'nuther newbie AS question re: RV parks..

[Gringo]

I am in the process of planning out some fairly serious AS time this coming hurricane season. I bought the Woodall's. I am very familiar with using Google Earth to take a look at an address, and find a specific camping area. And I've been doing that.

I gotta say, looking down from space most of the commercial, privately owned RV parks I am seeing are looking pretty dismal. Row after row of RVs parked about as dense as can be tolerated. Basically a place to pull over for the night. No other reason to be there other than that you are too tired to continue without a nights sleep etc.

I see much more spacious camping sites at state and national parks, but lots of those don't take reservations, and it's not that appealing to drive to some place hoping to get a 'first come/first serve' lucky spot. What happens if they're full?

So, I guess my question is...are there more expensive, private RV campgrounds that might for example charge you $ 100 a night, but for that you get four times the space as one of the $ 20 a night 'hot wheels' joints?

How do I find these places? I want my AS to be a nice suite with a view. I'll pay extra.

[Goal15]

Gringo

Not sure about other states but Texas state parks allow you to make a reservation up to 11 months in advance. And you are right, it will take some research to find the nice campgrounds, but I'm sure folks on here can offer up plenty of advice. Also try TripAdvisor... while not as complete with campgrounds as it is with other things, I have found this to be a great resource of information and straight talk from reviewers

[ROBERT CROSS]

If the campground isn't the destination, and we are staying just one night we usually try and seek out a rural out of the way spot and crash.

Never put the stabil's down, so the man don't think we permanent.

If we plan to stay someplace we're not familiar with we check with the locals.
Call the Chamber of Commerce get recommendations.

Happy Streams...

[Gringo]

By rural out of the way spot....do you mean like a government facility? Strip mall? you can't just pull off alongside the road in most places without being on SOMEbody's property, can you?

[aftermath]

We use reservamerica.com and recreation.gov to book spots in state and federal campgrounds. Give them a try.

[Stefrobrts]

You're always on somebody's property. Though some places are unattended, or public land, or empty parking lots where nobody is going to care. Rest stops would be the obvious place to take a rest, but they don't like overnighters and roust people - there's something I don't understand!

[fmr.capt.evi]

Hi Gringo, early in my RVing "journey" it occurred to me that the "highest & best" use for most land is NOT for RV parks, and as a result, most of them will have some obvious drawbacks. When staying at a typical RV park, I must continuously remind myself that I'm not there for the immediate surroundings, but rather for parking while I do my thing in that area......for space and beautiful surroundings, etc., I visit the state and national parks. There are, however, a few BEAUTIFUL upscale RV resorts out there (the challenge is to find one that isn't restricted to class-A "coaches"). I've found the website "campgroundreviews.com" to be a good resource.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Gringo

By rural out of the way spot....do you mean like a government facility? Strip mall? you can't just pull off alongside the road in most places without being on SOMEbody's property, can you?

Kind'a like this...

[Gringo]

Route 66 plus twenty?

[blmitch5]

This might help. Free or cheap campsites.

http://freecampsites.net/

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Gringo

Route 66 plus twenty?

20 What?

Great blog!!!!

[glogeo]

Gringo
Most Arkansas state parks do take reservations....as a matter of fact we see and meet lots of people "on their way" just staying the night so depending where you are going...I40 or I30 you can find a beautiful cg glogeo

[murreywalker]

Originally Posted by glogeo

Gringo
Most Arkansas state parks do take reservations....as a matter of fact we see and meet lots of people "on their way" just staying the night so depending where you are going...I40 or I30 you can find a beautiful cg glogeo

I second that, Gringo!

I can only wish that Missouri State Parks could come close to the Arkansas State Parks and their services.

[Phrunes]

Originally Posted by Goal15

Gringo

Not sure about other states but Texas state parks allow you to make a reservation up to 11 months in advance. And you are right, it will take some research to find the nice campgrounds, but I'm sure folks on here can offer up plenty of advice. Also try TripAdvisor... while not as complete with campgrounds as it is with other things, I have found this to be a great resource of information and straight talk from reviewers

Gringo,
If you have an iPhone or iPod new generation, I recommend an app called RV Parking .com it rocks!
Matt

[Gringo]

We don't have iPhones or iPods, but I called that up on the laptop and you're right. Nice site.

Thanks.

[Phrunes]

Gringo,
You're welcome. I have Woodalls on my Ipod too and unfortunately, it's not very good. They simply digitize the magazine. No database to just enter a zipcode like the others. Since my screen is so small, it's pretty useless. Hmmm... Maybe im just getting old and the old peepers are goin south on me? Smiles

[Aviator]

You may want to check out some of the Airstream only parks like Top of Georgia. Our trailers previous owners kept her at Traveler's Rest in Dade City, FL for a time as well. I know the Florida State Parks take reservations as we had one when we stayed at
Top Sail last February.

[TG Twinkie]

You can reserve State Park sites in Nebraska a year in advance and see a photo of the camp site you choose.

[Aviator]

Georgia allows reservations one year in advance as well.