campimg membership for a newbie

carolmeyer wrote:
One additional thing. Our plans include Monroe,LA. Wasila, AK. Bingamton, NY. We have family in each location, but would like to enjoy stops along the way. This is why we are concerned about camping stops, as there will be many. We are not on an unlimited budget, hence our concerns for costs incurred.

For that kind of trip, I don't think a membership would work out.

I've put lots of links together below. I hope you'll visit them.

Here is a very good way to check out what public and private campgrounds are available in a given area. Just put in a city or zoom in on the map until the campground symbols show up. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE!

This is a similar resource focusing on public campgrounds.

As noted, get the Senior Pass if you qualify. Pass info

I'd sure look into NPS, NFS, SP, and COE cg's. Some have Full Hook Up (FHU), others are more restricted in their amenities.

COE CG's Put the state name in at the top.

NPS site Click on the map for the state(s) you will be visiting and it will show you the various parks in that state. You'll have to visit each one to see the camping possibilities and reservation options.

Links to all the State Parks that I put together

NFS CG's Really good info on the NFS CG's around this country.

If you're driving to Alaska, make sure you check out the "RVing in Canada and Alaska" forum here.

If you're going through Canada, make sure you check out not only their National Parks but their Provincial Parks also.

Passport America is the only one worth the money.

TT limits you to just their parks.

Good Sam gives the same 10 percent discount that AAA gives you.

Because you will be traveling and covering miles, I would recommend the federal senior pass (if old enough) and look for Corp of Engineer parks. As mentioned above some as little as $8 and the ones who do have Full Hookups around us are $12 per night. I would also recommend Passport America. We use it a lot as we travel. You will find some parks that are just good for overnight and others you wouldn't mind staying at for a few days. There are nicer ones and there are parking lots. All usually have at least water & electric and dump if not all hookups. Saves us a lot.

One additional thing. Our plans include Monroe,LA. Wasila, AK. Bingamton, NY. We have family in each location, but would like to enjoy stops along the way. This is why we are concerned about camping stops, as there will be many. We are not on an unlimited budget, hence our concerns for costs incurred.

I assume you are talking about a membership in C2C or AOR or RPI where you can camp for about $10.00 plus a night at membership campgrounds.

1. Beware of annual maintenance cost at your home park. Some cost $$$. I have two home parks. One has a annual fee of $40.00 (and cannot be increased). The other one last year was $250 and it goes up each year.

2. Buy resale. A quick search on eBay found parks membership for resale from $5,000 to $150. I think I purchased my last resale for a $99.00 transfer fee + $40 year maintenance + $99.00 year C2C membership. Total price about $250.

3. I full time so I very seldom stay in my home park. I only use it to get my C2C, AOR and RPI parks. Each of these membership cost about $100.00 per year. Since I never stay at my home park, one is in the TN the other in AZ. Most membership parks have a 500 mile blackout range.

4. Google and do your research. They are a good value IF YOU USE THEM.

carolmeyer wrote:
We are going to begin the camping RV life shortly, and are dismayed at the cost of parking our RV.

We have found a couple clubs to join, but are in need of an experienced person to guide our plans.

What is the most reasonable and best club to join?

I notice that you are from Florida. Not sure which part, but before joining any club - check out the many Florida state parks. You will be missing out on a lot if you don't. Not as expensive as resorts, and lots to see and do.

carolmeyer wrote:
We are going to begin the camping RV life shortly, . . .

You know if you are just beginning this adventure, you might want to get a year or two of camping under your belt to see what your wants/needs really are. You may find that SP's (state parks) and/or NP's (national parks) may meet your needs. If you go the private park route, you'll need to assess what you want for amenities and what you're willing to pay from them. Are you wanting to go to the same place every time or are you using your RV as an alternative to motels when you travel? Do you want to be "restricted" to certain parks, or do you want the freedom to travel unencumbered from thinking you have to get value for your club membership and stay only at those parks? How often will you use your rig and for how many days a year? These are questions that might take several trips to really figure out in your own mind.

If you're just looking for a place to park the RV when you're not using it, it's just a matter of a lot of phone calls to storage in your area to see what the rates are. You may find driving a little further from home, while inconvenient, can save a lot of money. Of course if you know somebody with a little land, maybe you can offer to pay to park your rig there.

We have an Escapees RV Club membership, plus Passport America, Good Sam, and KOA memberships and the Federal Senior Pass. All of them more than pay for themselves each year for us. For weekend/vacationing RV'ers, I don't expect all of them would be worthwhile, but a good look at each one should identify which ones best fit your RV life style.

Goodsam and KOA more than pay for themselves - never used any others

When we got to the 62 age we started camping at the federal places. The Natl parks that charge are free to enter and camping is 1/2 off...

We are always looking around for cheaper places to stay... They are out there.

Since we camp out off-grid alot the day use fee is usually $5. Most of the time they just have a honor donation system where you drop money down a large steel pipe with a door lock on the bottom...

Every now and then Momabear gets the urge to go for high dollar areas closer to the towns or public beaches like on the SC East Coast haha...

Roy Ken