How many people are camping and how far are they traveling?

we're still taking three major trips a year, about 4000 miles for two and 2000 for the third one. this year, we're taking a cruise in place of one trip...and spending more on it ):

Iluv2camp13 wrote:How many people are camping and how far are they traveling?This week we are traveling 240 Miles to camp for 3 days. For us it is less expensive than staying in a motel, or condo. Gas for the trip around $175.00. Campsite, with tax, $165. Total, $340. 3 nights in a condo. $600+ 3 nights in a motel room, actually 2 rooms. $600+. SO. It's pretty plain to see. The camper is a better value.

Will go on 4-6 four day weekends, less than 120 miles round trip, and one trip to beach around 500 miles round trip. Our beach stay is six nights on the beach for $209 plus fuel approximately $200 for diesel. We eat our own food and sleep is our own bed. Can't get this at a hotel or condo. Loving every minute of it. Travel on.

No one ever said RVing was cheap...either suck it up and get out there and enjoy yourselves OR park the RV

Now that we are a 1 house owner couple again, our finances are not so tight. We'll be camping a lot more this year. Farthest trip will be from (near) Indianapolis to North Western Iowa (approximately 500 (plus) miles). That's the farthest we'll be going this year. But several week-end trips planned more local (all within Indiana - longest distance one way, about 150 miles). It's not the distance you travel to go camping, it's what the purpose is for going in the first place. If all you want is a get-away, camp in your driveway and close the windows so you can't see out and pretend you're somewhere. However, if you are going to an event, visit relatives, or even for business, then there's a purpose. Of course recreation is a purpose also? Boating, canoeing, hicking, ATV's =, sporting events, all excellent reasons to go somewhere!The older we get, we want to get "away" for a purpose. We live in the country and, as far as 'getting away' for the sake of just 'getting away'.... fact is ... we're already "there"! So, before we leave our solitude, DARK nights, peace and quiet, no traffic, no kids running through our campsite, cars blowing horns, and obnoxious people who have had too much "bubbly" next door, we've got to have a good reason to go somewhere now! So we are planning for a purpose now! Not just to "get away!"

Camping in this economy | Good Sam Community

KFS
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
mister_d wrote:
We are a family that is struggling in this economy... part of the middle class that is slipping down. The way I see it, my kids will only this age once and as a parent I'm going to do my darndest to give them every experience I can. We sacrifice in every way possible so that our camping season is filled. We have 53 nights planned over 8k miles this year.

Yep.

My kids are 14 and 16. I suspect I can count on one hand the numbers of summers they will be free to spend with dear old mom and dad.
noe-place
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
We've been to Florida so far this spring. Flying up to Alaska next week but no RV. When we get back, we're going to Lake George NY in the MH. I hope.
KFS
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
We tend to camp an hour from home with friends at a nearby lake.

A "long" trip for us is usually within 2 hours. We have traveled to the kid's sport tournaments. We love doing it but I have to weigh the cost of the fuel to tow versus just taking the family car and getting a hotel. I find the camper can still win, even at today's gas prices, when I factor in not having to eat out and everyone getting to sleep in beds they are used to.
kckettridge
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
We try to do 6 to 8 trips a year. One being about 10 days, the others on weekends and of course Memorial Day Weekend. The 10 day trip is usually 200 - 250 miles (one way) and the weekend or 3 day weekend trips are between 60 and 100 miles (one way). This year for Memorial Day, we did something a little different and we brought our boat with us to New Melones Lake in the Gold Country of California. We will be doing that again later in June to another Lake in No. Calif and again sometime in July or August; maybe to Lake Tahoe.
pawatt
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
We will take a 5000 mile trip & several shorter ones.
crasster
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2013
Well RV'ing is expensive no doubt.

The cheapest traveling would be to get a 4 cylinder MPG eco friendly special, haul across the country, staying for free in national parks in tents. LOL

But I do think many people love RV'ing and have seen a lot of locals at campgrounds around my home.
relaxin
Explorer
May 31, 2013
YUP, goin,, goin,,, gone, tomorrow for 3 nights at turkey point just to shake off the dust, 9 days at inverhuron next month, another 3 possibly elora in august, 5 in September at rondeau, and 5 in October at long point,, then to top it off possibly some room service camping at an inn in Stratford for a couple days of theater before it closes for the season

I use to do 32 to 35 nights spring to fall and then a week trip in the winter to some inn or resort for some room service camping.
that slowed to about 10 days total during the recession and has slowly been coming back
tomman58
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Interesting,
I go 170 miles to pick up trailer at our other home .................
then we will go 211 miles for a few days at the casino for kicks.............
fuel ... who knows
site ..... free
food ..... free
firewood ....... free the woods are full of it LOL

Cost don't know but if we don't do good at the casino could be a lot!
mister_d
Explorer
May 29, 2013
PAThwacker wrote:
I just spent $180 on fuel, $150 site, $200 food, $50 firewood, and other costs for a 3 day venture 100 miles south east.

Just remember you would have spent a little on gas and the same on food at home.
PAThwacker
Explorer
May 29, 2013
I just spent $180 on fuel, $150 site, $200 food, $50 firewood, and other costs for a 3 day venture 100 miles south east.