If you haven’t already booked your camping dates for 2010, now is the time to do it.
People reserve the best sites at popular campgrounds seconds after they become available to reserve with some campgrounds accepting reservations a year or more in advance. And when I say “seconds” I mean that literally. I know many people, myself included, who go online or call to book a site at the exact date and minute advance reservations are accepted at favorite campgrounds.
Even though it may already be too late to get the very best sites at some campgrounds, it is still possible to get great campsites at national, state, and federal campgrounds that are not only spacious and have great views, but are are often half the price (or even less) than campsites at private campgrounds (although there are tons of great private campgrounds too).
Not sure where you want to stay this year or what campgrounds are available where you plan to vacation?
To find out what other people think of a campground you are thinking about staying at, check out the RV Park Reviews website. It has almost 90,000 user submitted reviews of campgrounds in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Another good source of campground reviews and opinions from people who have stayed at them is the RV.net forum. Scroll down to the “Locations” section. The “RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More” section has over a half millions posts in it where people have shared their opinions.
If you want to browse available sites at campgrounds in the United States and Canada, check out the Reserve America website. They process over 4 million campground reservations a year for thousands of public and private campgrounds (although not every campground uses this reservation system).
To make reservations at any of the federal recreational facilities in the United States, visit the Recreation.gov website.
Personally, my favorite campgrounds are state campgrounds.
Why?
- They are reasonably priced (up to 75% less per night than some private campgrounds)
- The campsites are bigger than those at most private campgrounds and ironically, they campsites at the state campgrounds I’ve visited at much more private than those are privately owned campground.
- There is lots of space for roaming and exploring. State campgrounds are typically located on just a small portion of adjacent state owned land that have some or all of the following: hiking trails, biking trails, swimming, cross country skiing, ATV’ing, horseback riding, educational programs, boating, fishing, playgrounds and more.
Wherever you decide to camp this year whether it’s a federal, state or private campground; or even your own back yard; have a great time!
