Sort of a new camper

[Galen_Manapat]

My wife and I have tent camped over the years, primarily to save money, while traveling the Quebec to Florida eastern seaboard. I can't believe how much tenting costs these days.

A few months back a state park in Pompano Beach Fla. charged us $40.00 per night. Made me not even want to come back to Florida. We used to camp for $6.00 - $8.00 a night. (The Army Corps of engineers sites once were free for up to two weeks).

Since I am getting closer to retirement, we might eventually switch to a towed pop up camper which would make setting up and leaving quicker and easier.

How can you camp/travel at lowest cost? Any tips or advice?

[jefe_4x4]

Whereas it's harder to do in the Rust Belt, Stealth Camping has worked well for us. We just like a wide mix of Bohemian Stealth Camping, even in big cities; Federal/State/County campgrounds with a low fee, and staying at posh Hotels every week or so.
The trick is to have a completely self-contained vehicle that doesn't look like it's camping, but just parked (see below in a regular parking spot). Our 20' long truck camper has worked very well here.

Some over on the TC forum have made it a lifestyle, camping for years and thousands of nights. Stealth camping is an art form and not for the timid. We've never been awakened and asked to move. It's all in the spot you pick, sometimes in plain sight.

[Bonefish]

Doug33 wrote:

Bonefish wrote:
It might not be cheap, but like it better than having to hear doors slamming in a motel.

We stay at state parks, COE & county parks. I can count on one hand the times we have stayed in private parks over our 11 years of road trips.

Sharon

Be happy you don't live in the northeast!

Why?

Sharon

[Doug33]

Bonefish wrote:
It might not be cheap, but like it better than having to hear doors slamming in a motel.

We stay at state parks, COE & county parks. I can count on one hand the times we have stayed in private parks over our 11 years of road trips.

Sharon

Be happy you don't live in the northeast!

[Bonefish]

It might not be cheap, but like it better than having to hear doors slamming in a motel.

We stay at state parks, COE & county parks. I can count on one hand the times we have stayed in private parks over our 11 years of road trips.

Sharon

[Dog_Folks]

Part of Broward county? Then $ 40.00 a night makes perfect sense.

In Florida, the further south and the closer to the coasts you get, the more expensive the parks are just because of location. The least expensive parks can be found inland, at the northern part of the state, away from major attractions.

I lived in Naples,(think way south on the Gulf) my entire adult life. (33 years). Now that we sold our home and travel full time I find it ironic that I can not afford to stay in my "home town." It is just too darn expensive. Besides I still remember when these "resorts" were just cow pasture. LOL

You won't find $10.00 a night parks unless you stay monthly.

[Galen_Manapat]

Galen.Manapat wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
1. Passport America
2. Stay longer to get weekly or monthly rates
3. Get pass to COE parks. 50% off most sites.
4. Expect $25.00 per night average without above. $6.00-$8.00 days are gone with $.29 cent per gallon gas.
5. Careful choices. Do you research. Stay away from big cites that have major attractions.

Would you share the name of the state park in Pompano Beach @ $40.00 per night? I can't find any in that town, on the Florida State Parks website. Perhaps it was a private park and you were confused? Thanks.
There are many many parks in Florida as low as $10.00 per night, (monthly rate) but of course, they will not be on the ocean.

==========================

To:Dog Folks, I think I mispoke. So I correct myself. We camped at Easterlin Park which is I think in Wilton Manor or something like that. That is a part of Broward County Parks.

======================
$10.00 parks, that's the kind of stuff we need to know about. And I'm sure there are a few, (very few) places somewhere where someone might let you sleep over night if you leave the place as "neat" as when you arrived. Nobody likes misbehaving people or campers. Finding those places is the trick.

[Galen_Manapat]

Dog Folks wrote:
1. Passport America
2. Stay longer to get weekly or monthly rates
3. Get pass to COE parks. 50% off most sites.
4. Expect $25.00 per night average without above. $6.00-$8.00 days are gone with $.29 cent per gallon gas.
5. Careful choices. Do you research. Stay away from big cites that have major attractions.

Would you share the name of the state park in Pompano Beach @ $40.00 per night? I can't find any in that town, on the Florida State Parks website. Perhaps it was a private park and you were confused? Thanks.
There are many many parks in Florida as low as $10.00 per night, (monthly rate) but of course, they will not be on the ocean.

==========================

To:Dog Folks, I think I mispoke. So I correct myself. We camped at Easterlin Park which is I think in Wilton Manor or something like that. That is a part of Broward County Parks.

[FunnyCamper]

oh and be sure to check out County Parks. many counties have parks that are extremely reasonable cost and are nice setups. No one really searches the 'county parks' of an area they are visiting. Not many offer camping, but some do and there can be some sweet finds.

[Opie431]

Check out the National Forest and Parks in areas that you want to go to. Some states have state forests that are cheap also.
If you have a site with electricity it will cost more.
Some towns have campgrounds with very little to offer but they are usually very cheap.
If you have a TT you can park overnight free in places that you would not be able to do with a PU.
Do a search on free and cheap campgrounds.

[huachuca]

Golden Age Passport if you're 62 gets you 50% discount on most Federal properties. Dispersed sites in many National Forest campgrounds are free. $6-$10 per night for most of our favorites.

[FunnyCamper]

Also look for deals like 'arrive sunday, stay monday and get tuesday free', some of those special offers are nice and help the cost. Some private cgs, if you get a promotion etc. can be as cheap as state parks etc.

also be smart on spending for everything. eat at the campsite, don't eat out.
take food from home, don't shop special.

like everyone said, nothing is cheap anymore. we all find ways to have our hobbies and enjoy them best we can.

[Doug33]

NJ State CGs used to be $10 a night up until about 5 years ago, and then they doubled the price. On top of that, they now use a web-based reservation system that costs $7 to reserve. And NJ State CGs have no utilities on their sites.

[Dog_Folks]

Bob & Ann wrote:
Dog Folks is pretty well right on. Camping is not as cheap as it was years ago. However nothing is as cheap as it was years ago. I miss buying gas at 25 cents a gallon but we still like to travel.

That is the truth. When gas was $.29 cents, my pay was $1.25 an hour!

[Bob___Ann]

Dog Folks is pretty well right on. Camping is not as cheap as it was years ago. However nothing is as cheap as it was years ago. I miss buying gas at 25 cents a gallon but we still like to travel.