Natchitoches Gathering 2024

[daveandalice]

We will be gathering December 9-11, 2024 in Natchitoches Louisiana at Grand Ecore RV Park.

Last years inaugural event was very nice with various trailers attending from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and one from Canada.

Attendees picked so many pecans someone said it could be called "PecanKnot"

I've attached a few photos from last years event, several people had never visited the 33 block historic district of Natchitoches which was founded in 1714 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Future updates will be provided.

Many thanks to Jon Vermilye for taking over the Rally Map.

https://grandecorervpark.com/

https://www.natchitoches.com/

 

[iamunique127]

It looks like the pecan picking alone would make the trip worthwhile!

 

[vermilye]

You are welcome! Don't forget to let me know the dates & location for the 2025 gathering (and any others that anyone knows about). I've already started putting the 2025 map together.

 

[Valerie]

Dave and Alice,
We had a great time at the inaugural gathering and look forward to December 2024! The event was a great kickoff to the holiday season.

 

[jack sparrow]

Hope to see everyone and more this year. We have our site already for the 9-11 Dec 2024. Should be a fun time as last year.


If you haven't booked yet...........what are you waiting for. The Christmas lights are second to none. This town has been putting on this display as far back as I can remember. You will not be disappointed, worth the trip.


See ya there...


Cheers to ya..... and Happy Trails........ Jack

 

[LindaFunkhouser]

I checked reservations and they require a 3 night minimum for reservations. Are y’all reserving 3 nights? If so, which nights?

 

[jack sparrow]

The nights we have are the 9th, 10th and 11th. This is pretty much the full extent of the gathering.


Hope you make it.


Cheers to ya........ and Happy Trails........ Jack

 

[daveandalice]

Yes they have a 3 night minimum during the Festival of Lights season, they are also very firm with a recently enacted no cancellation policy due to the all too common frustration of having to turn away campers looking for a site while people with reservations don't show up, similar to what you see in Corps of Engineers campgrounds that are fully booked and have several empty sites each night due to the no shows.

Other than that, how many campgrounds have you been to with a secure gate 24/7, 12 individual private bathrooms with showers and a washeteria with free machines.

https://grandecorervpark.com/

 

[LindaFunkhouser]

Okay. If said 9-11 so in interpreted arrive on 9th and leave on 11th.

Are there particular campsites that people are staying or gathering around?

Thanks.

 

[daveandalice]

The park is not a large park but the sites are laid out with plenty of room between them.
Typically anywhere from sites #2 through #50, as of today 20 sites are still available in the park with about 12 in the rear loop.

The bath house is labeled "4" on the attached map.

If you call in a reservation let Debbie in the office know you are with the fiberglass group.

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey Dave,

Looks like our time is getting close, less than a month now.
Can't wait......

If anyone is interested in attending they might want to check now to see if there are any sites available to be had.

I believe it's going to be a great time for all.

Cheers to ya........ and Happy Trails..... Jack

 

[KevinA-ESC]

We are looking forward to our first lengthy southern winter trip, starting with this rally! We will be in site 50 in our Bigfoot Silver Cloud.

 

[daveandalice]

I just checked with the office and the park is pretty much booked up unless you wanted to shuffle around from site to site once or twice.

 

[KevinA-ESC]

Being new to this rally, are there any planned activities of which we should be aware? Thanks.

 

[daveandalice]

This is still a basic fiberglass gathering where campers can relax and visit with others, pick pecans, visit one of the oldest hardware/gift stores in the country, visit museums, unique restaurants, historic sites, ride in a horse drawn carriage on brick streets laid down in the 1700's, and view old world architecture.
I'll be talking to the operator of the small paddle wheel tour boat about doing a Wednesday evening tour to see the Christmas lights.
We will have a meet and greet campfire Monday at 5.00
Looks like we'll have a good mix of trailer brands this year.

 

[daveandalice]

We're right at a week away from the Natchitoches LA fiberglass gathering.

There will be a Monday evening "Meet and Greet" campfire in site #12, we will have plenty of Natchitoches meat pies and finger food, just bring a chair and your favorite beverage. in case you don't what Natchitoches meat pies are, they are similar to empanadas.

We will have packets from the Visitors Center with brochures on the many things to see and do in the area.

We have folks coming in from all over the country towing many different brands of trailers and also people researching trailers while deciding what brand and model will work best for them.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.
David, Alice and fellow Louisianan campers

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey Dave and Alice,

Can't wait......... We're excited for this trip, as you said, it's just around the corner.

Going to enjoy meeting everyone and taken in the city. This is going to be a fun time.

Looking forward to more DIY ideas and to share what I've done with our Escape 21ne.

See ya'l soon...

Cheers to ya ......... and Happy Trails......... Jack

Ps: the meat pies look fantastic.......

 

[Gadgetman-ESC]

We are packed and leaving MO in the morning (5.0 escape). Looking forward to meeting everyone & trying one of those meat Pies.

 

[jack sparrow]

Well Gadgetman-ESC, have a great trip, be safe and we'll see you at the gathering.
We'll be leaving out early Monday morning to get there at check-in time.
Will look for you 5.0 Escape and some of those meat pies as well......

Cheers to ya........ and Happy Trails......... Jack