En Route Campsites

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
I have used sites in CA a couple of times, although not in recent years. Full fee, no amenities, no privacy. Use only if desperate for a legal place to be.

Agreed. Plus sp can be a little tricky to navigate to or from most are not right off the roadway.

jbbrick wrote:
They say "no camping" but that means tents, etc.

Probably would depend on who is enforcing it. All it takes is the state wanting to raise a little revenue or for someone in their camper to get hurt or killed and then the "no camping" sign means no camping in a tent, rv, car, etc. The sign won't change, but the extended definition of it will.

From our experience, almost all the roadside rest stops allow you to park overnight for free. They say "no camping" but that means tents, etc. The big rigs stop there all night to sleep with no problems. I've stayed in a couple for a quick overnight sleep and its a bit noisy with trucks, and you wake up in the middle of a couple of big rigs but its not bad. Safer than a Walmart I think.

I have used sites in CA a couple of times, although not in recent years. Full fee, no amenities, no privacy. Use only if desperate for a legal place to be.

On the Ohio Turnpike, there are eight 'Service Plazas' with small campgrounds.

They have water, 20/30/50 Amp electric service and dump stations.

See: http://www.ohioturnpike.org/travelers/service-plazas/

Not sure about costs but MANY states have 'rustic sites" with no hook ups that go for as little as $4.00 per night. Also, Kansas, for example allows overnight parking in Roadside Rest areas. There is a special part of the park for just this purpose and it has picnic tables with shelters, free dump station and fresh water is available. Some also offer free WIFI and all for no charge. Just don't build a campfire or anything like that and usually they expect you'll be out fairly early in the AM.

Also when traveling through many rural parts of the USA small communities offer free camping with electric and water (a few also offer sewer) in order to get people to stop and stay the night. The assumption is that you may buy something (meal, fuel, etc) while there. "Don Wrights guide to free and under $12.00 camping" publication lists MANY of those type of sites along with nearly all government campgrounds and a FEW private RV Parks where they meet the criteria in the title. This publication comes in two volumes (one for East of the Mississippi and one for West of the river). I don't leave home without them.
Good luck / Skip