Questions

Hey all, I have a few questions.

Dh retires next year and we plan to travel for a few months before he gets a job. We would like to stay in Military Campgrounds when available. What are the best types of civilian rv parks/campgrounds that you all frequent???

Do you get the KOA card, or join Good Sams?

Trying to figure out the best thing for us to do.

It really depends on what your budget is and what type (how fancy) of a RV Park/Campground you want to stay in.

We're on a budget and can't afford KOA. While nice parks, they are usually expensive. I have a personal dislike for Good Sams and won't have anything to do with them. We travel fulltime and usually stay in Military Campgrounds, COE, State and National Campgrounds, Passport America RV Parks, Escapee RV Club parks, Elks Lodge RV Parks, or Boondock.

Using KOA campgrounds is a love-hate relationship. You can go to the Commercial Campground section of this website and read all about it. A
Good Sam?s discount card may pay for itself if you stay in those enough times during your trip or at other times during the one year period that it?s valid. A Good Sam?s affiliation doesn?t necessarily ensure a nice park.

I prefer the Passport America discount card. It provides for large discounts and therefore only takes two or three uses to pay for itself. But there are some limits on its use. Typically, discounts don?t apply on weekend stays.

If you're going to be in an area for awhile, always ask the a campground if they offer a weekly rate.

It used to be that state parks were inexpensive, but they typically are getting into the range of a commercial park. And if you are an out of stater, you can be subjected to extra fees.

Corp of Engineer campgrounds are still a bargain. Typically, not more than $18/nite. They don?t usually have full hook-ups, but most people can go 4-5 days without dumping especially if using the campground bath facilities.

If you haven?t already, I?d suggest that you do at least one Boondock. It?s a t-shirt event and you need that little bit of experience in case it?s something you need to do again.

Retire and job are anonyms. Two words that mean the opposite of each other.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for all the info. I was curious, becasue some of the states/areas we will be in are not close to Military camps or they have none in the state.

Thanks again.

I've been camping most of my life -- and have always found that State Parks and National Parks are second only to the military CG's as far a it goes in general.

As in most cases, it depends on the manager of the CG and how well they run it -- even state and national. If it were my choice, I'd try to do military when I could, and then state, national.

Problems I've run into with Private CG's usually is price and sometimes neighbors that think they own the place just because they live close and come often... And you pay for all the "goodies" even if you don't want or use them. Also, seems the private CG's are closer sites and not much privacy --

even state and national

is there a length limit at these places. One I looked up only took 30 or 34 ft rv's