Spring Fling 2026 - Day 9: Laurel Branch COE Camping

A short drive today, only 242 miles.  We got out of Illinois first before tanking up the VRRV and saved .76 cents/gallon for 87 Octane gasoline by buying it in Indiana!

The last 22 miles or so were on a series of narrow two lane county roads, and we got to the campground with no issues except some slight wandering around due to minimal signage.

We're in the Laurel Branch area of the Rough River Recreation Area run by the COE: Corps of Engineers.

Our site isn't waterside but just a very short walk away:

Unlike other COE sites, this is a river, not a reservoir created by a dam managed by the Corps of Engineers.  Still, pretty nice so far.  It helps that we're in a warming trend finally in the next couple of days should be nice and warm. 

While walking around checking out the area I found the Rim Rock trail, The trail header which is located really close to our campsite. 

It's just a small loop but I could not find some of it so I ended up returning the same way I went in. 

Yep, some shitbird defaced the sign but you get the idea:

Nearby the signs and directly overhead, were some colorful rocks basking in the sun-dappled shade:

We rested the rest of the afternoon away, some tourist destinations planned for tomorrow so stay tuned.

Deployed the gazebo and the RV awning to let them dry out from Tuesday's rain.