Forum Discussion

covered_wagon's avatar
Feb 08, 2022

Good Low cost Camping Map Books for The West?

I would like to avoid electronic books and love actual paper books and maps if anyone knows a good resource for low cost camping spots along western routes. I like out of the way routes and stay off the common routes. Even spending extra 2 days getting somewhere is not a problem.

Thank you ever so much.
  • Slim pickings and it's only going to get worse as time goes on. Particularly if you are looking for free/cheap, those places tend to get shut down.

    Also online sources tend to update frequently, so you don't wind up at a campsite that is no longer available.

    Best bet would be to stop in the local tourist/chamber of commerce office and ask.
  • Thank you everyone. I will figure it out. I want to get away from the electronic life when I hit the road and escape. Something about the paper and turning the pages and a magnifying glass. Perking the coffee and cooking from scratch. Campgrounds so quiet, no worries about how far you get each day.
  • PhilipB wrote:
    Good Sam Campground directory is like a phone book for rv parks, state parks, etc. for the entire country. I also carry a regular atlas. It has quite a few of the various attractions marked in red.

    Many states still print vacation guides you can request online.


    I entirely forgot the GS book, we used to get one every year. Helpful but a pain to use and only covers commercial campgrounds. A look at it tells you why there aren't any competitors, it must be close to 3 inches thick.

    And I just thought of something, RV Trip Wizard is all on your computer, no internet needed and has thousands of camps not all commercial. Everything on Campground Reviews is in there. A great planning guide too.
  • Good Sam Campground directory is like a phone book for rv parks, state parks, etc. for the entire country. I also carry a regular atlas. It has quite a few of the various attractions marked in red.

    Many states still print vacation guides you can request online.
  • I agree that finding paper books and maps is difficult to impossible. Thankfully I've kept most of the oldies I assembled beginning in 1978.
  • There are just too many spots to put in a book, none that I know of. There are state by state atlas books available but they aren't that good for picking out sites and cost around $15-20 each
    Online is the only practical way.
    Last thought once a good site is published, online or in a book it will be ruined by the flood of people.

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