls, Bald Eagles sporadically most of the year that stay away when there are lots of tourists and clam digging going on. Turns and Pelicans show up certain months or perhaps weeks out of the year.
Snowy Plover are a protected species in the area http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/research/projects/shorebird/snowy_plover/
Other wildlife:
Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Sabine’s Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Cassin’s Auklet, Rhinocerous Auklet, Tufted Puffin.
http://westportgrayland-chamber.org/watchable-wildlife.php
The areas has deer, an occasional coyote, bears have been sited however don’t frequent the area. In the hills there are other seasonal wildlife such as Elk and deer.. However, other than the State Parks and ocean beach there is are no lands open to the public. No Federal land such as a National Forest, close by. Most of the land of the wooded area foot hills is privately owned by local residences, some logging companies and the state of Washington. Some of the tidelands are owned by private shell fish companies.
The area is undue as there are huckleberry farms in the area the produce huckleberriesfor Ocean Spray and others.
Kenanna RV park is located between Tokeland and Grayland Washington. Tokeland Peninsula is part of the Shoalwater Indian Reservation that also runs a casino.
http://www.shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov/
Tokeland Marina http://www.portofwillapaharbor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8:tokeland-marina&catid=2:facilities&Itemid=5
Technically there is a wildlife refuge south end of North Cove, however most of it is underwater because of tides and erosion.
North Cove only approx.. ~one mile south of Kenanna RV Park
https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/washington/beaches/north-cove-washaway-beach
Map of North Cove – https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Maps/USTopo/1/20143/7068596.pdf
Pics taken of different areas along the Pacific Ocean Washington Coast most are a relatively short ways to travel to get to any of these areas if you are have a RV, boat or automobile.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/57420963977600765/
Want spacious campsites with views of the Tetons? You’ve gotta visit Gros Ventre campground 12 miles north of Jackson, WY.