Camping or motels across the US?

[_ten_]

Hi there,

Just wondered what you all thought about the pros & cons of camping versus the use of motels en route while travelling across the US.

Is there a directory for camp sites across the States? What's the average cost of a site compared to a cheapish motel?

Reason I ask is coz we always try an travel 'light' while touring – in all of Europe we've always just headed out, stopped where we felt like and booked into a hotel... saving on all the clutter associated with camping.

What do you think?

[MountainMan]

Depends on the style of trip you want to take, but if you enjoy camping at all I would very highly recommend it. The US is so large and there are many places to camp that are good and in some cases great, especially if you are willing to explore a little. It is very different from Europe where the camping is expensive and crowded. You can find plenty of hotels if you want to mix it up, but IMHO that the camping experience can add a lot to the trip.

[GSing]

Camping is by far the cheapest. $10-15 per night. Each state will have a directory of their state parks on-line. The national park service also has a nice web site. Availability depends on where you are and when. It is not uncommon for state and federal parks to fill up. Some parks accept reservations. Private camp grounds usually have washrooms and laundry facilities and many have Internet access for e-mail and researching your next stop/weather. Many private campgrounds are converting a lot of their tent space to motor home spaces. More profitable. Don’t assume a “campground” has tent space. I usually camp for around 5-6 nights then get a motel room for 1 night to clean up equipment and myself. Some private campgrounds have small, minimally furnished cabins for around $30-40. I've used these instead of motels in expensive areas. You can check hotel rates on-line. In my area, it's getting very difficult to find a room under $40. Some small, family run motels are a bit cheaper. Again it depends on when and where. You can carry minimal cooking gear/food, as inexpensive food is widely available. When doing my own cooking, I carry no more than 1-2 days in my bag. It’s usually as cheap to eat at local restaurants.

I don't know where you are currently located. One thing different here than in many parts of Europe and South America, is the general reluctance of property owners to allow camping on their property, no manner how remote. Again, it depends when and where. It never hurts to ask.

Please feel free to ask more questions or PM me. I’ve traveled a bit and know the frustrations of getting answers to the more mundane issues. The community sections located on this web site have some good contacts. If you have a particular route, post it and we’ll help. One last thing. Do an internet search for motorcycle friendly camp grounds. More and more are opening. They know the needs of motorcycle travelers. Here in North Carolina, we have many excellent locations such as the one Grant hosts the June HU meeting.

[GSing]

Oops, I see you're in SE England. We do have more weather choices, depending on routes.

[_ten_]

lol

cheers.

Yup... I'm planning a month's tour... squeezing in as many National Parks as I possibly can. Starting out around August. I'll be solo this time so I guess I have more space on the back for camping gubbins so its well worth considering. Breaking it up into camps & motels is a good idea.

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by GSing

Camping is by far the cheapest. $10-15 per night. Each state will have a directory of their state parks on-line. The national park service also has a nice web site. Availability depends on where you are and when. It is not uncommon for state and federal parks to fill up. Some parks accept reservations. Private camp grounds usually have washrooms and laundry facilities and many have Internet access for e-mail and researching your next stop/weather. Many private campgrounds are converting a lot of their tent space to motor home spaces. More profitable. Don’t assume a “campground” has tent space. I usually camp for around 5-6 nights then get a motel room for 1 night to clean up equipment and myself. Some private campgrounds have small, minimally furnished cabins for around $30-40. I've used these instead of motels in expensive areas. You can check hotel rates on-line. In my area, it's getting very difficult to find a room under $40. Some small, family run motels are a bit cheaper. Again it depends on when and where. You can carry minimal cooking gear/food, as inexpensive food is widely available. When doing my own cooking, I carry no more than 1-2 days in my bag. It’s usually as cheap to eat at local restaurants.

I don't know where you are currently located. One thing different here than in many parts of Europe and South America, is the general reluctance of property owners to allow camping on their property, no manner how remote. Again, it depends when and where. It never hurts to ask.

Please feel free to ask more questions or PM me. I’ve traveled a bit and know the frustrations of getting answers to the more mundane issues. The community sections located on this web site have some good contacts. If you have a particular route, post it and we’ll help. One last thing. Do an internet search for motorcycle friendly camp grounds. More and more are opening. They know the needs of motorcycle travelers. Here in North Carolina, we have many excellent locations such as the one Grant hosts the June HU meeting.

I may PM you myself, my wife and I are due to do 3 months in the states(NY->Chicargo->R66->LA->NY, the 1st five weeks are with another couple so we will be using motels to start with, but once they leave us at SF we will start camping as we wander back to NY via the parks.

We will be buying camping gear in LA, so any clues to cheap camping shops welcome, REI looks expensive to me

[ct_miller13]

Woodall's North American Campground Directory as well as a number of other directories list the campgrounds in the U.S. In addition, they list the price and ammenities. Also check out Camping With the Army Corps. of Engineer's. Some other's are; Rand McNally RV Park and Campground Directory, U.S. National Park Campground Guide aand Frommer's Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A.

All U.S. states offer some sort of visitor's information center near the state lines. Most of these places have info on campgrounds and lodging, as well as historical sites and various attractions.

All of the said books can be found at either www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. You can also get a lot of information by visiting the Visitor's Bureau of whichever states you will be going to.

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by ct_miller13

Woodall's North American Campground Directory as well as a number of other directories list the campgrounds in the U.S. In addition, they list the price and ammenities. Also check out Camping With the Army Corps. of Engineer's. Some other's are; Rand McNally RV Park and Campground Directory, U.S. National Park Campground Guide aand Frommer's Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A.

All U.S. states offer some sort of visitor's information center near the state lines. Most of these places have info on campgrounds and lodging, as well as historical sites and various attractions.

All of the said books can be found at either www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. You can also get a lot of information by visiting the Visitor's Bureau of whichever states you will be going to.

Thanks, will go and have a book hunt

[Surfer]

I read somewhere that there is a website that you belong too, which eneables you to find ..basically a couch in someones house! There are thousands of houses signed up now.

I wish i could remember the site....:confused1:

good luck

[GSing]

Bruce P.

PM away. Be glad to help out. A NP tour sounds terrific. You can get a pass for national parks that will save you a little money. There's usually lots of campgrounds next to NP's if they are full or not to your liking. Do stop at the first welcome center you come to as you enter each state. (on major interstates) They'll have walls full of free maps and other information for that state.

Someone asked about inexpensive camping gear. Oh course, buy as good as you can afford. I have a good friend that is always ragging on my expensive gear and how many times he can replace his tent verses buying one like mine. His theory was shot down during a recent trip when his tent collapsed (permanently) in a thunderstorm. No tents to be found for a couple of days. I found www.sierratradingpost.com They have name brand clothing and equipment at very good deals. Usually last years model. REI also has an outlet on-line. http://www.rei.com/outlet/index.html

Best of luck.

[Livotlout]

Alec

[Bill Ryder]

I personaly much prefer a quiet campground to the less expensive motel where the drunks rattle in at 2AM waking up the cockroaches. That is unless it has been raining for days or you happen to be the drunks.

[sebjones906]

This seems obvious ... but ... when on the road I eat at little Mom and Pop cafes, the places where the locals have been drinking their coffee for 25 years. When you pull up on a motorcycle you are their entertainment. Conversations are then easy to start. I ask, "where is the best place to camp aroung here?" You find the little spots that no one knows about or ... I have even been offered (and taken them up on) camping in people's back yards.

[sebjones906]

Alec.
BTW is your photo taking at the little campground at Goulding, Monument Valley?

[Hoopjohn]

Lots of things to consider. Personally, camping would be the choice for me. If inclement weather strikes, you can always get a motel room.
Camping costs are $8 - $15/night. It is hard to find a motel room under $40. In some locations during prime time (yes, August) you'll be lucky to find a motel room for under $80/night. If you happen to be in the Black Hills during the 2nd weekend of August, you'll be lucky to find a motel room for under $200/night.......due to the Sturgis Rally.

Consider the social aspect of camping. If you're traveling solo, you'll likely (at least occasionally) want to interact with others. With camping, there are no barriers to socializing. Everyone is outside.
Compare this with the walls of a motel room.

I always take my camping gear when I hit the highway. I don't camp every night, particularly if there are lightening/thunderstorms, very high winds, really cold temps, really hot temps, etc

Camping in the US has a wide range of amenities. Generally, the public campgrounds offer very little. There may be only an outhouse and a hand pump for water. There are many campgrounds a few miles from me that are operated by the National Forest. None of these have running water or electricity. Some of these may be exactly what you are looking for. Well off the beaten path, usually located on some pristine lake.
Private campgrounds also have a wide range of amenities. Nearly all of them have running water, flush toilets and a "mini store" on the premises. Many have swimming pools, whirlpools, a laundry room, a restaurant/bar, wireless internet service and the like.

Use this as a rule of thumb. Generally, the biggest campgrounds with the best facilities are located fairly close to major highways. The very scenic off the beaten path campgrounds are usually more basic in their offerings.

I really enjoy the KOA campgrounds www.koa.com as most of them have the very best of facilities. Check them out online & get one of there free campground directories.

Unfortunately, tent camping is becoming less and less popular in the US. Most campgrounds actively seek RV business moreso than tent campers. All campgrounds in this area rent out RV & pull behind trailer spots for the season. That way, they don't have to rely on the ups & downs of weather/etc to establish a good business base of income.
Just a few miles from me, a campground that has been in business for 50+ years shut there doors. They were located on some very valuable lakefront property. The campground owners walked away with $6,000,000 and the place was developed into high end condos.

I say tent camp.......while you still can! There will always be motel rooms.

It will be less expensive, you'll interact with many more people, and it will be more fun.