Where to camp, reservations etc

Update: We did find a place to stay, finally. We have to rent it for two days even though we can only stay one.

Living in Dallas is a big problem because of rush hour traffic. It doesn't calm down until at least 7 or 8 on a Friday night. If we were to go to some place like San Antonio, we wouldn't roll in till about midnight. That's what Wal Marts (or casinos, truckstops, rest areas, etc.) are for, I guess.


RoyB-Thanks. We've seen Medicine Park---very cool little town. Next time we're in that neck of the woods we'll keep it in mind.

Off Pavement-We'd like water and electric hookups this time around. I've tent camped before, as I think the wife has. We'd like to plug in this time around but will look at the links. Thanks.

sdianel-It seems like weekends are the problem. Looking at websites, we can often get a place for Sunday...but not Saturday. We're both in our fifties, need to report to work on Monday, so that poses a problem.

We're very new to this, having just bought our first Chinook. Some of the problem may be that everyone wants to see the fall foliage. I guess we'll have to start planning in advance. That's a shame because we were hoping for a bit more spontaneity.

Moved from Class C.

www.recreation.gov has Corps of Engineers campgrounds you could check. Some have hookups and some don't. If you want weekend camping you probably will have to make reservations in state parks or corps of engineers parks. During the week you can usually find sites available. (Sun-Thurs)

If you definition of boondocking is camping outside an established campground, then perhaps a National Forest campground would work for you.

In Texas, USFS lists these campgrounds though I don't know where in the state they are located...

Texas Natl Forest Campgrounds

In Oklahoma and Arkansas, USFS lists these campgrounds and again I'm not familiar with the state locations without researching more...

Arkansas and Oklahoma USFS Campgrounds

We always enjoyed Camp Doris at Wichita Mtns Wildlife Refuge at Medicine Park OK...

Might want to check it out... You can kick around the three or four fishing lakes there or do some trails... Of course lots of wildlife to see including Buffalo, Elk, and Deer... Also have a Prairie Dog city...

They have both hookup and non hookup sites...

Thanks for the reply. I wondered about the forum. I realize that tent camping sites may differ from those who need 50 amp service etc. so I thought size might matter. But I'll notify mod.

You might ask a moderator to move this to RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions as you might get more hits. I know that if you go the Oklahoma State Parks and plug in the dates, it will show you which parks have spaces and how many. Happy travels.

It's according to what time of year and the area you are looking at. If it's outside a tourist area, then reservations may be required year round.

In our area, reservations are usually only needed at our state parks for holiday weekends and weekends during the summer. There may be a need in October during "leafing" season, but that's it.

We go to Hunting Island SP in SC and you HAVE to have reservations no matter what time of year you go and if it's during spring break, from Memorial Day to Labor Day or Thanksgiving weekend, you need to make reservations about 13 months in advance to get a spot up near the ocean. 3-4 months will get you a spot, usually.