The following reviews are from campgrounds, RV resorts and truck stops that we have visited during our travels. They will be listed in no particular order, yet will be listed with the nearest city first for those interested in stopping.

Clear Brook (Wincester), Flying J – This Flying J is located off I-81 (exit 323) in Virginia. This is another Flying J where you can’t use the RV Island because it’s blocked with autos. It was funny to see (I wish I would have taken a photo) two small cars in the RV Island, while a Class A was at the auto pumps! The truck pumps are much easier to use at this one anyway.

Inside they have a Denny’s and Subway. Although the prices are a bit higher than you would expect.

LAST VISIT: 2012

WOULD WE RETURN? Yes

RV PARKING  FRIENDLY? Yes

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Tom Brooks, Loves – This Loves is located off I-81 (exit 291) in Virginia. This one is very, very busy and you may find yourself waiting. The Hess truck stop across the street is just as crowded.

The have adequate overnight parking back with the trucks. Just make sure you arrive early in the evening.

LAST VISIT: 2012

WOULD WE RETURN? Yes

RV PARKING  FRIENDLY? Yes

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Harrisburg, Harrisburg/Shen Valley KOA – This KOA is located several miles off I-81 (exit 257) in Virginia. This campground is NOT BIG RIG FRIENDLY! PLEASE save yourself the trouble and put a big X over it in your campground directory to avoid making the mistake we did.

If you do venture to this one, be prepared to spend several miles wondering through farmland (and what appears to be people’s driveways).

The office is cluttered and the manager was working with the lights on and would not turn them on while we were there. I guess that should have been a sign to leave! The overnight cost is ridiculous for no TV/reception and limited WiFi. I specifically said we need a site big enough for our rig and four slides. The manager assured me that we’d fit and have no problems! Up and down she guaranteed it was the best site!

We were “escorted” to a site about 12′ too small for us (we were sticking out on the road and both double slides in back would have been on the road!). We had difficultly getting out of the site (because of all the trees) and pulled back up to the front to let her know we didn’t fit. Since she wasn’t very cooperative at this point, we asked for a refund. She reluctantly gave us our money back but then made insults that people “like us” should just stay in truck stops. I complained to the corporate office about this.

I can’t imagine KOA allowing this park to keep it’s franchise. So if you are a Full-Timer or have a Big Rig, spare yourself the aggravation of stopping at this one.

LAST VISIT: 2012

WOULD WE RETURN? NO!!!

BIG RIG FRIENDLY? NO!!!

SLIDE FRIENDLY? NO!!!

EASY TO FIND? NO!!!

Max Meadows, Kangaroo Truck Stop – This fuel stop is located off I-81 (exit 84) in Virginia. We actually wanted to go to the Loves across the road, but traffic was backed up and we couldn’t get in without blocking the road.

The station has a nice store and a Dairy Queen inside. The restrooms were old, but clean. Diesel was actually the cheapest we had encountered on our trip ($3.91 at the time).

If you do need to overnight park, you may try to get into the Loves. They appeared to have adequate parking with the trucks.

LAST VISIT: 2012

WOULD WE RETURN? Yes

RV PARKING  FRIENDLY? No overnight parking

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Wytheville, Flying J – This Flying J is located off I-81 (exit 77) in Virginia. This has got to be one of the oddest highway exits we’ve encountered! But it is a clean Flying J with an easy turn-in to pump fuel and park. If you miss this one and are northbound, don’t fret – there is another Flying J a few miles up the road.

LAST VISIT: 2009

WOULD WE RETURN? Yes

RV PARKING  FRIENDLY? Yes

EASY TO FIND? Yes, just watch the exit

Fort Chiswel (North Wytheville) Flying J – This Flying J is located off I-81 / I-77 @ Hwy. 52 (exit 80) in Virginia. This is a great overnight stop! There is adequate parking for trucks and RVs. If you choose to overnight here try to stay within your lines and park with over RVs, as this is a very busy stop. Yet because of the location on the hill the road noise from the highway below is muffled and you quickly forget you are in a truck stop.

There is a Wendy’s in the front of the parking lot so you can grab some fast food before you call it a night.

LAST VISIT: 2009

WOULD WE RETURN? Yes!

RV PARKING  FRIENDLY? Yes

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Overnight at Flying J - first in, first out!

Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge KOA – This KOA is located just off I-81, on exit 180 or 180B (Fancy Hill, South bound) in Virginia. This campground advertises that it is Big Rig friendly, yet they forget to mention the narrow drive and forest of trees!

The sites are wide although if you have multiple slides you may have a problem with trees. We were escorted back by a gentleman who didn’t understand that slides and trees don’t mix. So make sure you drive safely and have someone watching as you make your swing. There is good WiFi service and Cable TV included; however, 50 amp is extra. The restrooms are clean.

The campground is located minutes from NB Safari Park and other attractions. Major shopping is within fifteen minutes away in historic Lexington.

More information can be found at their website: www.naturalbridgekoa.com

LAST VISIT: 2012

WOULD WE RETURN? Maybe

BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Not really

SLIDE FRIENDLY? Yes/No

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Yogi's Jellystone Park at NB, VA

Natural Bridge, Yogi’s Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge – This park is located just off I-81in Virginia. This campground is a very busy one and unless you are planning to stay a few days or have some children traveling with you, I wouldn’t recommend it as an overnight stop.

It is extremely busy with children’s activities, water slide/park/pool, fishing and swimming lake and mini-golf. The park also rents golf carts and many regular Campers bring their own. This was our first experience of heavy golf cart traffic and it is rather hard to get use to watching out for carts while you walk and hearing them at all hours of the day and night.

The campground is located minutes from the “real” Natural Bridge attraction, the caverns, wax museum and other attractions. Major shopping is within thirty minutes away in historic Lexington.

LAST VISIT: 2009

WOULD WE RETURN? Maybe

BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Yes, various sites

SLIDE FRIENDLY? Yes

EASY TO FIND? Yes

Updated: April 4, 2012