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Those Small but Not Forgotten Parks

© Thomas Stephens Sr.

There must be hundreds of great small campgrounds and parks across North America. Some are out of the way places while some are close to home or just off a well-traveled interstate or highway. Many of these little known campgrounds are excellent camping destinations that forge fond memories and earn a warm spot in the heart. Facilities and amenities, of course, vary widely, but you will be surprised by the quality of camping they offer. We have endearing memories of a number of these "less heralded" campgrounds.

How can you locate these parks on the Web? Well some, I'm afraid, have no Web page and are not easily found. Using a camping directory such as Trailer Life or Woodalls on the Web is probably the best bet. Many, however, can be researched utilizing the links listed beside this article. If you enjoy camping off the beaten path, the results will be worth the effort. Searches such as Alta Vista, Excite and Yahoo can also be helpful.

Revelstoke KOA in British Columbia on Hwy 1 is a good example. It is the nicest KOA (Kampgrounds of America) that we have visited. Located in a beautifully scenic area of Canada, it provides large grassy sites, great facilities and a very friendly atmosphere. With an invitation from the manager, we turned our two fat beagles free to run and romp in their daisy-covered meadow. They had a ball! We also drove up to nearby Mt. Revelstoke for a spectacular view of the area. If you are into trains, there is a lot of Canadian Railroad history in these parts.

Another small out of the way campground that has left a mark on our hearts is Harmonie State Park, Indiana. Situated in the extreme southwestern corner of that state, Harmonie is worth the 10-mile drive south of I-64. The park is about five miles south of the town of New Harmony off Hwy 69 and just east of the Wabash River. We have had two wonderful camping visits there and each time watched as deer roamed through the campground. If you enjoy grassy campsites with lots of trees, you'll love Harmonie! The fishing is good as well. Water and electric are provided at 200 sites, and a clean dump station is located at the park entrance. It has a great playground and pool to please the kiddies.

Camping in Virginia is outstanding! If you have some free time, the Blue Ridge Parkway through central Virginia is a fantastic drive with good camping along the way. The small historic town of Buena Vista, located just west of the Parkway on Hwy 60, has a neat public campground. Glen Maury Park is a lovely campground that overlooks the town and offers a sense of peace and serenity. Again, there is beautiful scenery, large grassy sites and many old trees. I could find no web page for Glen Maury, but it is listed in Woodalls Directory (see above).

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