This is a nice forest camping experience. Yes there are other campsites near by but not too close. The sites are on the small side not because they are side by side, but because they were cleared with as little damage to the native vegetation as possible. I have never driven a 40’ MH or pulled a long 5th wheel, but I think it would be a challenge on some of the interior roads. Many trees along the interior roads show scars from encounters with RVs. Guess who always wins. There are some sites that look big-rig friendly. The ranger who checks you in will know if your rig will fit. There are no hook ups. If you want to shower, use the one you brought with you or there are a pay showers near the entrance. Bring lots of quarters and rinse off fast. There are rest rooms in the camping areas. Take advantage of as many Ranger walks and talks as you can. These folks are very knowledgeable on the Parks geology, vegetation, and history. You will come away with knew knowledge and a much enhanced canyon experience. This is a great place to bike. The roads are bike friendly, there are bike paths, and you can bike to any vantage point depending on your own endurance. Bikes are not allowed on the rim trail. At first thought this was a bummer. However, the rim trail was meant for walking, looking, and contemplation. I realized that doing the latter two on a bike could place you at the bottom of the canyon much faster than a hike. There is a large supermarket within walking distance. The Nat. Park provides a shuttle service to many areas that you will want to visit. Only service dogs are allowed on the shuttle. For those who can’t bear the thought of not having full hook ups, there is another campground in the park a short distance from Mather, Grand Canyon Trailer Village which has those full hook ups. It is not run by the National Park Service. I didn’t bike through it this trip, but a couple of years ago I did. It isn’t some place I’d want to stay with Mather so close by. How can I put this, you have seen parks like this many times. If you have children with you, or you are on a romantic getaway, Mather Campground’s environment will provide a more memorable experience for both situations, even though a romantic getaway with children must be an oxymoron. I will visit the Grand Canyon in the future. I will always enjoy staying at Mather.

I have stayed at this park three times: 2004, 2005, and 2009. The park provides spacious sites and is convenient to town. There is a wooded tent area which is great for quiet contemplation or reading, and much cooler than the rest of the area in the summer. Pets are not allowed in the tent area. There is plenty of room for pet walking otherwise. The park is up for sale. The current owners have been there for 9 years. It will be interesting to see what new owners do with it. Right now, there is major construction on the main highway: 50, through town and the driving surface is rough and narrow. If you want to stay at Gunsmoke and are coming from the east, take the 50 bypass and turn right when you reach Highway 50. If that's confusing, look at a map.

Spring Lake Resort. I loved this park. There are several large ponds. I and my dogs watched geese land and take off. I was amazed there were no mid-air collisions. The dogs were entranced. The office staff at this park is excellent. I stayed at site 16, under trees and close to the office. We all know that Kansas is subject to tornadoes, which seem to zero in on RV and trailer parks. This park provides two storm shelters, easily hurried to, and one welcomes your pets. This is the largest park I have seen, except of Silent Valley Club near Banning, CA. I will definitely stay at this park again if I am in that area.

This park is under new ownership. The owners live in a house at the front of the property. Already there are new facilities being built and more land being bought to expand the park. There are some permanent, older trailers which you may find unattractive. I enjoyed my stay here. It is convenient, just off I-70 exit 49. I must emphasize that the park is quiet. If you pass through Higginsville from the north, buy gas in town as it is much less expensive than the stations at the Interstate, as of October of 2009.

Indian Creek Recreation Area For those who frequent Corps of Engineer campgrounds, you know how nice they are. Indian Creek meet all of the accepted standards. The areas and sites are well maintained. The facilities are excellent. The registration personnel are friendly and informative. This facility is excellent for those who like a lake environment, quiet, and beautiful views. Although the quiet is lacking from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. I was in spot 32 and had that area to myself during the week. The campground and the access road are great for leisure or hard bicycle riding. I wish I had such a campground to stay at on all of my stops.

This Park is well designed and well maintained. The personnel are friendly and informative. All sights are paved, with Wi-Fi. The location is convenient to St. Louis. There is a bike/running trail behind the park that is scenic and goes for miles, a very nice bike ride. The town of St. Joseph is interesting with many restaurants and things to see. If I find myself in the St. Louis area again I will definitely stay at this park. It is in the "Best Parks in America" group which may account for it's high $$$. I would have rated it higher if there were trees. But that is a personal preference.

This park is great. The staff provides you with a wealth of info on check in. The sites are spacious and shaded. This is a 55 and over park. However, if you are pushing 55 from a ways away, you can probably get a site. A reservation is a good idea. If they ask if you are 55, say yes. The forward area of the park is for travelers. There is a separate section in the back for permanent residents. You may walk your pet throughout the park, and there is a fenced half acre in the far back of the park where your pet can run off leash. Watch out for cacti. I did not use the facilities, but I would bet that they are excellent. The city bus stops right outside the park. If you visit the Town Plaza, it’s art galleries, museums, and churches, take the bus, do not drive. Down town parking is limited and traffic is heavy. I did both. The bus is no stress, on time, and comfortable. For fellow health enthusiasts, there is a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods on the bus route. Less than two miles from the park is a community health club/gym. The daily fee is $5, seniors $3. You have never seen swimming facilities like these. If you go there from the park, from Rodeo Street turn left onto Richards and follow this horseshoe street to the center. Rodeo has no left turn into the center. There is another RV park in the immediate area. I did a drive through. It made me very happy that I stayed at Trailer Ranch. For the Park itself and for it’s access to public transportation, it is the "go to", stay at place.

Taos Valley RV Park and Campground: not to be confused with Taos RV Park. Taos Valley RV Park is the best park in the area, by far. The gentleman who welcomed me is friendly and as informative as you would like him to be. I arrived well after the office was closed. Their night check-in procedure is excellent. There is a map of sights that you can choose from. If a sight is not marked as available, it is reserved even though it may be empty. I stayed at site 31 on the front row. Those are full hookups and paved. The other sites are level gravel. The park is nicely landscaped which lends great eye appeal and for me makes it special. The bathrooms are excellent as is the laundry. However, the laundry washers are front loaders which I believe do not rinse adequately. The parks location is convenient to shopping, churches, and attractions. The large Tru-Value Hardware store, pricey, is a two minute walk. I’m not making this up: across the highway is the Guadulajara Grill and Truck Wash. When I visit Taos again, this is the only place I would stay, (the park not the Truck wash). I think the Taos town/plaza area is over rated unless you are a western art and jewelry fan. The Pueblo was a disappointment. The entrance fee is $10 and another $5 for each camera or camcorder. If you want a better Pueblo experience go to Acoma, about 50 west of Albuquerque off of I-40. There is a nice campground there. But that is for my next review.