Pinhoti Trail Marker at Talladega National Forest
Photo by: Jonathan Kendrick (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds, camping fans and nature lovers!

In today’s special post, we’re going to explore some news for RV campers.

When it comes to RVing, the community is just as good at moving fast as it is at taking its own pace, and there are a lot of exciting events, ideas, and RV camping opportunities out there that we’d like to share with you!

More tent camping and great ideas about fun in the outdoors in next week’s post.

For now, let’s join the convoy and roll on!

Talladega Superspeedway Lands a Title Sponsor for its Fall Race: Not too long ago, we discussed the folks who combine RV camping with a love of NASCAR to create an awesome group excursion that follows the sport around the country. Some RVers have been doing it for years, and the camaraderie and excitement is contagious. Well, now, one of RV camping’s most trusted organizations is getting in on the act. Good Sam Club, a terrific RV owners’ organization that provides discounts at selected RV campgrounds, has taken on the Talladega 500; now known as the Good Sam Club 500. Check out their site if you’re not familiar with Good Sam’s offerings for RVers. Congratulations, Sam!

Caravan That Transforms into a Boat: It may not be quite as large as an RV by U.S. standards, but the new “Sealander” now being manufactured in Germany is an intriguing concept. Combining the functionalities of a camping trailer and a boat, this mighty little “caravan” includes on-board facilities for sleeping, eating, and washing. It’s your home away from home while at camp, and when it reaches the water, it transforms into a totally functional motorized sea craft. You do have to tow it from place to place on the back of another vehicle, but for a first design, it really shows some promise!

DISH Launches “Tailgater,” a Robotic Mobile Satellite TV Antenna: RV campers have always faced a somewhat mixed bag when it comes to television service. While more and more RV parks and campgrounds are offering free wireless internet, the best place to get a good TV reception has traditionally been the camp clubhouse. Now, DISH Network plans to change all that with the brand new “Tailgater.” “As long as there’s a line of sight between the Tailgater and the southern sky,” you’re all set; the dish itself remains safely protected from the elements and swivels to lock on to the signal no matter where you are. At $350, it’s also much cheaper than competing models that can run nearly $1,000 each.

Is this your rig’s next stop?
Photo by: Ginger Garvey (Stock Exchange)

In last week’s AllCampgrounds blog, we introduced “boondocking,” low-cost camping opportunities for RVers. This time we’ll be looking at a few more unusual RV camping opportunities that even the pros might not know about. There’s always something new to do with your RV, and at AllCampgrounds, our goal is to keep camping fun for everyone. So let’s check out some specialty RV camping opportunities you won’t hear about anywhere else. All aboard for RV parks and campgrounds!

NASCAR RV Camping

There are plenty of RV parks and campgrounds around major race tracks associated with NASCAR. If you love these high stakes, high speed races, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding places to park your rig for a few days or even longer. For a prime example, drop by International RV Park and Campground of Daytona Beach. As the name suggests, this camp plays host to guests from all around the U.S. and the world for race season. It includes extended amenities: full hook up, pool, and full bath and shower.

NASCAR RV camping is still unknown to lots of folks, but it’s popular enough to warrant its own internet hub site, appropriately titled NASCAR Camping. RV campers use the site as a social tool to get together, plan trips, keep an eye on the race schedule, and more. Camping and NASCAR info combine in the site, with everything from different RV parks to visit to information on getting tickets. Each and every major speedway has its own page for easy reference. Sizzling stuff if you love NASCAR!

Running an RV, you can pretty much head wherever you want. While there are a lot of terrific RV parks and campgrounds all around America, there’s no reason why beach fans can’t enjoy their favorite natural habitat from their RV. Plenty of RV parks are tucked out of the way … you can find them on islands and around high quality beaches.

One example comes in the form of Island RV Park out on Clear Lake, about two hours from San Francisco. There’s also Island RV Resort, billing itself as “The Premier Texas Gulf of Mexico RV Destination!” Are you down the other way? Island on the Chain, just north of the city of Chicago, features all seasonal waterfront sites. No matter whereabouts they are, island RV camps tend to be a little less hectic and a little more personal than your average park that’s just off the highway.

Maybe islands aren’t your thing, but you’d still like to roll down to the beach while the getting is good. Plenty of famous beach country is dotted with premier RV parks. You can check out some of our recent posts over the summer to get a few ideas. The AllCampgrounds favorite? I wouldn’t mind trying out Malibu Beach RV Resort for its cliff-side views of the Pacific Ocean, though word on the street is that the campground rules are pretty strict. All beach side RV resorts tend to have more rules than those in less fragile environments, but not all camp grounds enforce them the same way.

That’s it for today’s AllCampgrounds. See you next time – on the road and at the blog!

Camping ... it’s out there!
Photo by: Victor Zuydweg (Stock Exchange)

Today’s AllCampgrounds blog will explore what we might call “advanced” RV camping.

Even with RV parks and campgrounds dotting the landscape all around North America, there are a few unusual RV camping opportunities that even seasoned campers might not know much about.

For this post, AllCampgrounds will be shining a light on one of the more intriguing, less well known styles of RV camping, to really give you an idea of how versatile your rig can be.

Yes, today’s AllCampgrounds adventure is all about boondocking!

Boondocking for RV Campers

For RVers, boondocking is a form of low cost, long term camping. It might be thought of as the equivalent of backcountry camping among tent camping enthusiasts, which we talked about in Camping for Everyone: “Primitive” Campers. Boondocking gives you access to some unusual locations off the beaten path, as long as you’re willing to go off the grid, leaving conveniences like electricity hookups behind in favor of your battery.

Naturally, you shouldn’t try boondocking where RVs aren’t actually welcome. However, not all RV camping takes place at developed RV parks and campgrounds! Here are a few resources to help you find legal free and low cost camp grounds you won’t usually see on the map.

The Boondocking Guide: This great boondocking site includes routes and destinations, principally on the west coast and extending out as far as about Salt Lake City, Utah. It ranges through North America all the way up to Vancouver, too! But probably the most valuable resource here is the guide to long term camping on public land, derived from the official guidelines at the Bureau of Land Management.

Free Boondocking Database: This “crowdsourced” database of free RV camping includes entries from astute campers, public land visitors and even private landowners who have welcomed RV campers to pay an occasional visit. You can search or add to the database at will, but be sure to do your homework and double check on the recommendations before you build any camping plans around the database.

RV Boondocking News: A new but very promising blog focusing on issues surrounding boondocking. Though it’s fresh off the presses, it’s already been updated with a number of insightful and interesting articles. At AllCampgrounds, we’re always excited to welcome a new source of high quality camping news and camping information, and we hope that RV Boondocking News will be out there for a long time to come!

This isn’t the end for our “advanced RV camping” series. In future posts, we’ll cover more of the most creative, interesting, and unusual ways to put your rig to use as an RV camper. Don’t forget to visit AllCampgrounds again next Friday!

RV camping all the way in the Czech Republic!
Photo by: Victor Zuydweg (Stock Exchange)

In today’s AllCampgrounds, we’ll pick up where we left off and show you some great national groups for those who enjoy the best RV parks and campgrounds around the United States.

RVers are well known for their sense of community and solidarity, and so, there are plenty of organizations of all different kinds to choose from in your quest to meet more like-minded campers.

Of course, there are hundreds of state and regional RV camping groups around the country, so today we’ll focus solely on those that are known nationwide.

Family Campers and RVers: FCRV encourages friendship and family bonding among members dispersed all around the United States. With a focus on appreciating nature and developing better camping, hiking, and outdoor skills, FCRV is known for its great number of conventions, rallies, and group excursions. Planned activities for kids are a regular fixture of FCRV events, and there are even scholarship funds and survival skill classes to take advantage of for campers young, old, and in between.

Tin Can Tourists: The Tin Can Tourists are RV camping aficionados who celebrate classic trailers and motorcoaches. Besides holding annual conventions featuring Tin Can Tourists from around the country, the organization also maintains a directory of RV camps and RV resorts that are “Tin Can” friendly, either with affiliation to the group or discounts for members. Aside from the great camp grounds, you can learn plenty about restoration and related topics, or browse the classified section for gear.

RV Consumer Group: An independent and not-for-profit organization, the RV Consumer Group is handy for those who aspire to be RV campers in the future but haven’t quite crossed over to the lifestyle yet. The reason why? The Consumer Group provides research and advocacy for all things RV, as well as unbiased reviews, safety information, and ratings for the major RV brands and related equipment. If you’re making your first purchase or looking at a rental to get a taste of the RV life, look here first.

RVing Women: RVing Women is the largest group in North America dedicated to women who enjoy RVing. With a strong social network open to any woman interested in RVing (ownership not required!), RVW provides unique resources and a slew of events for women who’ve embraced the RV lifestyle. In August alone, chapters around the country organized nine great events. September and October are looking just as full of on the RVing Women calendar, and each chapter and individual event even has its own informational webpage!

Loners on Wheels: Active for 40 years, Loners on Wheels is literally the country’s first and largest singles group “on wheels”, catering to unattached folks of both genders. With 50 regional chapters in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, it provides trips, caravaning, and all kinds of events. You can search for events conveniently by U.S. state to find out exactly what’s going on in your area. Loners on Wheels is associated with the Low-Hi RV Resort and Ranch in New Mexico, which has 65 spacious RV sites and welcomes both LOW members and others to enjoy its amenities. Biannual LOW rallies are held there!

Ranch entrance
Photo by: alpeviolen (Stock Exchange)

Thanks for dropping by AllCampgrounds!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Idaho, the first thing that comes to mind is potatos. Imagine my surprise when, recently, a reader tipped me off to some excellent camp grounds around the state – and not a potato in sight

Idaho, in the Pacific Northwest, is something of a mystery to those who’ve never been there, but it has a rugged, unspoiled landscape great for backcountry camping, and some unexpected natural features. For example, Shoshone Falls, on the powerful Snake River, is actually 36 feet taller than world-famous Niagara!

Top Tent Camping and RV Campground Selections Near Shoshone

Though the Falls are actually located within the town of Twin Falls, many camping opportunities convenient to them are to be found in the area of Stanley, Idaho.

Twin Falls KOA: Though the city of Twin Falls operates facilities for viewing Shoshone Falls, which is best seen just as the winter snow melts, if you want to tent or enjoy RV camp grounds you’ll have to lodge at nearby sites instead. Open from March 1 to October 31, the Twin Falls KOA is central to awesome attractions for hardcore campers, casual tourists, and the whole family. Offering the kind of full-featured and friendly experience KOA camp grounds are known for, it particularly prides itself on the “room service”-type delivery of dinner each night, on request.

Anderson Camp: Anderson’s camp grounds in the aptly named Eden, Ohio caters to tent camping, RVs, and cabin fans. Anderson features grassy, shaded lots, along with a full-service cafe, convenience store, laundry, fuel, and even basic business services. There are two pools, and 18 holes of miniature golf, with a playground, game room, and volleyball available. During the season, you can even pick your own fruit at your campsite!

Sawtooth National Forest: Sawtooth National Forest covers more than two million acres of remote wooded land, encompassing a thousand-plus lakes and over three thousand miles of watercourse. With so much area to cover, you can expect developed and primitive sites of every kind dispersed around the area, and there’s also ample space for group camping. Popular recreation activities including bicycling, climbing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting.

More on camping and visiting the area is available from the official Stanley, Idaho website, calling it “a playground for all seasons.” Also take a look at Idaho’s Scenic Byways, a government-supported site, for maps and information on Snake River and points of interest along its 67-mile course. Popular guided tours bring visitors to the Falls close enough to feel the spray. Finally, for a convenient option on a pristine lake, try the cabins at Redfish Lake Lodge. They’ll help you get reservations and have a great time at any of the area’s natural sites.

Barringer Crater near Flagstaff, Arizona
Photo by: Mike Gieson (Stock Exchange)

Good morning from AllCampgrounds!

In our effort to find the best camping trips around North America, we’ve gone above and beyond– literally. Today’s blog will show you around tent camping and RV camp grounds outside Flagstaff, Arizona, near the impact site of the Barringer Meteor.

This natural marvel “dropped in” from space some fifty thousand years ago, but its now-famous Crater was only studied intensively starting in the 1800s. Considered a “national natural landmark”, it’s a little under three-fourths of a mile around and almost 600 feet deep. It also serves as the backdrop for all kinds of camping!

Meteor Crater RV Park: At the heart of Crater tourism is Meteor Crater RV Park. Completely fenced and gated, this place has 71 full-service pull-through sites with two ADA-compliant bathroom and shower facilities. Besides the fantastic Mexican restaurant, Meteor Crater is known for stargazing on beautiful, clear desert nights. On a full day, you can take in the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, and yes, the Meteor Crater – and still be in time to have dinner at Hole Enchilada and catch a falling star. Online reservations are available!

Woody Mountain Campground: This ‘ground offers the shady grandeur of cool pine forests, making for a nice defense from the Arizona heat. A general store, sandwich shop, and playground give the place a secluded, down home appeal, but it’s actually at the crossroads of dozens of great local attractions. Both tenting and RV camping is reasonably priced, and come with free wireless internet. If Meteor Crater isn’t a big enough dent for you, you can also check out the Grand Canyon (which we covered in depth in a previous AllCampgrounds post.)

J and H RV Park: Tucked away in the hills of Flagstaff, J and H is an award-winning RV site that’s been recognized time and time again by organizations like the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the Arizona Travel Park Association, and Outdoor Hospitality Magazine. Equally friendly to seniors and children, it prides itself on a warm and welcoming atmosphere away from modern hassles. Free cable TV and free wireless internet grace every one of the 50 full hookup sites, and the staff use the friendly, community feel of this small park to keep quality sky high.

Arizona State Parks System: Sad to say, the former state park closest to the Crater has been shut down due to budget restrictions. The nearest current state facility is Riordan Mansion State Park, which has just been rescued from closure with a three-year agreement with the Arizona Historical Society. Riordan Mansion, in Flagstaff, is centered around homes belonging to the two Riordan families who resided here from about 1904.

The nearest state park with overnight tent camping facilities is Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has four separate camp grounds: there are 100 total RV sites and a variety of primitive and developed sites. Each separate area is serviced with top-quality camping bathrooms that are ADA-compliant and feature hot showers

One of Louisiana’s iconic residents, the local gator
Photo by: Pam Roth (Stock Exchange)

Good morning, campers! In an earlier post here on AllCampgrounds, we discussed the ongoing oil spill situation in the Gulf states. As a Florida resident, this means a lot to me and so, I’d like shine the spotlight on some prime camp grounds around the Gulf, starting with Louisiana.

This state sure has overcome some troubles in the last few years, but the locals’ resilience, spirit, and humor has seen them through it all. And now, they could sure use a visit from all of us campers! Just to shake things up a bit, we’ll start with RV camp grounds.

Tent camping? You’ll get to see your home away from home next time!

Betty’s RV Park: Betty’s RV Park prides itself on the cozy, community atmosphere that it offers visitors, with 17 RV sites. Found in south central Louisiana, it stands at the crossroads of some of the best Cajun country restaurants in the state. Beware, though, that Betty’s is an “adults only” establishment; it’s one of the only RV parks I’ve seen that offers “happy hour” in an enclosed lounge with top local cuisine. With plenty of great galleries and testimonials on the website, you can really get the flavor of the place.

Lakeside RV Park: Claiming the title of “south Louisiana’s favorite RV park”, Lakeside offers more than just RV camping grounds. With fishing, swimming, activity pavilions, and playgrounds for both kids and pets, travelers have everything they need for a great vacation. There are 139 RV sites here with total 30 and 50 amp hookups; and if you happen to swing by without your trusty rig, you can also choose from a selection of fully stocked cabins. Sightseeing opportunities include Civil War-era estates, world-class golf courses, casinos, and the one-of-a-kind city of Baton Rouge.

Abbeville RV Park: Located around the same vicinity as Betty’s above, Abbeville RV benefits from the same exposure to Cajun culture and hospitality. The park offers 55 sites in a shady, secluded setup that’ll make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a wilderness paradise – even though it’s only two short miles from its namesake city. You can also enjoy a mile-long nature trail. Staying at Abbeville, Betty’s, or any other south Louisiana camp grounds? You should also check out the Vermillion Parish tourism website (“The Most Cajun Place on Earth!”) for local events and festivities, which are plentiful!

Cajun Palms RV Resort: Are you a fan of camping RV resorts? Cajun Palms, out of St. Martin Parish in southwest Louisiana, might be for you. With 300 “deluxe” sites for RVs, you’ll enjoy full hookups and special features like digital cable, fishing pond, hot tub, exercise room, an arcade, and a pool complete with beverage service. Twenty “themed” cabins run the gamut of tastes from Harley-Davidson and NASCAR to safari, crawfish, and even Disney themes. Once again, take a peek at the St. Martin Parish tourism site for things to see and do while you’re based in Cajun Palms.

Nice campers!
Photo by: thebrownco (Stock Exchange)

In today’s economy, budgeting is more important than ever; but nobody wants to give up on camping fun in the great outdoors. Enter AllCampgrounds, devoted to helping you feed your passion for nature, come rain or shine!

Not all campsites offer discounts, but there’s an increasingly large and diverse number of discount organizations that can help you get your RV camping on at a great price. We covered a few of these in an earlier post, but there are a few more we just have to mention.

Enjoy America: Enjoy America is especially for RV camping grounds. Member camp grounds are all privately owned parks open to the public without a membership, but having one means 50% discounts on overnight fees. Bear in mind that the duration of the discount isn’t standardized: it could apply for your entire stay or only the first night, depending on rules set by your local park. But the selection is top quality, as only camp grounds with a high Woodall’s or Trailer Life rating are allowed to participate. Member parks also have a convenient Central Reservation System through Enjoy America.

Escapades: Escapees RV Club: This RV club organizes great events to enlighten RV owners about getting the most from the RV life in a lively group setting. Escapades run 5-7 days or so and include great seminars as well as an RVers’ market, workshops, demonstrations, and plenty of fun evening activities. In addition to the events, there are member parks scattered around the country that offer benefits to Escapees: one of the most useful is that Escapees members can use short-term parking at all Escapees parks free of charge. “Home base parks” with even more features are found all over the place!

Happy Camper Half Price Camping Club: Another great club with over 1,000 RV camp parks to choose from across the United States, including dense coverage throughout the eastern seaboard and a particularly good selection in Florida. There’s even an RV trip planner that can show you all of the club camp grounds along your route. Unlike some alternatives, you can actually download your membership card as soon as you get started, so you don’t have to wait for the whole packet to show up in the mail – convenient if you’re tuning in from your RV right now! There are no reservations required to use any of the camps, and few restrictions on your discount except at the most popular parks.

The wilds of eastern Nevada
Photo by: Susan H. (Stock Exchange)

Good morning! A bit ago on AllCampgrounds, we began to explore Nevada by focusing on the best in tent camping. As we learned, there are a lot of huge, well-developed state and national parks offering a true glimpse of the sometimes harsh, but always serene beauty of this desert landscape.

There’s also great lakefront camping! But, admittedly, the weather can be harsh for non-locals, and that may make tent camping a challenge. That’s where RV camping comes in, and Nevada has enough RV parks for anyone! So, as we continue our 50 States Series, it’s on to RV camping Nevada!

Great RV Parks Throughout Nevada …

It would take a book to catalog all the RV camps in Nevada, nevermind one blog post! But here are some of the top RV camping destinations. Note that many RV camps in Nevada are actually “RV resorts” — featuring camp-style landscaping alongside the kind of amenities you’d expect from a 4-star hotel. This may not fit everyone’s definition of “camping”, but many of these resorts are reasonably priced, and you can’t beat the features.

Las Vegas RV Resort: It just wouldn’t be Nevada if I got away with not mentioning Las Vegas a single time. This park is located in the city proper, but don’t be fooled by the glitz and glamor: there’s nothing “crazy” about Las Vegas RV Resort. Just plenty of great sites with full hookups, including both back-in and pull-through. Amenities include a spa, pool, fitness room, laundry, and plenty of handicapped accessible facilities.

Longstreet RV Park: On the other hand, if you’re in the Vegas area, maybe you want to embrace it. Longstreet RV Park is associated with the hotel and casino of the same name, so you can combine your camping with a little bit of wagering. The park includes 51 unique sites, with full access to all the amenities of the hotel included in every stay.

Bonanza Terrace RV Park Accommodating rigs up to 50 feet, with 50 amp service in most sites and wireless internet, Bonanza Terrace is located just outside of Reno, Nevada. Another strong entry in the specialized Nevada niche of RV camps that are also casinos, it’s right across from the Bonanza Casino, with table games and slot machines. Bonanza Terrace also features a propane filling station and secured storage area.

Chief Sleep Easy RV Park: With 62 sites offering full hookup and 30 or 50 amp service, Chief Sleep Easy provides itself (himself?) on high-quality cell phone reception, free wireless ‘net, clean bathrooms, and a top of the line clubhouse including big screen, satellite TV. At 26 years of age, it’s fairly well-established by RV park standards, but that doesn’t mean the facilities are old or poor; it lays claim to the title “cleanest in the area.”

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee
Photo by: Horton Group (Stock Exchange)

Good morning, fellow campers!

Last time, we swung through Tennessee to get a close look at the tent camping scene there and get the scoop on some top state parks.

This time, it’s on to the best in RV parks and RV camping.

After all, as any road warrior knows, the RV camping experience is a world all of its own!

So, here’s a handful of the most-visited RV parks in the Tennessee scene. Let’s check it out …

Most of the RV camps in Tennessee are located in the eastern portion of the state, and of those, the majority are clustered around Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. Not surprisingly, the Smokies’ brilliant peaks and old-growth forests attract adventurers, campers, and eco-tourists of all kinds. By contrast, there are relatively few RV camps in the western part of the state, around Memphis, and a scattering of others in the central region, close to Nashville. For an idea of what you’re looking at, visit the Tennessee Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, an organization with shared standards of quality and price that has member camp grounds state-wide.

Since we’re equal opportunity around here, we’ll showcase sites from around the state.

Twin Mountain RV Park: Minutes away from the Great Smoky Mountains, Twin Mountain RV is perched on the banks of Little Pigeon River. All sites come with water, electric, and sewer standard, and both 30 and 50 amp service is available. You can enjoy activities like river tubing, swimming, and even basketball and tennis. The same company also operates several other high quality properties around the state, which you can learn all about through the same site.

Nashville Country RV Park: Located just outside the city that serves as its namesake, Nashville Country is family owned and operated. With 100 sites total, Nashville Country benefits from its central location to a number of great area attractions. During a stay at Nashville Country, you can enjoy time at Mammoth Cave National Park and some of the best regional fishing at Old Hickory Lake, Good times in both Kentucky and Tennessee are within easy reach, making this a top stop for out-of-towners and locals alike.

Deer Run RV Resort: Sprawling across the Cumberland Plateau outside Crossville in east-central TN, Deer Run’s motto is “Where Camping is a Pleasure.” As you’d expect, one of the big draws is wildlife viewing, including the eponymous deer. A 25-acre lake with beachfront area is the centerpiece of resort life, and there are also some amenities that are relatively rare, including a deli and chapel.

In our upcoming posts, look for more information on camping around the Great Smoky Mountains, including the first-ever edition of AllCampgrounds National Park Spotlight and a collection of several other great camp grounds right in the heart of the range.