1000 Trails
Overview1000 Trails
Overview1000 Trails is composed of several parks assumed into the 1000 Trails name. The two latest are NACO and Leisure Time (Oregon). Because older memberships only include their original parks, the names are still separated on the membership contracts:
Thousand Trails are what RV traveling is all about. I was somewhat critical of them until I stopped at CRA. Now I realize no place is perfect but Thousand Trails tries.
Mail:No 1000 Trails Park accepts US mail. Most parks accept UPS or FedEx. Inform the office that you are expecting a package then watch the message board usually at park entrance or main lodge.
Internet access varies but they have a more positive attitude about it. Some are free. Some charge pennies, some accept donations. In a positive attitude place it is a good idea to donate something to make sure that we do not lose the facility. Always get off the telephone line if someone else wants it.
Most 1000 Trails parks have a modem line in the adult lodge. Some have them in the other lodge. Some parks may have the line but all services are long distance so you need to access them with an 800 number or your calling card. I originally had a line entry for this. Since many people now access the internet in other manners, this is not so critical. If you still need the modem line, maybe you should rethink your choices. Choices? Cell phone interface, Kinko’s, Wi-fy, DirecWay, Library. Most 1000 Trails parks are installing Wi-Fy although I understand each park separately contracts for service. This is not too bright: 1000 Trails has enough power that it should be able to contract for ALL parks with one of the larger companies or at least Boingo.
I did not join Leisure Time so those parks are not on my list. Opinions: e-mail me.
These parks I have visited. Let me know and I shall be happy to add other parks and add or correct information on these parks.
Name |
Directions |
Park |
Attractions/Notes |
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From I-17 exit Cottonwood turnoff to highway
marker 111. |
Park is beautiful desert valley adjacent to National Forest. Friendly working people. |
West: Jerome is up a winding road to the
north. Tourist town. No RV parking. East: Sedona is on the highway to the southeast from Cottonwood. Park in dirt lot at the end of the highway to Sedona on right side. Grand Canyon is a good day trip from park. Ride the train from Williams. |
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Mail: UPS/FedEx: Cell: Very spotty. |
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CA – Mountain Lakes |
I-215: Exit Newport Road East until road ends, turn south, ½ mile on right |
Cow farm next store leaves smell. Friendly people River Channels throughout park are interesting. Many Eucalyptus trees. |
Nothing here. Temecula has Costco (gas), Wal-Mart (overnight) Sun City is a Del Webb retirement community. |
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Mail: Cell: OK |
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I-10 just west of Indio: Varner Rd exit. North side of Interstate about 1 mile west of exit. Closed in the summer. |
Park is an overcrowded parking lot. Friendly gate people. |
No redeeming value unless you are a winter golfer. |
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Cell: |
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North of LA: I-5 to highway 14. Exit at Acton on Crown Valley Rd. Follow road east around back south |
Park is beautiful desert valley Very regimented: Soledad is the name of a prison. |
Just up the road from Lancaster/Palmdale (Home of Lockheed secret airplane development) Many locals from LA and Lancaster |
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Cell: Section M is good. Otherwise very spotty. |
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East of San Diego. I-805 Exit 94 at Otay Lakes
Rd. East 2 miles. |
Nice with desert hills and a steep dirt road on back side of park (INS). Many weekend or vacation people from San Diego or LA. Friendly management -- park manager grouchy -- yelled at me. |
Chulla Vista is literally just west of the park with construction of new homes growing fast. |
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Mail: Cell: Hike up INS dirt road, branch to right. Maybe at basketball pole. |
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From US 101 exit to 154 at Santa Barbara or
South of Santa Maria. |
Beautiful desert river canyon inside a National Forest. Friendly people and management. Horseback riding. Many trails on high slopes. |
Santa Barbara is a nice upscale (very wealthy) California beach city. Ignore signs for local NFS usage permit fees –– but do not stop until you get to the park. |
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Mail: Santa Ynez (better- center of town)
or Cell: Very spotty. |
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US 101 to Tennant Rd. (Morgan Hill) |
Park is beautiful hill valley Friendly people but nasty manager (with white Stetson) as of 2002. No sites have sewer! Pay for honeywagon or
visit dump stationss yourself. |
Home base for Silicon Valley. Forested park among forested hills. Park deteriorates every year due to lack of maintenance. 1000 Trails should be ashamed of this park. Electricity fails in F and G sections on any warm day with slow restoration until temperature goes down. If you want to stay cool, use your generator! If you want grass, water it yourself. |
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Mail: UPS/FedEx:: Cell: Verizon is good, others very spotty: try entrance road or horseshoe throw. |
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US 101 to CA-156 US 101 to CA-156 |
Park is beautiful hill valley Because of the long, winding road to the park,
day trips are serious business. |
Danger: One mile south of Union on Cienega Road is a ‘T’ in the Road at the bottom of the hill. Driving to the park, you see this with a sign to the left indicating ‘Hospital Road’ and to the right ‘Cienega Road’. Returning from the park see no sign nor the road disappearing up the hill to the left. You go straight onto Hospital Road – into a dead end with NO provision for a U-turn! The homeowners have blocked their drives and will laugh at your plight. The city/county could solve this by placing a stop sign for people going north on Cienega but someone has a warped sense of humor. In other words, measure 12 miles from the park exit and turn sharp left to go up the hill. If you miss the turn and you tow, you will have to unhitch to turn around. |
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Mail: UPS/FedEx: Phone: 831.389.4477 |
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I-5 to CA-120 I love the park but I hate the drive. |
Park is beautiful with a nice stream, water
activities for kids. The long, winding road to the park makes this trip serious business: Hwy 120 is a VERY dangerous road with many steep grades and switchbacks. Highway 49 is worse. |
Hwy 41 from Fresno/Madera is by far the
preferable route to Yosemite Park. If you are a member of
Coast2Coast, or Resorts of Distinction, or will pay a daily rate, go to
the Reynolds resort, Yosemite South RV park -- 7 miles south of
Coarsegold. If you are a member of Escapees, go to the
Coarsegold Escapees park. From either park, you can go to the casino for
the best buffet you have ever seen ($5). |
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Mail: UPS/FedEx: Phone: |
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OR – South Jetty |
Take US 101. Follow TTN directions park is ½ mile off highway towards beach. |
Thickly wooded park with tree-engulfed sites. So many trees that you will have trouble setting up your satellite dish! |
Tourist town 1 mile north over the bridge. |
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Cell: Unknown |
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Follow TTN directions. Get off I-5 going west until stop at road end. Turn north ¼ mile on right. |
Big grass parking lots with tree columns separation. |
Did not stay long enough to really see the park. I think the sights are primarily outside the park. |
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Cell: Unknown |
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Use the TTN directions or you will get lost. |
Original NACO park. Beautiful hills and secluded sites. Nice people. Great management. |
Sea-Tac is a good day trip from here.
Other parks may be closer to Seattle but not as good of a home. |
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Cell: Unknown |