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kb0zke · 02-28-2017, 07:02 PM

Welcome, marcie! The time of year often has a lot to do with what company you have. We have stayed at parks where we were virtually the only ones there, and have been at the same park when nearly every site was occupied. For most places, the busy season is Memorial Day to Labor Day. During that time period you can expect campgrounds to be fairly full. In your area, though, I suspect that your local parks will be less full in July and August.

As for the proximity of sites to each other, remember that if you were to lay out your idea site in a piece of paper and figure out how much land would be required you would soon see why you aren't going to find what you want. Also remember that many recreational vehicles are far larger than your Airstream (think 40+ foot long MH with four slides, plus towed) and most people want their satellite television to work. That requires a clear line of site to the south, so no trees allowed that way. Solar panels are becoming more common, and they require plenty of sun to work.

Don't become discouraged, though. There are places where you can find what you want, you just have to look for them. Seek places that are out of the way (not near a major tourist attraction) and go in the off-season.

Len n Jeanne · 03-01-2017, 09:53 PM

We can't speak to the Southeast, but when your schedule permits, try the Southwest. Much of the desert and range land is public, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. They basically permit dispersed camping anywhere not posted to the contrary, and also maintain some small primitive campgrounds where we have sometimes been the only people there (like Hatch Point south of Moab and the south side of the San Rafael Bridge north of I-70, between Green River and Salina, UT.) We've also dispersed-camped south of Death Valley National Park in the Mojave desert. Death Valley allows dispersed camping in certain areas, as well.

But you would want to brush up on your boondocking skills, notably for desert conditions. No power, water, &c. Just lots of beautiful scenery and solitude.

Len n Jeanne · 03-01-2017, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

Was at a cg in cedar key Florida and a couple with a young child pitched their tent directly next to my truck camper. They had lots of space away from me, they were so close I couldn't walk on that side of the truck. Turns out they were europeans and thought their rudeness was okay. We left the next day so they got two campsites to use.

I understand that in European campgrounds, there is no such thing as a campground being full. People just pile in and find whatever room for themselves they can.

Donutboy · 03-02-2017, 05:34 PM

Spotted on Facebook:

"When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant"

Cannonball · 03-02-2017, 09:14 PM

Bagpipes.

Paprika · 03-02-2017, 10:21 PM

I want to second what Dave, Len and Jeanne, said: if you want privacy, don't go to campgrounds. Instead, dry-camp on public land. That doesn't guarantee you will never have neighbors, but at least they're not likely to be ten or fifteen feet away.

Now, as Len n Jeanne pointed out, this is much easier in the Southwest, where opportunities abound for free camping on BLM and Forest Service land. But you can find opportunities in the east as well. Download the Forest Service MVUMs (Motor Vehicle Use Maps) for your destination areas, and look for dispersed camping.

Yes, you'll need to develop boondocking skills--water conservation, solar power and so on. But it's a great way to RV if you don't want to be cheek by jowl with other campers.

mimiandrews · 03-03-2017, 07:43 AM

Some RV parks should be thought of as "motel substitutes." I figure that I'm ten or fifteen feet further away from the folks next door than I would be at a motel, and paying less for the accommodations. Sometimes that's what's needed--sewer hookups, laundry facilities, proximity to somewhere I need to be. Useful, though not ideal.

GettinAway · 03-04-2017, 07:48 AM

We camp in a lot of National Forest Service Campgrounds. Certainly not as remote as boondocking, but "usually" a bit more isolated than a NP or most State Parks. We try to reserve a spot on the outside of a loop as far from the pit toilet as possible. Most NFS Campgrounds at least will have drinking water. With a bit of conservation we find we can go a week without making a trip to a dump station. We can usually see other campers, but not have to listen to their conversations. We also put up a clothesline and hang some towels out to block some viewers from looking into our campsite. I know I sound like a antisocial hermit, but we enjoy the peace and quiet.

switz · 03-04-2017, 08:09 AM

We have been in a few campgrounds for an over-night that the lots were so close we could not deploy the curb side awning. They usually had sewer, water and electricity.

In my experience, the KOA system can really pack them in.

Out West, a little research can lead to nearly isolation at a camp site.

On the long weekend holidays, every commercial place gets jammed.

Mollysdad · 03-04-2017, 09:11 AM

If you like elbow room, I recommend: James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park, just North of Colorado National Monument in Fruita (almost at the Utah border). I guess you'd call the sites pull offs, but they are beautiful, power, water, sewer, picnic table, landscaped, and your neighbor is at least 100' away. They were reasonably priced, but reservations are almost a requirement.
Look on Google Earth and you'll see the layout. Not remote, but spacious.

Len n Jeanne · 03-04-2017, 05:35 PM

The other thing, when your schedule permits, is to camp more off-season. For example, the campgrounds close to Moab, Utah (i. e., Arches, Canyonlands) are usually really busy in the high season, but we stayed at the BLM's Ken's Lake CG just south of town in late October/early November this past year. The fine weather persisted, and we were one of only a few campers in a large campground.

Up north or up high in elevation, you might have to consider winterizing during the mid-late Autumn or early Spring, and make do with some water-related work-arounds; but crowding shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, some places, notably US Forest Service campgrounds tend to close for the season, but a little investigation can indicate who stays open. Many national parks have at least limited camping available year round for the extra-hardy.

Lumatic · 03-04-2017, 05:58 PM

1500 looksees in a week. Wow! I can see the popularity of this theme may be up there with rear end separation.

I have an opinion but it has already been stated, several times. so I will keep my mouth shut.

**jcanavera** · 03-04-2017, 08:11 PM

From a southeast standpoint one of the nicest campgrounds we have stayed in was at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin Florida. My site was water and electric only but the privacy was the best I've ever had in a Florida Park. Here's some pictures taken in November 2007.

Jack