 Gold mine |
| Review Date: June 28, 2005 |
| Reviewer: C. A. Mackay, Corpus Christi, TX |
This book really is awesome. Sure it doesn't list every campground out there, but the book is already the size of a major city's phone book, so it lists the best ones. I love the rating system because it gives each campground separate 1-5 star ratings whether camping with a tent or in an RV. Extraordinary detail and excellent tips, but so far I haven't seen any altitudes given, which would have been useful.
A sample listing from the section on Georgia (In the book it's easy to read format-wise, and though I could read it no problem, some people might need a magnifying glass for the small print):
"CARTERSVILLE MAP A-1
Allatoona Landing Campground
24 Allatoona Landing Rd., Cartersville 30121.
T: (770) 974-6068 or (770) 974-6089;
www.reserveamerica.com
RV *** [stars] Tent ***
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Beauty **** Site Privacy ***
Spaciousness ** Quiet ***
Security **** Cleanliness ****
Insect Control **** Facilities ***
This large campground is very popular, which means it's often crowded. Combine that with small- to mid-size campsites, and you lose a little when it comes to spaciousness and privacy. The owners of Allatoona Landing do run a tight ship, so the property is well maintained and reasonably clean. Be aware that railroad tracks pass very near the campground, so some train noise is inevitable (especially for those sites nearest the campground office). Allatoona Lake offers plenty of options for water sports enthusiasts, including elaborate boating facilities and an extensive swimming beach. Sites 85, 86, 93, 95-101, and 103 are shaded and pretty, while 87 and 89-92 are the nicest water-front sites. Sites 60-73 and 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, and 88 are closest to the swimming beach.
BASICS
Operated By: Private operator. Open: All year. Site Assignment: By reservation. Registration: At camp office. Fee: $20-$25. Parking: 2 vehicles per site.
FACILITIES
Number of RV sites: 120. Number of Tent-only Sites: 20. Hookups: Electric (30, 50 amps), water, sewer. Each Site: Picnic table. Dump Station: Yes. Laundry: Yes. Pay Phone: Yes. Rest Rooms and Showers: Yes. Fuel: Yes. Propane: Yes. Internal Roads: Paved. RV Services: Yes. Market: In Bartow or Acworth. Restaurant: In Cartersville or Acworth. General Store: Yes. Vending: Yes. Swimming: Yes. Playground: Yes. Activities: Fishing, boating, biking, kayaking. Nearby Attractions: Barnsly Gardens, Coopers Iron Works, Dellinger Park complex, Etowah Arts Gallery, Etowah Indian Mounds, Lake Allatoona, Red Top State Park, Royal Oaks Gold Course. Additional Information: Cartersville-Barton County Welcome Center, (770) 387-1357.
RESTRICTIONS
Pets: On leash, some restrictions. Fires: In designated areas only. Alcoholic Beverages: Allowed. Vehicle Maximum Length: 25 ft.
TO GET THERE
From I-75, take Exit 283. Go 2 mi. to campground entrance (in front of 2nd set of RR tracks)."
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Every listing has this kind of information. I wanted to camp during the summer around the southern part of the Appalachian Trail, and by looking at the map and going through the listings I was able to easily knock out the hotter, likely-to-be-crowded, expensive places, then choose various possible campgrounds that go near the trail and offer good hiking for a person who will be using a tent. I even know where to go in each park for the best sites, since this book is great at saying stuff like--section G is the best, F is closest if you're going to be swimming, A is a long walk to the outhouse, B and C have pull-throughs, sites 55-75 have lakeside views, 50-55 are the most stunning. In other words, you can use valuable information like this to reserve a good site over the telephone.
Here's one more exerpt from a park description on a facing page (Clarkesville):
"High in the Blue Ridge Mountains and bordered on three sides by the enormous Lake Burton, Moccasin Creek State Park offers a unique opportunity for campers with disabilities. The majority of the property is wheelchair-accessible, including a fishing pier reserved exclusively for handicapped visitors, seniors, and children. Despite its mountainous location, the campground is relatively flat. This makes it easy to maneuver around in large RVs, bicycles, and wheelchairs. Canoeing on the lake is a treat, though the high elevation and terrain mean that sudden winds can blow up (some strong enough to tip canoes over in the lake's center). Several trails wind through the mountains around the lake, including an easy walk to Hemlock Falls and a more rugged trek to Moccasin Creek Falls. The fall colors are especially beautiful here, making it very difficult to score a vacancy during October." |
A Must-Buy for Campers!
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| Review Date: August 13, 2004 |
| Reviewer: L. Levey, |
| This guide to campgrounds is easily the best I have seen. It is comprehensive and highly readable, rates campgrounds on the factors most important to both tent campers and RV owners, and includes local sites of interest and detailed descriptions of the profiled campgrounds, as well as maps and driving directions. Our family has found this guide to be of tremendous assistance as we expand our horizons in the magnificent world of camping, a resource far superior to the alternatives on the market. |
the best I've seen so far
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| Review Date: October 5, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jill A. Rose, Athens, GA |
| The reason I really like this is it gives very specific details on each campground. For example, it will even breakdown by the site number which ones have more trees, which are quieter, and, if there's a stream which sites are closest to the stream. It especially has a good introduction (Pg.1), stating that "life is short, and life is about choices...". It would be better, therefore, to stay at the best campground one can find, rather than simply making do with a run-of-the mill noisy, dumpy rv park. And this book only reviews the cream of the crop rv parks! |
excellent
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| Review Date: September 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: F. S. Colonna, Long Island, NY |
| I found this book to be chock full of info. It is a little intimidating being it covers all states but very helpful. The enclosed maps makes it easier to locate campgrounds. I find this book helpful, informative and easy to read. |
THE book for campsites
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| Review Date: September 17, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Edward S. Solomon, Jr., Virginia Beach, VA USA |
| I have several books on camping; this by far is the most helpful.Detailed information on everything from bugs to how to get there. If you are going to have one book on camping site information I would highly recommend this one. |
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