The drive through the gorgeous Bitteroot Mountains of Idaho with the many serendipities of changing scenery to see is THE reason we love RVing. On Highway #93 we drove from Arco to twelve miles South of Salmon for an overnight at perhaps the most idyllic RV park we have ever found: Heald’s Haven in the Salmon River valley. Willie and Connie Heald have lived in the beautiful location for 42 years and are so friendly to visitors as well as to the many deer they feed. We arrived a couple of hours before dark with two different groups of five deer welcoming us. We took a peaceful walk beside the river on the pathway Willie had cleared for his campers, and then we enjoyed a campfire in the lovely grill with its iron railing that had silhouetted bears and deer marching around our logs. Bill set up our grill to cook our salmon and sausage while looking at the three honking geese land on the Salmon River in front of us. This camp offers full 30 amp hook-ups and pull-throughs for about 20 RV’s under beautiful maple trees on level grass land beneath tall trees.
Some of the guests have returned annually for 28 years. Fishing here is terrific; one boasted a 31inch Pike. Within this peaceful valley you can wonder at the myriad stars in the night sky. This little valley at about 4,500 feet is surrounded by picturesque mountains covered with yellowing grass, some trees, and a few patches of jagged dark grey rocks.
Absolutely beautiful and so very, very silent except for the gurgle of the river. If you enjoy a climb, there are plenty of mountains here, and the small town of Salmon, about 10 miles north, is authentically as it was in decades past and has several nice resaturants. We’ll long remember our lovely stay here.
For reservations call 1 208 756 3929 or email: wheald@centurytel.net
On another leg of this extensive, rambling RV trip we We were traversing a very long stretch of nearly 300 miles through barren deserts of New Mexico. We had shyed away from several meager campgrounds which did not look very promising or inviting on this route when we came to a wonderful find: Green grass and trees and flowers in a desert are quite rare in these parts!
Desert Rose Resort in Bloomfield, New Mexico is a wonderful Good Sam Park at 1900 East Blanco Blvd.
At elevation 5,438 feet it is a welcome site with excellent facilities for 10 tents, 3 log cabins, 61 RV spaces (47 pullthroughs). It is the perfect place to stay! Desert Rose Resort has a good recreation room and store, lovely grounds with roses and grass and many trees and even a working pumpjack for oil and gas.
The pool and playground are well maintained and the dog yard is large and clean. We really enjoyed our stay here and highly recommend it. Click above or phone: 1 866 459 8339
Another terrific find for a campground is one you would never happen upon unless you know about it in advance: Okatoma Resort and RV Park at Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
This private campground looks like a beautifully maintained park around a lovely lake with ducks and a few unusual geese, and a pen of chickens in the back, in case you want fresh eggs!
With 68 spaces with hook-ups, flat tent sites, and rental cabins and a three bedroom cottage, Okatoma Resort will surpass all your campground expectations!
The meandering lane into the resort fools anyone who might not have explicit directions for the two miles off highway #49, but the road is safe for the largest rigs. The quiet and impeccably clean facilities have a welcoming, large entertainment room, laundry, bathhouse, playground, play area for pets, outdoor games, and lots more. You can fish and use small boats. The creek also offers lots of activities and there are nature trails. Make your reservation early for this very popular place for reunions, recreation, and even long-term stays. Although no cable for TV, you will get 10 major stations clearly with just an antenna and high speed WiFi is free. You will be so happy you discovered this most unusual campground, just two hours from New Orleans and very close to University of Southern Mississippi. Reservations: http://www.okatomaresort.com or
phone 1 601 520 66
Real Travel Adventures 