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!

Ready to hit the trail for more summer camping fun?
Photo by: Mike Newman (Stock Exchange)

Welcome to AllCampgrounds!

Just like we promised last week, today’s journey is all about RV parks and campgrounds.

RVers can find awesome camping conditions just about any time of the year, of course, but it’s all about finding the right camp grounds for your style.

Let’s beat the heat or enjoy the burn at some great summery destinations for big rig campers!

Lake Winnebago is Wisconsin’s biggest freshwater lake, and as you’d expect, there are a lot of great camping spots around the shore, including some of the state’s most celebrated RV parks. At the aptly-named Eden KOA you can see all kinds of local events and a good slice of the National Ice Age Scenic Trail. Swim in the beautiful lake, watch the birds, or visit the one-of-a-kind aviation museum. The KOA features 50 amp hookups, with space to accommodate plenty of rigs: RV clubs and get-togethers are fairly frequent.

Also in the area is Lakeview Campground. With a famous pub and grill featuring the much-attended Friday Night Fish Fry, Lakeview is family-owned and a little more private and personal than your average KOA. Even so, though, you’ll be impressed by the features: heated pool, concession stands, mini-golf, three playgrounds, sports, and plenty of pleasant, wooded areas for camping. Don’t have your own RV? You can rent one at competitive rates and still enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Lakeview.

There are a lot of folks out there who aspire to the RV lifestyle but don’t have a rig of their own just yet; or maybe you’re an RVer who’d like the chance to introduce the life to a younger relative. If either of these describe you, there might be a perfect opportunity in American Wanderer Summer Camp, which bills itself as “RV Camp for Kids.” Helping youngsters aged 11 through 17 experience eight of the country’s best national parks, American Wanderer is the only rolling summer camp, which ranges across public parks from day to day in upscale rolling cabins. Parents and families can get in on the act during the off season, with custom trips for private groups.

That’s just a taste of what summer has to offer in RV parks and campgrounds. Like your summer camping hot and flat? Or maybe you want to relax in the company of a whole slew of RVers just like you? You’ll want to tune in to our next post at AllCampgrounds, where we’ll continue the hunt for the best RV camp grounds around the nation. Come back this time next week to share some camping sizzle with AllCampgrounds. Until then!

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

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.