- #Saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 full#
- #Saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 free#
In many ways, this is the run of the mill COE campground, but in others, it’s a bit sub-par. To begin, let’s just dabble in a few specific COE campgrounds to get a feel for what the intrepid traveler might expect. Therefore, a smattering of what the Southeast has to offer in the way of Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds: Examples of COE Campgrounds in the Southeast We’ll discuss which states we think COE is better than the local state park system as well. We also recommend state parks for such an endeavor, and in some states, state parks are far superior to COE offerings. They’re also primo for those RVers who’ve been doing the RV park thing for awhile and are looking to dip their feet into something new. Let’s dive in by looking at some examples.īut first, if you haven’t gathered yet, we feel that COE sites are the way to go in certain parts of the nation - namely, the Southeast. This article aims to provide some insight into what these campgrounds are like, as well as list every single one of them, with links to more info on each.
![saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3](https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/_nVF7biKe9JVyG8-5p3EYw/168s.jpg)
Every COE campground is situated on or near a reservoir that was built by the COE, thus, a boat ramp is guaranteed.
#Saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 free#
You’ll almost always have water and electric - at the paid COE sites anyway (there are free ones too!) - and access to a dumpster, bathhouses and almost definitely a boat ramp.Ī boat ramp? Yes. You’ll be in nature, but next to a massive reservoir that is working as hard at generating hydroelectricity or storing up water as you are planning to take it easy. National forest campsites are closer to boondocking while state parks are typically like RV parks with some nature thrown in for good measure.Īrmy Corp of Engineer campgrounds are typically right in the middle. Then, there is the spectrum in-between those extremes. You’re sandwiched in with your neighbors and it’s hard to tell which is more abundant: old guys on golf carts or signs telling you all the stuff you can’t do while staying there.
#Saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 full#
They cost money, you get full hookups, there’s probably a bathhouse with hot showers and flushing toilets, maybe a playground, tennis court, even a clubhouse…that sort of thing. There’s boondocking, where you go out into the wild and find a spot suitable for parking your rig, with no hookups, just you and nature and the stars and hopefully oodles of solitude, peace, quiet and absolutely no price tag. To explain, let’s first quickly dive into the two extremes of RV camping. Travel Writers WantedĬan you string a few syllables together? Want to get paid to write great stories about living on the road? Pitch Us Your Idea
![saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3 saylorville lake cottonwood recreation area shelter 3](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2019/02/05/18/54/9909_81091221-19ff-43bc-9c78-bef91c290e11_2880.jpg)
In general, they’re kind of the middle ground of the RV camping world. This essentially sums up the concept of Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds, sometimes abbreviated COE or USACE campgrounds. Playgrounds and restrooms near shelters are open to the public and are not part of your reservation.Imagine an RV park, but with big ol’ spaces. Rec areas are open 6AM-10PM all other months during the recreation season.Īll non-reserved shelters are available free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. Shelter Rec Areas are open 7AM - 8 PM during April and the day after Labor Day through Close. No amplified sound systems without permit. Park in designated spaces only, no parking on grass. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance. This is due to high water output from the Saylorville Dam and probability to flood. Services & Amenities Within FacilityĬottonwood Recreation Area will be closed through May 31st. A large open and flat lowland recreation area bordering the east side of the Des Moines River.