How to find campgrounds near urban areas

[eddie6775]

Hello All, I'm about half way through my little trailer build and figured it was time to start educating myself as to how to find a parking spot. As some of you on this forum know, I'm building my trailer for work as a way to get away from nasty stinky hotels my employer provides. Most of the time I work in rural areas where it's no big deal to just ask a local farmer or someone local if you can tie up some where on there field but in the city? I hadn't given it any thought! The thing that inspired this post is the fact that I'm heading to the Philadelphia area and just for laughs I thought I'd look up camp grounds on line. All I found were a bunch of real estate ads. I know there's a K.O.A. near there but this time of year every Tom, Dick and Harry have all of the spots taken all ready.

Now I don't plan on getting a camp-ground rite away, but I feel the need to be ready for the challenge when the time comes!

Kinda like a fire drill......

[CarlLaFong]

Walmart, the cheapskate's KOA.
We've spent the night at Walmart many times. No horror stories. They are, generally, pretty accommodating. The store in Kalispel, MT actually had an attendant, in a golf cart, to help you park

[eddie6775]

Yeah, from what I understand Wally world is good for an over nighter. However, what I'm gonna end up doing is staying in a spot for almost a month at a time. I wonder if I could pull that off at Wal-Mart....

[GerryS]

It's not free, but I am partial to state parks. What cities are you staying near?

[S. Heisley]

For Pennsylvania camping, you might look here: www.pacamping.com

or call (888)660-7262

[NathanL]

Most state parks around here won't let you stay a month. Most likely for that kind of stay you are looking at a commercial park like a KOA. Woodalls campground book is a pretty good finder for such.

Depending on where you are in the country you might have a hard time finding them not full. Depends on if you where you are going is having an oil/gas drilling boom at the time. Lots of guys from around here are up in PA doing fracking right now and those long term campgrounds stay full everywhere they go for miles around even with many new ones being built for short term gain (2 years or so).

[shootr]

I was a Snap-On dealer for a lot of years in rural areas. My customers were very accommodating in letting me park on their property (a free hat and shirt was cheap rent) - and they helped keep an eye out for undesirables too. I didn't see what you do or who you do it for, but it's a possibility.

[eddie6775]

I was a Snap-On dealer for a lot of years in rural areas. My customers were very accommodating in letting me park on their property (a free hat and shirt was cheap rent) - and they helped keep an eye out for undesirables too. I didn't see what you do or who you do it for, but it's a possibility.

I agree! I work for the rail road and most places we go people are really nice. (I work primarily Eastern PA) I do admit the gas boom is a nuisance though, it's almost impossible to find any type of housing. That's part of the reason I chose to build.

BTW....Thanks Sharon! good links

[S. Heisley]

I think it is pretty much nationwide now that many campgrounds only allow you to stay 2 weeks. It helps keep campgrounds available for the campers and gives other campers a chance to rent a favorite campsite or whatever.

But, if you're in an area for a month, that's only 2 campgrounds. Or, 2 weeks at a campground, one night at a Walmart and then maybe you can hit the same campground again? (I don't know how long you have to be gone before you can camp at the same campground again. That would be something to ask the camp owner.) Also, some private RV campgrounds allow a set number and type of people (construction workers, etc) to rent by the month.

Good luck!

[Wolffarmer]

I think it is pretty much nationwide now that many campgrounds only allow you to stay 2 weeks. It helps keep campgrounds available for the campers and gives other campers a chance to rent a favorite campsite or whatever.

But, if you're in an area for a month, that's only 2 campgrounds. Or, 2 weeks at a campground, one night at a Walmart and then maybe you can hit the same campground again? (I don't know how long you have to be gone before you can camp at the same campground again. That would be something to ask the camp owner.) Also, some private RV campgrounds allow a set number and type of people (construction workers, etc) to rent by the month.

Good luck!

While I haven't read the rules lately they will generally say you have to move a certain distance away. Probably a few miles and you can't come back for a certain number of days.

Randy

[kirkman]

If you have a iphone. some for Androids
Try these apps.
CampWhere (public campground finder)
AllStays Camp & RV
RVParking
Rvpark Finder

[Richard A.]

I'm building my trailer for work as a way to get away from nasty stinky hotels my employer provides. Most of the time I work in rural areas where it's no big deal to just ask a local farmer or someone local if you can tie up some where on there field but in the city? I hadn't given it any thought! The thing that inspired this post is the fact that I'm heading to the Philadelphia area and just for laughs I thought I'd look up camp grounds on line.

Well ... maybe you can stay in the parking lot of the place you are working? It's worth asking.