Winter Camping??

[DiploStrat]

One of the nice things about our Tiger is that it is very comfortable in cold weather. We are in New York State, visiting family and want to extend our trip to include some regional tourism. Trick is, that every campsite that we can find, both state and private, seems to be closed until May. 😞

Being completely self contained, we don't need hookups, but we do need a legal place to park for the night. Anyone got any ideas? Is there some code we have not cracked. I really don't want to simply have to resort to using hotels.

I realize that this is not, strictly speaking, a truck camper issue, but, in my experience, truck campers are more likely to be using their campers in cold weather than some other folk. (Be gentle, we are new to camping in the US.)

[Merrykalia]

Using Woodalls, I found 37 campgrounds in NY that are open year round.

[jefe_4x4]

DiploS,
This is a very good topic for us. We are planning a 16 week (Sept. 1 to New Years Day) tour of the Northern Tier, and around the country clockwise taking in Leaf Peeper season and moving south as winter closes in. I have done some research as to which, if any, campgrounds and RV sites are open between October and January, and find most are closed for the season. This should get better as we move south. It's good to have feedback on how to find the open ones. Our plan includes at least one high bucks hotel per week to get out of the chill. (Diplo, our puny Lance does not have as good an R value as your rig, so we'll just use more propane and move almost every day) Our plan includes stealth camping, which we have done with great success in cities, large and small. Just remember: stealth camping works better if your rig does not change shape or look like anyone is home. There is planning involved. Tioga George and our own BKA are my heroes in stealth camping.
Currently, I'm working on steps up to the camper that will easily detach and hang on and bungee to the ladder once we're in for the night. I'm even looking into painting the entire truck and camper in some kind of stealth color that does not draw attention to itself. Maybe a flat UPS brown or shades of a dark, flat grey. This may be beyond the realm of this topic, but I've been reading again a book entitled,
"The Art of Deception in Warfare" by Michael Dewar; David and Charles, publishers.
One standout, so to speak, was the short use of Mountbatten Pink on the jeeps of the SAS in N. Africa, circa 1942. The color was just comical in the sunlight, but when the sun went down the jeeps simply disappeared. Something about your eye not registering that color in low light levels.
Diplo, thanks again for starting this topic.
regards, as always, jefe

[ticki2]

Depends on where in NYS , some places are easier than others . Ski areas are often accommodating .

[pianotuna]

Hi

I on occasion use Church Parking lots. I always ask permission. Bonus is that there is often a 15 amp shore power outlet available.

I've been known to park on the street beside a motel or hotel.

Sometimes I'll search here:

allstays

[pjay9]

Walmart, HD, Lowes, Cracker Barrel, truck stops, Just do it and if you are told to move on play dumb and be nice, ask where it would be good to pull up...SMILE!!!

[K_Charles]

Go to woodhalls, put in NY, then filter camping and open all year. You won't get them all but I think there will be 30 or 40. That not all of them but it's an easy start.
There is a link to Woodall at the top if this page, click on campgrounds

[evanrem]

I can't speak for new York but in Wisconsin most of the state parks leave a small
Number of sites open/plowed over the winter.