RV Camping

Reviewing the Airstream Bambi and its competitors

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airstream bambi travel trailer

Is Airstream the Best Compact Tow Behind RV? What else comes close? The Airstream Travel Trailer is the benchmark in quality and luxury among RV campers. But before you buy there are 7 other brands and models you should consider before buying an Airstream. In this article, I review the 20 foot Airstream Bambi and … Read more

Camping at Fort Pickens National Park

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Fort Pickens Beach Sunset

Fort Pickens Campground RV Park Review, Pensacola Beach Florida Pros & Cons, What to like and not like about camping at Fort Pickens. See campground maps, pictures, information and links below. The Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Park RV park and campground is set about a half mile east of the old fort, nestled between … Read more

Surprisingly Available RV Campground

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Buccaneer State Park RV Site

Are you a Snowbird having trouble finding an RV site along the Gulf Coast? For Snowbird’s finding a decent and affordable Winter RV campground along the Gulf of Mexico drive from Mississippi to Florida is a challenge. We’ve found having to make a reservation a year in advance is normal. That degree of advance planning … Read more

Bay St. Louis Beach Town

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Downtown Old Bay St. Louis

Fun things to see and do in our Second Favorite Small Gulf Coast Town Bay St. Louis recently made USA Today’s list of 10 Top Coastal Small Towns (coming in at number 2) offering “unpretentious and affordable seaside fun without the crowds.” We agree. We first discovered Bay St. Louis and its’ historic Old Town … Read more

Walking, Nature & Hiking Trails | Cedar Keys

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Boardwalk Shell Mound

In addition to walking around artsy downtown and the cottages in the nearby historic district, Cedar Keys also offers some worthwhile and interesting nature trails within the town. You’d enjoy a nice walk on the Cemetery Point Trail and the Railroad Trestle Trail. Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail This is an easy walk (2/3 … Read more

Meriwether Lewis Park – Natchez Trace

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Meriwether Lewis Park Natchez Trace Parkway

Meriwether Lewis Park, Campground & Monument

The Merriwether Lewis Wayside Stop on the Natchez Trace is our favorite of all the significant points of interest. It is the site of Grinders Stand, made famous due to it being the place where famed explorer Meriwether Lewis died of mysterious circumstances. The Meriwether Lewis monument marks his burial site.

Another attraction of the site is being able to walk a portion of the original Old Natchez Trace that runs through the park. The old trace section also intersects with a network of other trails within this wayside stop.

A third attraction is the largest and most nicely landscaped of the 3 campgrounds that are located on the Trace itself.

Natchez Trace Articles on Scenic Pathways
– History-Introduction Natchez Trace
– Travelogue: Highlights along The Trace Parkway
– Meriwether Lewis Natchez Trace  Park (this page)

Grinders Stand and Meriwether Lewis Last Night

On his way to Washington DC to defend himself against charges of improper expenditures, Meriwether Lewis traveled on a portion of the Trace. On October 10th he stayed overnight at Grinders Stand, a wayside inn on the Trace trail.

During the night gunshots were heard and Lewis was found dead of gunshot wounds. Some reports allege he died at his own hand; others suggest he was murdered. A sad and mysterious end to one of America’s most famous explorers.

Lewis is buried about 200 yards from the old inn and along the original Trace. In 1848 the state of Tennessee erected a monument over the grave site. Some exhibits accompany the replica of Grinders Stand built on the site of the original. Exhibits tell the story of that evening, plus other significant aspects of Lewis’ history. See MLewis-Site-Bulletin

A replica of the original Grinders Stand Inn where Lewis spent his last fateful night.
A replica of the original Grinders Stand Inn where Lewis spent his last night.
Meriwether Lewis Gravesite
Corps of Discovery explorer Meriwether Lewis is buried here along the Old Trace.

Meriwether Lewis Hiking Trails

Old Trace Trail
Old Trace Hiking Trail from the Meriwether Lewis grave site.

There is a four mile loop hiking trail that starts at the Lewis grave site and eventually runs along Little Swan Creek where it intersects with the Old Natchez Trace foot trail. A few other spur trails criss-cross this network. We found walking on the Old Trace trail fairly easy to follow from the grave site to one of the picnic grounds in the park. But based on reports I’ve read some other portions of the hiking trail are less well-traveled and more difficult to follow.

We did a loop following the Old Trace til it intersected with the spur trail to the picnic area and then returned along the road.
We did a loop following the Old Trace til it intersected with the spur trail to the picnic area and then returned along the road.

Meriwether Lewis Campground

Meriwether Lewis campgound
We found a nice level RV site not too far from the washrooms.

Of the three drive-in campgrounds along the Trace, Meriwether Lewis is the largest and most improved. The bathroom building is clean, heated, well lighted with sinks and toilets (not vault toilets). The campground roads and sites are fully paved and the sites are quite level. There’s also a well pump faucet for adding water to your RV. No dump site nor electric service. But otherwise a very well maintained campground with an attractive camping fee – $0.0!

During peak travel times, you may have trouble finding a vacant camping site as this is a very popular stop along the Trace. David Crockett State Park is not too far away and would be an option for those camping or RVing.

Camping Along the Natchez Trace

The National Park maintains three improved campgrounds along the Trace (all of which were profiled above): Rocky Springs, Jeff Busby, and Meriwether Lewis. In addition there are several rustic campgrounds reserved for bikers or hikers. Within a few miles of the Trace are both private and public campgrounds with utilities for RVs. This page has links to State Parks convenient to the Trace.

Natchez Trace Links & Publications

Hot Springs Park Campground

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Hot springs naitonal park campground

Review of Gulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs Arkansas

The Hot Springs National Park campground is located on the east side of Hot Springs Mountain, in a wooded setting, isolated from the urban area. The Gulpha Gorge creek runs along the edge of the campground and several camp sites overlook the creek.

The Hot Springs Campground is very tidy clean and well-maintained. The roads through the park are fully paved, There are 44 sites with full-hookups, including sewer. All sites have level or close to level paved parking pads. Each site has a concrete picnic table and elevated BBQ grill. There is adequate space between camp sites. Tall trees provide good shade for most sites.

One of the top features we like about the Gulpha Gorge campground is that sites are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. You cannot make reservations in advance. Occupancy is limited to 14 days.

The modern washrooms are well-maintained, but there are no showers. All waste disposal bins are animal proof. There is a RV dump station and fresh water fill station. Other amenities are a day use picnic area and an amphitheater with sturdy bench seating. The park staff occasionally presents programs at the theater.

hot springs campground
Gulpha Gorge Campground, Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs Campground
Hot Springs Campground Map

Hot Springs Hiking Trails

For us a most attractive feature of the campground is the trail head at the Gulpha Gorge Campground has access to the extensive network of trails on Hot Springs Mountain. The trails vary from easy walking trails to more rugged to allow people to progress gradually to more strenuous exercise.

Leading from the campground, the Gulpha Gorge trail goes to the top of the mountain.

One of our favorite day hikes is taking the Gulpha Gorge trail that runs to top of eastern side of Hot Springs Mountain. Part way up is the intersection with the Goat Rock Trail which leads to Goat Rock, an outcropping with a panoramic view east. If you continue on the trail past the Rock, it eventually ends at the top of the Mountain where you can intersect with the Gulpha Gorge trail for your return leg of your hike. A great 90 minute exercise with a number of scenic views.

Jo about to climb the stairs to the Goat Rock overlook.
Great view from the top of Goat Rock.

Another favorite hike is taking the trail all the way to downtown Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row.

Situated in a valley in the Zig-Zag mountain range the city of Hot Springs is surrounded by hills. The Hot Springs National Park (see our article here) begins in the center of the city and encompasses the mountains to the east and west. So only minutes from downtown Hot Springs you can be in the woods several hundred feet above all the hustle and bustle of the city. Hot Springs became a center for physical therapy not only because of its abundant hot springs, but also because an extensive network of hiking trails were built in the hills surrounding the city to provide an exercise program to supplement the hot spring treatment.

Hot Springs National Park Links:

Arkansas Scenic Drives: Highway 7 Scenic Byway

–Ross

Strawberry Fields RV Park Review

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strawberry fields rv campground

RV Campgrounds Chiefland, Florida – Strawberry Fields Opened in 2019, Strawberry Fields is still expanding its number of sites and amenities. It currently offers over 400 full-service pull-through sites with water, electricity, and sewage service. About 200 sites have paved pull-through pads and spot-on level; the remaining are spacious grass and gravel sites. All roads … Read more

Mississippi Gulf Coast RV Campgrounds

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southern leisure rv park

Listing and Reviews of RV Campgrounds along the Gulf Coast Scenic Drive Our RV camping directory begins at the Louisiana-Mississippi state line and proceeds East to Mississippi-Alabama state line. It includes Bay St. Louis campgrounds, Gulfport Campgrounds, Biloxi Campgrounds, and Ocean Springs in addition to reviews of campgrounds we’ve camped at and links of particular … Read more

Alabama Gulf Coast Drive – RV Campground Directory

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Fort Pickens Campground

Listing and Reviews of RV Campgrounds along the Gulf Coast Scenic Drive Our RV camping directory begins at the Alabama-Mississippi state line and proceeds East to Orange Beach near the Alabama-Florida state line. It includes Dauphin Island Campgrounds, Gulf Shores Campgrounds and reviews of campgrounds we’ve camped at and links to places-of-interest recommendations for RV … Read more

Scenic Hwy 98: Apalachicola to Cedar Key

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st. george island lighthouse

Interesting Attractions and Campgrounds along the Gulf drive from Apalachicola to Cedar Key Florida The section of the Gulf Coast Drive along Scenic Hwy 98 from Apalachicola to St. Marks is known as the Forgotten Coast. It lacks the pristine white sand beaches of the Emerald Coast between Pensacola Beach and Panama City Beach. The … Read more

Winnebago Travato | Best Class B RVs

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winnebago travato class B RV

Review: Winnebago Travato Class B Motorhome – Update

See our article on Best Class B RV MotorHomes

See our article on Top Small Motorhomes from Winnebago

The Travato is a compact 21 feet long and on the Dodge Ram ProMaster Chassis with the 3.6 liter 24 valve V6 engine, same as the Hymer Aktiv 2.0. Also like the Aktiv it will tow up to 3500 lbs. But it doesn’t have the same engine generator system as the Aktiv; the Travato comes with a separate 2,800-watt Cummins Onan gas generator.

We most like the 59G floor plan. The dinette is in the front of the coach sharing space with the cab seating. While similar in layout to the Aktiv it appears to have a little more width in the bench seat. The Travato 59G comes with a murphy-bed layout but when in the bed position it is more narrow than the traditional double bed, only 49 inches wide at its widest point. However, the mattress is thick and it sets upon the Froli sleep system, a high tech substitute for box springs.

travato
Like the Aktiv 2.0 the Travato’s Murphy Bed folds up to allow carrying bikes, golf bags, and other toys plus access to additional storage.
travato class b dinette
The Travato dinette will easily serve two people. An extension unit slides out to almost double the space shown here.
Winnebago Travato 59G bed
For 2021 the 59G Bed is 3 inches wider

The 59 G closet or pantry is narrow like the Hymer Aktiv 2.0 but has a little more vertical storage than the Aktiv. The kitchen counter has an folding extension to add counter space, a nice feature. The refrigerator in the 59G layout is quite large and is a two door model with a separate freezer.

Twin Bed Option

There is an alternate twin bed layout (59K & KL) if the 49 inch double bed width is too narrow for two. The twin-bed floor plan has the bathroom in the rear by the double doors. This allows a much larger wardrobe closet with more hanging room than the 59G, plus 3 storage drawers.

2021 update. The twin-beds can now be converted to one large Queen/King sized bed.

Lithium Battery Electrical System (GL and KL models)

The Travato has it’s own brand of lithium ion battery management system, called the Pure 3, similar to what is offered by RoadTrek and Hymer. The system also comes with 215 watt solar panels and is a standard feature, not an option. The L models (GL and KL) also come with a second under-hood alternator (that replaces the standard Onan Generator) powered by the chassis engine and an energy pack heating system. The Lithium system allows all the appliances, including the AC, to be powered off the batteries. Combined with the solar panels these two models are well-suited for off-the-grid living and camping.

Comparing Travato G and Travato K Models

The G and GL models offer a standard Murphy Bed with room for lots of storage underneath the bed (including large items like golf club bags). You also get a dedicated dinette area that also allows you to transport 2 additional passengers. What you “lose” compared to the K and KL models is a wardrobe closet and beds that are easier to get in or out of.

The K and KL models come standard with twin beds that allow the beds to remain “made” during the day and a decent size wardrobe closet, including some drawers. There is a double bed conversion feature but it blocks easy access to the bathroom when it is setup (have to crawl over the double bed setup to get to the bath). Two flip up counter-tops allow either passenger seat to have a laptop console or modest eating setup. The K and KL models are setup to legally only carry two passengers (driver and one rider).

Winnebago Travato Lounge table
The new flip up passenger side table is an improved design, plus has usb and electrical outlets.
Travato Bike Rack
The Bike Rack and the Movable Ladder a popular options

New Winnebago Travato 2021-22 Features

  • Sumo Air Springs are standard
  • Deluxe FROLI® Sleep System
  • Truma Combi® Eco Plus Heating System (hot water and furnace)
  • Coleman-Mach 10 NDQ AC, quiet and energy efficient
  • Flex Bed kit (59K, 59KL) – converts twin bed model to double bed
  • 2 deep-cycle Group 31 AGM batteries (59G, 59K)
  • Optional Bike Rack, Luggage Rack, Movable Ladder, and heated drainage system

Winnebago Travato 2021 Floor Plans

Winnebago Travato 59 G & GL Floor Plan

Winnebago Travato 2021 G and GL Floor plans
Slightly larger bed and an additional passenger side table for 2021

Winnebago Travato 59 K & KL Floor Plan

Winnebago Travato 2021 K and KL Floor plans.
For 2021, an additional galley table and improved passenger side lounge table

Winnebago Travato Website MSRP $130,056 (2021 base price)

Concluding Comment. In 2019 the Travato G Model did the best job of Class B units in meeting our compact motorhome criteria (see them here). My main reservations are for an “old guy” climbing into the bed from the end is a handicap and my wife in particular will miss having a hanging clothes closet area. For 2021, there are some “new” Class B options that make the K model as possible better fit for our comfort criteria. But I am even more enthused by the possibilities of the new Winnebago Solis PX.

See the New Competitor within the Winnebago Family: Solis 59PX

winnebago solis
Go here for the Solis Review and other Camper Vans
red-line

Ross Reinhold for ScenicPathways, December 2022

RV & RV Review Links

Best Wisconsin Great River Road RV Parks & Campgrounds

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Nelson Dewey State Park

Taking a Road Trip along the Wisconsin Mississippi Great River Road? To help you plan your trip, I review the top campgrounds for RV travelers or campers. The list Campground Reviews is organized from South to North, beginning North of East Dubuque. At the end of the article is a Google Maps with links to … Read more