Turkey Creek Escapees RV Park - Hollister, MO (Branson)

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DaveInTN

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My wife and I are taking our special needs daughter to a summer camp in southwest MO this summer, and plan to spend the week nearby in Branson. I have booked the week at the ABC Campground there, but am taking a look at less expensive options. We are working toward a plan to begin "half-time" RV living in the next year, where we will maintain a small home base but hit the road for approx half the year. To this point in our RVing journeys over the past 25 years, we have been weekend warriors with the occasional week or 10 day vacation, and we typically booked campgrounds based on location and amenities, not on cost. With our plans to increase our travel, budget will be much more important, so I am looking at ways to lower our per night site fees.

With all that said, I'm exploring the Escapees club, and see that they have a handful of RV parks that they operate, including one near Branson (Turkey Creek). A week at Turkey Creek would be $179, compared to a week at ABC of $445. Obviously that's a significant difference, and one that would make or break our future plans to travel more. So, I'm strongly considering changing my reservation, but wanted to see if any of you have stayed at Turkey Creek and whether you'd recommend it. I understand there aren't amenities such as a pool, which is fine. We just need a safe place with full hookups as a base camp to explore the area. I looked at the nearby state park but it's sold out. Based on a search of this site, it seems quite a few of you are Escapees members and stay at the main park in Livingston, so I'm hoping someone has experience with this one. I'd also be interested in your opinion of Escapee parks in general, including Sumter Oaks in Florida.

Thanks!
 
Love them!
In Sumerdale AL for the month of May. Will be at Turkey Creek part of July and August.
Maybe see you there.
 
I am an Escapees member, i did stay in the Livingston TX one to try it. The Livingston one is my PO box.
Clean, nice people. Not much for myself to do in the area or campground. The pool wasnt open, no workout equipment, no activities at my time of stay. I stayed a month.
Being it isnt far from Huston, i found often when leaving the campground, aggressive drivers, as with most areas around bit cities.
It is on my list to check out the Turkey Creek place, probably in the late fall or early spring.
 
markandkim said:
Love them!
In Sumerdale AL for the month of May. Will be at Turkey Creek part of July and August.
Maybe see you there.
Click to expand...

That’s good to hear. Certainly would help with the budget to have good options in this price range.

lineman1234 said:
I am an Escapees member, i did stay in the Livingston TX one to try it. The Livingston one is my PO box.
Clean, nice people. Not much for myself to do in the area or campground. The pool wasnt open, no workout equipment, no activities at my time of stay. I stayed a month.
Being it isnt far from Huston, i found often when leaving the campground, aggressive drivers, as with most areas around bit cities.
It is on my list to check out the Turkey Creek place, probably in the late fall or early spring.
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Thanks for your reply. The Livingston park looks huge!
 
DaveInTN said:
My wife and I are taking our special needs daughter to a summer camp in southwest MO this summer, and plan to spend the week nearby in Branson. I have booked the week at the ABC Campground there, but am taking a look at less expensive options. We are working toward a plan to begin "half-time" RV living in the next year, where we will maintain a small home base but hit the road for approx half the year. To this point in our RVing journeys over the past 25 years, we have been weekend warriors with the occasional week or 10 day vacation, and we typically booked campgrounds based on location and amenities, not on cost. With our plans to increase our travel, budget will be much more important, so I am looking at ways to lower our per night site fees.

With all that said, I'm exploring the Escapees club, and see that they have a handful of RV parks that they operate, including one near Branson (Turkey Creek). A week at Turkey Creek would be $179, compared to a week at ABC of $445. Obviously that's a significant difference, and one that would make or break our future plans to travel more. So, I'm strongly considering changing my reservation, but wanted to see if any of you have stayed at Turkey Creek and whether you'd recommend it. I understand there aren't amenities such as a pool, which is fine. We just need a safe place with full hookups as a base camp to explore the area. I looked at the nearby state park but it's sold out. Based on a search of this site, it seems quite a few of you are Escapees members and stay at the main park in Livingston, so I'm hoping someone has experience with this one. I'd also be interested in your opinion of Escapee parks in general, including Sumter Oaks in Florida.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

We stayed at the Escapee's park at Turkey Creek for a couple weeks enjoying the area last year. It's an Escapee's park. OK place, nice club house, nice people, quiet and just across the river bridge from Branson Landing. If you go through Branson and past Branson Landing to the campground you'll have to navigate the round-a-bout at the east end of the bridge, tricky for a big rig to miss the curbs, then entrance to the campground is just a few hundred yards to the right.

1-5 stars we gave it a 3 because of the site we had. The sites are full hookup but not very big or deep. We had to park our truck away from our site. A lot of the sites are back to back so our site, we backed up to a motorhome within 2 feet rear window to rear window, that so we could get the nose of our RV out of the street. Thus our rating of 3 stars. You might luck out and get a better site.

Otherwise, Branson, wow, lots to experience. We took the train ride from Branson Landing and enjoyed the dinner cruise on the Branson Belle on Table Rock lake. The "Top of the Rock" golf cart tour was excellent! Bass Pro world headquarters in Springfield is worth the side trip.

The Escapee's RV park at Livingston Texas is the Headquarters for the Escapee's RV Club. It is a somewhat dated park but very nice, clean and quiet. Initially it was to be a housing addition and there are a few houses inside the park. Lots of permanent residences sites and home to the Escapee's Care Center for special needs residence. Yup not much to do around Livingston. Livingston State Park in the area is very nice and lots trails to enjoy.

Another Escapee's park we have stayed at is Raccoon Valley in Heiskell Tennessee just north of Knoxville. It is also a Co-Op park not owned by the Escapee's RV Club. The club owners 8 parks around the US but Co-Op's with other private parks. They are expanding the number Co-Op's they are affiliated with.
 
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Steven@147 said:
We stayed at the Escapee's park at Turkey Creek for a couple weeks enjoying the area last year. It's an Escapee's Co-Op park not owned by the RV Club. OK place, nice club house, nice people, quiet and just across the river bridge from Branson Landing. If you go through Branson and past Branson Landing to the campground you'll have to navigate the round-a-bout at the east end of the bridge, tricky for a big rig to miss the curbs, then entrance to the campground is just a few hundred yards to the right.

1-5 stars we gave it a 3 because of the site we had. The sites are full hookup but not very big or deep. We had to park our truck away from our site. A lot of the sites are back to back so our site, we backed up to a motorhome within 2 feet rear window to rear window, that so we could get the nose of our RV out of the street. Thus our rating of 3 stars. You might luck out and get a better site.

Otherwise, Branson, wow, lots to experience. We took the train ride from Branson Landing and enjoyed the dinner cruise on the Branson Belle on Table Rock lake. The "Top of the Rock" golf cart tour was excellent! Bass Pro world headquarters in Springfield is worth the side trip.

The Escapee's RV park at Livingston Texas is the Headquarters for the Escapee's RV Club. It is a somewhat dated park but very nice, clean and quiet. Initially it was to be a housing addition and there are a few houses inside the park. Lots of permanent residences sites and home to the Escapee's Care Center for special needs residence. Yup not much to do around Livingston. Livingston State Park in the area is very nice and lots trails to enjoy.
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Thank you, Steve. That's all very helpful. My wife and I were talking yesterday about trying out the Turkey Creek campground as a way to see how we fare in that type of park. Watching some Youtube videos I could see that some of the sites were pretty tight, but as I mentioned earlier we need to see how it goes being more budget conscious if we are going to spend significantly more time "out there". This sounds like a good time to do that, since we plan on doing a lot of exploring rather than sitting around the campsite as we often tend to do when out for weekends to relax.

Thanks for the tips on the tours as well. Sounds like we'll easily find ways to fill our time.
 
DaveInTN said:
Thank you, Steve. That's all very helpful. My wife and I were talking yesterday about trying out the Turkey Creek campground as a way to see how we fare in that type of park. Watching some Youtube videos I could see that some of the sites were pretty tight, but as I mentioned earlier we need to see how it goes being more budget conscious if we are going to spend significantly more time "out there". This sounds like a good time to do that, since we plan on doing a lot of exploring rather than sitting around the campsite as we often tend to do when out for weekends to relax.

Thanks for the tips on the tours as well. Sounds like we'll easily find ways to fill our time.
Click to expand...

Oh my yes, lots to see and do. Branson of course, as you know, is touristy but for the money Turkey Creek is excellent and if you do some research there is a lot to do that isn't too pricey. Very scenic beautiful area. Oh- Not too terribly far from the campground (@ 7 miles) is Vintage Paris coffee shop, excellent, on top of a mountain and right across the road from a beautiful Branson overlook.

Enjoy your stay and exploring. That's what is all about!
 
Yes, Turkey Creek is owned by Escapees. It isn't a co-op. We've stayed there several times. The park, itself, isn't anything special, but then that usually isn't the reason people stay there. There are some long-term people there, but mostly people traveling the country. The biggest caveat with Turkey Creek is that it is right on the lake, and the lake does flood at times. You should have lots of warning, though, and it probably won't flood in the summer. You can fish right from the campground or put a boat in there, should you want to do those things.

For the difference in price between ABC and Turkey Creek you could get a Silver Dollar City pass for the whole family. (Pro tip: when you go to Silver Dollar City go hungry. Start with breakfast there, then walk all the way down to the bottom of the hill and work your way back up. Many of the shops there will deliver your purchases to the visitor center so you don't have to carry them with you all day.)
 
kb0zke said:
Yes, Turkey Creek is owned by Escapees. It isn't a co-op. We've stayed there several times. The park, itself, isn't anything special, but then that usually isn't the reason people stay there. There are some long-term people there, but mostly people traveling the country. The biggest caveat with Turkey Creek is that it is right on the lake, and the lake does flood at times. You should have lots of warning, though, and it probably won't flood in the summer. You can fish right from the campground or put a boat in there, should you want to do those things.

For the difference in price between ABC and Turkey Creek you could get a Silver Dollar City pass for the whole family. (Pro tip: when you go to Silver Dollar City go hungry. Start with breakfast there, then walk all the way down to the bottom of the hill and work your way back up. Many of the shops there will deliver your purchases to the visitor center so you don't have to carry them with you all day.)
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We definitely want to visit Silver Dollar City. We visit Dollywood often and I’ve always wanted to ride the Flooded Mine which used to also be at Dollywood but closed before our first visit.
 
I just checked in to Turkey Creek about an hour ago for a week-long stay. The staff that checked me in was wonderful - she was very friendly, considerate, gave me options, etc. I had reserved a back-in space, but yes, they really are back to back. For another $66, I got a long pull-thru that suited me better. Not that they will always have a pull-thru available, but I was glad they did. The total, with taxes, was $278. That's still less than $40/night - quite acceptable in light of what I've paid other places on this trip. Is it a luxury park? Not by a long shot. But it is affordable and decent for the money.
 
nadkaw1957 said:
I just checked in to Turkey Creek about an hour ago for a week-long stay. The staff that checked me in was wonderful - she was very friendly, considerate, gave me options, etc. I had reserved a back-in space, but yes, they really are back to back. For another $66, I got a long pull-thru that suited me better. Not that they will always have a pull-thru available, but I was glad they did. The total, with taxes, was $278. That's still less than $40/night - quite acceptable in light of what I've paid other places on this trip. Is it a luxury park? Not by a long shot. But it is affordable and decent for the money.
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Thank you for the review! Good to hear.
 
nadkaw1957 said:
I just checked in to Turkey Creek about an hour ago for a week-long stay. The staff that checked me in was wonderful - she was very friendly, considerate, gave me options, etc. I had reserved a back-in space, but yes, they really are back to back. For another $66, I got a long pull-thru that suited me better. Not that they will always have a pull-thru available, but I was glad they did. The total, with taxes, was $278. That's still less than $40/night - quite acceptable in light of what I've paid other places on this trip. Is it a luxury park? Not by a long shot. But it is affordable and decent for the money.
Click to expand...

Could you comment on traffic and such when you get a feel for it, as well as if its a crowded area or not to bad. Ease of getting in and around town for grocery's and such.
I just try to avoid aggressive driving and people areas now a days.

I am considering going there in the fall for a few months. I am a member.

I am interested in the lakes areas, for some kayaking and or kayak sailing.

Thanks, Scott.
 
I've never been to this campground but I know where it is. A short drive to hwy 65 (major hwy) then go north about 5 miles and Walmart and Aldi's will be right off the hwy. Also a Home Depot and other shopping. About 10 min from where the park is. There is a nice grocery store in Hollister if you prefer that's even closer.
 
Just waking this up for a couple questions if someone can answer them. The Hollister area almost looks like it would be a great annual type base for myself to be out of.

As i fulltime, how is the average winter temps and the area in the Hollister area? As well as things to do in the winter months as well?

The Hollister area is really kinda central to my needs, not far from a friend that lives below St Louis, and going to northern MN for my summer months as well as a trip farther south for some of the really cold months.
 
The Roaring River State Park is not a bad drive to the Branson parking lot. We have land south of there and go up there to trout fish as it's a Mo State hatchery. Eureka Springs is just south of there also.
 
lineman1234, we retired from about 90 miles north of there, a little town called Urbana, MO. Overall, the Ozarks are pretty good as far as weather. In the 15 years we were there I don't think it ever went below 0, and maybe once got over 100. Humidity is reasonable because the Ozark Plateau is a bit higher than the surrounding area. Lots of trees, lakes, and rivers. The rivers aren't all that wide or deep, but there are fish in the lakes and rivers should you be so inclined. Lots of hunting there, too. Buying property near Branson is only for the rich, but if you can go out a ways the prices drop to more reasonable amounts.

As I recall, Turkey Creek isn't set up for year-round people, in that the lots are fairly small and no storage sheds. If you can use a commercial storage shed, though, you could easily use Turkey Creek as a base of operations. Stay as long as you need, then move on, and have a different spot when you return.

Many of the people who visit Turkey Creek are there for the shows in Branson, so there isn't always a lot of activity in the park.
 
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