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Stacy
Trip Date 06/21/2020 Posted On 06/25/2020 09:45:00 |
Camping | Texas | Rockport | Fulton | Corpus Christi | Texas Gulf Coast | Passport America | RV Resorts | Campgrounds | Circle W RV Ranch | Beach | Sightseeing
As our week long getaway was nearing its end, we remembered how much we love being on the road - especially after sheltering in place for over 90 days. Since we had no firm schedule, we pondered adding a few more days to our camping trip. We had such a great time on the Texas Gulf Coast, so we searched for availability further south but on the same coast.
We have friends who were regular visitors to the cities of Fulton and Rockport, Texas. Closer than Corpus Christi, the drive would only be about four hours from Galveston. Based on what we heard from our friends, we've always wanted to explore the area, so that's where we started our search.
We decided to put our Passport America membership to use. We reviewed the options for participating RV Resorts and campgrounds and read reviews from previous travelers. Our first choice was Circle W RV Ranch, so we gave them a call. Luck was on our side and we were able to extend our coastal getaway. More beach time and sightseeing for us!
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Preparing for a Stay at Circle W RV Ranch
Circle W RV Ranch offers long term sites and sites which can be reserved for as little as one day. Passport America members (6 day maximum discount) and those wishing to stay for one month or longer should call (361) 730-1054 for reservations. Standard rate reservations as well as members of AAA, Good Sam or the U. S. Military can make online or telephone reservations.Circle W RV Ranch advertises 300 RV sites, and it appears that all but about 50 are designated for permanent or long term residents. The "Ranch" offers three levels of RV sites - regular, premium and premium plus:
- Regular sites are designed for smaller RVs plus one additional vehicle;
- Premium sites can accommodate larger RVs, and in some cases, a second vehicle; and
- Sites designated as Premium Plus have either a larger paved pad or an upgraded view.
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With our 50% Passport America discount, we paid a total of $100.00 for four nights. A deposit equal to the rental fee for one night is required at the time that reservations are made. In our case, the $25.00 deposit was non-refundable as it was equal to the fee charged for reservations cancelled prior to 72 hours of scheduled arrival.
(If you are not already a member, sign up today at Passport America and The Wordy Explorers will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We truly appreciate your support!)
Settling in to "Home Away from Home" at Circle W RV Ranch
Check-in at Circle W RV Ranch is very quick and easy. After paying our remaining balance, Rudy met us in the parking area and led us to Site A19 which we were assigned at the time that we made our reservation. Since we were staying in a back-in site, Rudy even provided navigation support until we were well positioned. His assistance was helpful as maneuvering into the site was made a little difficult because of the ranch's narrow roads coupled with incorrect directional signage for back-in sites.The entire campground was clean and well maintained with dumpsters available for depositing household trash. The paved parking pads all appeared to be quite level. Sites are equipped with 30- and 50-amp electric, on-site sewer and water plus cable television with a large selection of channels. (Electricity is a pass-through expense for long term tenants therefore not included in the monthly rate.)
There are no additional on-site amenities such as grills or tables. (If you will want to cook outside, propane grills are permitted. Make sure to bring a table and/or chairs if you enjoy eating outside.) Although trees are very limited within the ranch, there are some large oaks located on the adjoining land which provided limited morning shade.
Individual shower rooms were very clean - each with a toilet, sink and shower. Machines in the large laundry room were newer models and all in working order. Wash loads were priced at $2.25 per load and dryer loads were $1.50 each. Mail boxes for long term tenants are located in the library.
We had good cell and data service with both of our providers, T-Mobile and Verizon. The password protected Wifi included in our rate was reliable whenever we attempted to use it (primarily for internet searches).
During our stay, we had the opportunity to meet the owners of the ranch plus two other employees, all of whom were very helpful and nice. We also met a number of residents that were fun to visit with and also extremely nice and thoughtful. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting group gatherings, residents immediately offered to leave the pool area so that others could enjoy the pool.)
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Choosing a Site at Circle W RV Ranch
The sites in Section A are devoted to shorter term stays. Our favorites in the section, and those that we would request should we return again, are sites A15 - A23. We like that the sites back up to a pasture that's home to several longhorns. There's also a limited amount of shade provided from the trees located on the contiguous property.Fun Times at Circle W RV Ranch
Circle W RV Ranch has a number of resort type amenities available for both long and short term guests. The biggest draw for us was the hot tub, which we visited each of the four evenings that we were at the ranch. Both kids and adults seemed to enjoy the swimming pool as well.The biggest downside to the pool and hot tub was the hours. Closing at dusk each night, we sadly had to exit the hot tub by 8:30 PM, earlier than most other similar resort-style campgrounds that we've visited. (The pool area was understandably limited to a maximum of 10 persons due to COVID-19 restrictions.)
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There's an on-site air-conditioned exercise room with a variety of equipment for guests to use. Those interested in outdoor games will find both shuffleboard and horseshoe courts, and even catch and release fishing. There's also a designated pet area where all of the local dogs can get their exercise.
Up for a challenge but prefer the indoor type? Consider a game of billiards with a family member or friend! You'll also find a library with a good selection of both adult's and kid's books. There's puzzles and games available in the library as well.
In order to comply with state orders, many of the regularly scheduled activities and events at the ranch had to be paused. Prior to limits being placed on the size of gatherings, Circle W RV Ranch activities included board, card & lawn games, poker, dancing, walks, Bible study and even Saturday morning breakfast.
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Rockin' It in Rockport, Texas
They're not big cities, but if you want to spend some time at the beach, Rockport and Fulton have you covered, along with a few other options. It's a great idea to check the Events Calendar to see if there's something going on that you don't want to miss.Rockport Heritage District
The historic downtown is known as the Rockport Heritage District. With shops, dining, lodging and art, this cute district within the city is pedestrian friendly.Rockport Beach
For sand, water and waves, head to Rockport Beach. There's a small free parking lot located within walking distance of the beach. If you want to be even closer, parking is just $5.00 per day (or $20.00 for an annual parking pass).Early birds may be able to find an available palapa to help provide shade while sitting in the sand and watching the world go by. Also available on a first-come, first-serve basis are a number of covered picnic tables, each with a barbecue grill - perfect for your lunch or dinner.
A walk along the sandy beach can be a fun way to get some exercise, see what's going on and do some people watching. There's a playground for youngsters and wind powered activities such as sail boarding are permitted in some areas as well.
Fishing is known to be quite good in the area. You can find options for chartered fishing excursions or take your kayak out in the water and fish from there. You probably won't be alone as you'll likely see plenty of others fishing in the surf or from one of the public or private piers.
Windblown Oak Trees
Make sure to find the field of bent trees on Broadway Street (aka Fulton Beach Road). The trees are located on private property, but can easily be seen from the road across from Little Bay. These oak trees face away from the coast and are permanently bent due to the constantly blowing winds!Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
Walking on the grounds and through the garden surrounding the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is enjoyable. Formerly known as Oakhurst, the mansion was built between 1874 and 1877 for George Fulton, an engineer turned cattle baron, and his wife Harriett. Check the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site website for updated information on tours of the inside of the restored mansion.Goose Island State Park and The Big Tree
Going to see The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park was a spur of the moment idea for the two of us. Between 1966 and 2003, the tree was the largest Live Oak in the state. Located just outside of the state park's fee area, you can see the nearly 1,000 year old tree without actually entering the park.It's best to reserve day passes in advance if you'd like to spend time exploring Goose Island State Park.
Corpus Christi
The popular city of Corpus Christi is located just over 30 miles away from Rockport. It's an easy day trip filled with plenty of tourist attractions suitable for people of any age.
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Campground Ratings
Ever since we purchased our RV almost three years ago, we have been diligent with keeping notes on each and every place that we camp. In addition to documenting site and campground amenities, we rate each location to help us remember where we might like to return. If you are an RVer, be sure to check out "Wordy Explorers' Campground Ratings" for ideas on where to make your future RV reservations!Texas Coastal Towns
What is your favorite coastal town in Texas, and why does it rank so high on your list?Weather:86F Sunny
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