We just recently returned from an 11,000-mile cross-country trek, with several overnights at Wal-Marts since we were just looking for a couple of hours of shut-eye, no campground amenities necessary. True enough, it's far from a scenic camping spot, but we kept quiet and usually ended up also spending much more than a camping fee would have been, following the plan laid out by those responsible for Wal-Mart's acceptance of RVs. We found two in resort areas in California and Utah that had signs posted, but just went along the road to another spot.
We had gotten a book called "The Next Exit" which lists every interstate and interchange, and what is available at each one. Listed in red are places to park an RV or truck for free - most Wal-Marts, Cracker Barrels, truck stops, etc. We had an incident in Montana where a service station was listed, and we were there around midnight; we circled the lot three times (like a dog lying down) and were just settling in when the owner of the motel on the next property gestured with his firearm that we were not welcome; he said he didn't care what our directory said, he had run off ninety people so far and we would be number ninety-one. Needless to say, we were already in gear at that point.
We really didn't do much campgrounding on that trip, except for five days in Yellowstone, lined up like books on a shelf with other RVs, no fun. It's pretty amazing the differences in various camping facilities, as we also took a spot in Lake Louise, Alberta, wonderfully wooded and private, and had other nice times as well, but as we were hoofing it mileage-wise, we really didn't have the time to take advantage of campground amenities, so we ended up at truck stops or (Oregon especially) in scenic pull-off areas that didn't forbid overnight parking.
It goes without saying (or should) that we need to be extra considerate of the impressions made by us as representative of RVers. No genset, dumping, carrying on, patio lights, just respectful sleeping and responsible pet walking. It was our first long trip in the 345, and it was so incredibly nice to be able to pull the curtains, get out the playing cards, and then be on our way in the morning just depending on our own tanks. Some states (again, Oregon was the best) were especially helpful by providing us with brochures at visitors' centers listing RV dumps available, with and without fees, where we could fill and dump properly.
We have made note of areas we want to re-visit, and stay longer, so we will no doubt be campgrounding more in the future, but as you all know, there is no better way to travel than with an Airstream for a turtle-shell!
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