As mentioned in previous posts (like this one…), we try to get to the Gulf Coast at least once per year. Since we almost always leave Friday afternoon when we get off work, we often stay around the halfway point, which is Vicksburg, MS for us. We accidentally found the Ameristar RV Park one year on our way to Gulf Shores, AL (this is a long story for another day!). When we found out it was less than $30/night, we decided we’d stop here every time we head south.
AMERISTAR RV PARK, VICKSBURG, MS.
First things first, you can find their website here. There’s not much to the RV Park’s part of their website. In fact, you have to call for reservations (which I strongly recommend…here’s the number 601-638-1000). Their address is 725 Lucy Bryson St., Vicksburg, MS 39180.
It seems to mostly be folks like us that come for 2-3 nights to stay at the Ameristar RV Park while on the way to somewhere else. If they are closed when you get there and don’t have a reservation and they do have available sites, you can just take an unoccupied site and pay the next day. They’re pretty chill about that, so that’s cool.
If it is full, they have a vacant lot on which you can boondock until there is an available site the next day. There’s also a Walmart not far from there where you can also boondock.
While I don’t exactly think of this park as a destination (it’s more of an overnighter for us), I could see staying for several days. Vicksburg is rich with Civil War history and I’m sure there’s plenty to do there. We looked into a Civil War tour, as well as an antebellum home tour. It’s on our to-do list for “someday!”
The campground has 67 pull through, paved sites. They have full hook-ups for 30/50 amps with cable TV.
I liked this cute little Scamp that was parked up by the office.
It’s such a bizarre park to me sometimes. There are super small campers, and super huge campers…sometimes parked right beside each other. We met some really cool people from the Pacific Northwest this time in what I supposed to be AT LEAST a $1-2 million motorhome. We spent the whole evening with them and had a blast. They were just regular folks…just like us!
This beautiful motorhome was 2 campers over from us.
CAMPGROUNDS/CLEANLINESS
Ameristar RV park has ALWAYS been very clean when we stay (I think we’ve stayed there 4 times so far). I love that each site is paved (although not level), pull-through, has a lawn, and a picnic table. The lawn is well kept, and I just can’t think of anything to complain about here!
AMENITIES
Again, I don’t think of this park as a destination…so amenities don’t really matter to me here, but it does have a pool which available for use during business hours. I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen anyone in it (probably because we come after hours and leave before they open!).
They do have a coin laundromat, showers, complimentary coffee, and grassy areas to walk your dogs (or cats if you’re into walking your cats…whatever melts your butter!).
BATH HOUSE
I’ve never used the showers at the Ameristar RV Park, but I did peek in to make sure I would recommend them this last time. The bathrooms are always clean. It’s also secure with a coded entry door, so that seems safe enough. I would TOTALLY use the showers if I didn’t want to use the one in my camper.
CELL SIGNAL
Since the park is right smack dab in the middle of civilization, the cell signal works like a dream, for both us (Verizon), and our friends (AT&T).
INTERNET/WIFI
They do have complimentary WiFi. I find it to be a little lacking, but I like FAST! It may be slow because there are so many people on it, but it beats having nothing. If I’m only using my phone, I rely on unlimited data over the WiFi…but I’m a techie person. I think my hubby & friends stay on the WiFi.
Honorable mention here is that they also have cable TV here. We were able to watch the NCAA tournament here because of their cable hookups. Again, since we almost always stay less than 12 hours, we rarely hook up cable tv.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES
Here’s the fun kicker…if you’re just staying for the night at the Ameristar RV Park (and usually Friday for us, as mentioned), this is a FANTASTIC place to stay because of the Ameristar Casino. The casino is right across the street from the RV park, and they have a free shuttle service. You just call the phone number to summon the shuttle and it takes you to the front door of the casino and will also take you home when you’re done.
I’m not much of a gambler or drinker, but I am a musician, so I like to go for the free music. Every time we’ve gone to the casino, there has been really great live bands playing.
I often take a $20 to feed to the penny slot machines. If the servers see you playing the machines, adult drinks are complimentary. I take advantage of this by way of virgin piña coladas, the hubby will have a couple of free beers. Between the drinks and band, we feel we’d spend WAY more than $20, so we figure it’s a wash! I HATE losing money, so I feel this is a WIN! 🙂
Vicksburg National Military Park is a park dedicated to the history of the battle at Vicksburg. We haven’t visited this historic site yet, but intend to soon. We may even make a weekend of it since Vicksburg is so close to home. You can read more about it on Wikipedia, or on the Park’s website.
There are also antebellum homes you can visit, as well as museums, shopping, and there’s a Coca-Cola museum there as well…so maybe it IS a destinations spot! LOL!
Here’s a great post from Trip Advisor about local things to do in Vicksburg.
STAFF
I’ll be fair and honest here, I don’t think I’ve ever personally met with any of the staff here. I did speak to a lady on the phone, and she was super nice though. Does that count? She took great care of me and left my reservation taped to the front door for my late arrival.
PRICE
The price just can’t be beaten! It’s only $30 for 30 amp service and $35 for 50 amp service. They honor Good Sam and AAA discounts, so if you have that, you get your discount.
Overall, I like this little park. Like I said, we stay there now almost every time we head south. It’s a great mid-point for us.
Pros
- Paved, pull-through sites
- Easy going, nice staff
- Free wifi and cable TV
- Free shuttle to casino
- Lots of stuff to do nearby
- Great price
Cons
- Even though sites are paved, they aren't level. Depending on which site you get, it's tricky to level.
- Weak and slow wifi
- Bathrooms are clean, but need to be updated a little bit
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