Posts Tagged ‘private campgrounds’

All of Minnesota’s 74 state parks and recreation areas were closing as of 4 p.m. Thursday because of a budget impasse and state government shutdown.

Campers across the state faced the dilemma Thursday afternoon as negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton continued with no budget deal made.

Many people who had planned to camp at state parks in the area are now looking to U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, private campgrounds or Wisconsin campgrounds.

The Forest Service is gearing up for an expected increase in demand at their campgrounds, especially on the North Shore, said Steve Schug, assistant ranger for recreation and wilderness at Tofte and Grand Marais.

“We kind of figured it would impact our Forest Service offices big time,” Schug said Thursday.

The agency will keep in close contact with its campground concessionaires to keep tabs on campsite availability, he said.
“The last thing we want to do is send a forest visitor 50 miles up a gravel road to a campground that’s already full,” he said.
Pattison State Park in Wisconsin has received many inquiries from would-be Minnesota campers, said Nicole Farmakes, visitor service representative at the park.

“But we’ve been booked since May, so we can’t help those people,” she said.

The state parks and recreation areas are prepared to re-open as quickly as possible if a budget deal is reached, said Chris Niskanen, DNR director of communications.

“It might be simple, or it may be more difficult, depending on the park,” Niskanen said late Thursday afternoon. “We have a contingency plan for reopening the parks. We’ll have to turn on the water, turn on the electricity. … This is not a latch-key operation. These are complex facilities.”

Although the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources closed down most of its website Thursday afternoon because of the state government shutdown, one page will remain available, said Chris Niskanen, DNR director of communications. That page of Frequently Asked Questions will include the latest information on what DNR operations will remain in service during a shutdown. To reach that page, go to www.mndnr.gov. The page will offer no links to other parts of the DNR’s website.

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The Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds-Michigan has just released its “2011 Michigan Campground Directory” just in time for the annual consumer show season.* This directory includes detailed listings for more than 180 private campgrounds around the state of Michigan.

“We are very pleased with the look and feel of our 2011 directory,” says Tom Briggs, ARVC President. “Each year, we tweak the layout and design to showcase each of our members and highlight Michigan as a year-round camping destination.”

The directory breaks out the state into three distinct areas: the Upper Peninsula, Northern Michigan and Southern Michigan, with listings for each campground. The listings include the individual campground’s full campground information and a brief description, along with a code reference for each including those that are open all year, those that have boat/canoe rentals, those with swimming pools and more.

The “Michigan Campground Directory” is available at various locations statewide, including all state Welcome Centers and member campgrounds. It is also distributed at dozens of consumer shows (see attached list) throughout Michigan and around the country. A PDF version of the 72-page directory is also available online at www.michcampgrounds.com.

To request a copy of the “Michigan Campground Directory,” send $3 with your name and address to:

ARVC Michigan
c/o Frankenmuth Jellystone
1339 Weiss Street
Frankenmuth, MI 48734

ARVC represents more than 180 member campgrounds with more than 30,000 sites available throughout the state. Whether pitching a tent, parking an RV or reserving a rustic or modern cabin, Michigan campgrounds offer a great way to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with families. Campers in Michigan enjoy the great outdoors while fishing or canoeing on the countless lakes, rivers and streams or hiking, biking and riding on the miles of trails that wind throughout the state. There’s definitely no shortage of activities, no matter where the campground is located.

Nearly 50 private campgrounds and RV parks from San Diego to Crescent City plan to offer two nights of camping for $50 on the first weekend of October.

“Our members offer this promotion to boost shoulder season camping and to entice consumers who have never camped before,” said Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, which organized the promotion.

Parks that are participating in the Oct. 1st to 3rd promotion can be located through a special section on the association’s website at www.Camp-California.com. Simply click on the $50 weekend link on the lower left hand section of the home page to find listings of parks offering the $50 promotion. Here’s a sampling of participating parks by region:

Here’s a sampling of participating parks by region:

San Francisco and the North Coast

• Crescent City Redwoods KOA, Crescent City
• Kamp Klamath RV Park & Campground, Klamath
• Mirabel Trailer Park & Campground, Santa Rosa
• Novato RV Park, Novato
• Sportsman’s RV Park, Fort Bragg

Shasta – Cascade Region

• Fawndale Oaks RV Park, Redding
• Mountain Gate RV Park, Redding
• Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, Lewiston

Central Valley

• Bakersfield Palms RV Park, Bakersfield
• Flag City RV Resort, Lodi
• Merced River RV Park, Delhi
• New Horizons Mobile RV Park, Fresno
• Two Rivers RV Park, Manteca
• Vineyard RV Park, Vacaville

Gold Country and High Sierra

• Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park & Marina
• Clio’s Rivers Edge RV Park
• Coachland RV Park
• Frandy Park
• Meadowcliff RV Resort
• Movin’ West RV Park
• Paradise Shores RV Park
• Tahoe Valley Campground
• Wishon Village

Los Angeles

• Acton Los Angeles North KOA
• Valencia Travel Village

Inland Empire

• Anza RV Resort, Inc., Anza
• Golden Village Palms RV Resort, Hemet
• Pine Tree RV Park, Big Bear Lake

Deserts

• Big River RV Park, Big River (near Parker, Ariz.)
• Black Meadow Landing, Parker Dam
• Emerald Desert Golf & RV Resort, Palm Desert
• Fountain of Youth Spa, Niland
• Shadow Hills RV Resort, Indio
• The Springs at Borrego, Borrego Springs

San Diego Area

• Bernardo Shores, Coronado
• Champagne Lakes RV Resort, Escondido
• Circle RV Resort, El Cajon
• Escondido RV Resort, Escondino
• Oak Creek RV Resort, El Cajon
• Rancho Los Coches RV Park, Lakeside
• Sacred Rocks Reserve, Boulevard
• San Diego RV Resort, La Mesa
• Vacationer RV Resort, El Cajon