Chickery's Travels

Chickery's Travels logo. A blue-green Earth globe with continents surrounded by dots with an arrow denoting movement or travel and "Chickery's Travels" as part of the dotted circle. Next to this is a photo of their blue and white Arctic Fox 5th Wheel with the awning out.
  • Home
  • Campground Reviews
    • The Best U.S. National Park Campgrounds
    • 28 Must-See State Park Campgrounds You Can’t Miss
    • Alternatives To National Park Campgrounds: Discover Hidden Gems Just Outside the Park Boundaries
    • Best Luxury RV Resorts For All RV Types
    • Best Waterfront Campgrounds For Every Budget
    • Alabama
      • Gunter Hill Campground (Montgomery, Alabama)
    • Arizona
      • Best Campgrounds in Arizona
      • Aspen Campground (Payson, Arizona)
      • LazyDays KOA (Tucson, Arizona)
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, AZ)
    • Arkansas
      • Catherine’s Landing (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
      • Downtown Riverside RV Park (Little Rock, Arkansas)
    • California
      • Best Campgrounds in California
      • Crescent City Redwoods KOA (Crescent City, California)
      • Sea Breeze RV Park (Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station)
    • Delaware
      • Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware)
    • Florida
      • Best Campgrounds in Florida
      • Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area (Pensacola, FL)
      • Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Southeast FL)
      • LazyDays RV Resort (Tampa, FL)
      • MacDill AFB FamCamp (Tampa, FL)
      • Military Camping in Key West
      • Patrick AFB FamCamp (Cocoa Beach, FL)
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Ocala, FL)
      • Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness (Orlando, FL)
        • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
        • Chickery’s Travels Podcast Episode 5: Fort Wilderness Campground Review
    • Maryland
      • Cherry Hill Park (College Park, Maryland)
    • Michigan
      • Port Huron KOA (Kimball, Michigan)
    • Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
      • Boondocking Near Las Vegas
    • New Hampshire
      • Lincoln / Woodstock KOA (New Hampshire)
    • New York
      • Round Pond Recreation Area (West Point, NY)
    • North Carolina
      • Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA (Coinjock, North Carolina)
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City East KOA (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
    • Texas
      • Best Campgrounds in Texas
      • Alsatian RV Resort (Castroville, Texas)
      • Maverick Ranch (Lajitas, Texas)
      • Texas Wine Country Jellystone (Fredericksburg, Texas)
    • Tennessee
      • Camp Margaritaville (Pigeon Forge, TN)
      • Crossville I-40 KOA (Crossville, TN)
      • Midway RV Park (Memphis, TN)
    • Virginia
      • Complete Guide to Camping at Shenandoah National Park
      • Fort Belvoir Travel Camp (Alexandria, VA)
      • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA (Broadway, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah Views Campground (Luray, Virginia)
      • Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah River State Park (Bentonville, Virginia)
    • Washington
      • Crescent Bar RV Resort (Quincy, Washington)
    • West Virginia
      • Harper’s Ferry KOA (Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia)
  • USA
    • Alaska
      • 5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Trip To Alaska
    • Arizona
      • Apache Trail: A Crazy, Scary, Beautiful Drive
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, Arizona)
      • Phoenix Faves: Best Activities to Enjoy on Your Arizona Vacation
    • District of Columbia
      • Budget Friendly Fun in Washington D.C.
      • Favorite Hikes near Washington DC
      • Indoor Skydiving and TopGolf: Just Another Day of Family Fun!
    • Florida
      • Best Walt Disney World Festivals For Adults
      • Blowing Rocks Preserve – Jupiter Island, Florida
      • Bok Tower Gardens
      • Daytona Beach – The World’s Most Famous Beach
      • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
      • Gasparilla – Tampa’s Pirate Invasion
      • 3 Days on the Nature Coast 
      • Florida Freshwater Springs on the Nature Coast
      • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
      • Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral
      • Island Hopping at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks
      • Must See Sights in St. Augustine, FL – America’s Oldest City
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Dunnellon, Florida)
      • Enjoy the Best of Sunny Sarasota
      • Tampa
        • Get Back to Nature in Tampa Bay
        • Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Spring Training in Tampa, FL
        • The 5 Best Beaches in the Tampa Bay Area
        • Why We Love Tampa
      • Tarpon Springs – The Gulf Coast Town with Greek Flavor
      • Top 5 Things to Do on Florida’s Space Coast
      • What Not to Do When Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
    • Georgia
      • Visiting Atlanta? Don’t Miss These Civil Rights Museums
    • Hawaii
      • Everything You Need to Know About Camping in a Jeep Wrangler in Hawaii
    • Illinois
      • One Day In The Windy City – Chicago Itinerary
    • Maine
      • Coastal Maine Road Trip
      • Discover the Beauty of Monhegan Island, Maine
      • Acadia National Park: Highlights You Can’t Miss
    • Nevada
      • Best Campgrounds in Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
    • North Carolina
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Uncover the Coastal Charm of North Carolina’s Outer Banks | A Guide for Visitors
    • Tennessee
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Burgess Falls: 3 For 1 Waterfall Special
      • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis, TN
      • Window Cliffs, TN – I’m Not Afraid of Heights, But I am Afraid of Falling!
      • WWII History in Tennessee
    • Texas
      • Best Restaurants in Fredericksburg
      • Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View of Texas Hill Country
      • Explore Nature’s Untamed Beauty at Big Bend National Park
    • Virginia
      • Explore Great Falls Park, Virginia
  • RV Resources
    • 3 Simple Steps to Find the Best RV Campgrounds
    • 5 Years Full-Time RV: Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret
    • Boondocking – What We Learned From Our First Dry Camping Experience
    • Tips for Boondocking Success
    • Essential RV Gear
      • Essential RV Gear Guide
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • RV Must Have: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
      • RV SnapPads Product Review
      • RVLOCK Keyless Entry Door Handle Installation and Review
      • Shop “RV Local” With TechnoRV
      • Top RV Gadgets & Accessories
      • WeBoost Cellular Booster Review
    • Maintenance
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • DIY Power Upgrade – “Solar Ready” Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel
      • An Easy Way to Protect Your RV Water Heater
      • Easy DIY Project to Protect Your RV Water System
      • How to Reduce the Likelihood of Tire Blowouts on your RV
      • Odor Free RV Black Tank Tips
      • RV Condensation: What It Is, What It Does, and How To Stop It
      • RV Roofs – What You Need to Know
    • Living in an RV
      • 9 Lessons From 2 1/2 Years on the Road
      • Biggest Regret Full-Time RV Living
      • Dealing with my Biggest Full-Time Travel Struggle, Missing Family While Traveling
      • Downsizing: 3 Areas That Make The Biggest Impact
      • Full-Time RV: 2019 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV: 2018 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV Travel – 2017 Year In Review
      • How Full-Time RVers Celebrate the Holidays
      • Get Ready for Full-Time RV Travel
      • Internet Solutions for RV Travelers
      • The Ultimate Guide to Embracing the Full-Time RV Lifestyle
      • Living in a Tiny, Traveling Home
      • Making Friends (and reconnecting with old friends) While Traveling Full-Time
      • Pros & Cons of Full-Time RV Travel
      • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
      • Short-Term RV Storage: Leaving The RV Behind
      • Top 3 Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret: 3 Years Full-Time RV Living
      • What We Wish We Knew Before Full-Time RVing – Stories from the Road
      • What You Need To Know Before Selling Everything And Moving To An RV
      • Why We Are Traveling Full-Time In Our RV
    • Must Read Books Before Becoming A Full-time RVer
    • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
    • RV Remodel
      • Planning an RV Remodel
      • RV Kitchen Cooking Videos
      • Painting Your RV Interior
      • Update the RV Kitchen – Backsplashes & More
      • Updating Your RV Window Treatments
      • RV Bedroom Makeover
      • RV Remodel Costs with Before & After Photos
      • Vintage Camper Renovation
    • RV Holiday Tour – Decorating Our Small Space
    • RV Hurricane Evacuation
    • RV Misery Can Be Overcome By The Generosity Of Others
    • How Book Readers Can Space and Weight in the RV
    • Slow Travel
    • Small Kitchen Cooking
      • Cooking Videos
      • Eating Healthy on Travel Days
    • Staying Healthy
      • Traveling with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Other Chronic Pain Conditions
    • Trip Planning
    • Traveling with Pets
      • RVing with Your Cat
      • Traveling with Restricted Breed Dogs
    • Why I Prefer RV Travel Over Flying
    • Your Guide To Planning The Best Family Vacation This Summer
  • Travel Finance
    • 5 Tips to Save on RV Travel
    • 5 Ways to Fund Full-Time Travel
    • Creative Ways To Save Money On Your Next Vacation
    • Full-Time RV Expenses
      • Annual Full-Time RV Expenses – The Big Three
    • Five Credit Card Strategies To Improve Travel
    • How Much Do Campgrounds Cost?
    • How Much Does it Cost to RV Full-Time?
    • How to Camp for Free
    • How to Start a Profitable Blog
    • How to Save Money on RV Fuel Costs
    • How to Save on Food While Camping
    • How We Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time (And How You Can Too)
    • How We Paid $139,000 of Debt in 2 Years While Full-Time RVing
    • Learn How to Finance Your Dreams
    • The Top 7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling Full-Time
    • RV Purchasing
      • RV Purchasing: Understanding RV Types
      • Benefits of Renting an RV: Try Before You Buy
      • Should I Buy A New or Used RV?
      • The Costs of RV Ownership
      • The True Cost of Financing an RV
      • Attend An RV Show – Even If You Already Own An RV | Exciting Reasons Why
    • Save Money Using the Public Library (On More Than Just Books)
  • Military Travel
    • Guide To Using Military Campgrounds
    • Health Care for Retired Military Full-Time RVers
    • Why Military Retirees Should Fly Space-A
  • About Us
    • RV Shows We’re Attending
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us
    • Why We Are Full-Time RVers

5:42 pm by J Chickery Leave a Comment

Camp Margaritaville (Pigeon Forge, TN)

When you stay at Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you’re not just getting a place to park your RV for the night. You’re getting an immersive experience in all things fun set among some true natural beauty. From the moment you check in, you’ll be treated to great music, food, and entertainment. You can spend your days lounging by the pool, playing games in the arcade, or exploring the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And of course, no visit to Margaritaville would be complete without sampling some of their delicious food and tasty margaritas.

Graphic will text for Roadtrippers Plus

We were so lucky to have Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge invite us down for a sponsored stay to check out their fabulous campground. And even though we didn’t pay for our stay, we can assure that we are being completely truthful in our review. In fact, we loved our stay so much, we’re already making plans to go back with our kids and grandson on our own dime.

Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast at their breakfast buffet or dinner at their on-site restaurant, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. So if you’re looking for a vacation that’s equal parts fun and relaxing at the best campground in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, be sure to check out Camp Margaritaville, a luxury RV resort for the entire family.

Campsites

Camping at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is an experience like no other. The campsites at this new campground are all back in and paved, offering a spacious and level area to set up your RV. As you can see from the photo above, the RV resort is beautifully landscaped and surrounded by mountain views. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table as well. They offer three different site lengths so you can pick one best suited to your RV. Prices range based on the site size, as well as its proximity to the amenities.

If you don’t have an RV or have family visiting, the Lodge at Camp Margaritaville is a hotel located on the same property.

Amenities

Activities at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge

The amenities are really what makes Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge stand head and shoulders above any other RV resort we’ve ever stayed at. We enjoyed it so much, the only time we left was to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rest of the time, we stayed & played at Camp Margaritaville.

Highlights include:

  • Laundry / Bathhouse – The bathhouse offers private showers and an adjacent laundry room. There is even a dog wash area.
  • Barkaritaville – Our dog loved running around the large, off-leash dog park.
  • Playground – Centrally located among the campsites is a large playground and game pavilion.
  • Swimming Pool – The pool had a splash pad, waterslide, and hot tub. The bar opens to the pool so you can order food and drinks while you watch the kids play. When we were there it was open from 9am to 11pm, the longest pool hours we’ve ever experienced at a campground or hotel!
  • Lazy River – The lazy river is located on the opposite side of the lodge. Both the pool and Lazy River have recorded music playing for your enjoyment.
  • Entertainment center – The entertainment area has the largest arcade we’ve seen with numerous games, as well as duckpin bowling, billiards, darts, and a snack bar.
  • Bar & Grill – This is one of the few RV resorts with a full-service bar and grill. The food was tasty American casual and the margarita menu is as long as the food menu. Each morning, they offer a fabulous breakfast buffet.
  • Camp Store – In addition to camp items and souvenirs, the camp store has fancy coffee drinks, smoothies, and grab & go food items like sandwiches and salads.

Local Area

Three different scenic views from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Just 15 minutes from Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is the Sugarland Visitor Center, the Tennessee gateway to the park. With over 800 miles of trails, there is something for everyone, from easy strolls through the woods to challenging climbs to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. The variety of hiking trails is matched by the diversity of the natural world on display. From the lush forests and rushing waterfalls to the open meadows and streams, you’ll get a taste of the real beauty of nature. Read our guide to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park to learn more.

Book Your Stay

If you’re ready to camp at the best campground near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, book your stay today. And if you’re looking for other great campgrounds we’ve visited around the United States, see our campground reviews here.

Sharing is caring! Feel free to share this review on social media or save the image below to Pinterest.

Image of the RV sites and swimming pool at Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Filed Under: Campground Reviews Tagged With: camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, luxury RV resort, RV Resort

7:30 am by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Catherine’s Landing (Hot Springs, Arkansas)

Catherine’s Landing is an absolutely beautiful RV resort with a mile of water frontage on Lake Catherine. The rest of the park is surrounded by forest. With a diverse range of top notch amenities, you really can’t go wrong here.

Prime Location

The terrific thing about this campground is the location. It is set far enough away from the tourist locations, that you feel you are . However, it is close enough (~15 miles) for a quick trip to historic Bath House Row at the National Park or hiking at the State Park.

Top Notch Amenities

They have both pull through and back in paved, level sites. There are several waterfront back in sites to choose if you desire. Each site has a picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire ring. Here’s our site:

View this post on Instagram

We’re loving Catherine’s Landing RV Resort so much, we’ve only ventured out once. They have an awesome pool, kayaks & boat rentals, hiking trails, disc golf, and a zip line! Do you ever like to just stay at the campground or prefer to sight see? #arkansas #travelusa #rvlife #rvtravel #rvcouple #rvcamping

A post shared by Chickery's travels (@chickerystravels) on Sep 29, 2018 at 7:24am PDT

The park has a ton of amenities including a great heated pool area with splash pad, play ground, dog park, disc golf course, kayak & boat rentals, and covered pavilion with picnic tables and cooking area. They also have 2 very clean bath houses and laundry rooms. They even had a very nice pet bathing area.

Really, the only thing missing was a hot tub.

Local Area

Most of the time, we stayed at the resort and enjoyed the amenities there. However, we did venture out to two major attractions.

Hot Springs National Park

This is as far from a typical national park as you can get. Most of the park is actually the little town with the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District where you can tour a historic bathhouse and even partake in the full treatment.

Hot Springs National Park is as far from a typical national park as you can get. Most of the park is actually the little town with the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District where you can tour a historic bathhouse and even partake in the full treatment.
Bath House Row in Hot Springs National Park

Sean & I both decided to step outside our comfort zone and give the baths a try after watching this video from Phil & Stacy of You, Me & The RV. I actually watched this video a couple of times, it is so funny!

Garvan Woodlawn Gardens

While at Catherine’s Landing, I met a fellow blogger and we went on a walking tour of Garvan Woodland Gardens. I try to visit botanical gardens along my travels, and love ones with a twist. This botanical garden is nestled in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains of Southwest Arkansas. It showcases the indigenous flora and fauna, 4 ½ miles of wooded shoreline, and rocky inclines.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is nestled in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains of Southwest Arkansas. It showcases the indigenous flora and fauna, 4 ½ miles of wooded shoreline, and rocky inclines.

My friend Becky of Home is Where We Take It, is a part-time RVer who has showcased many of Arkansas’ Top RV Destinations. Be sure to check out her recommendations!

, Chickery's Travels and Becky Wadley, Home is Where We Take It, visit Garvan Woodland Gardens.

Sharing is Caring! Please share the image below on Pinterest.

Catherine's Landing RV Resort in Hot Springs Arkansas is an amazing campground with tons of amenities including a great heated pool area with splash pad, play ground, dog park, disc golf course, kayak & boat rentals, and covered pavilion with picnic tables and cooking area. They also have 2 very clean bath houses and laundry rooms. They even had a very nice pet bathing area.

Filed Under: Arkansas, Campground Reviews Tagged With: campground, Hot Springs Arkansas, RV Resort

8:00 am by Julie 1 Comment

Alsatian RV Resort (Castroville, Texas)

We just spent two months at the Alsatian RV Resort in Castroville, and we loved it so much we already have reservations to return in the fall! If you are looking for a nice, quiet RV resort close enough to San Antonio to enjoy a bit of sightseeing, this place should be at the top of your list.

RV Resort Basics 

Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, it’s easy to see why Alsatian RV Resort is one of the best campgrounds in Texas. The RV resort has 60-level, paved RV sites with beautiful landscaping, full hook-ups (water, sewer, electric), Wi-Fi, propane delivery, and trash pick-up.

If you have a motorhome, you can even stay on what I call ‘Casita Row.’ This is a section where motorhomes can rent both RV sites and casitas overlooking a fishing pond and the 18-hole golf course.

Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, the Alsatian RV Resort is the perfect spot to stay while we visited our sons. The RV resort has 60 level, paved RV sites with beautiful landscaping, full hook-ups (water, sewer, electric), Wi-Fi, propane delivery, and trash pick-up.

Don’t have an RV? Don’t Worry! They’ve got you covered. Right at the campground they have a few park models (aka cabins) for rent.

Amenities

Not every campground that bills itself as a “resort” lives up to its name—but this one sure does! They have a fitness room, and beautiful outdoor area with a huge covered pavilion and a pool & hot tub.

Not every campground that bills itself as a “resort” lives up to its name—but Alsatian RV Resort in Castroville sure does! They have a fitness room, and beautiful outdoor area with a huge covered pavilion and a pool & hot tub.

There’s also a lovely nature trail that surrounds a large dog walk. When we were there, the cactus and wildflowers were in full bloom! Watch the video above for a great tour of the resort and the nature trail.

Local Area

This RV Resort is located in historic Castroville and only 30 miles from the heart of San Antonio, Texas with so many options for outstanding dining and must-see attractions in the local area.

You can’t go to San Antonio without visiting the River Walk! It is exactly what it sounds like, a series of walking paths along the San Antonio River with numerous shops and restaurants along the way.

You can't go to San Antonio without visiting the River Walk! It is exactly what it sounds like, a series of walking paths along the San Antonio River with numerous shops and restaurants along the way. 

Follow the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park’s Hike & Bike Trail along the San Antonio River to five missions: The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next.

Follow the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Hike & Bike Trail along the San Antonio River to five missions: The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next. 

If you’re looking for more traditional hiking trails, we recommend the Texas Hill Country State Natural Area. There are several ranging from easy to challenging.

The Texas Hill Country State Natural Area has several multi-use trails ranging from easy to challenging.

Sharing is Caring! Please share the image below on Pinterest. 

The Alsatian RV Resort in San Antonio Texas is a luxury RV park. If you are looking for a campground when visiting the Alamo, this is the place for your next family camping trip. With amenities like a swimming pool, hot tubs, and fishing lake the entire family will be happy campers.

Filed Under: Campground Review, Campground Reviews, Texas Tagged With: campground near San Antonio, campground review, campgrounds, chickery travels, full time rv living, rv life, RV Living, rv living full time, RV Park, rv park living, rv park review, RV Parks, rv parks in texas, RV Resort, rv resorts, rv resorts in texas

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »
RV technology gear images include TPMS, EMS, and wifi booster
RV LIFE Trip Wizard
Sidebar Text Ad for Rad Power Bike
RV Rentals from Outdoorsy. Images include van, motorhome, and travel trailer.
Image of RV driving towards mountains.

Signup to receive weekly updates and exclusive free content only available to subscribers!

Privacy Policy

Travel Schedule

Recently
Denali National Park, Alaska

Currently
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Next Stops
Zion National Park

 

Notice

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email

Free RV camping guide with over 30 pages of tips and worksheets

Download Now

Never see this message again.