National Park Alternatives

The music in Wash is picken up, the show will start soon. Lights are dimming. The water is starting to boil, won't be long they will start putting us in.

wxtoad wrote:
Monkey44 wrote: "The alternatives to overnight camping/Rv'ing in national parks for any length of time are very expensive."

I don't think that's necessarily true. There are lots of other types of public campgrounds available, ranging from state parks to city and county parks. State park costs, of course, vary from state to state, but there are some good deals out there.

Trying to find these alternatives? Try The Ultimate US Public Campground Project which lists over 18,400 publicly-owned camping facilities.

Ted H.

Yes, but not so easy to plan that kind of trip with short notice, and 3000 miles from home. Alternatives work well in the planning stage, but not when suddenly stuck (kicked out of NP) on a road like H-395 in CA. Very difficult to find something like that when traveling, even using the www.Allstays site, which is pretty good too.

We found a couple full, and a couple where we'd never stay even under these conditions. We ended up several nights in hotels -

It also depends on where you were when the shutdown occurred. We came out of the forest and had no clue because we had minimal ISP for that last week or so - suddenly, slam the gates and without even a good-bye.

Monkey44 wrote: "The alternatives to overnight camping/Rv'ing in national parks for any length of time are very expensive."

I don't think that's necessarily true. There are lots of other types of public campgrounds available, ranging from state parks to city and county parks. State park costs, of course, vary from state to state, but there are some good deals out there.

Trying to find these alternatives? Try The Ultimate US Public Campground Project which lists over 18,400 publicly-owned camping facilities.

Ted H.

soos wrote:
We went to a national monument in the boonies which is usually just a self pay envelope to get in. Doesn't cost the government much that way, but the other day it was closed, and there was someone parked, blocking the entrance to make sure no one got in. So stupid, It cost more to keep it closed than open!

Soos, every wonder why our debt is so high???

We went to a national monument in the boonies which is usually just a self pay envelope to get in. Doesn't cost the government much that way, but the other day it was closed, and there was someone parked, blocking the entrance to make sure no one got in. So stupid, It cost more to keep it closed than open!

There are many, many, places in our National Forests to dry camp and are not affected by the shutdown. I learned of these places during my youth in a tent. As I got older I found areas within these areas where I could get my Travel Trailer and later my Class A. I am longing for one of them right now.

I think the same stage act is being performed in Washington today that we saw a few years back. I have a front row seat. But if you want to come, you must bring your own tomatos.

Yup, been camping and RV'ing most of my life - always a backup plan. Sitting in Las Vegas waiting it out, but it's MY wallet, and I don't believe it's appropriate for the shutdown to affect it the way it has.

Our plan was "national parks" - we own them, and I believe this shutdown is not legal. The major issue is not finding 'something to do', it's the economic impact of losing the parks to camp/overnight. EVERY other option is at least three times as expensive - and we have no interest in sitting in a Walmart lot every night - that's ridiculous. Once again, the little guy takes the brunt of this stupidity and EGO gratification in congress.

It costs NOTHING to leave the gates open in primitive areas and BLM land. But, that's still taken away.

And one other thing, the impact on foreign visitors and that revenue stream (a huge number based on how many languages we hear in the parks) will take years and years to overcome.

Crowe wrote:
Local places? Accept if you're 3000 miles from home, plan on using the America the Beautiful pass and camping in national parks. The alternatives to overnight camping/Rv'ing in national parks for any length of time are very expensive.

I feel for anyone who's been caught in the crossfire of this mess but anyone who goes into the lifestyle of RVing should go into it with eyes-and wallet-wide open. There should always be a Plan B. Any campground can close for unexpected reasons at any time while you are mid-travels. And sometimes you just have to suck it up and head home. Been there, done that. It stinks but sometimes reality bites.

Back east we head to the Beach or the lakes if you stop at the old friend Wal*Mart on the way and back you can save a few dollars against the private CG's -- also PA works to keep the $ down.

There is still a lot you can do for a little.

JMHO,

Local places? Accept if you're 3000 miles from home, plan on using the America the Beautiful pass and camping in national parks. The alternatives to overnight camping/Rv'ing in national parks for any length of time are very expensive.

I feel for anyone who's been caught in the crossfire of this mess but anyone who goes into the lifestyle of RVing should go into it with eyes-and wallet-wide open. There should always be a Plan B. Any campground can close for unexpected reasons at any time while you are mid-travels. And sometimes you just have to suck it up and head home. Been there, done that. It stinks but sometimes reality bites.