Community Forums

Walterm · 05-29-2011, 08:59 AM

I'm looking for some info on my next trip. Where are some good places to park and watch / monitor marine traffic? Also looking for good river walks, marinas or boat yards but the ones with lots of traffic.

Thanks,
Walter

p.s. Located in Florida but willing to travel up the east coast or up the Mississippi.

wkdwitch · 05-29-2011, 09:38 AM

The mississippi river barge traffic from the lock and dam in Quad cities area was awesome. The visitor center on Rock Island gets one up close and almost on board the tug as it passes. Also many locks and damns at COE parks along the mississippi in and around the greater Tenn-Tombigbee area of Al/MS near Tupelo. Enjoy the travels.

Joe O'Melia · 05-29-2011, 09:56 AM

While not exactly boondocking Huguenot Park, a City of Jacksonville campground, is on the Saint John River across from the Mayport Naval Station at the mouth of the river. It is dry camping they have a dump station and water available, sites on the river and a beach on the ocean. The only thing to be warned about is that helicopters practice touch and go landings during the daytime and fly low over the camp ground.

The only shade is what you bring, remember long tent stacks, bug spray and sun screen.

Google Maps does not show it correct, it is on the river

jollyjim · 05-30-2011, 01:01 PM

We were going to suggest Hugnenot Park in Jacksonville, Fl also. There are no hookups. There is a lot of large ships coming into the Port every day, and at night. The park is located at the entrance to the St. Johns River, so you have the ocean on one side of the park and the river on the other. It is also across the river from Mayport Naval Station, so a lot of activity there. Interesting

Luckiest Dreamer · 05-31-2011, 08:55 AM

Sorry that I have no suggestions on where, However if you have a hand held marine radio bring it along to listen in. You cannot join the discussion because using it from onshore is illegal, but not if all you are doing is listening. Locks, dams and bridges will usually be on channels 12 or 14. The commercial ships will be on 13, and all monitor 16, as that is a requirement. Coast Gaurd reports are on 22A.

ralper · 06-15-2011, 07:56 PM

North dock at US Military Acadamy, West Point, NY.
Right on the Hudson river with no viewing obstructions.

powerboatr · 06-15-2011, 09:09 PM

mayport florida at the mouth of the intra-coastal and many good places to eat and watch the river traffic

singletons seafood is TOP for food and watching

lkg907 · 06-16-2011, 08:48 PM

Shilshole Bay Marina. Seattle, WA/

ehhackney · 07-02-2011, 07:43 PM

It's way out of your way, but stayed in Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA, and we could see some of the traffic in and out of Puget Sound through our dining room window. It's on the Olympic Peninsula, West of the mainland.

We're definitely going back there.

Hack
--//--