What kind of campsite for a Teardrop?

[LWW]

Thanks. This thread is right on time. The wife and I are leaving the week before Easter for a trip out west. I have been debating whether to try making reservations but we don't have a set return day and travel will be very flexible as to where to first etc. So not doing reservations will work better for us. We will be visiting friends in FL, AL, TX, NM and a visit to the Grand Canyon.
Larry

[Gage]

Thanks. This thread is right on time. The wife and I are leaving the week before Easter for a trip out west.
Larry

Larry, before you guys head out be sure to pick up the latest edition of NEXT EXIT. It tells you where camp grounds/RV parks are along most routes, also grocery stores and restraints. It's a mag that I don't leave home without when traveling cross country.

[LWW]

Thanks Gage. Where do I get it?
Larry

[bdosborn]

Here's a free campground app for android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rvparky.android2

It has a 4.6 rating which is really high for a free app. I have it on my phone but haven't used it yet.

Bruce

[Gage]

Thanks Gage. Where do I get it?
Larry

Camping World is where I got mine in the past. But you can also get them on ebay.'Camping World' has the 2014 edition for sale on ebay now for $12.95 + $6.53 shipping. Don't think the 2015 edition is out yet. The 14 will work. 'happytimesforever' is also selling the mag. for $16.48 and free shipping on ebay.

[Zipline65]

[quote="Gage"][i][b]Who makes reservations?

The only reason we are making reservations is because we are heading to the Florida Keys and very few sites are available at this time of year. We also plan on being at Pensacola Beach for Mardi Gras and wanted to be sure that we could camp at Ft. Pickens.
Our favorite trip would be less structured. We'll be heading out again and be able to roam and stop by whim.
Thanks for your suggestions. We don't have battery power as yet so we will be looking for electric sites. I was thinking KOA might make good places for quick over night stops. I'm just excited to finally get out and give our camper a try.
Liz

[Zipline65]

Just checked Amazon for Next Exit 2015 and they have it available for $16.16.

[jonw]

Having done two month-long cross country trips the past two years I recommend making reservations for in season or on weekends. We found that off-season during the week there was always space available at the campgrounds and RV parks.

Another thing that helped was using the WeCampHere app on our smartphone. We could see what campgrounds were around where we were or were going, and could call up a few hours before arriving to check on availability and make a last minute reservation.

[Vedette]

I have mixed emotions!
I agree with Jon on the "In Season" and "Weekend" reservation requirement.
But, we never ever made reservations until last year. We would arrive late at night and camp wherever there was a space (sometimes not even a designated site) as we are travellers and would be gone the next morning.
Last year we thought we would turn over a new leaf. Plan our route, schedule, reserve, arrive earlier, stay longer, etc.
Well that plan had its' upsides and downsides??
- It was way less stressful just in knowing you were going to have a place to stay at the end of the day without having to look for a campground in the dark.
- It did allow us to plan reasonable distances between reserved campgrounds.
- The above allowed us there to get to our site early enough to cook in the daylight, and enjoy the Campground amenities.
- Also by doing it online early, we could choose great sites, instead of being next to the dumpster.
On the downside:
- State parks rape you for reserving early with extra costs.
- Change in departure time forced us to drive too, far too late, a couple of times, just to make the campground we had a reservation at.
So this season we will take our chances Mon.-Thurs. and Pre & Post Season with no reservations.
Probably will only reserve if we plan to meet up with other TD campers, where it would be nice to have adjoining sites.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[deleted]

If you literally just need somewhere to park and sleep on your way to a destination another option is the Pilot (aka Flying J) truck stops if you have them out that way. They and KOA are my two favorite places to stay while traveling. The truck stops are free, have an rv program so you get a gas discount and a discount on anything in their store including sandwiches at the Subway inside each one. They are well lit, have showers (inside), bathrooms, a 24 hour restaurant and gas station is 24 hours too. Usually they have me park in front to save the big spaces out back for the semi-truck drivers. I run my vent fan to create white noise and always get a good night's sleep even when parked between 10 semis on each side of me Once in the morning I woke up planning to take a picture, but I was the only one left Never heard any of them leave. Even if it's not your thing, if the campgrounds are full they'll work in a pinch for overnight

[Socal Tom]

If you literally just need somewhere to park and sleep on your way to a destination another option is the Pilot (aka Flying J) truck stops if you have them out that way. They and KOA are my two favorite places to stay while traveling. The truck stops are free, have an rv program so you get a gas discount and a discount on anything in their store including sandwiches at the Subway inside each one. They are well lit, have showers (inside), bathrooms, a 24 hour restaurant and gas station is 24 hours too. Usually they have me park in front to save the big spaces out back for the semi-truck drivers. I run my vent fan to create white noise and always get a good night's sleep even when parked between 10 semis on each side of me Once in the morning I woke up planning to take a picture, but I was the only one left Never heard any of them leave. Even if it's not your thing, if the campgrounds are full they'll work in a pinch for overnight

I've thought about staying at one of those. I've stayed at the Walmart parking lot a few times, but I never get any sleep. I think I would feel safer at the truck stop.
Tom

[deleted]

When you park out front you're usually about the only one out there overnight. This was the best one I've stayed at. Chemult, OR on a 28º night. I got to park out front with my door facing the entrance to the station where the 24 hour gas pumping attendants were waiting inside the door for their next customer watching over me the entire evening. It felt extra safe having my own security detail

I forgot you have to be Good Sam member to join. . . https://www.rvpluscard.com/

More details here: http://www.rvpluscard.com/faq/

[Rainier70]

High tourist areas fill up quickly, so it is best to reserve sites at the busier places or busy days of the week like weekends. The campgrounds near any of the National Parks and ones on the coast are just about a must to reserve if you want to camp there.

Much of the western states such as Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah also have large tracts of National Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands that do have regular fee camping areas. Most of those are without power though. Lesser known is that there are also lots and lots of "dispersed" camping areas. These are no fee, no amenities, and few if any neighbors. They aren't regular campgrounds and you generally have to contact the forest service to know what areas are available for dispersed camping. Most sites have been used before, but basically it is anywhere that you can pull off... you can camp.

I can't camp in a regular campground anymore as I can't be around smoke at all, so for the last 10 years or so I have camped extensively in dispersed areas above where others usually camp. I've been to a few BLM campgrounds in the last year or so when no one else was in the area. They are nice places.

For example this is a BLM Campground on Hawkins Reservoir close to where I live in Idaho. It is a free campground with two well maintained outhouses and about 10 campsites.



This one is another BLM campground on an Idaho river November 11th.



This is a National Forest dispersed camping site on a Wyoming river: The river is just below the plateau I am parked on.


This is another National Forest dispersed site on an Idaho stream: Stream is in the trees just behind where I am parked.




It depends on what you are looking for. I mostly camp in the high mountains and that frequently means long miles on dirt roads, but there are some sites closer. The first picture of the campsite on Hawkins reservoir is about 5 miles from the freeway on a paved road. But there is no town close at all.

My point is that there are great places to camp both in campgrounds and in the west on public lands also. You have to search them out, and be willing to do without the full hookups, but there is some beautiful country out there.

[Vedette]

When you park out front you're usually about the only one out there overnight. This was the best one I've stayed at. Chemult, OR on a 28º night. I got to park out front with my door facing the entrance to the station where the 24 hour gas pumping attendants were waiting inside the door for their next customer watching over me the entire evening. It felt extra safe having my own security detail

I forgot you have to be Good Sam member to join. . . https://www.rvpluscard.com/

More details here: http://www.rvpluscard.com/faq/

Stacie
Is that Pilot right in Chemult or just south at Diamond Junction where the Casino is? As that is one of our stops.....Great Showers!We stay at Walmarts all of the time and get a great nights sleep.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Socal Tom]

When you park out front you're usually about the only one out there overnight. This was the best one I've stayed at. Chemult, OR on a 28º night. I got to park out front with my door facing the entrance to the station where the 24 hour gas pumping attendants were waiting inside the door for their next customer watching over me the entire evening. It felt extra safe having my own security detail

I forgot you have to be Good Sam member to join. . . https://www.rvpluscard.com/

More details here: http://www.rvpluscard.com/faq/

It looks like you have to be a member for the discounts, but it looks like free RV parking is available for anyone.
Tom