By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
At the end of my previous RV.net posting, I printed a comment from reader Mary Hansen and my response. Mary wrote: “The description ‘Vicki’ gives doesn’t really clarify (how to make a reservation at Recreation.gov) for me. It’s a very convoluted description. In addition, it didn’t address our situation: we drive a small motorhome (on wheels with cooking and other living accommodations) AND we tow a small car. Is our car a trailer? Which sort of lot would we fit on? Thanks for trying to clarify the situation for us all (love especially your photo mash-up!) but you didn’t include a toad in your pics either!”
I sent a follow-up question to Recreation.gov, which resulted in this email [I bold-faced elements in her response]:
Dear Barry Zander,
Thank you for using Recreation.gov for your camping needs. It is my pleasure to assist you today.
We are sorry for any confusion the website terminology has caused. For the purpose of making a federal camping reservation at www.Recreation.gov, an “RV” refers to an all-inclusive wheeled camping unit that may be driven on its own (often known as a “motor home.”) A “trailer” is referencing a wheeled camping unit that is being pulled or towed by another vehicle. (Many campgrounds include fifth wheels in the “Trailer” category, because a fifth wheel is not drivable on its own.) If you are towing a passenger vehicle/car, the passenger vehicle is not considered a trailer. When searching for availability, I personally recommend not limiting your search to “trailer (only)” or “RV (only)” sites. Some campgrounds have sites that they list as “RV/Trailer Only” and some campground list sites as “Standard.” Wheeled camping units can be used on both “RV/Trailer Only” AND “Standard” sites.
Therefore if you limit your search to “RV/Trailer Only”, you might be missing out on finding available “Standard” sites. When you select the option to search for “any type of site,” you will be able to see “RV/Trailer Only” sites, as well as “Standard Sites.” (You will also see tent-only sites which I will address in the next paragraph.) Kindly note, it is very important to select a campsite that has a maximum vehicle length that accommodates your wheeled camping unit. (You will also want to be sure not to select a “tent only” site from the list of available sites if you are using a wheeled camping unit.) Once you have logged in, selected the campground, dates, and site, you will be navigated to the “Reservation Details” screen. On this screen you will be able to select the specific type of camping equipment you will be bringing. You will also be able to provide the number of passenger vehicles (including those being towed.) For reservations, please feel free to log into your account online (or create a new one) at the following link:
www.Recreation.gov Once logged in you will be able to view availability and make reservations.
Reservations are also available by phone. Please call 877-444-6777, and agent will be happy to assist you. I hope this information has been helpful. Please feel free to call the above number for additional information and assistance.
We hope you have a great camping season.
Sincerely,
Heather
Active Network, Active Outdoors
BARRY’S RESPONSE: So, although we bought our 28-foot travel trailer from an RV dealership and use it for recreation, we are not considered RVs by Recreation.gov (and while truck campers and Class B van conversions do qualify, 40-foot-plus fifth wheels do not). A toad is not an “all-inclusive camping vehicle,” and, therefore is not an issue. Just to confuse the issue a bit further, let’s consider a $2 million Prevost {those buses pronounce “Pre-Vo”}. If they are used at campgrounds, they are RVs, but if they are used to transport rock bands from gig to gig, are they recreational vehicles? Only if they have a harem of roadies with them, I guess.
I must admit I’ve never had a problem reserving an available site. But, I still agree with Mary, it’s convoluted. Please send me your thoughts at neverboredrvers@gmail.com . [And by the way, I don’t expect my logical explanation to change anything.]
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
Because of the numerous Spam comments on this site, the comments section has been deactivated. Please email us at neverboredrvers@gmail.com and I will pass along your comments. Learn about Alaska and see travel photos at ontopoftheworld.bz (and much more to come when time allows).