RV Park / Suggestion around Boston / Brighton, MA

After many years in sales I took early retirement about 6 months ago. Not the best timing but not the worst either. I thought long and hard about the next stage in my life (I'm a 60 year old single guy) and decided to buy a Winnebago View and go cross country for a year or so beginning in May 2016. Class C, Sprinter based chassis. I've never done anything like this before but what the heck - if not now, when...

My dealer has ordered the unit, he'll probably receive it in March or so and will hold it for me until May. I'm going to take a week or two and do a shakedown cruise on Long Island before I go on my cross country trip; I assume there will be a list of issues to be dealt with by the dealer after this shakedown trip. I'll also give myself time to learn my unit and deal with how to hook up a sewer hose and how to use a dump station - actually my biggest concern :-)!!!

Mid May I will go to Boston area to attend my daughters graduation from Boston College and spend a week or two in the area. I then plan to visit Acadia National Park (ME) for a couple of weeks and after this will begin my trek across the USA to visit my son in the San Francisco area. I plan to take my sweet time going across the country and visit places along the route like Yellowstone, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Zion etc, certainly up for recommendations / suggestions. Don't want to do many one nighters, would rather stay some time in each place (at least a week I'm thinking); I'm not in a rush. Thinking Northern route from June - October and then Southern route back to the East coast. I don't want to see snow during my trip. I also understand that RV's are not made for cold weather travel or living. Sounds like me.

My questions for now are:

1. Suggestions on where to plant myself for a week or two in May in the Boston area? I found a place called Normandy Farms - seemed like a pretty safe bet. I'm sure I'll need to rent a car to go to the commencement, as driving even a small RV around the Boston area might not be a good idea? Normandy Farms has full hookup sites which I'd like as a beginner during my first month on the road.

2. Suggestions on how to best plan a route across the USA incorporating National Parks and RV parks. I'd like to spend a week or two each month in a National Park as this will help keep expenses low. I ordered the View with a 150 watt solar panel so I can trickle charge my house batteries.

Thanks very much for the help! I'm a photographer as well so to say I'm pumped and excited would be an understatement.

Yeah!!!!!!!

Steve Ashe

12 Replies

demoon
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
Boston Minuteman is by far your best choice. Smaller, quieter, fantastic owners and an office staff that will help with Boston trip info. Enterprise in Chelmsford will pick you up if you decide to rent a car.
And, as stated before, you are just off 495 on your way to Maine.

https://minutemancampground.com/
buta4
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
As a former Native Bostonian, One must realize that a war produced the myriad of streets in Boston.

I surmise that we designed the pathways in the city to confuse the British Soldiers in their quest to chase down those dastardly colonial rebels.
:B
jplante4
Explorer II
Oct 26, 2015
I've stayed at both Normandy Farms and Minuteman. Normandy is well maintained and has amenities (clubhouse, pool etc). Minuteman is more wooded and remote. Normandy is close the the Foxboro commuter rail stop, but you'll need a bike or a car. Either place is the same distance from BC. It would actually take longer to take the commuter rail into Boston and the T out to Brighton than it would to just drive to BC.

Good on you for taking the time to do this. I'm sure you will not regret it. Just try not to set too many hard dates. Nothing will ruin the trip more than having to be somewhere at a certain time.
paulcardoza
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
Another vote for Normandy Farms. Just remember, if you plan to stay for a couple of weeks, book ASAP, or risk having to move around for available sites. It's always booked on the weekends, all season.

From NFC, you can grab the commuter rail in Mansfield, just a few minutes away and go right into Boston.
dahkota
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
Map with most public campgrounds with links.

Passport America Membership club with 1/2 price campgrounds ($40)

Freecampsites Searchable map of free to low cost campgrounds/campsites

Casino Camper Maps of Casinos where RV parking is allowed with reviews

These are good to have on hand depending no what kind of camping you are in the mood for that day. One can also overnight at Cabellas, many Walmarts, and many state and local rest areas.
Steve_Ashe
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
This is prime information. Thank you - and yes Todd - I know where Battle Row campground is on Long Island (Bethpage)! I live about 1/2 hour south in Long Beach.

I had never heard of RVParkReviews before tonight. What a great site. I'm learning every day.

Thanks,
Steve
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
I'd like to spend a week or two each month in a National Park as this will help keep expenses low.

Don't overlook State Parks or City/County Parks, there are some good ones and many are less expensive than commercial campgrounds. The maps at RV Park Reviews are a pretty easy way to see what options are available along a particular route or near a specific destination.

When you hit age 62, be sure to get the National Parks Senior Pass ($10 lifetime) which provides half-price camping at National Parks and other Federal campgrounds (Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, etc). Almost worth postponing the trip just for that!
tjfogelberg
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
The Walmart in Framingham allows overnight parking. (Might work on the night into the area and save you a night of camping). Sounds like quite an adventure you have planned - try to work Minnesota into the agenda if possible. The North Shore (Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian border) would be worth a week or two of your time.

We find that it isn't as expensive as we thought to travel in the RV. With gas well below $3, we don't spend that much more on the road compared to at home.

Safe travels and enjoy. (I stayed at the Nassau County CG next to Old Beth Page Village on LI). Great location and decent CG.

Todd
kknowlton
Explorer II
Oct 26, 2015
Sounds like a great plan! x2 on Normandy Farms, but make sure to get a site in the regular part of the campground. The "Safari" area is cheek-to-jowl, no shade, like a parking lot on the grass. The regular section (most of the CG) is shady and pretty. Haven't ever been to Minuteman so I can't say how it compares. If you don't want to drive into Boston itself, you can drive from the CG to a suburban "T" (aka MBTA) station and take commuter rail into & around the city. (Fun fact: a "Charlie" ticket for the T also can cover the Boston water taxis - great for sightseeing!) Boston is one city I have never - and WILL never - drive in. Sorry, Bostonians, but as drivers, y'all are crazy. :)

As for planning the big western trip, I'd suggest using several different sources. The national park sites via nps.gov have "planning your trip" sections on them which can help with campgrounds, things to see, etc. I like your idea of spending 1-2 weeks in each national park area you visit! Most aren't lucky enough to have that kind of time. Consider staying in some national forest CGs near national parks - campsites may be slightly less expensive. Another site that I find very helpful is rvparkreviews.com. Great for choosing CGs that fit your needs, based on reviews by people who have actually stayed there. Others here may have other suggestions; I tend to use old-fashioned (paper) maps to plan our routes, and do the CG and sightseeing research from there.
Steve_Ashe
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
Yep. Agree on driving in Boston. The only place I've ever been to that I HATE driving is Boston. Everything is roundabouts and circles. Give me perpendicular and parallel roads any day of the week!