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GammaDog · 03-29-2015, 01:31 PM

One additional thought... If you want to get a better idea of what specific sites look like, ReserveAmerica and recreation.gov frequently have pictures. Others may be found with a Google search and select images, google maps (satellite view) or campsitephotos.com

badkat · 03-29-2015, 01:50 PM

I have looked at Allstays and guess for some reason like others better. Try Campendium..it has everything. Natl Parks, Forest Service, Private and many services.

aluminitus · 03-29-2015, 02:10 PM

Campendium.com is excellent and made by airstreamers. We used it all the time when were were full-timing. Don't know if it comes as an app or not.

flyingcloud · 03-29-2015, 03:27 PM

Thanks badkat & aluminitus!

Campendium doesn't have an app yet, but is mobile-friendly so it works on smart-phones and tablets.

Airstream recently did a nice write-up:
http://www.airstream.com/campendium/

HeavyAssault · 03-29-2015, 05:40 PM

Gas Buddy works good as long as the reports have been updated. It seems to time out the prices if it's been too long between reports. Sometimes less than 8 hours it will not show the price.

I'll have to load up AllStays.

m.hony · 03-30-2015, 06:47 AM

Gas Buddy for fuel-
Reserve America for campgrounds-
I have RVParking.com App on my phone, but I haven't used it.

rogerdodger · 03-30-2015, 09:09 AM

Rvparky. It's free, and has been very helpful in our travels.

AirEgger · 03-30-2015, 09:33 AM

We use diesel and prefer truck stops with fuel islands, for us it makes easy in and outs. For fueling locations we use dieselboss.com. Type in the state and road info, and it will ID truck stops and the services available (DEF available at pump) along with a map. May or may not be the best, but seems to work.

Rich W · 03-30-2015, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ssmookler

Thanks all. Richw46,do you use the state gov website to locate state parks? How do you check if a site is availableb?

We use Reserve America, just set up a free account at their site. I have reserved sites (federal and state) for our Cub Pack (multiple sites) and for us as we travel. States like Florida and Kentucky let you browse the campground to check sites and availability by length of stay. You can reserve multiple sites (stay in one for x days, stay in another 2x days, etc.) which is handy if you want to stay for a while but can't find a single site for your entire trip. We stayed in Florida for a month, longest place was 2 weeks (their max state campground stay) and the others ranged from 2 to 5 days. Sitting with my cup of coffee in late December I cobbled together our first real, long stay Florida Jan-Feb trip in less than 30 minutes.

Georgia lets you make a reservation but you can't choose the site until you arrive. It's assigned when you arrive (if crowded) or you can drive around and find something you like. We haven't stayed there long so I don't know how they handle it if you want to stay longer but have to move from one spot to another.

Being able to see the campground is handy too, so you can avoid the downwind side of the dump station or playground. You can also see the spots that are closer/further from the showers, other campers, etc.

I use that one the most but I always check the reviews at other sites for the private camps. I also learned that the private camps seem to work better with phone calls for reservations, even if their site has an online tool.

Ssmookler · 03-30-2015, 01:44 PM

Rich
Thanks for the detailed explanation of using Reserve America. Have you used it for out west state reservations too?

Ssmookler · 03-30-2015, 01:52 PM

Great suggestions from everybody...keep them coming

Rich W · 03-30-2015, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ssmookler

Rich
Thanks for the detailed explanation of using Reserve America. Have you used it for out west state reservations too?

That was our plan for this spring and summer but I tore my plantar fascia and now we're stuck here for then next 5-8 weeks. I'm sure it's the same wherever you go. They seem to have the park system locked up. Go to the state's web site and click on reservations, it takes you to Reserve America.

I will caution you, if you have a question about the states rules, contact the state. Reserve America gave me 3 different answers (phone and email) when I asked about Florida's policy for maximum length stays. They said I had to leave for a week, 2 weeks and i think a month. Florida says it's a day (stay 14 days, leave for a day then you can come back for another 14). You can go to a different park (we did) without any break in time. I will say that Reserve America sent an apology for the misinformation to the Florida park where we stayed, something the Ranger said he had never seen before.

We've just started our AS adventures, having retired in mid 2013, getting the AS in early 2014. We've done a few trips in KY then a month in Florida and a few nights in GA. Next long trip is to TX then across to CA, up the coast to Portland to see the grand-kids. Turning east to who knows where after that; maybe home, maybe New England.

That's the plan, and we all know about plans and life, don't we?