02/09/12

Get an RV park and campground directory. You'll find them at book and RV accessory stores. The directories list the RV parks and campgrounds by area. You simply open the book to the area where you want to stay to find the campgrounds available.

Each individual listing will include information about the campground, its facilities and fees. Owners of large rigs should pay particular attention to the campground's size limitations.

Commercial directories don't always list the government campgrounds. Try to obtain listings or directories of the National, State, County and City campgrounds in the areas you are visiting.

Reservations at campgrounds and RV parks should be made according to the location and time of year just as you would at a hotel or motel. If you want to stay on a holiday or summer weekend, reservations might be wise. If you will arrive during the middle of the week or during the off season, reservations may not be necessary.

Many RVers prefer to travel without the constraints of an itinerary. They don't make reservations because they don't know where they will be on any given day. Others, with a particular destination and time frame in mind, will secure their campsite by making reservations. RVing offers this freedom of choice.

Before stopping for the night, refer to your campground directory. Select a couple of RV parks or campgrounds that fit your needs and budget. It's not a bad idea to personally check the facilities, especially the restroom and laundry, before registering. This can be important if you plan to use the showers or wash a load of clothes.

Government campgrounds frequently let you drive through, select an empty site and then return to register. Camping fees are generally the same for all the sites.

RV parks and commercial campgrounds will generally register you and assign you to a campsite immediately upon your arrival. Camping fees will vary according to the hookup facilities you request and, on occasion, the size and location of the site.

Most RV parks and campgrounds post their campsite rates on a board behind the registration desk. Typically, there is a basic overnight fee with additional charges for each hookup service. There may also be additional charges for more than two persons, pets, additional vehicles and use of air conditioners or electric heaters.

Many RVers want full hookups every night and are willing to pay for them, others may only request electric and water hookups. They will use the campground's disposal station when they leave in the morning. Some RVers will ask for just a "dry" campsite.

A lot of RV parks and campgrounds offer discounts to members of RV clubs. Some offer weekly and monthly rates. Inquire about discounts and rates before registering.

Ask for:

* A site that will accommodate your slide-out room(s).
* A pull-through site if you have a long rig.
* Hookup connections on the left (driver's) side of the campsite.
* A shady site in the summer.
* A sunny site when it's cold.
* A site close to the recreational facilities if you won't mind the noise.
* A site convenient to the restroom if you won't mind the foot traffic.
* A site near the laundry room if you are going to use it.

Look over the literature you are given when you register. It may tell you what channels have which TV networks, what churches, restaurants and stores are in the neighborhood and other local items of interest. Patronize the advertisers on the campground literature, they clearly want your business.

Here are some ways you can reduce the cost of overnight camping:

* Use your campground directory(s) to compare the prices of campgrounds in the area you wish to spend the night.
* Take advantage of your RV or other club discounts.
* Select and only pay for the utility hookups you need.
* Ask about weekly or monthly rates.
* Don't overlook the sometimes less expensive campgrounds in National, State, County and City parks.
* And our favorite, cultivate lots of friends with long driveways.