Well, Rusty and I have been to a lot of RV parks in the last few months (we're back in Malibu as of this afternoon - we don't have as good as a spot as we got last time, but it's okay). Most of parks we've stayed at have been KOA. These typically all have the same things and you kind of know what to expect. The other parks we've stayed at have been Good Sam. Same thing with these, they have their "signature" amenities as well. Then there have been some total one offs - like Pecan Valley RV Park that I loved.
Last night we stayed in a Thousand Trails campground in Indio. We've been in one of these before when we went with Sharon and Peter up to Yosemite. I can tell you that the one near Yosemite was about 1,000 times nicer than the one in Indio that we stayed in last night. It was definitely an older park. Mostly sand spots, with a cement or asphalt pad to park your car and a picnic table. The campground was right off the I10 so all Rusty and I wanted was to get away from the sound of the freeway. At Thousand Trails they let you pick your own spot, so you just drive around until you find the one you want. We actually found one off to the side in a corner that was fully paved and also had buildings between the site and the freeway. It was a pretty tight fit but we were able to get in. The thing about Thousand Trails is that you have to be a member to camp in a Thousand Trails campground. We got a year free with the purchase of our RV but this is the first one we've actually stayed at since you have to pick your "region" in the US when you sign up and we picked the west coast. In addition to being a member you have to pay for your site. The cost for one night was $67. Here's a picture of the RV in the spot:
Not horrible, expect for the fact that the park was filthy! Everywhere you walked there was dog crap and other trash. The place looked in disrepair and like no one cares anything about it. Their dog "walk" was a gate in the fence around the property that led to a vacant lot next to the I10. All the employees at the campground were very nice and helpful, but you didn't get the feeling that they cared anything about their environment.
Now, compare this to the place we stayed in Brenda, Arizona (just east of the California border):
This place was a one-off. The Desert Gold RV Park and while it wasn't the greatest spot as far as spots go, we understood what they were doing. They have a section that they have for those travelers who don't stay long. This way you don't disturb the long timers. This place was amazing. Dog walks everywhere, including a fenced in area. We were surrounded by BLM land and so there were tons of walking trails. I took a picture from the hill right overlooking the park. If you zoom in you can see the RV and the Fiat just to the left of the main building:
The building is an open square with the pool in the middle. There were all kinds of activity rooms besides the laundry and bathrooms/showers. The best thing about this park was how clean it was. I mean spotless. People took care of the place and you could tell. Rusty and I think that everyone working there also lived there.
The evenings were cool and filled with the howls of coyotes and billions of stars. Rusty and I got up each night just to go sit outside in awe. I told Rusty if we were to be staying in the Thousand Trails campground as our winter plan, that I would be canceling it and we would be driving back out to Brenda, Arizona. Luckily we don't have to do that though, since we have reservations at another place in Indio starting November 13th.
Stay tuned...
xoxox
Julie
For the techies - best app for campgrounds = Park Advisor
Last night we stayed in a Thousand Trails campground in Indio. We've been in one of these before when we went with Sharon and Peter up to Yosemite. I can tell you that the one near Yosemite was about 1,000 times nicer than the one in Indio that we stayed in last night. It was definitely an older park. Mostly sand spots, with a cement or asphalt pad to park your car and a picnic table. The campground was right off the I10 so all Rusty and I wanted was to get away from the sound of the freeway. At Thousand Trails they let you pick your own spot, so you just drive around until you find the one you want. We actually found one off to the side in a corner that was fully paved and also had buildings between the site and the freeway. It was a pretty tight fit but we were able to get in. The thing about Thousand Trails is that you have to be a member to camp in a Thousand Trails campground. We got a year free with the purchase of our RV but this is the first one we've actually stayed at since you have to pick your "region" in the US when you sign up and we picked the west coast. In addition to being a member you have to pay for your site. The cost for one night was $67. Here's a picture of the RV in the spot:
Not horrible, expect for the fact that the park was filthy! Everywhere you walked there was dog crap and other trash. The place looked in disrepair and like no one cares anything about it. Their dog "walk" was a gate in the fence around the property that led to a vacant lot next to the I10. All the employees at the campground were very nice and helpful, but you didn't get the feeling that they cared anything about their environment.
Now, compare this to the place we stayed in Brenda, Arizona (just east of the California border):
This place was a one-off. The Desert Gold RV Park and while it wasn't the greatest spot as far as spots go, we understood what they were doing. They have a section that they have for those travelers who don't stay long. This way you don't disturb the long timers. This place was amazing. Dog walks everywhere, including a fenced in area. We were surrounded by BLM land and so there were tons of walking trails. I took a picture from the hill right overlooking the park. If you zoom in you can see the RV and the Fiat just to the left of the main building:
The building is an open square with the pool in the middle. There were all kinds of activity rooms besides the laundry and bathrooms/showers. The best thing about this park was how clean it was. I mean spotless. People took care of the place and you could tell. Rusty and I think that everyone working there also lived there.
The evenings were cool and filled with the howls of coyotes and billions of stars. Rusty and I got up each night just to go sit outside in awe. I told Rusty if we were to be staying in the Thousand Trails campground as our winter plan, that I would be canceling it and we would be driving back out to Brenda, Arizona. Luckily we don't have to do that though, since we have reservations at another place in Indio starting November 13th.
Stay tuned...
xoxox
Julie
For the techies - best app for campgrounds = Park Advisor
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