As new campers, we’re still learning the ropes. We’re also all about keeping glamping and camping travels simple. While getting Sheen’s Bean (our nuCamp Tab 400 Boondock) travel ready, we also joined KOA (Kampgrounds of America) to start booking parts of our travels. As of now, our first two KOA experiences make it more than easy.
If you’re considering camping and wondering if national campgrounds are a good option on your journey, read on!
How easy? Well, since I spent the majority of my work career in roles that required frequent travel, I had travel down to a near science. Scheduling air travel, rental cars, hotels were easy once work destinations were set. Personal travel was either by air with car rentals and hotels or driving our car with hotels and VRBOs.
The biggest difference between camping travel and our traditional travel? The journey is the destination.
The idea of camping sounds awesome. But what about the noise at campgrounds? The crowds? Dogs barking at our dogs? I’ll admit that my pre-conceived notion of loud, overly crowded campgrounds hasn’t been our experience as of now.
KOA is easier and much more fun than hotel travels. From signing up with KOA, making reservations using the app, to showing up, it’s quickly becoming a part of our camping routine. To schedule the right spot, all that’s needed is your trailer length, desired type of space and dates. The number of available spots meeting your criteria shows up and you’re ready to book. It’s that simple!
Our first stop? Springtime for native wildflowers in our old stomping ground of Austin, Texas.
Planning Our First Camping Trip – KOA Austin
Since we’re newbies in finding locations, we decided that our first multi-day stay with Sheen’s Bean would be in an area we know well. So yes, we camped in Austin, Texas at the KOA Austin East location. We left our remote home in Northport, Michigan and started our adventure in a city we lived in years ago. Go figure!
When driving to KOA Austin East’s campground, you’re heading to the fringe of the city. Nestled near farmland, small industry and major highways, it’s easy access to anywhere you need to go.
Speaking of farmland, let’s talk about Texas Longhorns. Not the football team. Real longhorns (pictured in the featured image above). The one’s with horns multi-feet long. Yep, that’s the first sight before we turn in to the campground. They do what longhorn cows do, graze and more grazing. But, I digress.
Wow! What a terrific spot. We found that Austin KOA East campground is a fab place to stay. Located within convenient driving distance to downtown Austin, north Austin, southwest Austin – the campground itself was super clean, very quiet, with ample space between spots.
Many of the sites are drive throughs (ours was). They also offer several throughout that require backing in. If you’re backing in, the driving areas give good overall turning radius.
With daily trash pickup, a dumpster within a brisk walk and a very clean laundry facility – keeping your camper and campsite clean is both easy and convenient.
Their wireless was fast and reliable too.
Austin KOA – People & Dog Friendly
Our host Ted, greeted us the minute we drove in. After a one minute check-in, he was escorting us to our spot in his golf cart. He checked in later to ensure we had all that we needed and gave our pups some TLC too.
Dog friendly, they offer an enclosed dog park for some open activity for your fur kids. There’s also a well-shaded greenbelt area filled with songbirds and flowers to walk the pooches next to the longhorn’s field. Doggie poop bags and trash bins are provided on the path so the grounds stay clean.
Convenience overload.
Glamping it in Austin
Austin, the Capital city of Texas resides at the gateway to the hill country. April in Texas offers roads lined with native flowers of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, poppies and many other bright wildflowers. Visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center fills the eyes with native plants, big skies and open fields.
Town Lake, now called Lady Bird Lake, offers inner city running and walking trails along Austin’s skyline and the Lower Colorado River. From early morning to late evening, it’s a mecca for locals and us too, to exercise while enjoying city and nature views.
In Round Rock, the Brushy Creek running, walking and cycling trail winds through open fields, woodlands and neighborhoods. The path is soft and easy on the feet just like Town Lake and part of Round Rock’s extensive trail system.
For foodies, Austin’s food scene simmers with great grocery stores and restaurants (take out!). Two words. Torchy’s Tacos. With multiple locations across the city (and other states too), Torchy’s fresh ingredients and spices awaken the palate.
Next Stop on the Open Road?
After leaving Austin, our travels are taking Sheen’s Bean to the west. The good news with our travel is that with KOA and Harvest Hosts, they both offer online visibility and planning. As glampers, this gives us a bit more flexibility in winging last minute locations.
For more camping and glamping blogs:
- Harvest Hosts for Glampers: How to Travel in RV Style
- The First Glamp Trip: Planning for a Successful Venture
- How to de-Winterize and Sanitize your nuCamp Tab 400
