WI-Fi at camp grounds

[Kokomoslow]

I'm new to campground camping and my wife and I are going to be spending about three months in them, a different one every day or three.
I was interested on how I get internet access. Would it be mostly Wi-Fi ?
I guess I would like to know what to expect at a normal hookup. So when I'm planning this trip I can make sure we stop at the one that have internet when we need to talk to the kids and check on our house.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

It depends on the campground. I believe that most "camping resorts" such as KOA's have wi-fi, but you probably won't find it at smaller private campgrounds. Best thing would be to research the campgrounds before your visit.

[jstrubberg]

Out experience is that many offer wifi at the office, few have wifi available at your campsite.

[mechmagcn]

My experience during a 4 month trip out west and in AK last year was to not expect to find wi-fi in the park. Your best bet will be a smart phone that you can tether your laptop to or better yet, just use the phone to get online.

[GuitarPhotog]

During my travels, I have found Wi-Fi only in RV Parks, once in a private campground, and never in State and National parks and campgrounds.

I depend on my smartphone for internet connection while traveling, but sometimes there isn't even cell phone service at State parks. On this summer's 3-week, 2500 mile trip, I had cell phone / data service at two of three state parks and Wi-Fi only at the two RV Parks where I stayed one night each on my trip home. At Jedediah Smith State Park in northern Calif, there was no cell service for miles, and I had to drive 12 miles into town to get a signal.

In short, don't count on it unless you are staying places like KOAs and RV Parks.

<Chas>

[RKH]

In May of this year, I found that Iowa has free wi-fi in the rest areas along I-80.

[Redgloves]

In May of this year, I found that Iowa has free wi-fi in the rest areas along I-80.

Iowa has offered free WiFi at rest areas for many years.

[mary and bob]

We found a few state parks in SC with limited area WiFi. In a situation like a campground with many users it becomes very slow or unusable. We ended up with a Verizon Jetpack and are very happy with it using our iPad 2. Monthly fee for us is about $50, or you can get it set up to turn it on for a limited time, not sure just how that works. Usually McDonalds and Burger King have free WiFi and many car dealers do. Some places you will need a password to use it.

[PKCSPT]

Minnesota is trying it out in just a couple of their state parks as a trial, see how it is received and used by campers.

I have a feeling it will become more common, for people who full time it is ok but I like being unplugged.

[mustangcats]

I recently read that Ames, Iowa discontinued wifi hotspots throughout the city due to low usage. City officials thought it would be popular but it turned out that so many people have smart phones and other ways to access the internet. So I wonder if this would be the case in state parks and other camping areas. When I went to Yellowstone this summer I had to rely on McDonald's for wifi access to check my emails every few days and send trip updates to friends back home.

[Kokomoslow]

Thanks to all, I'm not a Wi-Fi junkie, Slow. I was just looking for a way to stay in touch with the kids, grand kids. And make sure the house had not burned down.
On a three or four month trip we will need to pay bills, and do banking. We have no particular place to go or be. This trip is for us to see all the great places this United States of America has to offer. You know its too bad that there isn't a USA fishing license, good in every state. Tanks again

[PKCSPT]

I think a USA fishing license is a great idea, an all inclusive state parks pass would be nice to.

[notned]

Around here the public libraries have wifi.

[kayakdlk]

On long camping trips we usually do our WIFI (Pay bills, check email, etc.) while we we do our laundry every 5-6 days. Helps pass the time waiting on the washer an dryer. We usually stay at a KOA for that night to shower, do laundry and have WIFI. When we go into town for groceries we have used fast food joints like McDonalds and coffee shops, etc.

I personally don't see the point to go camping and sit at your tent, or in front of your RV plugged into you phone or laptop all evening. Before most camping trips I charge the phone turn it off and put it in the car in case of an emergency. I figure anyone wanting to get a hold of me can wait the few days until I get back.

A few years ago we went on a 3 week camping trip up to the Tetons and Yellowstone and stopped by the lodge in the Tetons to check out the view and animals one evening. The lodge had a full front view of the meadow. I think we were about the only ones looking out the window and on the deck. Everyone else was sitting in the Lobby plugged into their phone or laptops.

[jstrubberg]

I use my phone and tablet quite a bit when we camp. Enough that I paid the extra ten bucks a month to hotspot my phone so I could connect the tablet whenever.

I look up constellations, flowers, tree leaves, animal movement patterns...