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Mford · 03-17-2025, 09:22 PM

So I and my wife are traveling with are friends both us have Class A 37’; we are looking for a place between Elkhart IN and Denver CO to spend few days. Next to water ie lake or river would be a bonus. We have two dogs with us. We would be traveling thur on July 12 to 19. Any suggestions would be great as we haven’t traveled thur area before Thanks Micheal

twogypsies · 03-17-2025, 11:02 PM

It's 1100 miles on I-80.... break it in half which puts you at Omaha, Nebraska at 563 miles.... a very long day driving a RV.

Consider Two Rivers State Recreation Area:

https://nebraskastateparks.reserveam...&parkId=230175

3pedal · 03-18-2025, 10:50 AM

There are a lot of RV parks along I80 in Iowa, and a fair amount in Nebraska. Some nicer than others. If you want something very simple, and inexpensive, Adair Iowa has a city park with sites. I think they are power and water only, with a dump to drive to. Was there last year for a night, I think it was $15 bucks.

I have heard good things about Eugene Mahoney State Park west to Omaha, but have never been. It is on the river, and very close to the SAC Air Museum.

North Platte has a camp ground or two on little lakes/large ponds. I don't remember their names.

While I have done the I80 drive from Colorado east a lot, I am normally in route to or from an event, so just looking for an easy place to spend the night. Far more in parking lots than camp grounds.

OldBaldFat · 03-18-2025, 05:50 PM

First from Elkhart - no way I'm going to go through the Chicago area and certainly not on the toll roads. I would go south to be on US-24 before crossing the IN/IL state line.

I'm assuming that your group is making a factory visit, or a rally in Elkhart. You don't want to go too far the first day.

I'd stop at a COE campground on Lake Shelbyville.

Cross the MS River at Hannibal, MO or Quincy, IL

Mark Twain Lake close to Hannibal has some good COE CG. I like Indian Creek. OR cross the state of Missouri and spend a couple days at Lewis and Clark SP at Rushville, MO on the Missouri River, near Atchison, KS.

It's a nice State Park, and not a bad cost of out of state residents.

Methodist Cove COE park on Harlan County Lake near the KS/NE stateline is a very nice park.

I'd try to make North Sterling SP my next and last spot before Denver.

Being over age 62 (by 11 years) and having a Senior Pass - I like COE and other federal government parks where I normally pay half the posted rate.

I find Nebraska SP among the most overprices for out fo state residents. Nothing like Michigan, but still high.

And I don't have a schedule, except I almost certainly must go through or near Amarillo (I'm south of Fort Worth and north of Waco).

I have ONE reservation for this summer - near Gunnison, CO in early July and I have not chosen any other place to stop on the way there or back, except Denver near my granddaughter would be nice. Or she could come out to Gunnison easily on a weekend.

But that's how I travel.

tpaul · 03-20-2025, 06:05 PM

If you do decide to take I 80, I agree that NE state parks can be more expensive because they also require you to purchase a state parks permit in addition to the nightly charge. But some decent private parks around Lincoln, Kearney and North Platte. Also, near the interstate in western Iowa is Lake Anita state park that is fairly nice.

OldBaldFat · 03-20-2025, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBaldFat

I have ONE reservation for this summer - near Gunnison, CO in early July and I have not chosen any other place to stop on the way there or back, except Denver near my granddaughter would be nice. Or she could come out to Gunnison easily on a weekend.

Got a note from that granddaughter today. She and her friend are taking summer jobs near Eugene Oregon - May 1 - Oct 1 this year.

You know, it's always something.

Triangle Drifter · 03-24-2025, 07:10 AM

Do you want to get there in a hurry or do you want to see a little of something along the way?

You can do I70 or I80 and deal with the traffic and see nothing or you can wiggle your way down to 36 between those two and see abit of the country that way. Plenty of CGs to pick from along the way.

RV Vagabond · 03-31-2025, 08:22 PM

This list shows many free and cheap RV parks in Iowa and Nebraska.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vND...usp=drive_link

MRJEB · 04-01-2025, 08:18 AM

We spent 5 days at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area near Ogallala, NE last year and were just amazed by it. Huge lake, sand beaches - just beautiful. One easy day on into Denver.

https://outdoornebraska.gov/location/lake-mcconaughy/