Community Forums

Craig36 · 08-16-2013, 09:57 AM

I have to go to Seattle and Portland on business next month and thought it would be fun to bring the Pace Arrow and combine it with some camping.

I am posting in this section in the hope that someone with a big rig can suggest the best RV park for a MH in both the Seattle and Portland area.

My criteria is width and length of spaces.

Many of the parks people have recommended in the past were nice but had spaces so narrow that when I opened all my slides and lined up for my hookup, there wasn't even room to open my awning without hitting a tree or a neighbor. Then there is the matter squeezing my toad in the space.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I may be spoiled as last month we stayed at a park in bend OR with 40 foot wide paved spaces

Craig

Jim_HiTek · 08-16-2013, 10:53 AM

Portland is big. Which side of Portland? West or East?

Rocky68D · 08-16-2013, 11:59 AM

Craig,
Columbia Riverfront RV Park is about 35-40 minutes north of Portland. It has very large sites, some with a great view of the river. Two things, follow their rather lengthy list of rules to the letter and it is windy much of the time. It is a very nice park away from the hustle and bustle of the city, if you're looking for a little peace. You can watch the ships going up and down the river too.
Keith

Columbia Riverfront RV Park

Barbaraok · 08-16-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig36

......
Many of the parks people have recommended in the past were nice but had spaces so narrow that when I opened all my slides and lined up for my hookup, there wasn't even room to open my awning without hitting a tree or a neighbor. Then there is the matter squeezing my toad in the space.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I may be spoiled as last month we stayed at a park in bend OR with 40 foot wide paved spaces

Craig

Well, if you want 40 wide sites, you aren't going to find them near large metro areas - - real estate cost money.

We stay at Lake Pleasant, in Bothell, when in the Seattle area. We can easily get our coach in, open the slides and put out the awning as well as have room for our toad. They aren't huge, but we never have a problem and we have stayed at a number of different sites in the park. But you have to let them know the size of your rig, including the hitch if it is a drop down hitch, to make sure you have the room.

In Portland we stay at Fairview RV Resort. Again, not 40 ft wide, be very comfortable sites and easy to get into and out of. Of course we don't spend that much time at the parks during the day - we always have places to go, things to do, not just sit at a park. If you just want to sit at a park, then don't stay in a metro area where it is going to cost you more.

Barb

JFXG · 08-17-2013, 08:38 AM

Really depends on exactly what you mean by the ""Seattle area". We've stayed at both Lakeside RV Park and the Maple Grove RV Park, both on Rt 99 in Everett, WA. They're close to our son's house, but I like the look of Lake Pleasant, as suggested by Barb, and we'll try that next time- only a few more minutes.

Barb is right (above)-- urban real estate ain't cheap, and if you want close in to Seattle, you're going to sacrifice some space. These are RV parks, not campgrounds. They do a fair amount of business with transients in for repair (Rt 99 is lined with RV shops big and small), and with Boeing contractors. Both of these parks were very friendly and cooperative, and populated with nice folks. All the usual amenities, attractive weekly and monthly rates. Quiet at all hours, no noise problems at all. In and out was no problem, but you won't have your awning or a picnic table. Harbor Point RV Park (have not stayed there) is a bit up the road- closer to Boeing- and appears about the same.

I have no experience with any others on the east side of Puget Sound.

Good Luck!

Craig36 · 08-17-2013, 10:00 AM

Thanks to Barb, John, Keith and Jim for your comments and suggestions.

Rating the best campgrounds is really subjective, and depends on what you appreciate most. People with kids want activities and pools, us older RVers appreciate quiet and ability to have a fire pit on site, and having places to take short hikes, or walk into town. Like most of you, we have booked many campgrounds that looked great in photos, and description, but neglected to disclose that they were located between a railroad track and a noisy freeway. (train horns at night and EMS sirens and semis going down the freeway all night).

Happy to reciprocate recommendations from San Jose, CA south to Orange county area.

Thanks,

Craig

road glide · 08-17-2013, 10:37 AM

Just got back from Portland area two weeks ago....A year ago we stayed at Roamers Rest RV Park and spaces are very tight...wouldn't go back.
X2 - On Columbia RV park...we did not stay there this year but we did 4 years ago and this trip we drove through the park in our toad and they have enlarged, it looks like they almost doubled in size, all concrete pads...looked very nice.
And if you are wondering where we stayed...our son's property a few days after almost two weeks on the coast.

mrspeachland · 08-29-2013, 10:12 PM

We just came home from Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell, WA. We liked it so much we stayed an extra day even though we had to change sites. Very peaceful and Safeway is across the hwy.

Craig36 · 09-03-2013, 03:07 PM

Thanks to all who replied to my post.

Recommendations trump website photos.

Craig

Barbaraok · 09-03-2013, 03:12 PM

John,

The downside of Lake Pleasant is that from May - September they don't do MONTHLY rates (or even weekly), just daily and, of course, their annual rates. So it can be expensive to spend more than just a few days in the summer. We have thought about both the parks you mentioned in Everett, but have heard they were VERY tight to get into, etc. and so have always just saved a little more during the year because Mom (who just turned 91) is worth the extra cost for our visit.

Barb