A campground primer
Life is a journey.
No one knows this more, perhaps, than motorhomers. They also know
that, en route, they often need a place to stay. That's where
campgrounds come in.
Campgrounds can be privately owned or located on public lands in
state parks, national parks or national forests. The U.S. government
also oversees thousands of campsites at outdoor recreation sites.
Planning, researching
When selecting a campground, it’s important to plan ahead.
Otherwise, you could arrive at your destination, only to find no
place to stay.
Purchase one or more campground guidebooks so you can locate
facilities in the areas you plan to visit. Campground
directories offer nationwide listings and comparative information
about fees and facilities. They’re available at bookstores,
libraries, RV supply stores, and from online booksellers.
It’s a good idea to cross-reference campground listings, because
not all campgrounds are listed in all guidebooks, and campground
information may vary by publication.
Most advertised RV parks accept reservations by phone, and many
have toll-free numbers. Make reservations as far in advance as
possible. During peak travel season, it’s rare to drop in
somewhere and find an unreserved spot.
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Private or public
Private RV parks range from those with basic no-hookup sites to
luxury RV resorts. They’re near major attractions, in cities and
towns, along the interstate, and near national parks and forests.
Campgrounds on public lands tend be simple and bucolic. But
they’re often set amidst beautiful scenery and are convenient to
many outdoor recreation activities.
Typically, motorhome camping fees run from $10 to $40 per night.
Always ask if the campground offers discounts.
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Contacting and reserving
Private campgrounds
Many FMCA-member campgrounds
offer discounts to FMCA members.
Locate these and other commercial-member campgrounds in FMCA.com's
online Business
Directory.
This
directory is also published in the January and June issues of
Family Motor Coaching magazine.
USDA Forest Service
For campground reservations, contact the
National Recreation Reservation Service (877-444-6777) or visit ReserveUSA.com.
This site offers information and reservation services for thousands
of campsites operated by the USDA Forest Service.
U.S. National Parks
The U.S. National Park Service Web site offers an
online reservation service for many national parks. A
list of the parks, their 800-number reservation phone numbers,
and their reservation booking windows is posted.
State and local parks
To find out what state- and local-run campgrounds are in a
particular area, contact the local travel and tourism bureau.
Updated listings are located in FMCA.com's Motorhome Travel channel
and published annually in the January issue of Family Motor
Coaching magazine.
Bureau of Land Management —
For campground info, write to:
Department of Interior-MIB
1849 C Street N.W., Room 5600
Washington, D.C. 20240
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America the
Beautiful recreation lands pass
In January 2007, the “America the Beautiful — National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass” replaced the Golden Eagle, Golden
Age, and Golden Access passports as well as the National Parks Pass.
The pass covers recreation
opportunities on public lands managed by four Department of the
Interior agencies — the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife
Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of
Reclamation — and by the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest
Service. While access to most public lands remains free, this pass
applies to those locations that currently have entrance or standard
amenity fees.
The America the Beautiful Pass is
available at federal recreation sites that charge entrance and
standard amenity fees; through government Internet sites; and
through select third-party vendors.
Four different passes in the new
interagency program are available. They include an annual
interagency pass that costs $80 and offers unlimited coverage of
entrance and standard amenity recreation fees for a specific period
of time, typically a year, beginning from the date of first use; a
$10 lifetime senior pass for U.S. citizens age 62 and up; a free
lifetime access pass for citizens with permanent disabilities; and a
free annual volunteer pass for volunteers acquiring 500 hours of
service on a cumulative basis.
The America the Beautiful pass is
good at vehicle-based entry sites for all occupants in a single,
noncommercial vehicle. At walk-up sites, the pass is good for the
pass holder and three adults (total of four adults). There is no
charge for children under 16.
Note: Entrance fees are not the same as
user fees, which are charges for facilities and services such as
parking, camping and hiking, which the America the Beautiful pass
may not cover. Contact specific sites to find out what is or is not
covered.
For more information, visit
http://store.usgs.gov/pass.
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Overnight parking: motorhome parking etiquette
Rest areas along interstate freeways generally prohibit overnight
parking, but many malls, truck stops, fraternal lodges and shopping
center parking lots allow it, if certain guidelines are met. Always
check with local authorities to make sure you’re not breaking any
local ordinances.
These notes from FMCA's Motorhome Parking Etiquette letter
pertain to overnight parking at establishments that permit dry
camping on their lots.
- Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
- Park out of the way. Leave a buffer between your RV and
perimeter residences.
- Avoid using slideouts if at all possible.
- Do not put out awnings.
- Do not use your leveling jacks on asphalt.
- Limit your stay — one night maximum! Do not abuse your
host's generosity.
- Purchase fuel, food, or supplies as a form of thank-you when
feasible.
- Always leave the area cleaner than you found it.
- Practice safety precautions.
- Avoid providing a theft potential. Make sure your RV and compartments are locked if you leave
your RV.
- Do not place personal items, such as chairs, pets or
barbecue grills, outside your RV.
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Canadian campgrounds
Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service is the central
reservation system for campgrounds in Canadian national parks.
Reserve online at www.pccamping.ca/parkscanada or by phone, (877)
RESERVE (737-3783).
Campground search and online
reservation service
www.campingfriend.com/fmca
FMCA.com Business Directory
www.fmca.com/bd National Recreation Reservation Service
www.fs.fed.us/recreation/reservations
ReserveUSA.com
www.reseserveusa.com U.S. National
Park Service
www.nps.gov
U.S. National Park Service
Reservation Center
reservations.nps.gov
Bureau of Land Management
www.blm.gov
America's National Wildlife Refuge System
refuges.fws.gov Guide to Federal Recreation Passes
America the Beautiful recreation lands pass
http://store.usgs.gov/pass
FMCA.com Motorhome Travel — U.S. and Canadian
Travel Bureaus
www.fmca.com/motorhometravel/links/bureaus.asp
Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service
www.pccamping.ca/parkscanada
RVers' Good Neighbor Policy: Overnight parking etiquette
(PDF 184K)
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