Hey y’all. Not sure if this thread is where its supposed to be… Still relatively new to the forum, forgive me. So I need peoples input. I’m looking for a Campground next to a very busy railroad track. Next to a river or would be even better. I also want the campground to have lots of activities such as a fire tower or hiking and scenic views. Also forgot to mention the fact that I also need full hookups for the trailer. -Outlaw
I’ve never been here but this place is along the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon, and directly across the river from the UP tracks.
http://glenwoodcanyonresort.com/tent-sites.html
Steve S
Anyplace that has full hookups for the trailer is not camping, it’s a bring your own room motel.
United Campgrounds in Durango is on the Animas river and the Durango and Silverton runs through the campground. It has full hookups. It hits all your wants except for “very busy” as you will only get 6 trains per day in the summer. But then again, they are all steam…
Along the Mississippi in Illinois a couple miles north of Savannah is the Mississippi Pallisades. It has full rv service and tent sites. The BNSF Lacrosse division runs the other side of the road and is very busy. The Milwaukee Road runs close as well ( I do not know what current railroad it is nor do I care. ) The park is loaded with things to do, my son goes rock climbing there, lots of water birds there, a good site for Eagles etc. If you are there one of the best places to eat is Poopies.
I know there was a Campground Right next to the Railroad Tracks near the Cass Scenic Railroad, That was in 2007 so not sure its still there. But That would be a cool place to watch those Beautiful Shays
I remember camping near Hood River Oregon at Viento State Park and the trains woke us up all night. The Union Pacific is on the south bank and Burlington Northern is on the north bank (of the Columbia River). It is located in the Columbia River Gorge which is very scenic.
Viento State Park is a Family favorite of ours as well, with the sites on the North side of the cap ground backing up to the tracks, and any site being a short easy walk to the tracks or the river. Viento only has Water and Electricity, NO sewer hookups, but if your holding tank will last the length of your stay, you can dump for free at either Ainsworth State Park 21 miles west, or at Memaloose State park 17 miles East of Viento, but neither of those have as easy river and railfan access as Viento.
If heading East when leaving Viento, inTthe Dalles are several Restaurants to be reccomended, Cousins is right off I-84 at Exit 83, is especially Good for Breakfast, and I believe it was the owner hand built many Steam locomotive models from wood, rather interesting for a railfan. Spooky’s off exit 82 is a Family Favorite that offers Pizza, Burgers etc, and the Baldwin Saloon is a Beautifully restored building that dates back to 1876 IIRC, and they scratch make about everything on the menu, Excellent Eats.
Also a very short drive from Viento is the Mt. Hood RR, which offers a relaxing ride through some Beautiful scenery, and is a working RR as well as having excursion trips, check their schedule if interested in Dinner and Mystery or other themed trips.
Many hiking trails and waterfalls within a short distance, Multnomah Falls, should be on your “See” list, and the UP tracks pass between the Hwy and the Lodge.
Viento State Park offers Excellent railfanning, plus a very wid variety of other activities within a very reasonable drive.
Doug
Dave, full hook ups are nice sometimes, and other times I have taken our trailer into the woods and just set up by ourselves, the important thing is to RELAX and Enjoy some Family time, it’s ALL Good.
You DO know what a tent is to a Bear don’t you?
A CANDY WRAPPER!!!
And we DO have Bears in the Forests of the North West.
Doug
There is one in Chama new mexico. But the same as durango- only steam powered tourist trains. Well, they are narrow gauge steam powered trains
You might do better at the TRAINS site, seeing as that’s where the Rail Fans go.
It’s just a click away, and you’re already a member.
Anywhere along Marias Pass in Montana. Glacier National Park to the north is one of the best national park’s in the country and the BNSF Northern Transcon on the park’s southern boundary sees plenty of traffic as it follows the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Check out the Izaak Walton in particular.
Tall Sycamore Campground just east of Logansport Indiana, is bordered by the NS/Ex Wabash mainline and passing siding on one side and the Wabash River on the other. We used to tent camp right next to the right of way and watch trains all night. You will have to bring your own campfire ring as its just a big field up by the tracks.
Try Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the campground in River Park is right next to the Mainline C.P.R. tracks and just down from the large main rail yard, Moose Jaw is home to the heavy haul division of the C.P.R. lots and lots of very long trains all day and night, you might see some British military trains going to Suffield, Alberta to practice along with many other types of trains. I met 2 railfans from Wisconsin there years back, they were impressed.
The huge railway station is now a Government liquor store, take a tour.