Do you always need an RV Park ? .....

I rarely get involved in these conversations but this one hit home for me. Because when I started in 1978 with my first of 5 class A's the reason I did was because it was self contained and I could be out in the wilderness for a week or more and not worry about negatively affecting in the enviroment. And what I was doing out there was fishing, hunting, dirt biking, sandrailing, fourwheeling and just relaxing. And guess what I didn't pay a dime to be there. Now move forward 20 yrs. my first trip around the United States I stayed in a RV park every night for several months. Which was more enjoyable for me was the first twenty.

What iritates me now is a Class A is designed and sold with a minimum of 7 days of self containment and now cities and counties are trying to force me to stay in their RV parks. I do not mind paying for dry parking at all but why should I have to pay somebody for what I already have a toilet and shower with tanks a generator, refrigerator, stove, microwave, solar power so what's the point of having all this? I guess I understand this new generation of RV'ers that never lived in that era before RV parks but why force all us in that direction?

I'm done!

For overnighing, we do not 'blacktop ' in a public parking lot. We do research gov't lands along our route with unrestricted use, such as wildlife preserves, historical monument turnouts, local gov. sports fields.
Church and school lots are always open to visitors. A donation to the property resolves issues

OP,
Do what you feel is right for you. As someone above said, that is why we have choices. When our destination is more important than the journey, we use Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Truck stop, rest areas, etc. You do you.

I don't like looking out my window and seeing a RV 5' away from me. I enjoy looking out my window and seeing the mountains or desert and maybe another RV 500' away.

Same as wandering aimlessly only about every 3-4 night.

Back in in the day we camped along the edge of the lake with no services. Well you could use the pit toilet if you wanted. I made the guys use it and the women could use the inside clean facilities.

We have done it else where even in rest areas where it was allowed

LandYacht35diesel wrote:
..... or can you BLACK TOP BOONDOCK from time to time ?

My main experience has been with a diesel dually and large truck camper but there are MAJOR LIMITATIONS with that ! Hence my move to a class A

A campground about every fourth night, just to hook up, dump, and refill. We may be at W&E campgrounds those nights, but its not necessary.

2oldman wrote:
I see lots of Class A's in Walmart.

Bet you would see a whole lot more in the local RV Parks.

LandYacht35diesel wrote:

hohenwald48 wrote:
Short answer to your question is simply "yes". The reason is "for more gracious living." If I'm boondocking it's either because I'm broke down or everything is full and I didn't make a reservation.

MUST BE NICE Nashville guy ... not to care about mpg or the price of fuel AND NOW it appears you need an RV Park every night !

I have RVed since the early 80s and I maybe have gone to parks MAYBE 20 times !

I’ve even black topped it in ... Key West !

I’ll bet you went to Bluewater Park.... for 300$ a nite !

More power to ya !

What an arrogant reply. Not helpful to anyone.

I have spent many single nights in parking lots.. Mostly Flying J but some Cracker Barrels and some "other"

As an AARP member I tried to find "J's" with Denny's. Fuel, Park, Go in, Dine, Sleep, Breakfast (Also Denny's) and on to the next Why Denny's (I think it's 15% off with AARP card)

Same with CB but no discount :( Dinner and breakfast,

Other lots .. often did not have an eatery handy but even Wall*mart will often have something that shares the lot.. McD's or Subway or even a decent sit down.
Though I'm not a fan of Wal*mart or McD's now days (McD's used to be decent). But beyond "I'm not a fan" it gets political.