Campgrounds along I-85??

[TankerIP]

In a few days we will be going toward Williamsburg VA from Panama City FL along I-85. I'm wondering how to easily find some stopping places along the way. I've checked nat'l campground/COA sites and they seem to be closed until late March/early April. Since some our stops will only be one night, I hate to pay the 'big bucks' for a resort type campground where we will not use any of the nicer facilities.

How do you folks go about finding sites along the road?

[Lily&Me]

We generally call ahead each day, when we have an idea how far we are going to be driving that day. We carry a Trailer Life directory, available at all the large bookstores, which have federal, state and private sites in all states. We always try for a Passport America or state park site first, almost always the least expensive option. PA is a 50% off club, very reasonable membership which will pay for itself in a few stops, and we have used it alot for overnight stays. You can access them online. Both Trailer Life and PA have maps of each state, showing campgrounds, to help plan. Looking at the route you are taking, you shouldn't have trouble finding open campgrounds of whatever type you desire. We are currently near Charlotte, NC, and have been down in this area (the Carolinas and Georgia) for 7 weeks--no problems at all. We are at McDowell Nature Preserve Campground this weekend, just south of Charlotte, $22/night and very nice. Good luck.