Campgrounds

Indian Bread Rocks
Indian Bread Rocks Recreation Area

I’ve compiled some campground resources that I find helpful.  These are my initial go-to sites when I’m on the road and searching for our next destination.  I also use these sites extensively for campground reviews.  I welcome additional campground apps and websites – so please share with me, and I’ll add these if I also find them useful!  We tend to focus on public or free campsite locations, so RV Park websites are not usually on my radar.  I am happy to include some RV Park-oriented websites that are worthy and helpful – upon recommendations from folks who use and trust these sites.

Campendium – a campground review site put together by the folks at the Aluminarian blog.  All types of campgrounds are represented here with honest reviews from RVer’s like yourself.  Usually my first choice when I’m researching campsites.  I have recently started contributing campground reviews for this site.

  • Useful information includes address, official website if available, GPS coordinates, cost, 5-point star-rated review (reviewers can rate site on access, location, cleanliness, site quality, and noise), cell phone coverage, type of camping unit by reviewer, photographs of site, and summary of  reviewers experience.
  •  Search using filters to narrow your choices – choosing between RV Parks, Free Campsites, National Parks, National Forests, and State Parks.  More in depth filters include:  distance from your location, category, price, hookups, recreation, and discount clubs.

Free Campsites – this site focuses on public campgrounds such as forest service, BLM, and wildlife management areas, but also shows a limited amount of other free camping spots, including casino lots and rest areas.  Fee sites and sites requiring permits are also listed, if under $12.00 per night.

  • Each review includes location/address, management organization (ie BLM, forest service), a brief description and restrictions/requirements, amenities, and a star-rated review.  Available as an app for smartphones.
  • Filters can be applied to narrow choices and include: cost, access road type (gravel, dirt, etc), activities available, and site amenities (such as laundry, water/electric, ADA accessible, dump station, etc).
  • Recent searches are saved, and there is a trip planner option available.
  • The site administrators also maintain a blog that contains useful information, including technology updates to their site.

Ultimate Campgrounds – US Public Campgrounds – strictly public campgrounds in both the United States and Canada.  They have downloadable apps for smartphones, which offer more flexibility for searching.  With the apps, users can:

  • filter by region, campground types, amenities, activities, cost and elevation
  • color-coded icons identify the type of public campground, and clicking on an icon produces a popup description that includes:  total sites, # of RV sites, available hookups, generator hours, seasonal operation dates, fee ranges, elevation, phone number, nearest town, etc
  • search by name of campground, city/town or GPS coordinates
  • campsites can be saved to a *favorites* location for future access
  • the apps are constantly improved with regular monthly updates, and added  information (or obsolete sites deleted)

Some additional campground finding aid sites include:  WikiCamps (this was used extensively by an international couple we ran into, but I have not used it), Overnight Parking Finder app (okay for quickly finding a Walmart, Pilot/Flying J, or Rest Areas).

Boondocking near Zion NP
Azalea CG in Sequoia NP
Cottonwood CG in Canyon de Chelly NM
Boondocking at Padre Island NP
Apgar CG in Glacier NP
Beach camping at Padre Island NP
Gilbert Ray CG in Tucson, AZ

One Comment on “Campgrounds”

  1. Lynn,
    Here is a website i have used extensively since our teardrop has no “head” and Toni is averse to boon-docking with a 5 gallon bucket and kitty litter.
    Search by city or state and zoom in. The tagline is “The most comprehensive guide to Federal, State, Provincial and Local campgrounds”-and the symbol indicates which category, No privately owned campgrounds.
    http://www.uscampgrounds.info/
    Here is an example of the information provided when you click on a symbol:

    Cave Mountain Lake – Washington and Jefferson NF – VA
    New users please read 5mi SW of Natural Bridge Station TYPE:NF SITES:51 CAMPGROUND PH: 540.291.2188 /540.265.5100 EL(ft):1266 AMENITIES:(see box below map) NH RS DP SH DW PA LAT,LON:37.574,-79.534 ACCEPTS RES reservation website 877.444.6777 DOW INFO LINKS: weather – climate SEARCHES:(may show wrong place) reviews – photos – videos OPEN: early apr-late oct

    Stewart

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

(c) 2024 Lynn Thomas Amber All Rights Reserved  Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and owner Lynn Amber is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lynn Amber and Lynn Amber – Travel and Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 266 other subscribers
Categories
Copyright © Lynn Amber – https://lynnambertravelandphotography.com/

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lynn Amber and Lynn Amber – Travel and Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.