RV parks/camp grounds

We also started out trying to keep the cost down and came to realize that the best places we have camped were free or very cheap. I first try to use freecampsites.net and go from there depending on the area that we are in. If it's in an area we just want to get through we will stay at a truck stop or walmart as last resort. I believe the only time we have had a reservation was in Moab during a busier time.

If you qualify for the geezer pass you can cut the price in half at many places like dept of agriculture or blm pay sites etc.

When I use a website like freecampsites I will scout the area first with google earth and street view to see if it's compatible with larger rigs. Sometimes the listing or the users reviews will say what size rigs can access it or how the roads are etc. I sometimes find a place to park and ride my bike in first to see if there is room to turn around and how tight it is. Boondocking also opens the door to how you are set up to camp and what your energy management system is.

So, we shoot for free and end up doing it very cheaply. Iirc last year we paid a few dollars a night average. Escapees club will let you dry camp at their parks cheaply with water and dump available.

RV Parks, resorts, camps etc. vary a lot in looks, amenities, scenic beauty, etc. There is some consistency in KOA franchised RV parks. They offer call-ahead reservations and discount plans and have generally clean restrooms and shower facilities, convenience stores and campsite hookups. AAA provides "trip tiks" showing your planned route and RV camps along the way. If playing by ear, find an RV park by 3-4PM and get settled for the night. Prices per night vary but an average of $45 with full hookups is probably common. US and state forest camps are popular and many require reservations 6 months in advance. Local events and national holidays often mean that forest camps are full-up. Some Walmart stores allow parking overnight, without charge, depending on local regulations. RV resorts are usually fancy intended for large Class A motorhomes and are expensive for well healed RV'ers. You'll probably get a ton of advice
as this is a big complex subject. Don't get caught trying to find an RV park after dark and seeing nothing but no vacancy signs. Don't park in rest stops to sleep, there is danger of being harassed or worse by local yokels.

Thank you for the input.
Another question- It seems there needs to be some kind of affiliation needed to stay here or there.
I am a GS member due to my recent RV purchase. Is there any benefits for being retired military or being a veteran? Are there any affiliations that just stand above the rest?

Some general terms:

RV Park - private park, almost always with full hookups, often minimal space between sites, frequently located within walking or short driving distance to restaurant(s), stores, etc. Usually offers laundry facilities, shower facilities, and often a convenience store. Might have a golf course nearby.

Private Campgrounds - usually a resort style campground with planned activities for the kids and adults, convenience stores, swimming pool, etc. Set in a more rural setting than an RV Park and may have cabins/yurts for rent and/or a section for tents. Often has at least electrical and water at the sites and a dump station nearby.

Public Campgrounds - these are the federal, state, and local government owned campgrounds and vary the most. They can be extremely difficult to get reservations for (National Park campgrounds) or they can offer free boondocking locations (Bureau of Land Management - BLM). They vary greatly on amenities such as hookups, convenience stores, restroom facilities, planned activities, etc. They vary greatly as to location and closeness to urban and/or tourist centers.

Of the public campgrounds, the most common choices are:

National Park Campgrounds - these are the most difficult to get into and, unless you can go in the off season and on a weekday, you will most likely find that reservations are needed. In each park, you will usually find at least one campground with hookups, but it will fill up the fastest (again, reservations being needed more than likely). There is usually at least one campground that is "first come first served" but you will have to be there early to get a spot.

National Forest/Grassland Campgrounds - these vary depending on the region. In the west, these are in the mountains away from urban/tourist areas and have no hookups. Bathroom facilities can vary from flush toilets and showers to pit toilets only. They are usually fairly inexpensive and are preferred by campers.

Corps of Engineers (COE) - these are often built around man-made reservoirs, etc. They cater to outdoor summer activities (boating, skiing, hiking, fishing, etc.). Vary on hookups and facilities. Usually fairly inexpensive.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - these lands are great for boondocking (see below).

State Parks - these vary GREATLY depending on the state. Some states are free, some charge as much as $70 a night; some have full hookups, some have nothing; some have all sorts of activities, some have nothing; and so on; some are minutes away from urban areas, some are hours away... Ask about a particular state's system for specific information.

City/County Parks - these are often located right in the middle of a town and can be a jewel in a haystack. Rules vary between cities/counties but are often more relaxed than their fellow state parks.

Camping Terms:

Full Hookups - electricity, water, sewer on site; often with cable/internet on site.

Dry Camping - no hookups on site.

Boondocking (aka Dispersed Camping) - dry camping outside of a developed campground. This is usually free camping. BLM lands mostly allow you to boondock for a certain number of days. There are some rules about how far off the road you can go, specific areas that are prohibited, etc., so always get with the local office for any pertinent information.

Overnighting - this is what folks do when they park at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel or rest stop for the night.

Stealth Camping - this is "usually" illegally parking on a street overnight and trying not to be noticed by the locals (hence the "stealth").

Hope that helps. Folks will interchange these terms a lot but if you keep them separated in your head, you will have an easier time figuring out what you want to do and how to ask for help in doing it.

Military Campgrounds website

Kailua wrote:
Thank you for the input.
Another question- It seems there needs to be some kind of affiliation needed to stay here or there.
I am a GS member due to my recent RV purchase. Is there any benefits for being retired military or being a veteran? Are there any affiliations that just stand above the rest?

Use the above website to find information about military campgrounds. I have found the reviews to be pretty accurate. Normally eligibility will be limited to active or retired military with some open to DOD civilians, contractors or retirees. I haven't seen too many open to Veterans.

By the way, just because a campground calls their facility a "Resort" doesn't mean they are one.

You can use Rvparkreviews.com to get user reviews and prices paid for many RV parks and campgrounds. But take some of the reviews with a grain of salt.

And although resort implies something upper level and therefore high priced, the term resort can be used by anyone wanting to make their place sound high end. We have often stayed at an RV park in southern Colorado with resort in their name. They do have lots of amenities, but is not what I would consider within the meaning of resort. And although their standard RV sites are in the $30+ range, they have a long term area (month or more) for under $20/night. But they are only open late May to mid Sept. .

You'll find that this forum has folks who hate to reserve ahead, prefer the freedom to change plans...and others (like me) who enjoy the process of mapping out every tiny detail in advance. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

I like to book online and have a printed confirmation, but you can pick up the phone at lunchtime and give them a credit card for that night. Or just show up by 6 p.m. or so. Some places even post signs after the office is closed telling you to pick a site and pay in the morning.

Pay attention to cancellation fees even if they don't mention on the phone (ask) before giving a cc, just in case. Some places have hefty canx fees, others have none.

Whether or not you need reservations varies by where and when, all of us might agree.

Resort/heavily touristed area in high season, probably.

Weekends and holidays, good idea to reserve ahead or at least call a day or two out.

High demand and low price (state park on the water in Florida Keys, for example), almost impossible to GET a reservation the minute the booking window opens), though you can always show up and ask.

Off season when kids are back in school, reservations generally not needed, unless there's an event like the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

Mid-afternoon at a place along the interstate is usually easy enough to get because they cater to over nighters.

There are some handy apps like Allstays Camp & RV that can locate campgrounds.

For economy state parks offer the most bang for the buck generally speaking. Everything else is semantics.

I forgot to mention that there is often a shortage of RV parks etc., in or around large cities like Los Angeles and Orange County, CA. Boston is not RV friendly, RV's are not allowed to park on narrow congested Boston streets and parking facilities are too low for RV's. You can find RV parks outside of cities like Boston, San Francisco etc.,that offer shuttle bus service to tourist attractions. You can also rent a small car and even have it delivered to an RV park for a trip into the city. Oregon and Washington State are RV friendly and appreciate RV'ers money. It's best to plan trips carefully and make enquiries and reservations to avoid disappointments. Scheduled events can fill campsites for miles around the event area. We have enjoyed state fairs, rodeos and airshows along our cross country trip routes.

There are campground guides that describe and rate the facilities. (See AAA or CAA). You will develop preferences as you go. Check the aerial maps to see the campground.
Prices are usually in line with the quality (but not always). Scenic features go down when you get close to big cities.
Check the facilities available. You may not always need full hookup -- while in transit you can go a few days without a dump. We spent a 2-week stretch in a site with no sewer, but they did have honeywagon service (and a dump station).
Decide if you need a pull-through or can stand a back-in.