What do people think about staying at Nk'Mip - when there is no rally

LarryandLiz · 07-02-2014, 10:35 PM

We are getting excited about the hatching of our 17b. The orientation is scheduled for August 14th. We are going to use a weekend or so learning how to tow the thing. We may use a professional driving school to make sure we are roadworthy. We are leaning towards staying at Nk'Mip Campground, Osoyos, BC for 6 nights. This will be our "maiden voyage" as we figure out how to back the thing up and how all the bells and whistles on the 17b work (solar, fridge and all that). All this learning in-between wine-tours of course. We may move on to another area if the spirit moves but are planning for a low stress time away to get acquainted with our trailer.

This leads us to reach out to Forum members for opinions about Nk'Mip RV campground. The 2014 Escape Gathering pictures show Nk'Mip as a nice enough campground. However, TripAdvisor Reviews are decidedly mixed (Nk'Mip Campground & RV Resort - Campground Reviews, Deals - Osoyoos, British Columbia - TripAdvisor).

Has anyone stayed there alone apart from the big gathering? Some reviewers had negative things to say about cleanliness, cramped sites, disinterested campground staff and loud campers. We realize that TripAdvisor reviews need to be read with some skepticism but there does appear to be some negative themes that emerge when reading through multiple posts. Of course there are some rave reviews also.

NK'MIP RV Park | Camping Osoyoos

Thanks for any info, Larry S

cpaharley2008 · 07-02-2014, 10:45 PM

I'd go back in a heartbeat, very clean and beautiful location.

KarenH · 07-02-2014, 10:53 PM

I think your approach is wise when reading these reviews. When people don't like a product or place, they're quick to write a negative review, but when they are happy, it doesn't even occur to them to contribute. That being said, usually there is some merit to a disproportionate number of negative reviews. A few years ago when remodeling my kitchen, I replaced a 30-year-old Jenn-Air range without giving it much thought as the old one was wonderful. I spent $3000 on a piece of junk. Later I read the reviews and they were almost all negative. Wish I'd read them first.

Now back to Nk'Mip...

gbaglo · 07-02-2014, 10:57 PM

A lot of people who attend the rally stay on for several days. They are likely to move from the open area where the rally core is down to a lakefront site.

Getting a response to emails is hit and miss so I'd backup communication with a phone call.

Place is clean, services work. I've used sites like TripAdvisor for reviews, but I disregard many of the reviews. You get a sense. Or scents of the person posting.

Brian B-P · 07-03-2014, 12:10 AM

The area used for the Escape rally is quite different in style from the lakeside sites... you may prefer one or the other, but I suggest checking out the park map and keeping in mind the location of site used by any reviewer.

Kærnehuset · 07-03-2014, 01:33 AM

Here's my two cents worth. The lake front is simply gong show in the summer. Lots of partying, stereos and boat noise and everybody crammed together. We did not have a good experience there when we camped there in August 2012 . We will not stay in that area of the campground again. The area where the rally was held is quieter and more spread out. Normally, we would not stay in this type of campground and only do so at rally time because of the folks we meet. Other then that, we stick to the Provincial Parks or Forest Service sites. But there again, everyone's needs, likes and dislikes are different.

Regards

Scott

escape artist · 07-03-2014, 01:34 AM

Hi: LarryandLiz... Have you ever recommended a restaurant to a friend...then lived to regret it? I find reviews are like that!!!
We recommended a campground we really liked to some friends and while pulling out he cut the corner too close and smashed the door and step of his 5.0 on a hidden tree stump. YIKES

Not my fault... but I felt really bad about it.
We enjoyed our stay at NK'Mip even though they put us in solitary confinement. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

gbaglo · 07-03-2014, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kærnehuset

Here's my two cents worth. The lake front is simply gong show in the summer. Lots of partying, stereos and boat noise and everybody crammed together.
Scott

That is Osoyoos in the summer. We rented a motel room on the lake many summers ago and I swear a drag boat was going to race through our unit. It seems some have boats to make as much noise as possible.
I too prefer forest service sites and provincial camp grounds.
If you don't mind rustic, and want to camp ( not park ), there are lots of places around Keromeos. We've enjoyed camping along the Ashnola river. Several forest service sites and private sites run by the local band.

Ron in BC · 07-03-2014, 11:02 AM

I thought it was perfect for the Escape rally. Would I spend several days there? As others have said, it's a big, packed with people place, with all the attendant potential for lots of noise etc. It wouldn't be high on my list as a place to spend extra days.

Ron

LarryandLiz · 07-03-2014, 10:08 PM

Thanks for all the comments. Our sense was that camping with a group like the Escape Rally is one experience and going as a one unit camper would be quite different. We've started researching the Keromeos area and look at what Liz found: Campground | The Grist Mill and Gardens at Keremeos. Check out the 2 classic eggs trailers along with their classic tugs! It has a tea room and hosts concerts from time to time.

We'll keep checking/reviews and such but we like the name of the place: The Grist Mill and Gardens - perhaps we are showing our age

Larry

bvansnell · 07-04-2014, 03:26 PM

We attended the Escape Rally at Nk'Mip 2011, 2012 and 2013 but not this year. Instead we spent days at Okanagan Lake Provincial Park and Haynes Point Provincial Park which we prefer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_...7644689565940/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_...7645102704124/
What we like about these:
1. much quieter and closer to nature and more spacious
2. lake front and lake view campsites available
3. clean and well managed
4. reservable online

J Mac · 07-04-2014, 03:31 PM

Our favorite camp ground is Okanagan Lake Provincial Park (North) for the very reasons you've stated. Arguably the hardest camp site we've ever tried to book however. This year, using the booking system Provincial Parks now employ, it took 4 computers and 3 tries (days) to book 2 sites for 2 weeks.

LarryandLiz · 07-04-2014, 05:09 PM

We totally appreciate all these ideas. Being inexperienced to towing we figured Nk'Mip could work for us (we know the road to Osoyoos, can probably back into an Nk'Mip site without to much drama). However, this morning we booked a 3-hour training session at Valley Driving ($90 per hour). So we feel more confident about choosing where to go for our "maiden voyage" and are researching other campgrounds. We want water and electricity for our first trip while we sort out all the trailer's technology and will probably wait till next year before we venture into provincial campgrounds.

gbaglo · 07-04-2014, 05:21 PM

That narrows things down some ( elec. and water ).
Take a look at Moonshadow in Merritt. Moon Shadows RV Park and Campground - Merritt BC, Canada
We enjoyed a stay there two or three years ago. Water, septic and electric sites near the Coldwater River. Not jammed with motorhomes when we were there.
A few minutes drive to downtown for groceries, a latte and beer.
It appeared to have become run down after owner had a heart attack, but last I heard it was back in shape.
There are drive through sites, and, if you want to try boon docking, you could just move further back, away from the "crowds" ( and closer to the river ).
Couple hours on the road and you can be at the Grist Mill in Keremeos. Best check availability. There is a foodie event taking place there sometime soon and they only have limited sites.

Clayburn RV Park is also in Merritt, if you like the sounds of a lumber mill running 24/7. It has a free sani-dump and there is another free dump at Canadian Tire.