Finding the perfect Airstream campground can be challenging. You want a campground with all the amenities you need and recreational activities you want to do while staying in the campground. No need to look further because I have listed the best Airstream campgrounds you can go to while getting the adventure you need on the road.
The best Airstream campground that you can go to is Plymouth Park Campground, Three Island Crossing State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Sugar Pine Point State Park, City of Whittier Campground, Rock Creek Park, Heceta Beach RV Park, Beaverhead Campground, and Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area.
Plymouth Park Campground: Army Corps of Engineers
Plymouth Park Campground is just outside the small town of Plymouth, Washington. It is a part of the John Day Lock and Dam, which is known as the explorer’s paradise. This campground is known for popular activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and hunting.
If you are into different recreation activities such as boating, water sports, and swimming in the river, this is the best place for you. The island is a high desert environment that is covered with tall wild sage and Russian Olive trees. Rest assured that you will be getting fresh air in this campground.
The wildlife in Plymouth Park Campground is abundant as well as the surrounding area. You will see mule deer, waterfowl, and raptors in this area. This campground is also known as a quiet, clean, and well-kept area, making it the best choice for you to spend some time in your Airstream while enjoying all the activities that you can do.
What Plymouth Park Campground Has to Offer
The park offers 32 sites with electric hookups that you may need when staying in the campground. There are also amenities that are available such as flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, and a playground. During the day, there are some areas that you can take advantage of, such as a swim beach, boat ramp, vault toilet, and a courtesy dock.
The Plymouth Park Campground has 32 sites, and the longest Airstream that was brought to the campground is about 36 feet. The signal for Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T users are pretty decent, which are confirmed by different RVers. Aside from all of these features, there is also a laundry room in the campground where you can spend some time washing your clothes.
The entrance fee to Plymouth Park Campground is $40, and before going to the park, you need to make sure that you have a booked reservation. They are open from April to October every year, so best to plan out your travel when you want to stop by Plymouth Park Campground.
Three Island Crossing State Park
The Three Island Crossing State Park is the best spring destination for those who are history buffs. This state park is a history-focused public recreation area that is located in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. They allow visitors to explore the site of a Snake River ford on the Oregon Trail. This site was also used as a river crossing until 1869, when Gus Glenn built a ferry across the river. The ferry was about two miles upstream, and guests can visit this area.
Now, if history is not your thing, there are plenty more activities that you can do in these 613 acres of gorgeous land. There’s a recreational trail available in the Three Island Crossing State Park if you love hitting the trails. They also have a picnic area where you can spend some lunch or breakfast with the family.
If you love the outdoors, they also have hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and disc golf available. Make sure to keep an eye out for different wildlife that calls the park their home. These wildlife animals can be songbirds, deer, eagles, swans, foxes, and pelicans.
Features and Amenities of the Three Island Crossing Park
Three Island Crossing Park also has hookups with 30 amp and 20 amp electrical service. They also have water and partial hookups. You can also use their free Wi-Fi, but since plenty of people are using them, don’t expect to get the best speed at all times.
They also offer facilities like cabins, dump stations, restrooms with flush toilets, showers, and hot water is also available. Other amenities they offer are a fire ring, pull-thru, and a big rig area. When you live on the road with pets, this is the perfect Airstream campground for you.
When it comes to phone coverage, T-Mobile users get the best coverage in this area, while Verizon and AT&T get decent signals. There are about 82 sites in this Airstream campground, and the fee is $46. There are a couple of things that you need to take note of when it comes to the park.
There is a $7 Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee (MVEF) for every vehicle entering the Idaho State Parks, including visitors to campers. All the campsites can accommodate only one vehicle MVEF per night stayed. Any additional MVEF and per person charges will be collected.
The MVEF can be paid for daily or by purchasing the State Park Passport or an Annual Motor Vehicle Entrance fee sticker. The sticker and passport are only advisable if you are planning to stay in Three Island Crossing State Park multiple times a year.
Camping is allowed in designated areas only, and your Airstream should fit within the site’s designated parking area. Airstreams or any type of RV are not permitted to stay in the facilities like the yurts, cabins, cottages, or houses. Campfires are allowed but only in the designated areas.
If you are bringing your pets, they must be kept on a leash and not left unattended. Pets are also not allowed on beaches except for designated areas. Always keep in mind that the campers are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, and not all facilities will accept pets. It is best to call the park in advance to know all the details about bringing your pets.
There are quiet hours implemented, which are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Within 10 miles, you can find cash machines, churches, catering, maintenance for your Airstream, propane, retail, and medical clinic. So, if you decide to stay in this park, you will peace of mind because everything is within reach.
Goblin Valley State Park
If you want a real outer space feel, Goblin Valley State Park is the best for you. The Goblin Valley State Park is located in Green River, Utah, and is part of the Utah State Park, which opened in 1964. The park provides strange and colorful geology that is marked by eerie sandstone formations which can be compared to Mars. During the night, you will see a pitch-black, star-filled sky above the park and will make you feel lost in the cosmos.
Goblin Valley State Park showcases a geologic history where it is exposed to rock-bared erosion. The bedrock is exposed because of the thin soil and lack of vegetation. Due to the uneven hardness of the sandstone, some patches resist erosion better than others. The softer material is removed by the wind and water, which leaves thousands of unique, geologic goblins.
Goblin Valley has a six-mile hiking trail and a five-loop mountain biking trail that covers the entire park when you are into hiking and biking. Aside from that, disc golf players can enjoy the picturesque nine-basket dessert course. Most people say that Goblin Valley State Park is a hidden gem. The park is not only for adults but also for children to enjoy.
Different Amenities and Features Goblin Valley Has to Offer
The park only offers dry camping but offers amenities such as a picnic table, fire ring, and a pull-thru. Goblin Valley State Park also has cabins, dump stations, flush toilets, showers, trash, and water. Now, you do have to take note that this state park is under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions which means any type of open fire is not allowed.
There are no hookups available, so you need to make sure to have a generator in your Airstream. However, they do offer dump stations and a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. The only complaint with the dump station is it is too close to the fill water.
Drones are also allowed but should have a permit. To get a permit, visit the visitor center for a $5 fee. You can also print out a form on their website for faster service. If you have pets, you can also bring them along to Goblin Valley State Park. Make sure to call ahead of time to check the rules and regulations they have in bringing pets along to the park.
Now, you may have a hard time getting cellular signals in the area since it tends to be a dead spot. Goblin Valley State Park has 24 sites, and the longest camper that’s allowed is 44 feet. They also charge a $35 fee when staying overnight in the park, where the maximum stay is 14 days.
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is located in Laguna Beach, California, where you can enjoy two adventures into one destination. The Crystal Cove State Park can be found on the SoCal shoreline that consists of 3.2 miles of beachfront as well as 2,400 acres of backwoods wilderness. You can find a 2.5 miles paved trail that runs along the bluff tops in the coastal area, perfect for walks and bike riding.
In the inland portion of the Crystal Cove State Park, you will find the wooded Moro Canyon and Moro Ridge. This place offers a fantastic view of the ocean where you can relax the entire time you are there. In the area, you can find 18 miles of crisscrossed trails that vary in length and difficulty.
The Crystal Cove State Park is a historic district where you can find 47 small beachfront homes that are built in the 1930s and 1940s. You can grab lunch at Beachcomber Café and take a stroll in these cottages to feel what coastal development look like before the high-end condos had become a thing.
Crystal Cove State Park is nestled between Laguna Beach and Newport, making it a great location to spend some time with your loved ones or yourself. Every spot you choose in this state park can get a nice view of the ocean. If you need a break from life on the road, this is the perfect place to relax and spend time with yourself.
Crystal Cove State Park and Its Perks
This state park has 58 sites (mixed with asphalt and dirt) with a maximum length of 38 feet when it comes to your Airstream or RV. Hookups are available in the state park with electricity service of 20 amp, 30 amp, and 50 amp.
You can enjoy different recreational activities such as fishing, recreational trails, and water access. The site amenity includes a picnic table which is excellent for spending meals with the family. The Crystal Cove State Park also has a dump station, showers, flush toilets, and trash.
Pets are also allowed with some rules and regulations. Dogs are only welcome on the three-mile paved multi-use bluff trail, which is located on the coastal side of the Pacific Coast Highway, on the ramps, or any paved surfaces. They should be kept on the leash at all times. Your furry friends are not allowed on any of the backcountry hiking trails, on the beach, or at the Beachcomber Café.
The reason why your furry friends are not allowed on the back trails in the state park needs to protect the park resources. As you know, dogs are predators by nature, and their presence or lingering scent will either disturb or frighten the wildlife nearby. They also transmit diseases and other parasites to the native animals.
The park also needs to prevent problems for you and your dogs. In the wild areas, dogs can be bitten by rattlesnakes or other wildlife. Dogs usually pick up ticks and are sometimes injured by toxic or thorny plants such as poison oak. When they do come in contact with poison oak, the oil can be transferred to your skin and irritate it.
Another regulation that you need to take note of is snake season. Rattlesnakes live in the state park and are sometimes seen along the trails in the backcountry, along the coastal bluff, and even on the beach. Now, they won’t bite unless they are threatened, disturbed, or cornered.
The best thing to do when you encounter rattlesnakes is to give them respect and room to move. If you see one blocking your path, you can stomp loudly to alert the snake, which is a sign of your presence. Rattlesnakes have poor eyesight but can sense sound and vibration. Once you’ve stomped, go around it, which will allow the snake a wide berth to escape. At most times, rattlesnakes will avoid any human interactions, so you don’t need to worry about them.
Crystal Cove State Park has $55 a night to pay at the park or use your passport parking.
Sugar Pine Point State Park
Sugar Pine Point State Park is the best place when you are looking for one last round of snow fun. The park is set on the California shore of Lake Tahoe and is a great place for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The 1960 Olympic Nordic skiing events used the trails in Sugar Pine Point State Park. If you are ready to take a break from the bindings, you can walk around the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion.
The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is a lavish vacation retreat that was built in 1903 for a wealthy San Francisco businessman. Reno, Nevada, is just an hour away from the Sugar Pine Point State Park if you are craving nightlife. This park is one of the very few Tahoe area campgrounds that stay open during the winter season.
Even though the park has 120 sites, only about a dozen open during the winter months, there are no hookups available, but the campground offers potable water, flush toilets, and showers. Now, the main concern in this park are bears, so food must be stored following the park’s strict rules. When food is not stored correctly, you may be looking at hefty fines.
What You Need to Know About Sugar Pine Point State Park
The sites are asphalt, and reservations are needed if you want to stay in Sugar Pine Point State Park. Before leaving to the park, make sure you check the status of the park unit you want to visit. Find out the different restrictions and guidelines that the place has. Also, it is best to have a backup plan in case your destination is crowded.
Some restrooms may be closed so that the park can keep up with the cleaning schedules. Be sure to bring soap or hand sanitizer with you. Always play it safe when it comes to visiting campgrounds, so make sure to find out what precautions you need to take when exploring outdoors. This should be done especially when it is your first time in the park.
The maximum length of Airstreams or RVs is 32 feet. Some of the recreational activities you can do are fishing, swimming on the beach, water access, and a recreational trail. The site has a fire ring and a picnic table that is perfect for the family to spend time in.
Dogs are also allowed in Sugar Pine Point State Park but only in the developed areas. These areas include campsites, paved roads and paths, dirt fire roads, and paved parking areas. Your furry friends are also allowed in developed picnic areas and day-use areas.
Dogs are not allowed on beaches or dirt trails because they protect the integrity of the groomed Nordic ski course. They are also not allowed on the designated ski trails within the Sierra District from November 1 to May 1 annually, which is the time when snow is present.
As mentioned above, dogs are allowed on paved areas, campgrounds, and the historical zone of the day-use area but with a six-inch leash. Leashed dogs are also allowed on the General Creek Fire road during the summer. The regulations above are implemented all year round.
When it comes to your food, beverages, toiletries, and trash containing food or smells are required to be stored in food lockers except when food is being prepared or eaten. Ice chests should also be stored in the food storage locker and not your vehicle.
City of Whittier Campground, City Park
If you have ever thought of seeing Alaska, make sure to add the City of Whittier Campground to your itinerary. This city park can easily be part of your favorite destination as it offers plenty of things to do. It is only a few short miles outside the Whittier proper that provides different outdoor adventure options, especially if you have access to a boat, canoe, and kayak.
You can venture out into a blue space with the lake just within your reach. You can also take a hike along with one of the many trails this city park offers. Since you are already in the park, it is best to visit Cove Creek to watch the Salmon run up the stream. You can even reach in and pick up a few. You can even drive down to Shotgun Cove Trail, which will lead you to a majestic waterfall.
The Chugach National Forest is also a few minutes away, where you can find extensive shorelines, glaciers, forests, and rivers. It is home to a host of birds, mammals, and marine species, including shorebird habitat and a bald eagle population larger than contiguous 48 states combined.
If you are into hiking, try hiking the Portage Pass, which is a trail that Alaska Natives historically use, Russian fur traders, and early settlers. When you are looking for a more strenuous workout, this is the best trail for you. If you consider being one of the outdoorsy types of people, the City of Whittier Campground is the best place for you.
All About the City of Whittier Campground
The City of Whittier Campground is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. This way, everyone can enjoy the amenities and facilities of the park equally. The pad type of this park is gravel, and they open seasonally. The longest Airstream or RV is 35 feet, and there are two sites available in the park.
There are no hookups in the City of Whittier Campground since they only allow dry camping. However, they do have vault restrooms and bear-proof trash. There are also shared picnic tables and fire pits that you can use at each site. Bears and other wildlife animals are also a primary concern in this campground which means proper food disposal is essential.
Parking fees should be paid in advance, and envelopes will be provided to you. The receipt should be displayed on your windshield, so you will not be disturbed by their attendants in the early morning to pay the daily fee. Registration is also done on the app, and it’s a pretty quick process.
The park accepts personal checks drawn on Alaska banks but will have a $25 charge plus all the costs incurred for any checks not honored by those banks. They also accept most major credit cards such as Visa, Discover, and Master Card. It is best not to provide them with out-of-state checks.
If, in any case, you fail to pay the posted charges on the park, it can result in the immobilization of your Airstream until full payment is made. The regular par night rate in the park is $20.
Conclusion
The campground would depend on the type of adventurer you are, and choosing the best is essential. However, my personal pick is Crystal Cove State Park because it’s a beach and a wilderness adventure at the same time. There are so many things to do, and it is an excellent adventure for a family or a couple. There are so many Airstream campgrounds that are available for you, but these are just our top picks. Make sure to check them out when you are in the area!
