Where to camp and how to save money doing it!
04-22-2015
Author: in RV Full-Time with Us
Now that you are on the road whether you are work camping or not you will need to find a campground to stay at for a night or even longer. Now depending on where and when you travel there are a number of discount programs and ways to save money doing it and that is what we are going to talk about today.
When you stay at one of their affiliated campgrounds you get to stay for 50% off. That means if you stay at a campground that is normally $40.00 a (2) night stay would just about pay for your membership. We have been members now for 4 years and the program has more than paid for its self each year.
A couple of notes about the Passport America program:
They currently have about 2,200 campgrounds that participate within their discount program so you have more choices of campgrounds. In addition to receiving discounts on campgrounds you will also receive a 10% discount on your purchases at Camping World so if you shop there a lot then you can recoup your investment a little faster. Much like Passport America, affiliated campgrounds will have limits on the number of days you can use the discount as well as blackout dates. It’s always a good idea to call ahead if you find a campground you’re going to stay at and find out what the particulars are for that time frame.
This particular state park has a huge wild life population that includes, Deer, Turkey, Raccoon and squirrel to just name a few. Each morning I sit in my chair outside my camper and have deer eating within 10 yards of me. I don’t mean 1 deer either, this morning I had my morning coffee with 18 deer, as long as you sit quietly they will not spook very easy. One morning last week they were right next to the camper grazing on the grass it’s very cool.
These are just a few of the ways that you can save money when camping. There are a lot more out there but these are the ones that I’m most familiar with. It’s like with anything else in regards to being on the road. Do your research and find what works for you best. I would suggest that you stay at one or two of our beautiful state or national parks during your adventures they really are magnificent and you never know what you might find.
Till Next time, Safe Travels!
Discount Programs:
I thought that we would first take a little time and talk about the 2 major discount programs available to you when going on the road.Passport America:
Passport America is a really great program and has some significant advantages. First and foremost they are relatively cheap, you can get a (1) year member ship for around $45.00. The way their program work is they have about 1,900 campgrounds across the United States, Canada and Mexico. You can locate a campground by using either their online listing, their app or they will even send you a hard copy of the Campground Guide.When you stay at one of their affiliated campgrounds you get to stay for 50% off. That means if you stay at a campground that is normally $40.00 a (2) night stay would just about pay for your membership. We have been members now for 4 years and the program has more than paid for its self each year.
A couple of notes about the Passport America program:
- There are “blackout dates” especially down in Florida. These dates are not set by Passport America but by the campground. In most cases during special events and the campgrounds busy time you won’t be able to take advantage of the program. Just be sure to call ahead before your arrival.
- Most campgrounds have a “limit” on the number of days you can use it. For example you may want to stay for (2) weeks at a campground, but the campground will only honor the discount price for (3) or (4) of those days. It all depends on the campground, we have stayed for as long as (10) days at a campground with the discount.
Good Sam’s Membership
Good Sam’s memberships and discounts are a little different but for all intense purposes the program is very similar. The membership runs you $25.00 for a (1) year membership and $45.00 for a (2) year membership. The discount they provide for their members is only 10% so it’s not as big a discount and takes a little longer to recoup your investment.They currently have about 2,200 campgrounds that participate within their discount program so you have more choices of campgrounds. In addition to receiving discounts on campgrounds you will also receive a 10% discount on your purchases at Camping World so if you shop there a lot then you can recoup your investment a little faster. Much like Passport America, affiliated campgrounds will have limits on the number of days you can use the discount as well as blackout dates. It’s always a good idea to call ahead if you find a campground you’re going to stay at and find out what the particulars are for that time frame.
State Parks
There are over 6,600 state parks across the United States and range in price from around $10.00 a night up to around $20.00 - $30.00 price range. With so many state parks and each offering a little different venue you can spend a lifetime just going from state park to state park. We stay in a number of state parks thoughout Tennessee, Georgia and Maryland. Staying at the various state parks are a real treat, for example if you really like wild life Bledsoe Creek State Park in Gallatin, TN is awesome.This particular state park has a huge wild life population that includes, Deer, Turkey, Raccoon and squirrel to just name a few. Each morning I sit in my chair outside my camper and have deer eating within 10 yards of me. I don’t mean 1 deer either, this morning I had my morning coffee with 18 deer, as long as you sit quietly they will not spook very easy. One morning last week they were right next to the camper grazing on the grass it’s very cool.
These are just a few of the ways that you can save money when camping. There are a lot more out there but these are the ones that I’m most familiar with. It’s like with anything else in regards to being on the road. Do your research and find what works for you best. I would suggest that you stay at one or two of our beautiful state or national parks during your adventures they really are magnificent and you never know what you might find.
Till Next time, Safe Travels!
Comment
beach89bumJuly 31, 2017 | 12:13 PM
thank you for your suggestions and tips. I am trying to get clued in on the State Parks....they seem to be MOST challenging in that you have to make reservations 6 months in advance and you have to have some giant amount of luck on your side when doing that. I don't know what I am doing to be doing 6 months from now. How can I still enjoy state parks? Thanks, Denise
Author: Matt & Vicki Hulbert
