Camping in a tent site

How about a little history(from my perspective). When I was a kid there were many places to stop and stay that didn't cost much or anything. Then, as I saw it, the homeless took advantage of this opportunity and squatted and it became necessary to stop the availability. So now we don't have too many places to camp without paying for it.

Wow, I really appreciate the quick replies! My dilemma is that I will be moving to the Nashville area, and after hours of research, there doesn't seem to be many boon docking opportunities in the near vicinity of the city. The state parks and BLM land is quite a ways out from the city. Maybe it's a pipe dream to expect cheap/good sites near an urban area...

I definitely plan to spend most months at a regular RV site near the city, but if I could spend a few months 2-4 per year in a place where I don't have to pay close to $500 dollars a month in rent, that would be ideal.

There are a hand full of Army Corps of Engineers sites in the area. The nightly rates are in the $14-16 range. I can't seem to find and info about discounted monthly rates, but if they offer a solid discount, it could be an OK option.

Any other ideas to save a little $$$ and get off the grid while still semi-close to the city?

If you don't mind not having the hookups there are some RV parks and camp sites that are way cheaper than the full hookup RV resorts, and you could save money in those. Several state parks near me are more than 50% cheaper than the Private parks but only have partial hookups or no hookups, but I've never seen a campground with a designated Tent site allow an RV to park in that site.
You sound like you may like boon docking from time to time, and then your site might be free.

toedtoes wrote:
Not in a "tent only" site. No RVs are allowed to camp in "tent only" sites - regardless of whether they use hookups or not. Often "tent only" sites are set off a bit, the vehicles park in a general parking area and then you walk to the individual sites (no vehicle access to the actual site).

That's the way I see it. The space is not set up for an RV.

depending on where you camp, like National forests
where generally all sites are DRY camp no hookups, or privately owned campgrounds
the answer varies

generally TENT sites are smaller, private parks don't usually allow RV's into tent sites

some forest campgrounds have tent only area's.. some rangers will allow a small rv there, others will not

there is NO "pat" answer

i have been in National parks, where a tent was in the site next to me
which is generally open camping, its yours if you fit

they arrived after i did, i will avoid anoying tent campers if possible

Probably not. You can always call and ask but often it's as much about the impact to the site (weight of your RV, Killing the grass, size, access to the site, infrastructure, etc) and no one who wants to tent camp wants an RV sitting amongst them. Tent sites are designed just for that. Believe me, if they could have squeezed an RV site in there they would have. Usually tent sites are what was left over that couldn't support an RV. If you are considering an RV, campsites will be one of the least of your costs. Many CG's will offer a monthly rate. If you want to be off the grid, stay at State Parks or private land (if you ask). Usually they are much less than a private park although they have stay limits.

Not in a "tent only" site. No RVs are allowed to camp in "tent only" sites - regardless of whether they use hookups or not. Often "tent only" sites are set off a bit, the vehicles park in a general parking area and then you walk to the individual sites (no vehicle access to the actual site).