Sunset at St. Andrew’s Park, Florida
Photo by: Karen Jaros (Stock Exchange)

A big hello from AllCampgrounds!

This week’s post continues our trek to show you the greatest RV parks and campgrounds for authentic summer season camping.

We have new resources and information to share since the last time we checked out RV camp grounds, so let’s rev things up and get started.

And don’t forget: if you have a tip or a favorite place for RV parks camping, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment and let us know!

Best Parks in America: If you want to go camping quick at some of the best RV camp grounds around, this site is a great place to begin. “Best Parks” is an affiliated group of RV parks that adhere to strict quality standards based on recognized camping guides and verified visitor reviews. Camps are evaluated regularly to ensure they remain at top quality, much like Kampgrounds of America, though KOA is a formal franchise. Best Parks include properties throughout the 50 states.

Tropical Palms: To really make the most of summer, you shouldn’t pass up a chance to visit a great RV park in Florida. And what better choice than one situated in a beautiful resort in the heart of Orlando, the sunshine state’s tourism capital? Friendly and easy-paced as you’d expect from the area, Tropical Palms bills itself proudly among the only 2% of privately owned resorts in North America that can boast a 5-star Woodall’s rating in the facilities and recreation categories.

Orange Grove Campground and RV Park: Also in the area, in Kissimmee, Florida – the top stop for RVers in the state. With 30 and 50-amp hookups and amenities including telephone, pool, wireless ‘net, and all the essentials you need to keep your rig running, you’ll find Orange Grove a convenient choice. Close enough to everything, but far enough from Disney to choose a family-oriented or adult vacation, it’s a tempting choice for park-goers and nature lovers alike.

Camp California: Meanwhile, on the west coast, there is a huge number of RV camp grounds to choose from. Camp California comes through by not only helping you find the right park, but also making it easier than ever to book reservations: a built-in online system cuts out all the hassle. If you’re visiting California for the first time, you’ll also benefit from a huge amount of in-depth info on the local towns, events, and attractions.

Just a quick heads up: is your RV over 40 feet? Know before you go and check out the special California state rules for the biggest rigs. Note that motorhomes over 45 feet in height are not permitted in the Golden State, and there are some restricted routes.

There are plenty of other terrific options for camping in summer when you’re living the RV life. Next week, we’ll share some more sites and guides for RVers. See you again next Friday at AllCampgrounds.

Crater Lake in the spring
Photo by Mary Ellen Rynes (Stock Exchange)

Welcome to AllCampgrounds!

Today’s visit will bring us through some of the best national parks to enjoy camping in the summer season.

Last time, we highlighted KoA camp grounds, so it’s only natural we turn our attention this time to some great public lands, many allowing you to enjoy tent camping, cabins, and more.

RV parks and campgrounds will take the spotlight in our next post.

Grand Canyon: Who doesn’t love the Grand Canyon? This iconic mile-deep gorge in Arizona is probably the tent camping destination most folks associate with summer. Beware, though: the picturesque canyon hike is especially challenging in the heat! Lodging options include cabins, lodges, and an RV camp ground “village.” Below the canyon rim, you’ll get to stay at Phantom Ranch, which offers dormitories and cabins. Both Mather Campground and Desert View provide tent camping facilities.

Isle Royale: Isle Royale, in Michigan, is an amazing place to enjoy primitive and unspoiled wilderness. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, it encompasses all kinds of outdoor adventures: hiking, boating, and diving to see its famous shipwrecks. Camp ground facilities include tent camping sites, but groups are limited to 20 people. Sorry, RV campers: there’s no way to get your rig over to the Isle, though there are RV parks and camp grounds scattered throughout the mainland.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park: California is famous as the home for some of the largest and oldest trees in North America, including the giant redwoods also known as sequoia. The park is home to General Sherman, the oldest tree on Earth, thought to be almost 3,000 years of age. Kings Canyon is actually a separate park, but contiguous with Sequoia, so you can easily visit both in the same camping trip. Camp grounds on-site are located within forested areas, some adjoining sequoia groves.

Katmai National Park & Preserve: Katmai National Park and Preserve was created to protect an enormous ash flow originally deposited in 1912 by the Novarupta Volcano. A full five million acres of the Alaskan wilderness, most of the preserve is naturally remote and rarely sees human visitors. Perhaps this is for the best, because Katmai boasts one of the largest populations of brown bears, attracted by summer salmon runs. Bear-watching and fishing are activities that, therefore, go hand in hand in Katmai. Check out the Angler’s Paradise Lodges for your park-wide camp grounds.

Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake is one of the most striking water features in North America, and that’s saying something. Nearly pollutant-free, this salty, crystal blue lake was formed by the collapse of a nearby volcano and now forms the center of a terrific Oregon park. It also happens to be at the crossroads of a whole slew of national forests, a wildlife refuge, and a volcano observatory. Be cautious of the area’s fierce winters!

Jackson Hole: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming isn’t really a national park, but it occupies a terrific location, like Crater Lake above. In addition to a convenient run to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, it’s also near an elk reserve where 10,000 or more of the majestic beasts winter every year. There’s even the Bridger-Teton National Forest a short distance away. With so many attractions, you can bet that top quality tent camping and RV camping is spread throughout the area.

Outside Colorado Springs
Photo by: Marina Nisi (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds! The camping season is officially in full swing: have you hit the trail yet? Whether you’re into tent camping, primitive camping, or the RV life, it’s the time of year to get out and enjoy. AllCampgrounds is going to help you do it by showcasing some of the best parks and camp grounds around North America for this summer. To begin with, we check in with everyone’s favorite camping franchise, Kampgrounds of America. Here are our picks for this summer …

For those who might not be familiar with KOA, it’s a family-friendly, quality controlled private camping franchise. KOA Kampgrounds are famous for offering unique camping experiences that cater to families, kids, and folks who want to enjoy a little bit of tourism along with their camping. What do we mean by unique? Just a few weeks ago we pointed out the “greenest” camp ground around, Herkimer Diamond KOA’s Solar Lodge. Fun and novel camping like that are what KoA is all about.

So, which Kampgrounds are looking good this year? It depends on who you ask, of course, but AllCampgrounds is going to have a look. USA Today starts us off with The Best KOA Campgrounds. Their recommendations?

Mercer / Grove City KOA: Out in northwest Pennsylvania, a stone’s thrown from Pittsburgh, this Pennsylvania KOA is known for blending terrific tent camping and cabin rentals with plenty of amenities for athletes. You can enjoy golf, basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, and horseshoes (the latter a beloved favorite in all kinds of camp grounds, as well as many KOAs.) And just down the street, you can add skydiving to the list!

Gulf Shores KOA: Gulf Shores KOA in Alabama is near and dear to my own heart as a great camp ground with a super special twist: right on the border with Florida, it’s convenient to some of the best beaches in the United States. Other cool camping attractions include free hot tub and sauna and the local race track. RVers can enjoy the Lost Bay RV Resort, while others can choose from cabin, lodge, and tent camping.

La Junta KOA: La Junta KOA in Colorado is a spectacular spot to take in the sights of the American west. Right on the historic Santa Fe Trail, this is the place to be for Old West culture and sights. While camping out here, you can enjoy the “Castle of the Plains,” Bent’s Old Fort — a painstakingly reconstructed trading post. Likewise, one of the state’s greatest collection of native artifacts is found at the Koshare Indian Museum.

And our top picks?

Yellowstone KOA: It’s no secret AllCampgrounds loves Yellowstone, so you can bet we feel the same about the local KOA. With everything cool from “Kampgrounds” plus the amazing scenery of Yellowstone in Montana, you can’t go wrong. Yellowstone KOA is renowned as one of the best quality camping experiences in KOA, and it’s even big rig friendly. High speed internet, pancake breakfasts, and Yellowstone: a terrific combo.

Branson KOA: If you’re not familiar with Branson, Missouri, you might wonder how this one got on the list. Well, the Branson KOA is a new and up-and-coming spot, and sets itself apart with the state’s largest group and reunion facilities. If you want to meet up with other campers, you won’t find a better place to do it. And what’s more, the Branson KOA is tucked away only miles from the entertainment district, with dozens of music venues and attractions like the Hollywood Wax Museum and Mount Pleasant Winery.