It hasn’t been long but we already have people asking how we choose and find our various RV campsites. Well the short of it is we use LOTS of different resources (list at bottom) along with our gut feeling.
The following are the various places to camp and how we find them.
- HARVEST HOSTS – these are family/local owned businesses that let you stay for one night free in their parking lot/field. They charge nothing but you are strongly encouraged to spend $20 on their merchandise. Easy. NOTE: this is a membership and cost $79/year. THESE are truly field trip locations though so we LOVE them already!
COST: $0. Spent $40 in their shop.
Cost: $0 but spent $16 on their lavendar ice creams!
2. INDEPENDENT – These are the campgrounds and RV parks with the big signs and probably show up the most on google searches. That’s how we find them (and Allstays app). They usually have partial to full hook ups (Elecric, Water, Sewer) and can be more pricey ranging from $25-100+
Optional Membership: PASSPORT AMERICA – I’m throwing this in with the independently owned campgrounds because that’s what they are linked to. This membership offers 50% off 1-3 nights stay at various campgrounds. It costs $50/year and we’ve already used it twice saving us $40. (The cons are that many do not give the 50% discount during the summer/busy months.)
3. DISPERSED CAMPING – this is free camping on National Forest or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. Of course it is dry camping (no hooks ups whatsoever). Often if you have neighbors, they’re a ways a way and you should feel like you’re on your own – just you and nature. 🙂
Cost: $0
4. NATIONAL MONUMENT CAMPGROUND – This was first come first serve and dry camping. Although there were no hooks ups there were nice restrooms and potable water nearby. AND you could run your generator except during “quiet hours” which are at every campground and are usually 10pm-7am. But you guys you are camping INSIDE the PARK! We camped surrounded by lava rock and the desolate beauty of this park! It’s worth the experience to go without all the hooks ups for one night!
Cost: $15
5. NATIONAL PARK – I post this separate as the National Monument because there are usually some campgrounds that you can make reservations and some that are first come first serve. Either way they tend to be $25-50/night. Usuaully no hooks ups but sometimes you can run a generator. Again, you have the benefit of being inside a National Park so hikes may be just outside your “front door”. They usually have bathrooms and running water you can fill up jugs and bottles.
Cost: $33/night
6. STATE / COUNTY / RECREATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS – Sometimes they take reservations, sometimes first come first serve. They range from free to $30+. We stayed at Big Sioux Recreation area in South Dakota for $32 with electric hook up and restrooms nearby. A big bonus was a nice paved walking/biking path that ran through the park. However one of our favorites was a free county park that had no hook ups but it was very relaxing with sand volleyball court, horseshoes, playground, and a creek to wade in.
Cost: $0
7. CABELAS (WALMART, CRACKER BARREL) – This is a great option if you don’t need hooks ups but maybe you need to shop or just need a quick place to park and sleep (and it’s level!). You do have to call in advance to make sure they allow it, it really varies. Man, it’s worth it if you can! We were even able to unhook and go explore for a few hours AND run our generator (during the day).
Cost: $0
8. BOONDOCKER’S WELCOME – this is for members only (joining costs $50/yr). Individuals give their driveway or backyard for you to park for a night, or two, or three (they set the terms). SOMETIMES there are hook ups, but we don’t plan on it. Often require only 24 hour notice.
Cost: $0
9. HIPCAMP – similar to Boondocker’s Welcome because it’s on someone’s private land, but different because there are set fees ($10-100). Often there is some kind of hook up. The one we stayed at near Riverton, WY was a ranch and they offered electric hook up but you’d need to fill your water from a hose.
as well as a friendly dog and a few horses that stopped over to say hi.
Cost: $25
10. CASINOS – that’s right a lot of casinos have designated RV parking. This one we tried in Shetlon, WA had FULL hooks ups and was part of Passport America. We were excited to try out one of their restaurants but the hours were weird and they were pricey so we drove 10 minutes for a super yummy meal of Mexican! Clean bathrooms and half the price laundry costs.
11. MOOCHDOCKING – parking in a friend or family’s driveway/street is considered moochdocking. 🙂 We did this once and plan to do it again! It’s a super fun way to spend time with those friends and family members and saves some mulah too!
RESOURCES we use:
- ALLSTAYS app
- PASSPORT AMERICA website
- HARVEST HOST website
- STATE PARK websites
- HIPCAMP website
- BOONDOCKER’S WELCOME website
- THE DYRT app
- CAMPENDIUM website and app
- FREE ROAM app