Forum Discussion

sabconsulting's avatar
Apr 02, 2013

Resources for locating campgrounds

As many of you know by now we will be visiting Overland Expo in AZ in May. However, we are not going directly there, we are flying into Denver a week before, then flying out a week after, and in between travelling in a small class B camper van.

Of course, we camp a lot in Europe in our truck camper; I have driven many miles in the US; but strangely to date we have never camped in the US :R.

So I need some help when it comes to locating campgrounds. My GPS shows campgrounds near our route, but on investigating on the internet many appear to cater to those who want to turn up in a 40ft coach and park up for 3 months.

As a couple in our 40s without children and who like nature we are looking more for campgrounds (whether commercial or national park) with the following features:

1) Scenic.
2) Quiet.
3) Just staying 1 night at each location.
4) Somewhere we don't have to book - i.e. we can just turn up one evening in May.
5) Electric hook-up would be nice.
6) Ideally somewhere nearby we can fill up with water / dump tanks.
7) Ideally a shower / toilet block nearby

5,6 and 7 are nice to haves, but not necessary everywhere.

Because this is a compact vehicle (E-series van) then some boondocking might be possible (e.g. on forestry land, I don't mean Walmart), but I wouldn't know where we could do that.

So, are there any good resources for searching for campgrounds that match the above criteria? E.g. websites, books.

The rough route we will take will be from Denver South past Great Sand Dunes to White sands, West to Tucson, then North to Expo near Flagstaff, then returning North East via Mesa Verde and maybe Rocky Mountain NP. So if anyone has any specific recommendations on that route they would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys,

Steve.
  • To get what you want look to the State, County and City parks. The State and County Parks are on most GPS road maps. The City Campgrounds you have to stop in the City and ask. We do that often and find most City Campgrounds really nice.
  • Many of the states have state park apps. Pocket Ranger and Oh! Ranger are coming out with new ones all the time - check google play or the apple store.

    Additionally, there are three decent campgrounds around Great Sand dunes plus boondocking if you have 4 wheel drive. Check Sand Dunes National park, San Luis State Park (which is across a lake from the dunes and has electric and larger spread out sites), and Zapata Falls (BLM land).

    Check BLM and forest service sites for each state as well as state parks. New Mexico and Arizona have some great ones.
  • Offer stands for Nathrop Colo. IF you're coming down Colo 285 out of Denver. It's roughly 3-3.5 hours down the road from DIA (airport). Up to 28' length. OR if you prefer, there's 2 campgrounds there, one is at the turn off to my park, the other is at Johnson's Village 6miles north of me (KOA).

    I also know of several spots to Boondock if you are interested. Places I could take my 28' class C if I wanted.

    Here's a link to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I haven't been there in several year, however.

    clicky
  • RICKIM's avatar
    RICKIM
    Explorer III
    Hey guys, as they say "there's an app for that"

    We've always had good luck with this....

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camp-rv-tent-camping-to-rv/id370820516?mt=8

    Good luck

    Rick and Kim
  • Do you have an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or one of the Android devices of that ilk? If so, there are apps for that. One of the is from Allstays, another from Woodalls, and there are others. I recommend the Allstays one in combination with Woodalls, or the Good Sam on from Trailer Life.

    There is also a good one called RecGovCamp which is specific to National Parks.

    Do be aware that the last weekend in May is likely going to require a reservation as EVERYBODY goes camping then.