Most Versatile Discount on State Parks and MiFi Question

Different states have different programs to help reduce costs for campers who stay more than just a few days.

The best example is New Mexico, where visitors can get a yearly camping pass that waives any daily entrance fees and greatly reduced camping rates. In fact if you dry-camp, there is no charge, and if you use electric hookups, the overnight fee is $4 instead of $18. If I recall correctly the price for the pass is $225; we figure it paid for itself in three weeks (we use hookups).

Texas offers a pretty good deal as well. Their annual pass is $70 which waives the daily per person entrance fee and although it doesn't give you a break on overnight camping fees, it does give you four coupons, each worth a second night at half-price. We found the pass paid for itself in just a few days.

These are just two examples. Check the headquarters page for each state park system to see what they offer.

Welcome to the RV world and have a great time out there exploring this great country.

Ted H.

Boy, it feels so good to be able to come here and know that you're going to get varied perspectives, angles and facts when you need it. Thank you all.

I spoke at length with Millenim (sp) and for the money, and because they're so closely tied to Verizon, I think I'll go with them. So thank you.

Yup, I bought a Passport America yearly 'pass' last night, thanks for that!~ This coming week I'm going to US Foresry/Agriculture or some such agency to get a "Senior Pass" for the BLM's and other federal options.

I would have never known that RVing, is such a humungous world unto itself lolol... Thank you as always, for your kind responses and recommedations.

Beth -

For a cell based WiFi hotspot for intermittent use, take a look at Straight Talk's Verizon based hotspot available at Walmart for about $80. You can buy bandwidth in 1GB increments for as little as $10/GB (4GB & 5GB cards) as needed either at the store or online. The 1 & 2GB cards are good for 30 days, and the 4,5, & 7GB cards are good for 60 days.

Discount programs for most state parks are limited to residents of that state; federal facilities at Park Service, BLM, and Forest Service controlled lands have programs as provided by different programs. You will need to check on the specifics of discount opportunities at federal locations, it varies a lot by location, whether the place is managed by a private concertn, etc. Overall, the price you pay at either federal, state, county loctions is a pretty good deal as some of the costs of operating the campground are borne by taxpayers, not just the user.

As has already been mentioned, there aren't any all encompassing passes for camping but try these sites - http://freecampsites.net/ Free and inexpensive campgrounds and boondocking spots. We've used many of them.

http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php/2012-10-03-01-10-22 All public campgrounds with a range of cost from free to kind of expensive.

You may be able to get away with using free WiFi hotspots. Check the visitor centers at National Parks. Sometimes they have it. Good places to stop at en-route are Panera Bread, McDonalds, Lowes and Home Depot.

For state parks you can get Friends of the State Parks memberships for 10-20% discounts but they're only worth the cost if you stay on multiple trips; that and you would have to join the Friends group in each state where you plan to stay as the states don't have reciprocity on those memberships.

If you join Passport America you may be able to stay at a cheaper rate than National or State Parks. Researching the PA campgrounds along your route is your best option.

Just for info...Passport America is less than $50/yr. It usually will pay for itself in one use. If you're headed to California/Oregon/Washington, check out the Zone Pass from RVontheGo. (Encore) $495/yr gets you 33 free days in their parks...after that it's only $3/day. They have lots of good parks in those three states.....Dennis

There is no discount programs for state parks, except maybe handicap access. Some states will also give military discounts, but you have to usually apply ahead of time for that. So to answer your question...NO!
As for internet service. Many of us full timers use either the Verizon MiFi card or the same thing through Milencom,, 20GB for around 80 dollars a month and no contract.

Do you have a smart phone? A lot of them let you tether for internet access. Also a lot of the cheap Tracfones or Net 10 have internet access.

Every State has different rules re. discounts in its Parks, so there's likely no one "program" that will do what you want it to do.

And no State that I know of will accept discount "passes" from private entities such as Passport America.