How do you find your campgrounds?

[CAK]

I'm involved in helping to design and build a new RV campground (to open in 2016) in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, next door to the new L'Auberge Casino. We want to cast the widest net since there are so few quality campgrounds in that area - and are interested in what guides and/or websites you all are using (or would use if you were guiding us...) to find and book your campground stays? Many thanks, all!....Chris

[Rjpuckett]

Application named 'All Stays' using IPhone or IPad.

[Lily&Me]

AllStays app, and Campendium has gotten a lot of good reviews here.


Maggie

[philipsinewe]

Allstay and RV Park Reviews. Also use Google map for just finding

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by CAK

I'm involved in helping to design and build a new RV campground (to open in 2016) in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, next door to the new L'Auberge Casino.

As it happens, I'm looking for venues to hold rallies for my WBCCI Unit (Greater New Orleans) during my tenure as Unit president, so is there a projection on when the campground will open so I can drive up and check the place out?

We want to cast the widest net since there are so few quality campgrounds in that area - and are interested in what guides and/or websites you all are using (or would use if you were guiding us...) to find and book your campground stays? Many thanks, all!....Chris

I find my campgrounds from a variety of sources. In no particular order, the ones I've used to date are…
Allstays app.
Brochures in visitors' centers along the Interstate highways at the state line of each state I enter.
Word of mouth from fellow campers who have stayed at a particular campground. Which won't help much until you've actually had customers to recommend you.
Good Sam app, for parks that are affiliated with them.
Passport America app for parks affiliated with them, especially for quick overnight stops while en route to someplace else.

Haven't used Campendium.

Of course, if you're going to be next door to a casino, which if memory serves doesn't already have RV parking, a deal with the casino to offer reduced rates for casino patrons— and a link on the casino's website accordingly— will probably be one of the most efficacious means of advertisement for the campground.

[mandolindave]

You probably know this….but have a good website for just the campground anyway. Advertise the campground on the casino website, with a link to the campground website. Google will lead people to it.

Signs on the highway help, as some folks don't make reservations, and play it by ear, because they don't know when they are going to want to stop.

Then have an awesome park with friendly service…Don't underestimate word of mouth. People trust word of mouth more than a businesses hype

THEN….do a google search for apps, sign up with as many as you can ( although I don't use the apps )

[graysailor]

Usually I start with GoodSams and go from there. Also, I just google RV campgrounds near or around where I am going.

[nvestysly]

AllStays is tops on our list. We use a variety of other sources too but AllStays is clearly the leader for us.

[KJRitchie]

When I use AllStays there is generally a link to the campground website. Make sure they have an attractive, easy to navigate and informative website.

Kelvin

[A W Warn]

Word of mouth from other campers, sometimes.

Google maps mostly to find specific locations where I have never been, then use websites for reviews and reservations. Like ................

AllStays.com
Campendium.com
campgroundreviews.com
Camping.com
ReserveAmerica.com
........... are a few I use.

[mojo]

AllStays to the website to the reviews to google maps.

[Rich W]

I use Good Sam because of their rating system. We've been pretty satisfied with our searches so far. I will also use Google and Allstays. I'm also learning to use Google Earth to check out the CG from the air so I can see what it looks like, how close together the sites are, layout, etc.

[Murphalex]

RV Parky is an App we have used.

[eubank]

Might want to cast a look at places on the net that market campgrounds that are for sale. They might provide you with a slightly different kind of information. The one I know the best is this one; check for campgrounds in comparable locations to yours:

RV Parks for Sale, Resorts for Sale, Campgrounds for Sale


Lynn

[Road Dog]

RV park reviews and Microsoft Street &Trips. I understand Street & Trips is no longer available.

[nilesrob]

We have used all of the suggested search tools.

But the one that I like the best is Campendium. - for the road less traveled. They have captured locations that you would not likely have found otherwise, particularly if you are inclined somewhat off the grid or at least away from the madding crowds.

Campendium has a more complete view if you travel out west versus to the east, but that will improve over time. The other thing about Campendium is they list many sites that have no fees (i.e. BLM lands), as opposed to many search tools that only serve up paid sponsors.

In the end, the search tool you use really depends on the kind of travel and the kind of sites that interest you. When we are just trying to "make time" the Wal-Mart store directory is the best!

[robert claus]

I like Woodall's - used it this morning.

[HoffmanP]

All Stays and Good Sam apps.

[Wolf Alaska]

Originally Posted by CAK

I'm involved in helping to design and build a new RV campground (to open in 2016) in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, next door to the new L'Auberge Casino. We want to cast the widest net since there are so few quality campgrounds in that area - and are interested in what guides and/or websites you all are using (or would use if you were guiding us...) to find and book your campground stays? Many thanks, all!....Chris

Your question leads me to think that you aren't in the RV hobby.

I have found that most campgrounds are designed & operated by people who don't relate to the difficulties RVers face. They may never have stayed 1 night in an RV.


A lot of the RV difficulties are IN the CGs.

One suggestion I can give you is: level RV sites are very important.

If you would like to continue this conversation with an RVer having 32 years in the RV hobby,please send me a PM.

Let's Roll !
Wolf

[twestover]

We like allstays, campendium, RV park reviews, reserveamerica.com. The usual suspects. Another wonderful source we have found is lists of county campgrounds (you can search by county for states you are entering which is a little more complicated but so worth the effort). Some of our very favorite campgrounds are county campgrounds that are less traveled. We read reviews very carefully before deciding where to stay so something we really value: level sites, some space between sites, trees, friendly hosts, limited rule pushing, a dog run, nice walking areas, trees. I know big rigs don't love trees, but Airstreams are different - they aren't as tall and sometimes we see a campground with both wide open spaces for the big rigs and then some spots more for camping than for RVing - I'm thinking you get the difference. We love your part of the country very much and hope to be headed there next year. We attended the Mardi Gras rally and it was one of our best - just top notch. We tried to get into the Cajun Rally but they are full until 2017! I suspect that speaks to the skills of the hosts, the things they do and they lovely area. Best of luck with your new RV park