RV parking at Elks and Moose lodges

Last week we parked at the Payson Elks Lodge in their RV park. Many RVers join the Elks or Moose to take advantage of RV parking provided by some of the lodges. This gives RVers options, especially in a city or town where there may not be too many choices. We were able to park at the Napa Elks Lodge a couple of years ago. We could walk downtown; finding another RV park in the Napa area was difficult.

A number of Escapees Club members have joined the lodges in Gila Bend and in Ajo, both in Arizona. Those lodges welcome RVers. George joined the Gila Bend Lodge. I joined there too after Bill passed away. When I joined, about 30 or 40 Elk members and candidates for membership met in Gila Bend at the lodge in February. We divided up in teams to do various task at the lodge and around town. Not being knowledgeable about how this worked, I hesitated and found myself on the crew pulling a bumper crop of weeds! ugh.... That year George poured cement for a walkway, then walked around taking photographs. I couldn't convince him to help with the weeds, though I suggested it several times. We ended our few days with a dinner and initiation into the Lodge.

Members can purchase a directory of Elks Lodges with RV parking. Those guides are helpful when traveling. Two different authors who have compiled this information. We have RV Travel Guides. The Elkdom Travel Guides is the other.

If you are interested in joining the Elks as an RVer, you might want to look at the Escapees BOF site for Escapees who are also Elks Club members. It has the information for purchasing the Elks RV parks guides.

George joined the Moose in Reedsport, OR. Other RV friends have joined through a lodge in New Mexico. Many of their lodges also welcome RV members.

Being a member of the Elks or Moose adds to your parking possibilities. The sites vary tremendously from one lodge to another. In Payon, they are gravel. The Elks Lodge in Petaluma, CA had nice paved sites, while the Napa Lodge had very small ones. We were fortunately traveling in our Lance camper and could fit in the only site that was left the day we needed it.

Being a member of the Elks or Moose is also a way to meet local people. You can go in any lodge along your travels and attend activities, purchase a drink or a meal and find out things to do in the area. I dropped my membership after marrying George, but we find the Elks (and the Moose) well worth belonging to and support their charity work with a contribution each year. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photo 2: Camphost site and board for Payson Elks campground
Photo 3: Our truck and 5th wheel in the campground

Comments

[Daniel Parks]

Interesting article about RV Camping. My wife and I finally decided to take RV camping next week and I think this would be the first few RV Campgrounds that we will try to visit.

Warm regards,
Daniel
http://www.woodalls.com/rv-camping

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks for the comment. For members, they are a great resource. We parked (9/2009) at a very nice one in Lincoln City, OR. The lodge owns a separate piece of property outside of town.

Jaimie

[Peggy Luther]

we are elk and moose members and will be looking for RV camping. Thanks for the correct name of the travel guides. We just got a small Gulfstream RV. Enough room for Bill, myself and our dog. We have had two test runs and it is quite an experience for us. Looking forward to RVing. Peggy

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Sarah, one of my RV Lifestyle Ezine readers sent in this updated information on how to obtain copies of the Elk RV Parking Guides:

"The two Guides, one for the Western States and the other for the Southern States, each cost $18. The larger Guide for the Central and NE States costs $20. The set of three costs $45. If sent Priority Mail, add a mere $4 for a total of $49. Ron Leonard, of the Carmichael, CA, Elks Lodge, is the gentleman who keeps these guides updated. Orders can be placed by mail, by phone, or by email. Order forms can be found on the last page of an existing guide.

Mail: Send check, made payable to "RV Travel Guides" to Ron Leonard, 4721 Aldona Ln., Sacramento, CA 95841. Phone: Call (916) 971-4636 and leave your order and contact information. Be sure to leave a call-back phone number so we can confirm your order. Email: Send email to rvtravelguides@gmail.com. (It would be a good idea to call to verify the price in case it has gone up again.)

They are worth having along on your trips.

Jaimie

[RV campgrounds]

An RV offers the convenience of cooking the food we love to eat, sleeping whenever we feel the need and even take a hot shower in a remote campgrounds.

[Larry Hartsell P.E.R.]

Greetings fellow ELK members. Any ELK member
passing through southern Oklahoma stop by Ardmore
We now have 5 RV hookups (water & elec,30 amp.)
Ph. 580-223-2763. South on Hi 77 1 mile.just off of I 35.
We are 5 miles from Lake Murry, and 30 from
Lake Texoma. We are A friendly Lodge.Come see us.

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks for the information, Larry. I hope RVers take advantage of your facilities.

Jaimie