Best RV Resort or Campground

[happy2rv]

OK, forgive me if this has been covered. I did a search and didn't see a thread. I'm thinking toward retirement in a few years and I want to start building a list of must see places. I've been working on a list of places based on scenery, local culture, or just places the wife and I have been wanting to see, but I thought it would be nice to start compiling a list of places where the RV park itself is a destination worth visiting. So if you have a place in mind, post some thoughts on what makes it special.

To start it off, although I'm a long time RV owner, I don't have a lot of experience with RV resorts. We've stayed in a lot of campgrounds, but most of them are nothing I would call special. Some better than others, but most have just been a place to park the RV. There are a couple of standouts though.

I believe the best I've seen is Cherry Hill just outside of Washington DC. It's a large resort that offers some real amenities and scheduled activities. We only stayed a few days and unfortunately we didn't get to see or take advantage of many of those activities. One nice feature that we did take advantage of was a DC night tour that picks up and returns to the park. We were also able to buy DC metro subway passes right in the park. It's a beautiful park and I hope we get to return and spend some time enjoying the activities at the park.

[azdryheat]

I have favorite places that are favorites partly because everyone and his mother isn't there.

[Mr_Mark1]

Mountain Falls Motorcoach Resort in Lake Toxaway, NC, is fantastic (class A only resort). Lots of activities and very friendly people. And the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful! Especially, if you reserve a spot on the ridge (upper area). Their current rate is $125 a day.

It's a good home-base for seeing the Biltmore Estate about 60 miles northeast of Lake Toxaway. The city of Highlands, NC, is about 22 miles southwest with good 'speciality' store shopping and wonderful restaurants. I love the mountains!

Safe travels,
MM.

[profdant139]

Are there really motorhome-only resorts that exclude trailers? To twist Groucho Marx's old saying, I wouldn't want to belong to an outfit that excludes folks like me!! 😉

[westernrvparkow]

As much as I am prejudiced towards my parks, if someone wants the very best, my vote goes to either Outdoor Resorts - Indio California, Motorcoach Country Club - also in Indio or Bluewater Key in Florida. All are beyond spectacular.

[happy2rv]

Veebyes wrote:
Are you looking to FT & find places to sit for weeks or months at a time or do some traveling returning to a home for the off season?

Everyone has their style, from weekend warriors to those who never move.

We are currently at least a few years away from retirement. We hope to travel near full time, at least for a while, when we retire. We haven't decided whether we will maintain a home base or really go full time. In the mean time, we are weekend warriors with a few longer trips thrown in here and there. We took a two week trip last year.

jplante4 wrote:
The biggest reason I haven't been to more is that they are frightfully expensive and I don't play tennis. HHI had the nicest sites we've ever seen.

True resorts do cost more. Sometimes its worth it, especially if you take advantage of the amenities. However, at least according to the youtube channels I follow, there are some really nice places that are also free to boon dock. Many claim that a lot of the destinations available through harvest hosts are really nice, not what I would call a resort, but very worthwhile. I hope to check some of those out.

Dick_B wrote:
Does Fort Wilderness at Disney World, Orlando count?

Absolutely. No rules here. We have stayed at Fort Wilderness years ago when our son was young. I wouldn't mind going back again. I recall the campfire being really nice and Disney movies playing in an outdoor theater.

spud1957 wrote:
Perhaps folks should stop recommending Motorhome resorts since the OP doesn't own one. He has a truck and trailer.

Might be worth mentioning if they are restricted. I and others would probably still like to hear about them. We may end up returning to a class A in retirement, not sure yet. However, we're not the gated community type and I'm not sure we would enjoy the exclusivity.

[spud1957]

Perhaps folks should stop recommending Motorhome resorts since the OP doesn't own one. He has a truck and trailer.

[Dick_B]

Does Fort Wilderness at Disney World, Orlando count?

[jplante4]

I've been to only 2 places where the resort itself is the destination - if you like pools and pickle ball/tennis etc.

Normandy Farms in Foxboro MA
Hilton Head Island Motor Coach Resort in Hilton Head SC

The biggest reason I haven't been to more is that they are frightfully expensive and I don't play tennis. HHI had the nicest sites we've ever seen.

[Veebyes]

Are you looking to FT & find places to sit for weeks or months at a time or do some traveling returning to a home for the off season?

We are travelers, spending at least 5 months & usually covering at least 15,000 miles a year. We are seldom anywhere more than 4 nights. Trips are planned, sort of, making few reservations & everything is always subject to change.

Everyone has their style, from weekend warriors to those who never move.

[accsys]

We have found that most truly RV resorts are ownership parks though they allow you to rent spaces as well. Two that quickly come to mind are Mountain Falls Luxury Motorcoach Resort near Lake Toxaway, NC and Bella Terra of Gulfshores near Foley, AL, neither not all that far from Huntsville.

[WNYBob]

Letchworth and Allegany SP, NY have been rated #1 & #2 the best State Parks respectively in America!
Letchworth is a picturesque river valley with 3 major waterfalls (Genesee River) with manicured walking trails.
Allegheny has over 63,000 acres of mostly forested hills with many hiking trails, I believe one is 27 miles. Beautiful more natural setting.

[DutchmenSport]

Lake Roudof RV resort and Campground in Santa Clause, Indiana. But you need to book a reservation a year out. Holiday World and Splashin Safare are right next door. This park has its park. Great if you have kids.