We stayed at Deer Valley two years ago and they put our boat in for a small fee. It was very convenient to the dam area and it is located at the end of a large quiet cove. The pizza at Frankie and Louie's is the best I've ever had and I'm from Chicago. Their boat slips are all fairly new and because of being on the quiet cove, they don't get knocked around too much. The CG is also convenient to town by road.
We are thinking of another trip back, maybe next year.
ttymeg wrote: Looks like Deer Valley or LOZ State park. Would love to hear from folks who've stayed at both and would compare them?
Shirley, which would you pick? Which one is closer to the dam?
Thanks so much! Ted
Ted,
I just checked the Lake Map again. Deer Valley is at the 10MM. LOZ SP is back in the Grand Glaize Arm which starts at the 19MM and then goes back a few miles back to actually get to the State Park. It depends if you want the "State Park" expierence of quiet and more solitude or the central location of Restaurants and more "action". They both have sand beaches which the kids will enjoy. I, personally, would choose Deer Valley but that is just me.
I would look over both websites and make your decision from there.
Shirley
Ron & Shirley
2005 Itasca 37B Suncruiser W24 Workhorse Chassis To Discover New Oceans We Must Lose Sight Of The Shore
Thanks Shirley. Is the Lake map you are looking at online? I've pulled up several but they all seem to be of poor quality in one way or another.
I think the action and resturants is where we want to be so sounds like Deer Valley for us. I looked at their website and sent Bev an email regarding how to reserve a spot. Thanks for all your help!
Ted
...sorry had to run an errand. If you stay in Campground 4 and get either sites 155,156,157,138 or 139 you can tie your boat up right at the shoreline. The marina is just a short walk through the woods away. Nothing against Deer Valley, but there are a lot of seasonal/permanent campers in there. It's been several years since I've been by Red Oak, but it seemed pretty nice. Had some cabins or condos also as I remember. It's a bit out of the way if you're going to drive anywhere besides Camdenton as well as being a drive by water as previously mentioned. Have a look at this map. Deer Valley is back in the cove at the south side of the 10 mile marker near Sunrise Beach. The State Park Campground is about mile 12 in the Glaize arm, right where the number 7 shows the boat ramp. (Right side of map). So, yes quite a drive to the strip/dam by water, but not really that far by land and I think your kids would like it much better.
* This post was
edited 05/17/08 04:24pm by larson6 *
When we went two years ago, we drove through Red Oak. It was nicer than Deer Valley from a "camping experience" viewpoint. Deer Valley is mostly seasonals, but there weren't any of them there during the week. The transient camping is in the back of the campground and the sites don't have much character. We stayed on the end site by the dump. At first, we thought it would be "yucky" but it didn't smell at all, and nobody used it because almost all of the sites are seasonal. That site was the largest of the rest. The entire property is very flat.
Red Oak, although nicer and more of a "camping" feel, was hilly. It was a very steep walk down to the boat docks. It is also a ways from the "action" by water.
We've never even seen the state park. Do they have full hook-up's there? Maybe we'll think about it for next time, although I'd much rather rent a nice covered boat slip than beach my boat any day.
We have some pictures from Deer Valley. PM me with your e-mail address and I can send some to you if you like.
Just another thought, and I might get slammed here, but IMHO the dam area is over rated. It has gotten a bit "seedy" over the years. It did appear that they seem to be making an effort to improve it a bit though. As far as shopping and restaurants, the area by the outdoor mall is much nicer (get a rental car??). Try the Mexican restaurant - the food is pretty good there and kids (adults) will enjoy Miner Mikes.
We really like most of the restaurants that are accessable by water. In particular, Backwater Jacks and Poop Deck. Poop deck has a pool so kids can swim while waiting for food, or cocktailing. Paradise is fun too - a Carribean (Jimmy Buffet) atmosphere.
Also, again, another opinion, we went once during the off season. It was "deader than a doornail" and many places were closed. The "touristy" places were pretty much empty. Last time we went the end of June and I really didn't think that anywhere we went was mobbed with people. Weekends on the lake are pretty out of hand though.
Hi Shirley - I changed my username a while back. We enjoyed the margarita's at your beautiful home when we were there! (Renee and Tom)
Great input Hafta, thanks so much! We'd really prefer not to rent a car, is there "stuff" to do for kids similar to the dam area (as I recall it many many years ago was very kid oriented but if it's now seedy...) is there another area on LOZ that has that kind of action packed atmosphere?
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