I've got an El Monte C28 booked for September thru October later this year. I'm flying in from the UK and picking up in NJ I want to cover Niagara Falls, then down thru the Smokey Mnts. Blue Ridge to Memphis, then on to New Orleans. Returning back thru Alabama Georgia, South & North Carolina's, Virginia, Delaware, to NJI don't fancy paying $130 a night so what's best a Good Sam card? a mix of Sites and Boondocking? How safe is it to just drive and then look for a site?I guess Niagara would be best to reserve before I come, but do I need to reserve everything or can I just "wing it"?Any help or advice would be most welcome.

You might consider Harvest HOsts. You can stay for free or low cost for one night generally. But you are mostly boondocking, so no hookups. Wouldn't want to do it everyday as you would run your batteries down, but it would give you a break from campground fees. These are safer as they are on family farms, wineries, museums, etc.I haven't ever run into $130 fees. . . more in the $50-60 range, but in big touristy areas you might.Dale

Thanks Dale, I'll take a look. I'm moving on every day, most days, so batteries shouldn't be a problem. I will try to stay on RV sites where the prices are reasonable. I can't seem to get a Good Sam card they only accept USA/Canada on their membership registration page...

130 is crazy high prices. We average 25 to 35 a night. Usually just call a day or two out to get reservations. Exception would be holidays or special events.

Yes crazy prices, KOA seem to be around $130-$170 a night! Good Sam are much more reasonable. I'm going to try and get a Good Sam discount card.Gerry

I was just quoted $190+ tax etc per night for Oct 2023 at Yogi Bear in MD for a 4 night stay for a wedding. For that I'll fly in and stay 2 nights in a motel! Everything around there seems to be booked up they say for leaf peepers, what ever that is.

Fall 2023 Adventure | Good Sam Community

Scottiemom
Nomad
Mar 13, 2023
You might consider Harvest HOsts. You can stay for free or low cost for one night generally. But you are mostly boondocking, so no hookups. Wouldn't want to do it everyday as you would run your batteries down, but it would give you a break from campground fees. These are safer as they are on family farms, wineries, museums, etc.

I haven't ever run into $130 fees. . . more in the $50-60 range, but in big touristy areas you might.

Dale
LittleEnglander
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Thanks Dale, I'll take a look. I'm moving on every day, most days, so batteries shouldn't be a problem. I will try to stay on RV sites where the prices are reasonable. I can't seem to get a Good Sam card they only accept USA/Canada on their membership registration page...
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 13, 2023
130 is crazy high prices. We average 25 to 35 a night.

Usually just call a day or two out to get reservations. Exception would be holidays or special events.
LittleEnglander
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Yes crazy prices, KOA seem to be around $130-$170 a night! Good Sam are much more reasonable. I'm going to try and get a Good Sam discount card.

Gerry
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2023
I was just quoted $190+ tax etc per night for Oct 2023 at Yogi Bear in MD for a 4 night stay for a wedding. For that I'll fly in and stay 2 nights in a motel! Everything around there seems to be booked up they say for leaf peepers, what ever that is.
LittleEnglander
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Yes I looked at Yogi Bear and they wanted $170 + for the dates I had in September. I have now booked my Niagara site for $80+ tax per night.

I still unsure as to booking other sites down the Smokey mountains, I think I'll just wing it, and hope I can find reasonable rates.
chris3403
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Well I see you already booked Niagara. I was going to suggest Four Mile Creek for around $28 a night and for Memphis I would go on down to Tunica (around 30 miles) and book Hollwood Casino for around $35 a night or Tom Sawyer on the river in West Memphis
chris3403
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
You might want to considering joining Passport America for $44 for a year. It allows you to spend any night Sunday through Thursday for half price.
LittleEnglander
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Thanks Chris, most locations if it's too expensive or full I would just drive on, but at Niagara we need to be close to the falls, so I was getting concerned. So when this one came up at $76 a night I booked it.
LittleEnglander
Explorer
Mar 13, 2023
Thanks again Chris just looked up PassportAmerica and it look exactly what I need. You're a star ***

Gerry

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