Boondocking at a state park?

[ljedik]

I was wondering if I would be allowed to book a site at a state park or campground with facilities, and ask for the site only without water connection or electric hook-up? I want to save money by using my own water and power. What experiences do you guys have doing this?

[WheelingIt]

Sure you can...just depends on the park and the state and what kind of facilities they have availible.

For example, we're in New Mexico right now and the camping at State Parks here is $8/night for primitive/boondocking, $10/night for non hook-up ("developed" site), or $14/night for electric hook-up. We reduced costs even futher by buying the New Mexico State Park Camping Pass which covers basic camping fees for a year. So, at our current site (which is non-hookup) we're paying nothing.

Other States just depends on the sites. In FL, for example, many of the state parks will have electric as standard so there might not be an option for non-hookup. In other states and other parks you'll get the option. The non-hookup sites are almost always priced a little less than the hookups.

[Chuck 1935]

Come to California. The State Parks have no Water or Electric and for that privalege they charge $40. per night. If you can't make it they charge you $15 to cancel.

Hey, keeping Arnold supplied with sex partners ain't cheep!!!

[melvonnar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 Come to California. The State Parks have no Water or Electric and for that privalege they charge $40. per night. If you can't make it they charge you $15 to cancel. Hey, keeping Arnold supplied with sex partners ain't cheep!!!

My brother lives in California; he told me a lot of the state campgrounds were closing. Anyone know anything about this?

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljedik I was wondering if I would be allowed to book a site at a state park or campground with facilities, and ask for the site only without water connection or electric hook-up? I want to save money by using my own water and power. What experiences do you guys have doing this?

If you want a specific site that has water/electric, I think you'll have to pay for it. If there's a boondocking (no hookups) site available, then it'll be cheaper.

joe

[awarnes]

We do it all the time here in Washington State. When you log onto the state reservation website you can pull up each campsite you wish to look at. It will give you all the info you need and also allow you to book the reservation. Its about $10 to $13 cheaper for non hookup. It is the same system for Idaho and Oregon. Check your state park website to see.

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvonnar My brother lives in California; he told me a lot of the state campgrounds were closing. Anyone know anything about this?

Heres the list !!

List of California state parks that Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed closing - San Jose Mercury News

[goreds2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 Come to California. The State Parks have no Water or Electric and for that privalege they charge $40. per night. If you can't make it they charge you $15 to cancel. Hey, keeping Arnold supplied with sex partners ain't cheep!!!

[wa8yxm]

Depends on the park.. Many Michigan state parks all sites have Electric,, Water is "Luggable" (one spigot for the entiere park) sewer.... Likewise one dump station for the whole park. (or two, a double)

On the other hand.. if you are old enough.. I've spent a few nights in a core of engineer's park, water and 50 amp (no sewer however, just a dump station) 10 bucks a night... Wife has the "Golden age" pass.. I will too.. soon.

[mikelm48]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 Heres the list !! List of California state parks that Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed closing - San Jose Mercury News

Too bad. Here in Texas I think some of the smaller state owned parks have been taken over by the local city. That is the case near us, the park has been upgraded and is a great place to camp.

Mike

[ljedik]

Thanks for your overview, We're up in NY state so I'll have to check with our state parks it looks like since it's different state to state. I don't think we'll be traveling out of state this year with gas prices where they are. Thanks for your input.

[okie-dokie]

You are correct. California has 270 State parks. 70 of those as of 3 weeks ago are being closed. That's what LA channel 7 news stated.

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelm48 Too bad. Here in Texas I think some of the smaller state owned parks have been taken over by the local city. That is the case near us, the park has been upgraded and is a great place to camp. Mike

The parks that they are considering closing do not have camping. They are some of the lesser used historic sites. Still it is too bad that any of the places have to close. That is a good idea having the local cities have take over some of the parks. I'm sure there would be plenty of volenteers willing to run these places, after all they are owned by the public and are all of ours. The state is just the caretakers and they have not done much of a job. Our California polititions have screwed up the state with all the going green nonsense and big money union contracts.

[melvonnar]

I predict that California will have a giant earthquake and fall into the sea.