RV Camping Archives - Page 20 of 28 - RV Inspection And Care

Our Review Of Gulfview RV Resort In Punta Gorda FL

GulfView RV Resort is located at 10205 Burnt Store Rd. in Punta Gorda, FL

This RV Resort is part of the Thousand Trails/Encore Resort system. And a campsite can be reserved through them for up to a two week stay.

However, a reservation can also be made at Gulfview RV Resort outside the Thousand Trails system. And when you do, the RV camping rate runs between $90 to $100 a night.

Click here for a site map for Gulfview RV Resort

Gulfview RV Resort Features

The campsites at this park all have 30 or 50 amp hookups with water and sewer as well.

One reason why the price is a little higher than some is most likely the close proximity to Punta Gorda and also Fort Myers, FL.

It is a small park with only 197 spots, and there are long-term residents here. But there are plenty of spots for those of us who come in for shorter stays too.

A typical campsite at Gulfview RV resort

The good news is that it is a very easy RV park to access. In fact, it is only a few miles off I-75 right outside of Punta Gorda.

The access roads to the park are very easy to drive. And there is plenty of room for even a big rig on the major roads all around it.

The park itself has pretty easy roads to navigate and are all paved. The sites themselves are not paved or concrete though, unless you pay for an elite site.

Most of the sites are just grass and some of them are definitely harder to level your rig on. And this is especially true if you have a larger rig.

Drainage Problems At The Park

Unfortunately though, drainage in the resort is not as good as in other parks we have visited.

For instance, we arrived right in the middle of a tropical storm, and found the site they had assigned us to was flooded.

And someone else had parked their vehicle in the campsite too. So even if it had not been flooded, we would have had no place to park our car.

And unfortunately, because of the inclement weather, we could not get in touch with the office to get another site.

So we found an empty one that was not quite as flooded and set up there for the night. Then we had to settle the matter about our assigned spot the next day.

I’m happy to say that it all did work out fine. But as you can imagine, it was stressful coming into all of that in the middle of such bad weather.

I have to admit that the office was helpful to a point. But we didn’t feel that they were exceptionally supportive at all.

Meanwhile, it took almost 3 days for the park sites to start to dry out and we were just very thankful we did not get stuck.

So if you plan on going to this park during the rainy season, just be aware of the possibility of flooding.

Gulfview RV Resort Amenities

With that being said, the park itself is very clean and well maintained. The bath house and laundry room were all clean and up to date. And the prices to do laundry were very good.

They also have a real nice pool and shuffleboard area. But what was really lovely was the club house near the back of the park.

There is where we found a bocci ball court and a boat ramp to put your watercraft into a nice sized creek that ran by the park.

The little boat dock had a couple of benches to sit and watch the creek and water fowl. And it provided enjoyable views at sunset.

Around the clubhouse area, there were beautiful trees that shaded a very nice veranda. It was a pleasant spot with plenty of tables and chairs and was extremely quiet and peaceful.

Shopping And Other Things Close By

This park is also close to most places that many people go to get their provisions. About a mile and a half down the road is a Publix grocery store. And about a half mile after that is a Walmart.

Also, next to the Publix is a Home Depot if you need any kind of maintainence things.

On the corner by the Home Depot is a main road that is called the Tamiami Highway. And if you go to the left on that road, it will lead you to other areas where there are restaurants and shopping areas.

So this is a really good place to stay if you want to be close to things like that.

Sights To See In The Area

There are, of course, beautiful sights to see in the area too. Since you are right near the coast on the western side of the Florida peninsula, you can access beaches nearby. And of course, Florida beaches are beautiful.

Not far away is the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Here you will find places to hike and launch your boat, and just enjoy some of the flavor of what older Florida is like.

We also enjoyed going to the Peace River Wildlife Center which is about 5 miles away.

It had some beautiful rescue birds that are native to the area. And they do a great job of taking care of them and explaining about how these birds normally survive in the area. It was extremely informative.

Another place that we visited in Punta Gorda is the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center. If you love animals and nature, we can highly recommend it as well.

It was a very unique sanctuary which helps preserve big cats. So you will see lots of lions, tigers, and even ligers.

All of the animals appear to be well cared for. Of course, they have other animals too, but they especially like to work with these magnificent creatures.

So as you can see, there is quite a bit that surrounds the area here.

Internet Connectivity

Because of it being in such a populated area, access to TV stations was not hard. And you can get cable in the park for an extra charge.

We did not notice if they had free wifi available because we access the internet by means of our AT&T hotspot.

But we had no trouble getting internet connectivity and T-Mobile worked well for our phones too.

I’m sure a quick phone call would tell you about their wifi if they have it though.

One other perk in the park was that a propane truck comes through once a week. So we were able to fill our propane tank without moving our RV, which made it very easy.

Our Conclusion About Gulfview RV Resort

So how would we rate this park??? Well, we probably would give it at 3.8. Why??

Mainly two reasons. First, the staff could definitely have been more helpful when things were very stressful on our arrival.

Secondly, because the sites were somewhat uneven, and definitely should have better drainage.

All in all though, the park was in a great area and we want to thank everyone there for a nice visit.

Glamping VS Camping – What Kind Of RVer Are You?

Glamping VS Camping – what does that phrase mean to you? Actually it can mean different things to various kinds of RVers.

But for now, lets define what both “glamping” and “camping” mean as used in the text of this article.

For instance, this article will consider that “glamping” is the kind of RVing that is linked to the comforts that full hookups bring. So if you are a glamper, you most likely will be spending most of your time in campgrounds.

On the other hand, “camping” in this article means that you like to spend much of your time without hookups. And probably a lot of your RV camping experiences will be out in nature away from campgrounds.

Watch my video about glamping vs camping

Glamping VS Camping – What It Means For You
So What Is Glamping?
What You Need To Know About Camping
Glamping VS Camping – My Conclusion

Glamping VS Camping – What It Means For You

So why do you even need to be thinking about whether you are a glamper or a camper anyway?

Well, the answer to that question will affect almost every decision that you will make about RVing.

Glampers and campers both enjoy RVing, but they come at it from two different directions.

And neither direction is better than the other. They both work equally well depending on what you want to receive from the RV lifestyle.

For instance, a glamper is more focused on enjoying the comforts that can be experienced in a rolling home.

But a camper usually prefers more challenging adventures in their RV travels.

So, in the glamping vs camping dilemma, is there shame in either choice? Is one style of RVing inherently better than the other?

Not at all! So if you recognize yourself as either a glamper or a camper in the material below, own it!

Because once you know what style of RVing you naturally prefer, it makes a lot of your RVing choices much easier.

So What Is Glamping?

If you tend to be a glamper, the size of your RV doesn’t matter much. You can even get a big rig if you want because many commercial campgrounds can handle it.

In fact, the larger you go, the more comforts you will typically see in an RV. This is especially true in diesel pusher motorhomes!

So if you are usually in a campground connected to full hookups, consider these “Do and Dont’s”:

Don’t worry much about solar power. I know that a lot of RVers may make it seem that if you don’t have solar power, you are missing out. But for those who spend the vast majority of their time hooked up to shore power, it’s just not necessary.
Don’t feel that you need an expensive generator either. Again, if you are going to be enjoying the comfort of full-time shore power, it’s not needed. In that case, a generator just becomes a backup for times when shore power is not working. So buy accordingly.
Don’t feel the need to invest in a lithium battery bank. That’s because lithium batteries are still very expensive. And they are overkill for situations where you are plugged into shore power most of the time. In fact, for those who spend most of their time in campgrounds, AGM batteries or lead acid batteries are fine.
Do focus on slide-outs. They open up space inside an RV like nothing else. So if you like space and comfort, get as much as you can afford.
Do get the best campground memberships. Glampers find that the most expensive part of camping for them is usually campground costs. So lower those costs with a good campground membership like Thousand Trails or RPI.
Do accept that nature can still be enjoyed on your RV travels, but by day trips instead of camping there. Glampers can still see lots of nature as they travel by finding campgrounds close to nature. Then travel to see whatever you want to see when you want to see it.

What You Need To Know About Camping

If you are a camper instead of a glamper, the following Do’s and Don’ts apply instead:

Do keep your rig to a manageable size if you like camping in nature. This probably means 30 feet or less. The smaller your rig, the more nimble you tend to be. And you can fit in more off-road spots when your RV is on the smaller side.
Do keep your RV weight down if boondocking in remote areas in on your camping menu. That will probably mean fewer slide-outs and amenities.
Do focus on power needs for your RV. If you are seldom hooked up to shore power, solar power and generators become more important. So do your research in these areas and buy quality equipment that won’t let you down.
Do get holding tanks that are as large as you can for your size rig. That’s because your waste water tanks will force you to have to move from your campsite at some point. So the larger the tanks, the less you have to move.
Do get familiar with ways to find good boondocking spots. For instance by using websites like Campendium. And get to know your way around National Park campgrounds. Learn about BLM land in the West and join boondocking groups on Facebook.
Don’t worry about finding campground memberships so much. Passport America may be helpful, but campgrounds will not be your normal thing.
Don’t get a residential refrigerator. You need the flexibility that a gas absorption fridge provides for boondocking.

Glamping VS Camping – My Conclusion

I see RVers making poor buying decisions all the time. And often it’s because they don’t base their decisions on the style of camping that they actually prefer.

Of course, some of the RV lifestyle influencers on YouTube don’t help much. Because some of them promote expensive equipment just to get higher commissions from the sale.

And they often make it seem that all RVers need this equipment regardless of the style of camping that they do.

But it’s simply not true. Glampers don’t usualy need solar power or lithium battery banks.

And campers don’t need campground memberships or residential refrigerators in most cases.

Instead, every RV buying choice that you make should be based on the style of camping you prefer. And if something doesn’t seem very useful for that kind of camping, you probably don’t need it!

I hope that helps, and as always, have safe and happy travels on your camping adventures!

Lost Dutchman State Park – One Of Our Favorite State Parks

Lost Dutchman State Park is located at 6109 N. Apache Trail in Apache Junction, AZ

This RV park is part of the Arizona State Parks system. And is an absolutely unique park with such beautiful views that it tends to be a very difficult park to get into. But if you can get a reservation, it is well worth it!!!!

You literally camp right at the base of the Superstition Mountains with views that change with the rotation of the sun. It is breathtaking!

If you are a photographer, it is an absolute must! You will not be disappointed.

All this being said, there are a few things that you need to be mindful of about the park.

Click here to make a camping reservation at Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park Features

First, it is a state park. And like most state parks, none of the sites have a sewer connection.

But there is a dump station that is available to all campers. So you can take care of your waste water needs while staying there or just before you leave.

Some of the sites do have electric and water hookups, but by far most are dry camping instead. If you need RV hookups, very often you must book out many months ahead.

This is especially necessary during the peak usage times in the winter months.

When you book online, they let you know the length of the sites that are available. And whether they have hookups or not. So you can narrow your search to fit your needs when you are booking your reservation online.

How are the sites? Well, remember that you are camping on the edge of a mountain. So many of the sites are somewhat unlevel and this can be a challenge to level your rig if it is a big one.

It can still be done though. And for most RVs it won’t be a problem. But bigger rigs may be more challenging to level in this park. So just be aware of that.

The sites usually give you plenty of room between your neighbors along with some Arizona landscape too. And we really enjoyed that!

Pretty much all the sites have a very nice view of the mountains though. And some are just spectacular!

Lost Dutchman State Park Nearby Support Services

Since you are near the mountains, does that mean that you are very far away from places to shop? The good news is the answer is – “NO”.

Apache Junction is just a stone’s throw away, so to speak. And it has a Walmart, Safeway, and a very big Fry’s grocery store. So you can definitely get your groceries easily there.

But there are many other stores where you can get other things you may need too. For instance, such as a large Ace Hardware, CVS, and Walgreens. There are plenty of other stores too.

If you are looking for places to eat, there is no shortage there either. There are fast food places but also some Mom and Pop ones that can be explored.

But if Apache Junction is not enough, about 15 minutes from Apache Junction is the city of Mesa.

And you can find just about anything that you want there. So although the state park is out on the fringes of the Phoenix valley, a lot is still close by.

Things To Do In The Surrounding Area

But what about things to do while staying there? Well, there are hiking trails everywhere, and I mean everywhere. There are some for just about everyone, no matter what their ability.

And if you can’t find what you want there in the park, the mountains around have tons of hiking trails.

If you like horseback riding, that is available too. In fact, sometimes on your hike, you might run into a group of horses and riders on the trails.

If you are not a hiker, no problem. There are scenic drives that take you to local beautiful lakes, one of which is our favorite, Canyon Lake.

And if you just want a little flavor of the West, there is a place called Goldfield about a half mile from the park.

It has many different activities including a train ride and zip line. But you can also just walk through the town and look at the shops. And every hour on the hour is a western gun fight in the middle of the street.

So there is a lot available to you, not just in the park but in the surrounding area.

What About Connectivity?

How about connectivity? While we were there we had T-Mobile for our phones and it was fine.

There is no wifi available in the park. But we used our AT&T data plan with our hotspot and made out just fine. You are not that far from the Phoenix area, so connectivity in this park is usually pretty good.

The park is kept up fairly well. They try to maintain the beauty of the Arizona desert. And as a result, there are not many amenities such as pools and playgrounds, etc.

But the rest of what the park offers more than makes up for it. The bath houses are not fancy but clean. And as with most state parks there are no laundry facilities, so you have to do that off premises.

So summing all this up … what do we think of Lost Dutchman State Park?

Our Conclusion

If you love gorgeous views, beautiful starry skies at night, bunnies and quail scurrying around your campsite. Or if you enjoy desert flora everywhere, and flowered covered cactus in the spring.

If you love seeing wild flowers during the rest of year, and the relaxation of being surrounded by nature. And if you still like being able to find everything you need very close by to make your visit comfortable, then we think you will enjoy Dutchman State Park.

We still will give it a 4.5 rating though, mainly because of the difficulty of leveling your rig at times.

But it is a small price to pay for the experience you will have in this unique and beautiful state park.

Have safe and happy trails everyone!

Category: RV Camping