We are new Snowbirds that are planning on leaving Calgary on Dec 28th (depending on weather)for Scottsdale, Az. & returning early March. We are asking if someone can advise info on travel tips and campgrounds that will be available in the winter. I know that Good Sam has Trip Planning but does not provide this info. If you ask for GS, private campgrounds & truckstops etc. that is helpful. Yes, I know that it is not the time to be travelling but with Christmas, family and our 1st trip South we wanted to try it for a shorter period of time.Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

On the Good Sam Plan a trip web site you can select as below - We use it for off season camping and it is highly accurate, just click the box for open all yearCampingPark Features Big Rigs Internet Access Pets Welcome Swimming Open All Year Tent Camping Onsite Rentals (Cabins, etc) Age Restrictions May Applyhttp://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/Default.aspx

In this part of the US(west central Illinois and south through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, etc) we don't plan on being in our RV in mid-winter until we get to at least southern Illinois. Open campgrounds will be few and far between north of there although there are some private ones open all year. In some of the state parks which are technically open all year, the dump stations and water may not be open but there might be a heated bathroom for water. I would plan and call ahead to verify what is open.

www.woodalls.com has an "open all year" search option. Search city first, then scroll down to advanced options.

sdianel wrote:www.woodalls.com has an "open all year" search option. Search city first, then scroll down to advanced options.Woodalls and Good Sam are one and the same now since about a year ago.

The farther west you can get the better chances of no snow and warmer temps you will have. The Willamette valley rarely sees snow on the valley floor. However you will have to cross the Siskiyous to get to Kalifornia.

Year round Campgrounds | Good Sam Community

hermy
Explorer
Dec 20, 2013
As far as tips go- just keep a good eye on the weather ahead of you using whatever web sites you like. If you do go thru Salt Lake try to get to the south end of it before you stop for the night. It will make your next day a lot easier. If Salt Lake doesn't interest you we usually use an alternative route thru Nevada that has good roads and no traffic (Jackpot, Ely, Hiway 318 into Vegas). Don't worry, we do this all the time. You'll have lot's of company on the road. Have fun!
hermy
Explorer
Dec 20, 2013
Sorry- I meant Scottsdale not Mesa.
hermy
Explorer
Dec 20, 2013
I guess I figured you would go straight south on 15 thru Helena, mt continuing on thru Salt Lake and on to Vegas. In Helena there is Lincoln rd RV park just off the interstate with fuel available close by. It's another 8 hours to Salt Lake where there are many year round parks. In Vegas we stay at Samstown and from there it is a hop, skip and a jump to Mesa
gotsmart
Explorer
Dec 20, 2013
Some fun links. On I-5 if you're not prepared to use chains or even carry chains in southern Oregon, then consider jumping off of I-5 in Albany, OR and taking OR-20 to Newport then take 101 south into California - until you can cross back to I-5 south of the mountains.

I like taking 99W out of Portland, OR to McMinnville. Then OR-18 from McMinnville to Lincoln City, then 101 south. OR-18 is a really nice road and drives right past Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde. In Lincoln City there is Chinook Winds Casino.

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/Pages/winterdriving.aspx
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/Pages/winterdriving.aspx#Chains_and_traction_tires
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/CRO/pages/answer_team.aspx#chain_and_traction_tire_questions

http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/chain-laws.asp As seen on Oregon roads:

http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/minimum-chain-requirements.asp
jackthebear46
Explorer
Dec 20, 2013
Thanks for the info,much appreciated.
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2013
The farther west you can get the better chances of no snow and warmer temps you will have. The Willamette valley rarely sees snow on the valley floor. However you will have to cross the Siskiyous to get to Kalifornia.
rr2254545
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
sdianel wrote:
www.woodalls.com has an "open all year" search option. Search city first, then scroll down to advanced options.

Woodalls and Good Sam are one and the same now since about a year ago.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
www.woodalls.com has an "open all year" search option. Search city first, then scroll down to advanced options.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
In this part of the US(west central Illinois and south through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, etc) we don't plan on being in our RV in mid-winter until we get to at least southern Illinois. Open campgrounds will be few and far between north of there although there are some private ones open all year. In some of the state parks which are technically open all year, the dump stations and water may not be open but there might be a heated bathroom for water. I would plan and call ahead to verify what is open.
rr2254545
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
On the Good Sam Plan a trip web site you can select as below - We use it for off season camping and it is highly accurate, just click the box for open all year

Camping
Park Features
Big Rigs
Internet Access
Pets Welcome
Swimming
Open All Year
Tent Camping
Onsite Rentals (Cabins, etc)
Age Restrictions May Apply

http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/Default.aspx

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