Do you have a generator? With that you can boondock at Walmart when in travel mode and save your funds for CGs at tourist sites.
Join escapees for a great source of info.
Concerning your route, I have appended some comments:
Buffalo, NY/Niagara Falls
Cleveland/Sandusky
Cleveland/Sandusky
Dayton, OH
Chicago/Milwaukee-No CGs near Chicago, some in Milwaukee. Try the state fairgrounds.
Minneapolis-
Sioux Falls
Black Hills-Tue, Jul 20, 1999 2:06:06 AM
Subject: #342045-Rapid City CG Rating
From: Gary & Nancy B***
We just stayed a week at Horse Thief CG at Hill City. A nice park in a convenient location at the west entrance to Custer SP and Mt Rushmore. Sites are a little tight there also, but not like Holiday. No problems with electric or water, either. Price was $23.50 for full hookup. There is also the Rafter J Bar Ranch at Hill City: we drove through the campground and looked around and it seemed quite pleasant, with sites spread out much more than seems typical in the Black Hills. If I went back, I would try there.
Wed, May 6, 1998 11:36:06 AM
RICHARD M. C***
...we did stay at Big Pine CG in Custer. Spent several days there, reasonable fees and great people. As close to things as anything in the Black Hills.
Happy Holiday Campground,
8990 S. Hwy 16
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)-342-7365
at exit 57 from I-90, south 8.5 miles on US-16W (Across the highway from the
Reptile Gardens).
43 deg 59.40 min North Latitude
103 deg 16.13 min West Longitude
Sites are a bit tight for larger MH's but doable. Has 50 amp power,
satellite TV (13 channels), and full hook-ups. Lots of trees but you should
be able to get a connection on DSS satellite.
Owners are computer friendly. They have a dedicated RJ-11 jack in the game
room. Available at any time the office is open (7:00 AM-9:00PM).
Moderately expensive, but so are all of the private parks in the area. We
paid $83.49 for three nights including 50 amp power, full hook-ups, and cable
satellite TV.
Black Hills
Billings-From: Gary & Nancy B***
Actually stayed at the Pelican RV Park in Laurel west of Billings, a place I would NOT recommend. It is part of a large truck stop and there is inadequate (read zero) separation between campground and the area where truckers rest, so you get noise and diesel fumes all day and night. Park itself is fine and only $16.64 for full hookups with 50A.
99/08/05
Helena/Great Falls-agree with Ron Ruward.
Glacier National Park. I highly recommend the KOA at West Glacier....excellent sites and facilities and it is one of the stops on the Glacier NP shuttles. Use the shuttles to travel in the park...in particular do NOT try to take an RV over Going to the Sun Highway, take a shuttle or a Red Coach tour...the trip is gorgeous but spooky to drive, so leave the driving to a pro. Spend a week exploring Glacier and the Flathead Lake area.
The Plains Indian Museum at Browning near East Glacier is worth a stop Great Falls has a great Museum with Some good Russell paintings. The State Museum in helena is also well worth a visit. The most secenic route to Yellowstone would be to go to Billings, south to Red Lodge and up the Cook city Highway. Very spectacular but long & a bit steep.
Lake Louise
Fm: Terry N*** 00/07/17
Tunnel Mountain Trailor Park at Banff was very good, full hook-up, 30amp
#: 431403 S3/Destinations/Parks (CIS:RV)
09-Jul-01 21:46:04
Sb: Alberta, Canada
Fm: Elly D 01/07/09
My first suggestion is to stay at Tunnel Mountain in Banff. It is a huge campground (1100+ lots) but does not feel big at all. If you are willing to have a power-only lot, ask for the far end of the RV lot "in the front row".... you have a fantastic view. You can make nice walks right from the campground.
Next suggestion, do go an see Lake Louise (if possible not in an RV), and walk to the end of the lake. It is a very nice walk, completely level with great views.
But don't stay too long, head back down the mountain and turn right to Morraine Lake. In my opinion by far the most beautiful lake you will see! Do your very best to clim to the top of the rockpile (you'll see what I mean) and make sure you have plenty of film. Sit on a bench and stare for a while.
Lake Louise
Kellowna, BC-Fm: Terry N
01/08/09
Holiday Park Resort in (near) Kelowna. This is one of the best CGs we have ever visited - very much on a par with TGO in Titusville. Plenty of fun things for kids and adults to do, 4 swimming pools, good size camping places
Vancouver/Vancouver Island-Wed, May 6, 1998 11:27:10 AM
B***, James J
Anacortes area. After checking into the Fidalgo Bay RV Park,
bc victoria
Ft Victoria RV Park. You might be able to get transportation from there to Buchart Gardens.
DAY 5: Head north on TC-1 about 70-80 miles to Parksville. About a mile south of Parksville off Hwy 19 is Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park - beautiful mile-long sandy beach with outstanding views of Georgia Strait and mainland mountains.
DAY 6-7: Back track to Nanaimo (Duke Point) and catch the ferry to Hoseshoe Bay. Don't worry about arriving at the ferry terminal at a specific time because they depart every hour and a half or so.
Our favorite Vancouver area c/g is Porteau Cove PP but without a "toad" I'd suggest you stay at Capilano RV Park at the north end of the Lions Gate Bridge.
DAY 8: For great scenery, head west then north on PR-99
Narin Falls (196' emerald green waterfalls) PP is just a few miles north of Whistler and is a good place to camp for the night. If you're not ready to stop for the night, Marble Canyon PP with its limestone cliffs soaring more than a half mile above two jewel-like, turquoise colored lakes is about 50-60 miles further north, near Pavilion.
DAY 9:My suggested stopping point is North Thompson River PP, a few miles S of Clearwater. This should give you time to explore Kamloops or do a little hiking along the Thompson and Clearwater Rivers after you set up camp.
DAY 10: Today you continue north on Yellowhead-5 to Tete Jaune Cache where you turn east on Yellowhead-16 to Jasper. This will be about a 240-mile day. We stay at Whistlers C/G - largest c/g in whch we've ever stayed, but nice. It's part of Jasper National Park system.
DAY 11: Today is reserved for exploring Jasper and environs. I expect some of the Olympic venues would be worth visiting. Anyway, no matter which way you look you will find great scenery. Wont specify any specific attractions as we haven't been there since the Olympics. Maybe Elly Dalmaijer (76513,255) who lives near Edmonton could give you some suggestions on what to see/do in Jasper.
DAY 12: Although it's only about 100-miles from Jasper to Lake Louise and another 30 to Banff, it shouldn't be covered in less than two days. IMHO, this section of PR-93 is one of the most beautiful highways any where so stop at those view points, "smell the roses," and take some outstanding pictures. If you have binoculars, use them to search the mountain sides for wildlife. Plan on spending a few hours at the Columbian Icefield and definitely take a snowcat ride on it. When we were first there in the early '70s, the glacier reached all the way to the highway - it's a long way from there now. There are primitive campgrounds all along this route as well as in the immediate area of the icefields
DAY 13: Continue down beautiful/picturesque PR-93 to Lake Louise and Bamff. In the early morning the lakes along the highway are mirror like and provide great picture opportunties. When in the Banff/Lake Louise area, we usually stay at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court - part of the Banff National Park System. For a special treat, have diner at the Lake Louise Lodge and take advantage of a world renowned view.
DAY 14: Today is set aside to explore the Banff/Lake Louise area. For a unique train/tunnel picture head west to Yoho National Park. Just west of the Continental Divide there is a view point where you can see long freight trains going through a circular mountain tunnel with both the engine and caboose visible - one above the other. Yoho also has a couple of real nice waterfalls - the ride into Kicking Horse Falls is interesting!
DAY15: Today I suggest you head to Waterton Lakes NP. There's the shorter (about 250 mi) prairie way via Calgary and Ft Macleod or the longer (about 300mi) but more scenic route via PR-93, 3 and 6. I suggest the latter (I never tire of the mountains!!) and if you don't make it all the way, so be it. There are several nice PPs off PR-3. Kikomun is a few miles SE of Elko on Lake Koocanusa and Mt Fernie is a few miles SE of Fernie. Both are nice parks.
DAY 16: If you made it to Waterton yesterday, fine if not you probably have 70-80 miles to go before you reach the park. Anyway, today is devoted to seeing Waterton Lakes NP. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake and don't forget your camera!!
DAY 17: This morning you move across the border to Glacier NP. I suggest you first find a site in Rising Sun C/G on St Mary Lake and then catch one of the park shuttle bus that tour the Going-To-The-Sun Highway. If you want to go touring on your own, consider checking-in at the St Mary KOA - they rent cars. Unless you've rented a very small, narrow rig, I don't advise you take it on the Going-To-The-Sun Highway.
DAY 18: You need to get on the road early today to reach Yellowstone NP before dark. It's about 430-miles via US-89 and 287 but doable - about 11 hours driving. I suggest making a reservation at the West Yellowstone KOA for this evening while in St Mary when it's convient. You can do this at the St Mary KOA.
DAY 19: First thing in the morning you need to select your Yellowstone c/g. We like Grant at Grant Village but many prefer Fishing Bridge at Fishing Bridge. After getting a campsite, go exploring. You can get a schedule for the eruptions of the various geysers at Old Faithful Lodge. You probably want to see Old Faithful first anyway. Have fun!!
DAY 20: See more of Yellowstone NP.
DAY 21: Time to end this "Mountain Adventure." Its about 740-miles from West Yellostone to Seattle via US-287 and I-90. Doable in two days wiithout sightseeing stops. Today you should try to make it to St Regis (about 330-miles) where there's a Holiday Travel Park.
DAY 22: The 410-miles you have to cover today are all freeway and should easily be made in less than 8-hours driving time. Plan on boondocking in front of our house. We'll be very, very interested in how your trip went!!
?FB?MF
Message: #281299, S/3 Destinations/Parks
Date: Thu, May 7, 1998 10:03:27 AM
Subject: Rocky Mountains
From: Elly D
James has planned a great trip for you and I can't improve much on it.
Just a few comments:
Day 11: Don't look for Olympic facilities in Jasper. The games have never been held there (yet). But see Day 15 below
For a special treat have breakfast at the Jasper Park Lodge, located just east out of the town on the road to Edmonton. (Of course at this point you can keep going another 3 1/2/ hours and boondock at my house!)
Day 12. Just south of Jasper, take the 93a which runs parallel to the main road 93. You'll be "alone in the world" - more or less anyway, but a lot quieter than the 93. At the southend of this road is a road leading to Mount Edith Cavell. This is my favorite in the Rockies! But be warned: the road surface, even though paved, sufferes badly from frost heaving so the trip will be noisy and bone rattling but worth it. GO EARLY IN THE DAY e.e. before 9! After that the have made access one way on the aternating hours, so enquire with the staff at Whistler Campground. Also about possible restrictions in MH size size for this road. At the end of the Mt Edith Cavell Road is a small parking lot and from there you can take the wonderful short walk to the glacier and it's lake. This is literally AWE-some!
Day 14 "Kicking Horse Falls" is actually called "Takkakaw Falls". You find it by following the highway 1 out of Lake Louise, turning west into BC. After you've crossed the continental divide you will see the sign for the Takkakaw Falls on your right. Don't doi this road if your motorhome is longer than about 30'!!! You should see how a bus takes those hairpins: by going forward to the first turn, then backing up to the next turn, etc.... you definitely don't want to do that with a rented MH. But you have no problems with something smaller.
Day 15 I will offer one more choice of roads: head east out of Banff towards Calgary, but turn south on the 40 (Kananskis Highway) NOW you are in Olympic territory, on your right will be the down hill ski area. Follow this road to the end at Highwood at which point it becomes a gravel road, but a very good gravel road. Halfway down this road you will find a wonderful almost free campground called Livingstone Falls. If you go with kids, they can slide on their bellies down these falls. Otherwise watch other kids doing it. It is very peaceful and quiet here.
Day 17 James mentioned the "small narrow rig". Nothing longer than 23' is not allowed on the Going-to-the-Sun Road anymore. Use the shuttle bus.
Day 21 When you taking the I90 west, take the turnoff called "Clinton" just east of Missoula and have a BIG laugh at the roadside restaurant famous for it's "Testicle Festival" (motto: "I had a ball at the Testicle Festival".... Honestly... I'm not making this up... I have a little shot glass at home to prove it).
James has planned a perfect itinerary for you... it exactly the same trip we recommend our overseas visitors!
Enjoy my beautiful province!
Russell: my personal favorite BC CGC:
Ripple Rock RV park
on inland passage at Brown's Bay
250-287-7108
Campbell River, Vancouver Island, BC
21 K N of visitor's center and 5 K down gravel road
N 50, 9.489' W 125, 22.166'
The 200 nile drive N from Victoria partially follows the coast through beautiful lands with some fine sea views. Lots more people here than I expected.
The turnoff to the resort is well marked and the road down is just that...down a steep dirt/gravel route to the ocean. At the bottom there is a salmon processing facility and the resort is a K away, far enough to be silent.
The resort is well designed for RVs with 30 some sites in one row facing the water, all with spectacular views of the inland passage and the mountainous Quadra island on the other side. Pine covered mountains rise behind the resort. Boats pass by constantly. Guests are given a schedule for cruise ships, One passed by yesterday evening only about half a mile out. A seal was out front and a pod of dolphin went by. Ashore, there are many hummingbirds.
Satellite reception is marginal for domes, some ot the channels are ragged. Cell phone service is, of course, nonexistant.
Elly in St.Albert AB
Victoria/Seattle
Portland-Jantzen Beach
i5 exit 308
We stayed at Jantzen Beach this June and found it to be a clean, well-kept place. It has a nice pool if I remember correctly. We'd recommend it. (Although we have the same name, we have no connection to Jantzen Beach Campground) 503-289-7626
Herm
Pheasant Ridge RV Park
From: Dick & Lorna D
I would highly recommend the Pheasant Ridge RV Park just south of Portland. 1-800-532-7829.
Lots of level full hookup concrete sites, cable, telephone line in the office they allow you to use for downloads, well laid out, with weekly and monthly rates. There is a bus connection to the Tri Met bus system in Portland.
We just finished a month and a half there and these people could not be more hospitable.
Colombia River RV Park.
It is off Marine Drive and 13th st on the other side of the freeway from Jantzen beach.
Portland
sea perch rv park, S of Yachats on coast, treeless, great ocean front site.
You must do the whole Oregon coast!
Crescent City, CA
Crescent City
San Francisco
Sacramento
Santa Maria
Los Angeles
San Diego-Chula Vista RV Resort & Marina (San Diego)
800-770-2878
619-422-0111
[email protected]
best sites for marina view in SE corner:
65.
232-236.
29-64 if can face head into space to face outside.
200-236 SE faceing pullthroughs.
