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Old 04-22-2014, 03:47 PM   #1
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Best sources for information on state parks, national parks etc.

We are new to this ... we were given Woodalls as the Bible of RV parks ... but it seems mostly to have fairly commercial parks while I think we are more interested in scenery and peace rather than club rooms, restaurants and swimming pools. Not that we are against hook-ups, but we don't need them all all the time. Is there a 'best source' for these types of campgrounds, or are they all individually found?
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Old 04-22-2014, 05:18 PM   #2
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Because government parks don't pay to be included in a guide so it up the the author to volunteer to include them. Earlier this year Sunset magazine had a special edition (best places to camp) covering the sorts of places you're looking for. Sunset is focused on western US only. I've camped a lot here and that edition did name all my favorites.

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Old 04-22-2014, 05:23 PM   #3
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Good sources,

Federal recreation, camping and tour reservation information - Recreation.gov

U.S. National Park ServiceFind A Park

About.com Index Search - Find it now!
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Old 04-22-2014, 05:27 PM   #4
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I have a copy of the Good Sam 2014 RV Travel Guide Campground Directory. It is nice to have facility ratings, but it is geared towards promoting campgrounds/RV Parks that are Good Sam members. Some other guides that look promising include:

RV Camping in State Parks
National Park Service Camping Guide
Camping with the Corps of Engineers

These are on my wish list at the moment. Anyone else use these or other sources?
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Old 04-22-2014, 05:34 PM   #5
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Recreation.gov has already been mentioned, but also check out ReserveAmerica's campground directrory at Campground Directory - ReserveAmerica

For campgrounds (including non-Corps campgrounds) located on Corps of Engineers lake projects, try the Corps Lakes Gateway at www.CorpsLakes.us - Corps Lakes Gateway
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Old 04-22-2014, 06:59 PM   #6
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If you are into the electronic world, get the App "All stays camp and RV" at your app store for about $5. It is great with public facilities like State and National Parks, National Forest Service campgrounds and the like. Good directions to the parks. Phone numbers of the agency which operates them for calling about when they are open, when they are full and stuff like that. Best $5 I have spent on an App. Of course you do need net access to use it on the road. I have that on my Cell Phone so it is generally not a problem. Or you can get the information when you have access and write it down the old way.
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Old 04-22-2014, 07:29 PM   #7
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Best Scenic Campgrounds List

Following up to my earlier post. The link below is to the Sunset Magazine that captures a lot of the best (5 star) campgrounds for scenery, natural wonder, and awesome outdoor opportunities. I already have plans to camp at three later this summer, and recently camped at two others.

Best Campgrounds in the West - Sunset.com
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Old 04-23-2014, 05:57 AM   #8
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To Everyone who has replied:

This is all wonderful information ... thank you to you all!

pandjg
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Old 04-23-2014, 06:14 AM   #9
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If you're coming to Texas, check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept's website. We have some great state parks here.
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Old 04-23-2014, 07:55 AM   #10
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Google State parks for the state you wish to travel to.
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Old 04-23-2014, 08:00 AM   #11
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www.uscampgrounds.info is simply outstanding and we utilize it often. Play around with it and you may find it useful as well. Happy Trails.
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Old 04-23-2014, 08:37 AM   #12
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We use the Good Sam/Trailer Life publication when we're traveling. It does include state parks, but doesn't rate them. We received Woodalls when we got AAA a few weeks ago. I've tried it in the past but was not as impressed as with the Good Sam publication. As mentioned above, look for state parks and state forest areas on-line in the states you're traveling to.
And, welcome to the Forums!


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Old 04-23-2014, 04:25 PM   #13
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Everyone:

Again ... thank you so much for all these really useful suggestions. We are thrilled by the responses and feel much happier about our chances of finding what we are looking for.

pandjg
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Old 04-23-2014, 08:19 PM   #14
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We use the Ultimate Campground. It lists all public campgrounds - Federal, State, ACOE, local.

Ultimate Campgrounds - The LARGEST POI List for US Public Campgrounds
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Old 04-23-2014, 08:36 PM   #15
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Try this site for USFS campgrounds. The also have cd's available for out of service times.
Directory of Campgrounds in U.S. National Forests and Grasslands - Buy Books, National Forest Forum, News
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Old 04-24-2014, 01:08 PM   #16
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I love using trip advisor - you can get their app on your phone or tablet and it shows you all the top rated hikes, lookout spots, restaurants, etc. in your vicinity - or you can search by location and see all the top spots by national park or city ... etc.

I also like to get a book for each park I visit so I can get some historical and scientific info about the area. So far my favorite books are from Zion and Yosemite if anyone is interested in those parks, I can give you the book names.
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