Choices of Campgrounds

The cool water of the geyser gushed into the air, providing a rainbow of colors just a few feet from my truck window. I wish we could have enjoyed the spectacle, but since I had just run over and broken a water main on a quiet residential boulevard in Dallas, it wasn’t the thrill you’d drive miles to see in Yellowstone National Park.

I was backing into the driveway of a generous neighbor across the street from my cousin’s home, when the weight of our truck cracked the buried pipe, sending a small spurt of water upward, which, within a few minutes, became a very chilly torrent. (From trying to play the little Dutchboy with my finger in the dike, it became more like BP wrestling with the Gulf of Mexico oilspill.) We stared in hollow silence, helpless, as a fellow in a Jaguar convertible slammed on his brakes to avoid going through the unexpected carwash with his top down.

It was Monique’s birthday and about an hour from the start of a lavish holiday party thrown by close friends of my cousin. It was not a time to celebrate, particularly when I got the bill from the water company for coming out after hours on a crisp Friday evening to stop the gusher.

Parking at the homes of friends and relatives can save you money (or cost you), but it’s just one of the choices you have when RVing. Here is a list of alternatives we’ve experienced in the past almost four years on the road, listed in alphabetical order.

Attractions: Will Rogers’ historic home on Oolagah Lake, Oklahoma, is one that comes to mind. For a donation, you can park on the grass overnight and blend into the beautiful setting.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management): Often roughing it and being part of nature. A money-saver and maybe you’ll get to meet RV Blogger Bob Difley.

Casinos: Sometimes free, sometimes pricey, but look at the fun you can have just across the parking lot. When you enter the casino, make sure you mention that you’re in the RV park – it could get you extra benefits in the gaming and food areas.

City & Municipal Parks: These certainly run the gamut from crude to fine resorts. Grand Marais in Minnesota along the banks of Lake Superior is a fine example. We’re often surprised when seeing a faded sign along a practically deserted small town Main Street with an arrow pointing to a city free campground.

Corps of Engineers: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has RV-friendly campgrounds along dozens of lakes and waterways throughout the nation. An excellent value, well maintained, beautiful scenery.

County Parks: Like the city parks, these run from very comfortable to shabby. Chester Frost Park north of Chattanooga is a winner.

Friends & Relatives: Okay, you read about our traumatic stay at my cousin’s, but we’ve had more plusses than minuses. But be careful, in Moscow, Idaho, we parked on a section of lawn that had been a wheat field. I watched as the blocks under my front stand began to sink in the soft turf, then tumbled to the right. No travelers were harmed in the making of this film.

Indian Reservations: A chance to experience the native culture. Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “Canyon de Shay”) in Arizona was one of our best stops. Since the land is not owned by the dene’ (the people) but rather by the Great Spirit, there is no charge to stay there, but donations are suggested and appreciated.

Military Forts & Bases: For the first several months of our RV travels, I did not realize that being retired military gave us an additional benefit. About 250 bases, forts and other related facilities have RV “FamCamps” for RVers . Some are well maintained facilities for active duty and retired personnel to use as a get-away – some are adequate and natural, at least at others we feel safe.

National Forest Campgrounds: Be in nature, sometimes with hookups available. National Forests are well designed for multiple use, including forestry resources, preservation of nature, and recreation. Take the kids or grandkids for a weekend of campfires, hiking and separation from technology. They might be “climbing the walls” after the first day, but, aha, THERE ARE NO WALLS. 

National Forest Remote Areas. In many National Forests, RVers can park anywhere there’s access, usually 200 feet off the main highway. Make sure you can turn around when it’s time to be on your way again.

National Parks: Why do so many foreigners visit America’s National Parks? According to Ken Burns in the PBS series on National Parks, it’s because in other parts of the world, centuries of civilization have caused the lost of natural wonders. You could visit all 50+ of them in the U.S.  and never stop saying, “WOW!” Many have campgrounds with and without hookups.

Off the Grid: RVers “circle the wagons” in some remote spots, taking advantage of the wilds with the ATVs and trail bikes. Watch out for those axle-cracking dips.

Pat’s: I’m not going to tell you where Pat’s Restaurant is, but late one night we finished a huge meal there and were invited to stay in the parking lot. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Private Campgrounds, including Resorts: For many RVers, this is the only way to go. For the rest of us, it’s sure nice to have hookups every now and then. There are resorts that require RVs less than three years old and there are worn areas that serve as sites along creeks, popular with fishermen. There are deals to be had by joining camping groups, or membership arrangements for frequent visitors. The choices are too numerous.

Rest Stops on Highway: These can be kinda iffy, if the stories of problems are true. Nowadays, we see more and more that provide security for the RVs and trucks that stay the night.

State Parks: Location, location, location. But, of course, they often carry higher fees than national facilities. We’ve stayed in the state campgrounds in almost every one of the 35 states we have visited since embarking on our life on the road. Almost all have been good experiences. Don’t miss Arkansas, the Natural State.

TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority campgrounds are good values. The one we visited was on a par with the Corps of Engineers.

And finally: Walmarts, truck stops, major sporting goods outlets on main highways, and other retailers who provide us with a place to put on the emergency brake as a respite on a 400-mile leg of our journey. As many other RV bloggers have begged, please show your appreciation by not abusing this privilege. We visited one town where Walmart turns away RVers, possibly because of parking lot problems.

If you know of other camping alternatives, we’re sure the readers of these blogs would be grateful to hear about them in the comments section.

From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.