Favorite COE campground locations...

[huskersteffy]

We've stayed at Council Grove Lake in Kansas a few times now and has become a favorite.

[Baja Bob]

Winhall Brook Vermont

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

I rely on the opinions from the app RV Life (formerly RV Campground Reviews). The reviews tend to come from Class A travelers (who do not use campground bathroom and/or showers as frequently). But still one of the few sources of good opinions. Many of the COE campgrounds are reviewed.

Coupled with the app Allstays, to locate campgrounds and overnight parking, I have some decent tools to locate and evaluate.

AllStays Camp & Rv as well as one of my favorites The Ultimate Public Campground Project both have filters that let you select the type of campground (You can choose COE, for example). Both provide links to the RV Life/RV Campground Reviews site.

While not just COE, for those that travel in the West, Ramblin' Ralph's Multi Year Campsite Map includes descriptions of many non commercial camping locations.

[cpaharley2008]

I received my book today and I'm surprised at the lack of facilities in most states, seems like each state may have 3-4 locations. But Arkansas and Oklahoma each have close to 2 dozen locations with Texas and Kansas coming in right behind them. Maybe 1/2 of all COE are in these 4 states?

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I received my book today and I'm surprised at the lack of facilities in most states, seems like each state may have 3-4 locations. But Arkansas and Oklahoma each have close to 2 dozen locations with Texas and Kansas coming in right behind them. Maybe 1/2 of all COE are in these 4 states?

You must remember that the primary mission Of the COE is flood control and/or navigation. Always been an issue in those areas.

[75thRanger]

The top grads at West Point have always gone to the COE.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

The top grads at West Point have always gone to the COE.

That is very interesting....There was a very good PBS special on the COE building the ALCAN highway during WWII and...I'll leave it at that.

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That is very interesting....There was a very good PBS special on the COE building the ALCAN highway during WWII and...I'll leave it at that.

West Point was established as Engineering school. It was the only degree awarded for many years.

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

West Point was established as Engineering school. It was the only degree awarded for many years.

Now there are Humanities/Social Studies Degrees

[mimie]

Originally Posted by Baja Bob

Winhall Brook Vermont

Looks really nice - which site # is this, do you recall?
Thanks!

[Baja Bob]

Winhall Brook

S25 Sout (Standard Elactric)
We love this Campground.
Bob

[jumboscott]

Just returned from Potters Creek COE, Canyon Lake, TX. Nice park on the water.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Many are wonderful & very good deals, particularly for those with the senior pass. The biggest problem I have with them is it is getting harder & harder to get a site without reservations.

We had the pleasure of camping next door (or "next site") to Jon at Gunter Hill COE along the Alabama River just West of Montgomery, AL, during a past Green Eggs & Ham Rally. Generous-sized sites, nice winding, circling paved roads for those who like to walk or bike for exercise, and a boat ramp for those who want to kayak the river and backwaters. Covered group pavilion and small playground. Camp hosts and on-site grounds keeper are always the best, but some of the toilet/shower/laundry facilities are showing their age if those are important to you.

[Mike Lewis]

COE campgrounds are associated with federal water projects, usually reservoirs, which is why they are distributed unevenly. They tend to be well-maintained and inexpensive. I liked the Seven Points campground near Nashville, TN, and the Blackhawk campground on the Mississippi in Wisconsin. In fact, there is a string of COE campgrounds along the upper Mississippi which would make a good trip someday. I need to spend more time in the middle of the country.

[Mike Lewis]

Another idea is to look for campgrounds sponsored by electric utilities. The couple I've stayed at were also well-maintained and inexpensive: Woodhead Park in Hell's Canyon, Idaho, and Tallulah Gorge in Georgia.

Be diplomatic, though-- At Tallulah Gorge I complained to the campground host that I thought there was a gas leak in the laundromat. He glared at me and said, "This is an ELECTRIC utility! There is NO gas!" Oops.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Another idea is to look for campgrounds sponsored by electric utilities. The couple I've stayed at were also well-maintained and inexpensive: Woodhead Park in Hell's Canyon, Idaho, and Tallulah Gorge in Georgia.

when I was a kid, we frequently camped at PG&E campgrounds in central/northern california, usually near rivers/lakes where they had hydroelectric facilities. I don't know if they still operate these, since during the 'deregulation' era, they were forced to sell off most of their generating capabilities to investors who would 'improve' things through competition. or something. it was a disaster. (see, Enron).

[mimie]

Originally Posted by Baja Bob

Winhall Brook

S25 Sout (Standard Elactric)
We love this Campground.
Bob

Bob, you're the BEST!
Thanks, this will be my First Ever Booking of a campground site for me and my 17B. I'm starting "local", tipping my toe in the water - and it sure is nice getting tips like this one.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Another idea is to look for campgrounds sponsored by electric utilities. The couple I've stayed at were also well-maintained and inexpensive: Woodhead Park in Hell's Canyon, Idaho, and Tallulah Gorge in Georgia.

Be diplomatic, though-- At Tallulah Gorge I complained to the campground host that I thought there was a gas leak in the laundromat. He glared at me and said, "This is an ELECTRIC utility! There is NO gas!" Oops.

The LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) (but not the Colorado River most of us think of) has a nice campground on the gulf at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park. This is where the Matagorda Madness Fiberglass Rally is held in December.

[Baja Bob]

Originally Posted by mimie

Bob, you're the BEST!
Thanks, this will be my First Ever Booking of a campground site for me and my 17B. I'm starting "local", tipping my toe in the water - and it sure is nice getting tips like this one.

Once you get your feet wet come on down to Florida and dry them off

[Chama]

The COE campground at Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico is very nice. The have W&E sites all with nice views of the lake and the mountains. Site 1 has the best view but it is hard to get a reservation and is a longer walk to the bathrooms. Dump station on side. They have larger number of no hookup sites down closer to the lake. As someone else mentioned, Cochiti Lake COE campground between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is nice but it can be really crowded.