This is our third visit to the Hot Spring Long Term Visitor Area that sits on Bureau of Land Management property,just off I-8 between El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Az.
This natural spring is very humble. We love it and dry camp for 4 days (bought the $40 LTVA two week pass good at all BLM LTVA) Vault toilets are located near the Hot Spring (suggest bringing own TP). No other facilities. Must be self-contained. Lots of great Canadians, hey.
This is a perfect layover for those of us who are on our way to some place else. We first stopped here in 10/12 ... it was bitter cold weather and the wind was howling. We wanted electricity for our space heater and a safe place to hunker down. Close behind that was a hot shower. We scored big on all three. This trip we are headed back to the desert and wanted a familiar, clean, quiet spot to bed down.
Staff is great, friendly. Showers are hot, hot, hot. Restrooms clean. Laundry available. Nothing fancy. Not a resort. Just a good, safe stopover on a longer journey.
Great location, popular destination, especially on weekends
A disclaimer--I love Corps of Engineers campgrounds, by far some of the best places we've camped in the USA. This one is no exception ... it would get 5 stars, except for one small thing ... no TP in restrooms on the weekend. Don't know who was responsible for checking on that, however, it was a huge oversight for a crowded, popular campground.
Lake was down when we were there because of the long-term drought in this part of Texas. Lots of Winter Texans stop over here. First-come, first-serve area is almost always full. Make reservations. Only 1/2-hour from I-35 between Austin and San Antonio. 1/2 price w/National Parks Senior Pass.
It sits on the edge of the Davis Mountains (elev. a little over 3,200′) about 7 miles south of I-10 on Texas 17. We've stayed here three times and will do so again because of its location. When traveling between New Mexico and Coastal Bend of Texas, this is the first state park after El Paso and like a beacon in the night. The campground features 34 campsites. Ours, with electricity and water, was $14. (We purchased a Texas State Parks Annual Pass for $70, so the $7/person/day was waived.) We've stayed during an unusual snow storm in our camper and high winds in our 5th wheel. Showers are lousy (30-second push type) especially if the weather is chilly water does not warm up.
Amazing sunsets, hikes, historical tour and hookups
This is THE place to stop if you are on your way to or from Big Bend National Park. Bring your camera, telescope and fat-tired bicycles. There is an interpretive tour daily (Wednesday through Sunday) in the canyon, where there are some of the oldest Indian pictographs and one of the oldest cave dwellings in North America. Sunsets and sunrises were breath-taking. Entrance fee, camping fee depends on type of utilities. We did both electric and water.
Garner is a very popular park within easy driving distance of San Antonio. The spring-fed Frio River runs through the park so folks come to fish, tube, swim and hike. Amazing destination for families. Reservations a must during season. Friendly campers. Educational programs.
Down side--no cell, internet connection for Verizon. Wifi at Visitors' Center. AT&T does have coverage. Great park. Entrance fee + camping fee. Daily/Weekly/Monthly rates (peak/non-peak)
Also great catfish buffet in nearby Leakey.
This is our second year at the Sandollar as Winter Texas. We returned because of RV friends we met last year, affordability (monthly rate), great staff and the small town charm of this fishing community. Most of the sites are covered by large live oak trees. The restroom/showers and laundry room are clean. There is also a motel attached for visiting friends/family. The resort has its own fishing pier and two pools. We bicycle into town along the beach road. Near Aransas Wildlife Reserve and Whooping Cranes.
I have never parked my RV at Pecan Grove RV, however, every time I am in Austin, I visit a fulltime RV friend who is a long-term occupant there and I love the place. It is funky, fun and an endangered vintage park that is within walking or bicycling distance of 98% of everything you'd want to experience in Austin.
Julianne Crane at www.RVWheelLife.com
