To summarize our 2021 travels – we pulled out of Chokoloskee on April 9 and returned on Nov 11 with an additional 17,319 miles, 8626 of which were towing miles. Traveling spanned over 216 nights, 48 locations, 16 states, and 8 new states meeting our sticker map criterion which is at least one night in the RV. We visited 10 national parks and stayed in 7 state parks (representing 4 states) and spent 41 nights in 8 Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds across 6 states. We boondocked a total of 4 nights (3 Harvest Hosts) and enjoyed full hook up 76% of the time.
As we near the end of another year, it is only fitting to reminisce on our travels. I’ll begin my reminiscing with a top ten campground list from 2021. Chosen out of 45 campgrounds, these 10 stand out because of one simple criterion – we would be contentedly happy at this campground for an extended period because of its abundant natural space (land or water) that can be explored, irrespective of its amenities.
However, this list comes with a BIG DISCLAIMER – rating is not based on amenities such as wifi, phone signal, antennae TV or laundry; rather it is all about the aesthetics, the wilderness, the space, the wildlife. In fact, lack of all said amenities were absent at some of these campgrounds! I will admit though, while the great outdoors is the draw, lacking certain amenities, especially a phone signal is challenging beyond a 2-3 day stay.
Nevertheless, if you want to “get away” to a conveniently located campground where you can paddle or hike in a wilderness area while having the comforts of a campground that accommodates large RVs, check out these campgrounds.
Coming in at #10: a Northern Michigan Campground
Headwaters Camping and Cabins. Out of necessity, we stayed at this rustic campground on Big Bradford Lake in northern Michigan for 42 nights.
So, we really got to know the place well. It is relatively secluded (but easy to get to) and among the quietest campgrounds we have stayed in. Viewing the sunrise over the lake, long walks in the surrounding forest, the ease of launching the kayak, and the wonderful onsite owners, all made the lack of wifi and laundry facility less painful. Read more about this northern Michigan location here.
#9: A Northern New Mexico Campground
Riana Campground. One of the 3 Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds making our top ten list, this one is located on Abiquiu Lake in northern New Mexico – about 50 miles north of Santa Fe, and 70 miles west of Taos.
Despite unusually low water levels (which made kayak fishing next to impossible for Vivian), the ambience of a spacious campground overlooking a large body of water with mountains in the background just made my heart sing. Although not full hook up, it has, like most Army Corp campgrounds what RV’ers value highly – easy in and out, space, a view, and easy hook ups (water and electric in this case). I loved walking around the bluffs overlooking the lake, so enjoy this slideshow from those hikes.
And lastly, please check out my previous blog about our visit to the Abiquiu area, or what I like to call “Georgia O’Keeffe Country”.
#8: A Florida Panhandle Campground
St George Island State Park. It comes as no surprise that 4 of the top ten campgrounds are state parks and there are two more given honorable mention at the end of our list.
It is also no surprise that among our top ten campgrounds is one located on one of Florida’s spectacular Gulf of Mexico beaches. Vivian and I are not beach loungers, but the sand dunes were among my favorites to photograph, and Vivian loves to fish. Hiking trails, an easy walk to the beach, and lots of birds & other wildlife makes this one of Florida’s best.
Read about our visit to St George Island State Park here.
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. We stayed here for two reasons; convenience and desire to visit Bismarck on our way through North Dakota.
We could have stayed at the Bismarck KOA but when I discovered that this state park campground offers wonderfully large campsites along the Missouri River and has an interesting history, it was a shoe-in. Not only was having the Missouri River near our campsite a perk, but so were the miles of hiking trails that offer beautiful overlooks of the river, lots of deer, and a historical tour of a Mandan Village and Fort Abraham Lincoln where several replicas of buildings are scattered about as you can see in the slideshow below.
You can read about our visit that includes a tour of North Dakota’s state capitol here.
#6 A Northeast Texas State Park
Caddo Lake State Park. What brings Caddo Lake to this list are many things, among which are the following – our campsite, the relatively small and peaceful campground, miles of hiking trails and of course, Caddo Lake itself.
If not for the fact that it rained constantly during our 5-night stay, we would have enjoyed more of this park and it likely would have ranked higher. Read here about our visit to the surrounding areas including the historical town of Jefferson. Above is a slideshow from the park, including the very hilly road coming in and out of the campground.
#5: A southern Alabama Campground
Foscue Creek. Another Army Corp of Engineers, west of Montgomery, Alabama near the town of Demopolis.
Funny thing, we were originally reserved for five nights but ended up staying an additional 3 nights which required us to move twice. So, we had the pleasure of staying at three different sites, all of which offered a waterfront view. We enjoyed the water, the peacefulness, relatively easy access to water with a kayak and plenty of hiking trails to go around. Read here about our civil rights tour taken while we stayed at Foscue Creek and another Army Corp campground, Gunter Hill.
#4: A rural Indiana County Campground
White River Campground, Hamilton County. Other than being a county park with level concrete full hookup campsites that accommodate large rigs, there is nothing extraordinary about this campground. It is after all, in Indiana, located among corn and soybean fields.
To visit family in Indianapolis, we could stay at a campground located closer to the city, but instead we keep coming back to White River because we really enjoy it. Maybe it is because this rural campground is a welcome reprieve after spending a day in the city. With miles of hiking (biking) trails, an easy walk to a lake and the White River, we enjoy the wildlife and wildflowers that come with its open surroundings. I wrote about our first visit to White River back in 2018, check it out here.
#3: A Northern Wisconsin Campground
Top O’ the Morn Resorts. If I have any regrets from our 2021 travels, it is that I did not take more photos of this Wisconsin campground we called home for a short 3 nights.
Located on Iron Lake, not far from the Apostle Islands, we serendipitously discovered Top O’ the Morn given that the coveted coastal campgrounds were either full or unaccommodating to our RV. So glad we found it because we fell in love with its quiet lake ambience. We didn’t have time to get out on the lake with the kayak, but we’ll be back.
#2: a central Florida State Park
Colt Creek State Park. There is no doubt, Florida has some of the best state parks in the country. Although many of them are not accommodating to our RV, a handful are and the best of them is Florida’s newest state park, Colt Creek.
There is no beach or spring-fed water filled with manatee, nor is the campground itself on the water. Instead, it is within central Florida’s wetland and pine flatland territory, home to much wildlife including otter, eagle, deer, alligator, and wading birds, all of which we saw while there for a short 2 nights. With lots of hiking trails, a couple lakes to kayak on and a paved road with little traffic for bicycling, you could enjoy this park for an extended time easily.
Drum roll #1: a western Georgia Campground
R Shaefer Heard Park. I didn’t think of this Georgia park as being #1 when we were camping there, but in retrospect, my thoughts kept going back to this place. What sticks in my mind is the water view from our campsite and the fact we could launch the kayak within feet away from the RV.
Not only that, the lake is so picturesque with its cypress trees and near perfect waterscapes (no manmade intrusions).
Although there are no hiking trails, the well shaded campground is very large with several loops that it took me over an hour to walk its entirety up and down relatively steep inclines. It’s a wonderful campground to have a bicycle. We discovered that the loop we camped on, sites 1-10 (we were on #10) was the easiest for water access.
I have three more campgrounds to give honorable mention to. Here they are:
Changing Views From Our RV 
Another fascinating story about your travels! We have only stayed in one of the parks you mentioned and that was White River outside of Cicero. We have added your other recommendations to our watch list.
LikeLike