Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Friday, September 02, 2016

A different way of camping

After visiting Bayfield, it was time to head south towards home.  Since we had a deadline, we were now taking a direct route.  Our first stop on that route was Wausau, WI.  We found a county park with camping within the city limits.  Besides the campground, there is walking trails, an outdoor stage, and  several other buildings including a large horse barn and arena.

The campground had only a handful campers.  We found out that the campground would be closed the next day for a fair that was going to take place over the weekend.  So our timing was just lucky.  It is close to the interstate and makes a good overnight stop for $20 with water and electric.



Our second stop was more interesting.  We located the Hickory Hill campground in Secor, IL.  It was just a few miles off our route in farm country. When we arrived, they were very friendly and said they could get us in but that they were very busy.   They had an overflow spot available.   It was clearly very full and many seasonal campers, with most of them obviously there a long time.



We followed the golf cart into the campground and down a short road.  She came up to me and said  the road was ours, park however you want.  We had water and electric available.  It is the first time ever that we have been assigned a road as our camping spot.






 When we checked in, the office let us know that the reason they were so full was that they had a large deaf group rally going on in the park.  Our closest neighbors were with the rally and we saw but did not understand the many conversations going on around us.

When we walked the park, it was larger than it first appeared and  full of seasonal campers.  Some of the rigs must have been on the same spot for thirty years.  Many campgrounds have rules about what you can and cannot do with your spot including the type and design of structures.  This one apparently does not.  We enjoyed walking around seeing how permanent campers altered their spots over the years.

















This campground has a lot of activities.  The sites are not paved and some not very level, but there are some good transient sites that can accommodate large rigs.  The staff was friendly and very helpful.  If you are looking for a different overnight spot, this could be it.

6 comments:

Gypsy said...

There are some very interesting campsites there. In a way it's kind of nice to be able to do your own thing and go back year after year. And the campground owners are assured of those spaces rented for the season.

Wanderin' said...

There are many campgrounds like that throughout the US including some SKP parks. I think it all depends on how it is zoned and what's allowed. We have some around here but the campsites are quite elaborate going for several hundred thousand dollars!

Phyllis said...

We find each campground seems to have its own personality. Interesting.

Laura said...

Interesting to see what people do - you can get a feel for their personality by the additions. Sometimes though it seems a bit like hillbilly land...

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

One wonders what would happen to those permanent campers if the campground was sold. I like my RV to remain mobile, if I want to stay in one spot, I'll get a house. ;c)

Sherry said...

We've been in campgrounds just like that and it is amazing how people add things and add things. Sometimes the site looks like a dump. I'm thinking that these are "summer homes" for people. We were at one in Illinois which had been sold and the new owners were not allowing any permanents so everyone had get themselves and all their stuff out.