Campground Directory

[Lakeman1]

Which Campground Directory does everyone use and why. Do you buy a book or use the Internet.

[Cousin Ed]

We buy Trailer Life one year and Woodalls the next and always check campgroundreviews.com for a camper's opinion

[Dick & Pat]

Passport America & Camp Club USA directories often list campgrounds for a locality that aren't listed in TL or Woodall's. Quite often Chamber of Commerce websites list campgrounds as well.

[Lakeman1]

Thanks ED. We are just now getting back into camping after being out for about 35 years. I did not know about Rv park reviews site, will check it out.

[GaryKD]

Passport America Directory first. Next is the Trailer Life Directory.

[NLOVNIT]

I'll check iRV2's listings first. Although sparse (& I'm doing my best to add to them), the ones that are detailed are right on. I especially like ones with pictures. Pics from members are more accurate than the glorified (i.e. wide angle lens shots to make a cramped site look spacious!) ones on websites. I try to include pics of actual sites with my reviews since lots of CG websites don't do that. They'll show pics of the ammenities or people shots, but not site fotos so you can get an idea whether or not your 40ft+ MH & toad will fit or how shady/sunny the sites are.

Next I use campgroundreviews.com. You have to take ratings there w/a grain of salt. A single CG can range anywhere from low to high in ratings depending on the particular circumstances the camper encountered. I try to look for a pattern of consistency in the ratings to get an overall opinion. Sure you're gonna have occasional 1's & 2's even amongst a CG that has consistently high numbers. I just chalk that up to someone having a unpleasant experience (maybe it rained their entire time or the pool was closed for service...etc).

Lori-

[Nonno]

As you probably know there are a lot of them. For books, I buy Woodall's and pick-up a KOA at a KOA or RV show. On-line I use many because of the ease of viewing them. Here are a few

RV Campgrounds, RV Camping, RV Rentals, RV Parks, RV Resorts - Woodalls
Camping and Campgrounds - KOA Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
Camp Club USA Discount Camping Club - 50% Off Campground Rates
RVingUSA Template Horiz Header
RV Park Reviews :: Home

I also go to the individual state campgroung listings. Here is the one from NH
http://www.ucampnh.com/

And of course there is a source of info here on iRV2
http://www.irv2.com/campgrounds/

[Rich and Cork]

On our four month trip around this great country of ours this year we used:

Campclub USA
AAA
IRV2

In that order. We used IRV2 to see what all of the group thought about places we were considering.

[Rveer'sGal]

Pete & Linda,

Thank you so much for asking this question. We're pretty new to RV'ing & my biggest issue has been locating campgrounds. I've used Woodall's, AAA & internet searching (which can get totally confusing ). I've also started using IRV2!! I want to thank Cousin Ed, NLOVNIT & Nonno for all the internet sites. After checking out a few I already feel my searching will be much easier!!

Happy RV'ing
Mary

[Gary RVRoamer]

I use the electronic version as much as possible - Trailer Life Guide on CD and a saved file of the Passport directory. Have paper of both in case I don't have the computer handy.

I also use the online directory/reservation service for RPI, Thousand Trails and the US federal park systems (recreation.gov).

[StStg1]

Since we mostly camp at State and Corp of Engineer Parks, we use the TL CD, the recreation.gov, and reserveamerica.com. We alo use the last two sites to make reservations.

[Lakeman1]

Yes Mary thanks to everyone for all their help. Good sites.

[Zimectrin]

We use Google Maps or Google Earth. Pick where we will be and search on 'campgrounds' or 'RV parks'.

You will then get a more complete list of places than you will find on the fee based listing in the books. Most of the time there is a link to the parks website where you can view a sitmap, photos of the park, and reserve a site. If a link is not present you can search again on the park name for additional info. This search will many times direct you to campgroundreviews.com. For us, if a park does not have a website we take that as a sign.

We prefer Google Earth as then we can really 'see' what the place looks like and its proximity to town, shopping, freeway, trains, etc. You can also see the layout of the park, trees, roads, etc. As a bonus you have directions in front of you. Much more info than the books.

We have never been burned by this method. Can't say that about the books and we have had them all!

Downside of this is you do have to plan ahead. Hard to log onto Google Earth at 5:00pm driving down the interstate.

[Rveer'sGal]

Originally Posted by Zimectrin

We use Google Maps or Google Earth. Pick where we will be and search on 'campgrounds' or 'RV parks'.

Steve & Sherri,

Thank you so much for this suggestion. I was using Google but in reverse. Locating a park and then looking at it. Just tried the search in Google Maps and up came a great list of parks!! I'm with you on wanting to "see" where the park is located and general area. Especially if we're going to a lake for fishing and want to be as close as possible.

All these tips are definitely making my searching easier!!!

Thanks again!!
Mary