Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > RV LIFE STYLES FORUMS > RV'ing On A Budget
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-05-2015, 02:25 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pomona Park Fl
Posts: 245
Camping for cheap!

Been about 12 or 13 years since we sold the old MH, and settled down on 10 acres. Completely happy with all my toys, but ended up with a 4 yr old great granddaughter that we took fishing at one of the local lakes, and a tour of the campgrounds there, and I guess we both became addicted! We bought an old 5th wheel, (paid too much, bad shape etc), but got it just about remodeled all the leaks fixed etc, and she's "ready to go fishin". I've got the urge to go travel again, after a few local trips to make sure everything is working correctly, would like to head up through the smokies and show the little redhead the mountains.
We're in Fl, so would be a real eye opener for her! I remember how cheap campgrounds were back when we had the MH. Now I look at camping rates, and it scares me to death! I'm reading everything I can find on camping "on the cheap", but I don't want to end up in Wally World prkg lots. Please post all your ideas on how to proceed.
TheOldMan76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-05-2015, 03:55 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
J Birder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake County, IL
Posts: 1,584
Start by purchasing a National Park Senior Pass, which is the world's greatest bargain. The cost is $10, and it is good for a lifetime. It will get you free admission to National Parks, and half price camping at all National Park, National Forest, BLM, and COE campgrounds. You can buy it at any National Park fee station, or online at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html.

Typical National Forest campgrounds will run $5 to $10 a night with the pass. There are several just south of the Smokies or just north east of the Smokies. See http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm.

National Forests also allow "dispersed camping" outside of their established campgrounds, at no charge. There are generally some restrictions regarding where it is permitted. See http://http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail...telprdb5121831.

Joel
__________________
Retired electronics engineer. Avid paddler & birder.
2011 Silverado 2500HD, diesel, 4x4,crew cab, 8' bed
Palomino Puma 253FBS (27' 5er) & '94 19' Class B
J Birder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2015, 04:39 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Lifemember's Avatar
 
Damon Owners Club
Vintage RV Owners Club
Oklahoma Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Bartlesville Oklahoma
Posts: 1,300
Quote:
Originally Posted by J Birder View Post
Start by purchasing a National Park Senior Pass, which is the world's greatest bargain. The cost is $10, and it is good for a lifetime. It will get you free admission to National Parks, and half price camping at all National Park, National Forest, BLM, and COE campgrounds. You can buy it at any National Park fee station, or online at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html.

Typical National Forest campgrounds will run $5 to $10 a night with the pass. There are several just south of the Smokies or just north east of the Smokies. See http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm.

National Forests also allow "dispersed camping" outside of their established campgrounds, at no charge. There are generally some restrictions regarding where it is permitted. See http://http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail...telprdb5121831.

Joel
X2 I have the disability card and utilize a COE lake near the home. Cost is $9.00 a night. Real nice location, great fishing, sites are well spaced.
__________________
1996 Damon DayBreak 454 P37 Chassis
Lifemember is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2015, 05:57 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 982
Quote:
Originally Posted by J Birder View Post
Start by purchasing a National Park Senior Pass, which is the world's greatest bargain. The cost is $10, and it is good for a lifetime. It will get you free admission to National Parks, and half price camping at all National Park, National Forest, BLM, and COE campgrounds. You can buy it at any National Park fee station, or online at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html.

Typical National Forest campgrounds will run $5 to $10 a night with the pass. There are several just south of the Smokies or just north east of the Smokies. See http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm.

National Forests also allow "dispersed camping" outside of their established campgrounds, at no charge. There are generally some restrictions regarding where it is permitted. See http://http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail...telprdb5121831.

Joel
Please be advised:: you need to check which campgrounds do what
1 Many concession run GC in National Park do not honor your pass on camping fees
2 Same with a few Nat'l Forest
3 Some Corp Parks have been turned over to another agency. That agency may not honor the pass. Example: 2 of the COE outside Dallas/Ft Worth, one in western PA are county managed.
Always ask don't assume.
If your spouse is eligible she should have one also. While one holders pass gets there vehicle thru entrance fees, any pay programs will only honor the card holder
__________________
Ron & Linda
2000 Dynasty 38PBS
Full time since 2007
Nana25K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 08:26 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
rideandslide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Waynesville Georgia
Posts: 1,307
Now is called The America The Beautiful Senior Pass, just got mine, best $10 you will ever spend !
rideandslide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 08:34 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Mr_D's Avatar
 
Country Coach Owners Club
Solo Rvers Club
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
Got my "Golden Access Pass" many years ago. Same thing as the new pass but no cost to get it. Had it with me in Hawaii and used it there too.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
Mr_D is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 05:48 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
More-Gas's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 178
lifemember can you tell me what the "disability card" is? thanks
__________________
Joe & Doreen FMCA #F466873 PassPort America
2004 Winnebago 35U 8.1 Vortec, Allison Trans.
Pushed by a 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 dr.
More-Gas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 07:05 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 982
It is another one if the interagency passes. It is free when you have a documented disability. You will need some form oif documentation such as a letter from your Dr. , a Copt of your SSDI award, Veterans disability document etc. To show when you puck up your pass.
It will provide the same discounts as the America the Beautiful pass. Contact one of the agencies near you that handles the passes such as a Natl Park, Natl Wildlife Refuge etc
__________________
Ron & Linda
2000 Dynasty 38PBS
Full time since 2007
Nana25K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2016, 07:00 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
ctpres's Avatar
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chasing 70 degrees in lower 48
Posts: 2,031
Did not see Passport America mentioned Passport America Campgrounds
50% off at many campgrounds. Annual fee well worth it. Typically pays for itself with just two or three nights of use.
__________________
Suzie & Chuck USNR USAF USCGA Challenger Owners Club 2015 37KT Challenger, Demco Commander tow bar, Ready Brake, Sewer Solutions, Safe-T-Plus 41-230, 5-Star tune, towing 2017 Ford Edge FWD 3.6L V-6 four down & 385 FastTrack kayak in the basement.
Summer - Creede, CO Winter - Okeechobee, FL
ctpres is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
camping



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Camping World Problem Ron and Lin iRV2.com General Discussion 27 07-28-2015 11:32 AM
Is it just me or does anybody else pick a bone with Camping World? maddczech MH-General Discussions & Problems 43 04-19-2015 05:51 AM
Camping World Recognized As Top Winnebago Dealer DriVer RV Industry Press 4 10-15-2014 08:53 PM
Camping World????? tagcat MH-General Discussions & Problems 37 05-24-2014 09:30 AM
18 weeks in Camping World shop cherylee Thor Industries Owner's Forum 29 02-09-2014 08:48 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.