campground guides

[bdpreece]

It has been several years since we have purchased a campgoung guide. The DW says it is time. Any suggestions as to which is best?
Are the ratings any way near correct and are the price listings up to date?

[historyljc]

I use Woodall's, Good Sam, Pass Port America, and RV Park Reviews, all on-line. I think I have Woodall's & Good Sam's books in the coach that are '07s but I haven't looked at them in over two years. It's easier and faster on-line. If I were going to carry one hard copy for a back-up it would be Woodall's.

[GaryKD]

Hi Brian,
I use the Trailer Life (Good Sam) directory. In addition I purchased the book of state maps that has all the CGs in the paper directory marked on the map. This combination has been really helpful. When at a rest area having lunch I can use the map to figure out where I might be at the end of the day. Then use the directory to get the details and phone number of the CG.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally posted by bdpreece: Are the ratings any way near correct and are the price listings up to date?

Ratings are really subjective...what one person might think of as a great campground is a terrible one to the next person. I'd use the ratings in ANY directory with a grain of salt.

As for prices, the prices are as of the previous year (for the printed version...don't know if the on-line versions are updated more frequently).

[Wayne M]

Besides all those mentioned, I also will do a Google search for RV Parks, by city and sometimes state.

One of 'my' better searches is with Microsoft Live Maps
When on the site, type in the city you wish to view in the "Live Search" pane. Once it comes up, type RV Park in the Live search pane. It will pop up CG's in the Center of the map. You can then drag the map and the CG will re-populate.

No one piece of information sources is all-inclusive, including the books. I use all sources until I find a place to stay. And yes, sometimes I'm across the street of a better place, but hey, I can move.

The only reviews I believe in are the ones I have written. All others are taken like a grain of salt.

Once a CG is located, a Google search on that CG will typically give you a web page that may have the current rate, but it is always a good idea to call.

Call ahead and tell them what discount you would like to use. The CG's normally set aside a percentage of their CG for discount holders. If they say they are full, ask if they have any non-discount sites. You may find that they do, and don't haggle over discount/non-discount. Many others have been rude to the CG staff when the arrive and find out that they are "full" to see empty sites. It has cut off discounts at many CG's.

Not singling any one out, but just generalizations.

Remember, books are extra weight and storage.

[D in Davie]

There is another source that I relied on during a trip through the North east. I stopped at each states welcome station on the interstates and used their camp ground guides. Some, like Virginia's are very good and I found one place I loved that was very reasonable. They also list State and some county parks. Unfortunately some states like CT. do not check the information for accuracy and one campgrounds free wifi turned out to be the Panera Bread company store down the street. Cable TV could also be on the one set in the locked rec room. I now use woodalls because they have a map in front of each state that helps me look up places in the area I'm going. They also check the accuracy of the features offered. None of these things are easy to use while driving so I think a GPS is in my future.

Denis

[UPS 34]

We use woodalls and also the Internet. If you have Internet on the road it helps alot.

[Scottsdale]

I have Trailer Life software. I can zero in on an area and it will show me on a map the location of all RV parks. By selecting one I can see all the info on it. It also has routing option. This way, I don't have to carry the big books.

[outdoorlover]

As an added note, Google earth could also be of help for a quick overview of the different RV campgrounds and resorts. My initial try on it was quite difficult though, but it's really fun browsing through it.