CA to Iowa

MarshaNichols wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:
There's also a KOA in Laramie WY, it's right off I-80 at the exit for Snowy Range Rd. It's easy to get to, it's a nice clean park. Pull through sites, a little tight, but fine for my 26ft Keystone outback w/slides. We stayed there late last summer, the only problem is the highway noise from I-80. Then again, you hear it ANYWHERE in Laramie!

Thanks! I appreciate the info!

Hey Marsha....one more thing...if you DO decide to stay in Laramie, that's a great location for getting to Lincoln NE without killing yourself with driving. It's a good drive from Laramie to Lincoln, especially once you get to Cheyenne and start heading "downhill"...wind will be at your back for better mileage, and you'll have a gradual decrease in elevation. Win/Win there !

Also, if you have the time, take a day and explore west of Laramie in the Snowy Range. It's as beautiful as Rocky Mountain National Park to the south, with about 1/10th the number of people to contend with. A drop over into Saratoga WY would be a great day trip.

Thom02099 wrote:
There's also a KOA in Laramie WY, it's right off I-80 at the exit for Snowy Range Rd. It's easy to get to, it's a nice clean park. Pull through sites, a little tight, but fine for my 26ft Keystone outback w/slides. We stayed there late last summer, the only problem is the highway noise from I-80. Then again, you hear it ANYWHERE in Laramie!

Thanks! I appreciate the info!

I steer clear of the Interstates as much as possible. I've used US 30, 40 and 50 on several trips through that part of the country mostly east of Colorado. US 40 looks pretty tough through northern Colorado so I haven't done that one yet, but we did US 50 through southern Colorado and it wasn't too bad as far as hill go. I think there were one or two passes through the mountains that got to 6 or 7000 ft. Some nice places to stay in and around Gunnison. Plot the route on Goggle maps and see what you think. I've stopped in Sydney and the Cabella's is okay. Lots to see in KS, NE, and Iowa.

GoPackGo wrote:
If you get over towards the eastern half of Iowa on I-80, you might consider staying at the Amana Colonies RV Campground. The Colonies are SW of Cedar Rapids. Just Google Amana Colonies. Drop me a note if you decide to stop there and I'll send you my list of favorite places to visit in the Colonies.

Thanks...I will get back to you when I get to my "serious" planning!

If you get over towards the eastern half of Iowa on I-80, you might consider staying at the Amana Colonies RV Campground. The Colonies are SW of Cedar Rapids. Just Google Amana Colonies. Drop me a note if you decide to stop there and I'll send you my list of favorite places to visit in the Colonies.

kknowlton wrote:
Sidney, Nebraska (abbreviation should be NE) and Rawlins, Wyoming. Western Hills is pretty unprepossessing, but a decent spot. If its appearance puts you off, consider the surrounding terrain. :) There's not that much available in Wyoming. If Rawlins is where you need to stop, Western Hills is preferable to the KOA. We've also done the KOAs in Rock Springs (even less scenic than Rawlins) and Cheyenne. Cheyenne is nice & clean but the entire ground is graveled with round stones & would not be good for those with mobility issues. Also not many sites to fit long rigs.

Iowa State Parks are pretty decent, though bathroom standards may be somewhat uneven (it's been many years since we've camped in one of their SPs.) Most are not really all that near the interstates. On the other hand, Nebraska State Parks & "waysides" offer some pretty good options as well, especially during the week, and some of them are quite convenient to I-80. Mostly just electric hookups, but for a night that should be fine if you travel with water in your tanks. We liked Kearny State Rec. Area, outside of the town of Kearney. FYI, there is an entrance fee in addition to camping fee. Mormon Island, Windmill and several others are strung along that route. Grand Island KOA is ok for an overnight; their best feature is a little less road noise (they're about 1/2 mile from the interstate) and freshly-baked pizza which can be delivered to your site. (Pretty good pizza too.) Extra cost for the pizza, of course. :)

Thanks for clarifying...just couldn't figure out what state was NB!!
I will write down your recommendations/non-recommendations regarding camping. Appreciate the suggestions! M

There's also a KOA in Laramie WY, it's right off I-80 at the exit for Snowy Range Rd. It's easy to get to, it's a nice clean park. Pull through sites, a little tight, but fine for my 26ft Keystone outback w/slides. We stayed there late last summer, the only problem is the highway noise from I-80. Then again, you hear it ANYWHERE in Laramie!

Best CG deal in NE, Humboldt city maintenance lot and CG, 1 block south of the downtown area. $5/night for electric, water and dump station.

Sidney, Nebraska (abbreviation should be NE) and Rawlins, Wyoming. Western Hills is pretty unprepossessing, but a decent spot. If its appearance puts you off, consider the surrounding terrain. :) There's not that much available in Wyoming. If Rawlins is where you need to stop, Western Hills is preferable to the KOA. We've also done the KOAs in Rock Springs (even less scenic than Rawlins) and Cheyenne. Cheyenne is nice & clean but the entire ground is graveled with round stones & would not be good for those with mobility issues. Also not many sites to fit long rigs.

Iowa State Parks are pretty decent, though bathroom standards may be somewhat uneven (it's been many years since we've camped in one of their SPs.) Most are not really all that near the interstates. On the other hand, Nebraska State Parks & "waysides" offer some pretty good options as well, especially during the week, and some of them are quite convenient to I-80. Mostly just electric hookups, but for a night that should be fine if you travel with water in your tanks. We liked Kearny State Rec. Area, outside of the town of Kearney. FYI, there is an entrance fee in addition to camping fee. Mormon Island, Windmill and several others are strung along that route. Grand Island KOA is ok for an overnight; their best feature is a little less road noise (they're about 1/2 mile from the interstate) and freshly-baked pizza which can be delivered to your site. (Pretty good pizza too.) Extra cost for the pizza, of course. :)

whistlebritches wrote:
Cabela's headquarters are in Sidney, NB and they have a nice campground next to it. That could be a fun stop. There's also a decent campground in Rawlins, Western Hills rv park.

In what state (s) are these two campgrounds in? Thanks!