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Camping and Casting: Best RV Parks for Fishing

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February 20, 2020

Fly Fisherman Casting on the Deschutes River

Looking to drop a line on your next camping trip? From rivers to streams to lakes, check out these Good Sam Parks where fishing is at the heart of your stay. These fishing RV parks will put you close to the action.

A man casts a line in a stream.

Photo: Greysen Johnson

Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort, Bend, Oregon

Good Sam Rating: 10/10*/10

Feel the current surge against your legs as you cast a line in a rushing river. Fly fishing gives anglers a chance to wade right into the fish’s environment, and central Oregon is the place to be for spectacular catches. Stay at Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort and plan a trip to a waterway just minutes from your site. Venture into the Deschutes River for steelhead, or go to East Lake for brown and rainbow trout. Sparks, Hosmer and Davis lakes all cater to fly-fishing enthusiasts. If you’re new to the sport, contact a local outfitter to learn all about flies, casting and reeling.

After you’ve doffed your waders, relax at a park that has earned a flawless 10/10*/10 rating from Good Sam. Amenities include RV supplies, groceries, heated pool, hot tub and a lake. If fly fishing hasn’t worn you out, hit the nature trails, play a round of horseshoes or challenge fellow guests to mini-golf.

Fly fishing in a very shallow stream.

Getty Images

River Run, Granby, Colorado

Good Sam Rating: 10/10*/10

Travel upstream — really upstream — to the headwaters region of the Colorado River for a fishing adventure in the Rocky Mountains. Anglers who drop a line in Lake Granby, about 86 miles from Denver, can snag brown and lake trout, along with kokanee salmon. For campers, nearby River Run RV Resort serves as the perfect base of operations for fishing adventures. Anglers can purchase fishing supplies at the onsite store, then discover fishing hot spots in almost any direction. Folks who prefer river fishing to lake fishing can find a spot on the Colorado River as it meanders southwest from the lake. Fly fishing enthusiasts will find several spots to snag fish in the current west of Byers Canyon.

Fly fishing a Colorado waterway.

Fly Fishing near River Run.

Back at the River Run, guests can enjoy high-end comforts after a day of hauling in the big ones. Bask in the beach entry swimming pool and hot tubs, or swap fishing stories at the Summit Bar & Grill. Dream of catching more big ones back at your RV in one on of the roomy campsites.

Boating on a sprawling lake surrounded by trees.

Fishing on Toledo Bend Lake. Photo: Dan Thibodeaux

Toledo Bend RV Resort and Cabins, Many, Louisiana

Good Sam Rating: 7.5/9.5*/8

Bassmaster has named Toledo Bend Reservoir the number one bass fishing lake in the United States. But don’t take their word for it: Make reservations at Toledo Bend RV Resort and Cabins on the eastern shore and start exploring. Travelers can launch a boat from the ramp on the property and motor to the hottest spots on the 185,000-acre reservoir. You also can roam the 1,200 miles of shoreline for great shore fishing spots. In addition to bass, anglers will discover ample populations of bream, crappie and catfish. It’s no wonder why this is the site for so many fishing tournaments.

A child holding a fishing rod ready to catch some big ones.

Fishing at Toledo Bend RV Resort and Cabins.

Once you’ve hauled your catch back to the resort, prepare for the fish at the onsite cleaning station. Use the fire ring in your roomy site to grill up that bass delight, and after the meal, take advantage of the park’s WiFi. A swimming pool, watercraft rentals and rec hall round out the fun.

Boats on a sun-speckled lake harbor.

Harbor on Lake Champlain. Getty Images

Apple Island Resort, South Hero, Vermont

Good Sam Rating: 10/10*/10

Straddling the border between Vermont and New York, Lake Champlain encompasses 514 square miles of water that teems with bass and trout. Apple Island Resort, which sits on the east shore of Grand Isle, puts campers close to the action. The resort’s marina provides all of the supplies you need for a day on the water, and boat rentals give guests options for setting out on the current. Campers also can find fishing charters in town to explore some of the lake’s best spots.

Aerial view of forested lake coastline.

Apple Island Resort

The top-rated resort gives campers lots of options for fun. When guests aren’t fishing, they can enjoy nature trails, the driving range, kayaking, lawn bowling and swimming pool. Activities include an annual luau, trips to the nearby Akwesasne, Mowhawk Casino, dances and breakfasts. Make sure you visit during the Annual Plattsburgh Rotary Fishing Classic in May.

A man with fishing poles on a charter boat.

Photo: Antonio Scant

Tropic Island Resort, Port Aransas

Good Sam Rating: 10/8.5*/8.5

Located on the barrier islands off the Gulf Coast of Texas, Port Aransas has everything travelers want in a beach playground: a charming, laid-back downtown, outstanding restaurants, superb boating and more fishing than you could ask for. At Tropic Island Resort campers can take a short drive to the nearby marina for deep-sea fishing charters to the Gulf of Mexico. The Horace Caldwell Pier is considered the most productive fishing pier in the United States, with redfish, black drum and speckled trout biting on hooks. Snag catfish and even shark when you go surf fishing along the town’s shoreline.

After a day of hauling in hefty prizes, guests at the resort can take advantage of two heated swimming pools and hot tubs. Fish cleaning facilities allow you to prepare your catch for the big cookout, and the resort sits close to shipping, birding and parks. Lodging options include hotel rooms and cottages; a golf cart rental on-site helps campers get around.

A pier on a beach at sunrise.

Myrtle Beach’s Apache Pier. Photo: William Redmond

Hideaway RV Resort, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Good Sam Rating: 10/9.5*/9

Just outside of Myrtle Beach, Hideaway RV Resort immerses guests in a tranquil, wooded setting on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. Campers can drop a line just a short walk from their RV sites, or rent a boat from the park to explore the long ribbon of water that separates the Grand Strand from the mainland. Fishing guides are on hand to help you find the best catches, and eager anglers won’t be disappointed: In Myrtle Beach, a whopping eight piers accommodate anglers for bluefish, mackerel, red drum and more. Ambitious fishing enthusiasts can catch one of the charters that depart from Myrtle Beach for wahoo, blackfin tuna and king mackerel.

Back at the resort, campers can indulge in a swimming pool, wading pool, restaurant and self-service RV wash. A rec hall and planned activities keep guests busy. Boat rentals include paddle boats, canoes and kayaks and nature trails help guests burn off extra calories. RV storage is available.