How to Find Parks?
We are kinda new to the RV camping thing and was wondering what ways everybody uses to find campgrounds when they are traveling? Are there certain websites or just mainly googling? Thanks
Forum Discussion
How do I find places to stay?
#1. The Next Exit (a book) because I'm a "freddy" when traveling, I choose to spend two nights "fredding" (as in Freddy the Freeloader, a character the late comedian Red Skelton developed), which I'm now calling "overnight parking" because some snooty RVers think overnight parking is freeloading and I think it's funny, in a Sam's Club or Cracker Barrel parking lot before spending the third night in a campground with hookups. Since I run US & State Highways that cross over interstates, I use the Next Exit book to see what's at the exit I cross over at as well as the next exit in each direction on the interstate.
#2. My Maps (Google.com/maps) I have been using My Maps on Google to keep maps of free and cheap campgrounds and overnight parking places by state. I just add or delete places as I come across the info. It keeps it all in one spot and some of the info I have never found on a review website. Since it's all private and I don't share it with anyone, I don't have to worry about insulting anyone by the places I have on it. It's not hard to do if you simply start with areas you travel in and to and just keep adding to it about once a month or as you find a mention of a place (after researching to find the contact info and correct GPS). Some of the places I have listed, I've known about for a few decades. But they are nowhere that I have found on the internet or only listed in one place. But they are still there and available to use.
#3. freecampsites.net lists a lot of public (some free - more "fredding") parks. Hookups range from full to none.
#4. rvparky.com also lists some overnight parking places and free public parks (more freeloaders than just me I guess) as well as public fee-based parks but leans more heavily towards private parks.
#5. campendium.com is similar to rvparky, just with a few different reviewers... sometimes.
I also check Passport America's website too (50% off).
The types of campgrounds and/or RV parks that you prefer to stay at will determine which websites you will get the most out of. I'm not interested in paying for something that I am not using. I do care if the hookups at the site are good and if there is a good place to walk the dog, which is what reading various review sites helps me to figure out. Otherwise I carry my own bathrooms, laundry facilites and wifi hotspot. And if I'm out of range for my wifi provider for a night or two, I have a hefty stash of DVDs and Blu-ray movies.
#1. The Next Exit (a book) because I'm a "freddy" when traveling, I choose to spend two nights "fredding" (as in Freddy the Freeloader, a character the late comedian Red Skelton developed), which I'm now calling "overnight parking" because some snooty RVers think overnight parking is freeloading and I think it's funny, in a Sam's Club or Cracker Barrel parking lot before spending the third night in a campground with hookups. Since I run US & State Highways that cross over interstates, I use the Next Exit book to see what's at the exit I cross over at as well as the next exit in each direction on the interstate.
#2. My Maps (Google.com/maps) I have been using My Maps on Google to keep maps of free and cheap campgrounds and overnight parking places by state. I just add or delete places as I come across the info. It keeps it all in one spot and some of the info I have never found on a review website. Since it's all private and I don't share it with anyone, I don't have to worry about insulting anyone by the places I have on it. It's not hard to do if you simply start with areas you travel in and to and just keep adding to it about once a month or as you find a mention of a place (after researching to find the contact info and correct GPS). Some of the places I have listed, I've known about for a few decades. But they are nowhere that I have found on the internet or only listed in one place. But they are still there and available to use.
#3. freecampsites.net lists a lot of public (some free - more "fredding") parks. Hookups range from full to none.
#4. rvparky.com also lists some overnight parking places and free public parks (more freeloaders than just me I guess) as well as public fee-based parks but leans more heavily towards private parks.
#5. campendium.com is similar to rvparky, just with a few different reviewers... sometimes.
I also check Passport America's website too (50% off).
The types of campgrounds and/or RV parks that you prefer to stay at will determine which websites you will get the most out of. I'm not interested in paying for something that I am not using. I do care if the hookups at the site are good and if there is a good place to walk the dog, which is what reading various review sites helps me to figure out. Otherwise I carry my own bathrooms, laundry facilites and wifi hotspot. And if I'm out of range for my wifi provider for a night or two, I have a hefty stash of DVDs and Blu-ray movies.
