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07-12-2012, 04:09 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3
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I want to camp in National forest and National Parks
My husband and I have a 33ft travel trailer and want to start camping in places other than rv parks. We are headed from Texas to Idaho soon, so I'm looking for some recommendations and tips.
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07-12-2012, 04:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Ford Super Duty Owner Carolina Campers
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,266
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&MFarms
My husband and I have a 33ft travel trailer and want to start camping in places other than rv parks. We are headed from Texas to Idaho soon, so I'm looking for some recommendations and tips.
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Here's a great place to start: Recreation.gov
Some folks will come along soon with specific recommendations, no doubt.
I put in 36' RV site in Texas, and it came back with 67 hits!
__________________
2002 National Dolphin LX 6356
Workhorse W-22 chassis
Don't believe everything you think.
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07-12-2012, 04:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,581
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If you don't have one get an annual pass(or if old enough the senior citizen one) from the forest service - fees are significantly reduced if you have the pass.
__________________
Bob & Sandi, dogs Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2005 34 foot DolphinLX
If towing: a bright red 2016 Mini Cooper on a tow dolly.
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07-12-2012, 09:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake County, IL
Posts: 1,584
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Here is a very useful directory of National Forest camp grounds and a related forum. Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds. We do most of our camping in National Forests and find it to be very helpful.
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
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07-13-2012, 11:18 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 20,473
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We, too, recommend the above-mentioned, Dow's Forest Camping Directory website. We use it all the time and they have personally visited the campgrounds. We have a 40' motorhome towing a Jeep and we find these kinds of campgrounds easily, but then, our travels are mainly west of the Mississippi. We have been to the national parks many times so you shouldn't have a problem. We rarely make reservations except perhaps for holidays or if we really need to be in a certain area at a certain time. Have fun! They sure beat public parks for scenery, wildlife and spaciousness of sites!!
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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07-13-2012, 03:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 534
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My wife and I try to camp as often as possible in National Forest, National Parks and State Parks. Our last RV was a 33 foot Mobil Scout Travel Trailer. All of the above sites are good for finding and planning your stops. Since you are wanting to be in Nat. Forest and or National Parks, you will of course need to be preparred to "dry camp". Many of the sites in both of these lands (you should also pay attention to BLM campgrounds) do not have water and electric hookups.
So, if you are new to "dry camping" start reading and posting in the "boondocking" section of IRV2 forums. You will learn a lot and read more on the type of campgrounds found in those areas.
A word of encouragement, my wife and I found that we could easily use our travel trailer for up to 3-5 days, dry camping, with two batteries. We only camped in seasonally comfortable weather and were very conservative with our electrical and gray water usage. So, if you are not familiar with dry camping, dont necessarily feel like you have to run out and get solar or a generator to begin.
Good luck,
Dave
__________________
Dave and Anita
Two empty-nesters
2019 Sunseeker
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07-14-2012, 08:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,325
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Don't discount the State parks along your way. I have found some really nice ones with full hook-ups for cheap.
If you have an iPad, get the all stays camp and Rv app. I think it is great for finding places to camp, it lists all parks, private Rv parks and Walmarts and dump stations.
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07-14-2012, 12:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,581
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US Army Corps of Engineers also have some pretty nice parks and campgrounds.
__________________
Bob & Sandi, dogs Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2005 34 foot DolphinLX
If towing: a bright red 2016 Mini Cooper on a tow dolly.
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07-14-2012, 02:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: E WA or S TX
Posts: 4,086
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We travel from the RGV to WA each spring, last year it took us 6 days to get out of TX. We spent 6 nights in the ST. Parks. Get the TX park pass for $70 and you get 50% off of the second night for four times and unlimited entrance fees (free fishing from shore in the ST parks). they have many nice parks with water & elect.
TPWD: Rules & Benefits of the Texas State Parks Pass Program
And of course the Golden age Passport for the NAT parks.
__________________
04 Horizon QD, 12 Ford Flex, Excalibar, Brakemaster, Winter Texan, RVin! since 1974
Norm, Donna & Tinker Kat(RIP) 01 Z3
Life is a Timed Event, you only get One Go Around!
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07-14-2012, 07:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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I spend most of my time in Membership parks, (Cause I have two memberships so during the summer I pay less than 100/month for parking) the rest is spent in govrnment parks, Usually a county park, alas, those you have to find by goign county by county.
But when they raise their rates I switch to COE park, and on my twice a year hike north or south (Summer/winter) I will use other government parks too.
The reseravation dot gov link above.. How I find them.
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Home is where I park it!
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