Camping on Public Lands--A Good Alternative for Some

These days there are an increasing number of RVers who are looking for RV accommodations in a resort type of setting with the most up to date amenities such as high speed internet, satellite television, tennis courts and swimming pools and spas available. There are many such establishments to be found as checking a site like MobileRVing.com will reveal. However there are many who travel in recreational vehicles who are still looking for that outdoor camping experience in places that will give them the opportunity to get closer to nature. For them, U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds may be just the kind of places for which they are looking.

There are over 4000 USFS campgrounds located all over the US that have the capability of handling RVs. These range from simply a leveled spot large enough to park an RV to a few that have full hookups, including sewer, water and electricity. The later are not very numerous and are often available only to the camp host. (A side note here. Being a camp host is one way to stay in a campground for extended periods in exchange for a few minor duties and hours of work a week. For more information visit Volunteer.gov. Also, check out this blog for more info on workamping: Work Camping – How to earn a living on the Road!

Visit a Forest Service or BLM office to purchase maps of the area in which you are interested. Another good source of maps and atlases is here. Personally I have always found such hard copy documents indispensable. Many folks these days rely on GPS but there are many stories of these becoming wildly inaccurate, especially in areas that are rather off the beaten track. And even some deadly consequences when adverse weather conditions are involved.

More often than not water and restrooms are available in the campgrounds, as are dumpsters for trash. In more primitive campgrounds, these facilities may be quite some distance from the camp sites themselves. The size of RV's that may be accommodated is variable, so it is always best to check ahead for availability as much as possible. Likewise, the roads leading to these campsites may often be more crooked and winding than may be advisable for larger rigs. Although there are many that have perfectly acceptable paved roads leading right to the campsites. It is always best to scout ahead if possible and/or discuss it with camp hosts when they can be located. Be especially aware of clearance on roads through forests, as I have pointed out elsewhere in my previous blog titled: Blind Spots—They Aren't Rocket Science. Payment and registration is most often made through self service envelopes and compliance is checked regularly. Campsite costs are usually considerably lower than at more developed parks and resorts.

Most sites are occupied on a first come first service basis, but there are more than 1600 campgrounds on Federally managed public lands with RV camping sites that are able to be reserved in advance. Reservations at popular campgrounds in particularly beautiful places tend to fill quickly, especially around holidays, so it is best to plan a visit as early as possible. The best way to do this is to visit Recreation.gov. At that website you are able to customize what you are looking for and the area in which you are looking. Additionally, the site has much other helpful information, including some suggestions for exploring in areas that may not have occurred to you.

Stays are as a rule limited to fourteen days. For complete information regarding this aspect, click here.

A simple word of caution may be in order here. Many folks don't realize how much changing elevation, such as takes place while traveling in many forests, affects the temperature and the weather. It may be Fourth of July weekend and at home, where swim wear and tee shirts are the dress of the day, but, especially after the sun goes down in forests at higher elevations, the temperature may drop drastically and quickly. So, by being prepared with heavier clothing, you are much more likely to be assured of having an enjoyable weekend.

Over the years I have stayed at many of these campgrounds in many different environments. The thing I can say about them with assurance is that they are all different and each one has its own particular charm, attraction and beauty. If some of you have used this variation for a place to park during your travels, your fellow RVers would enjoy knowing about your experiences, so please leave a comment in the space provided below.

Until next time, walk in beauty and keep it between the ditches,

Russel