state park rip offs

[rgvilla]

I'm planning a ride from Pittsburgh to Albuquerque in July. So far I have looked at a state park in Kentucky and one in Missouri for overnight camping. (this is on the internet) The Ky park Natural Bridges State Park wants a two night minimum reservation at a cost of 18 a night if I want electricity. In missouri they want an 8.50 fee just to make a reservation on the internet. I'm getting discouraged about camping. A few bucks more and I can get a cheap motel room. I was hoping to just take off and wonder my way to NM as I have five days to get there. Anyone have any experience just showing up at camp grounds a getting a tent space. Last time I went cross country was many years ago and I just slept at rest stops. Don't really want to do that now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[PGlaves]

Depends on the park.
Depends on the day of the week.
Depends on the time of day.

Most state parks don't fill their campgrounds Monday through Thursday. A few with lakes and boaters or other special attractions might. I don't like dragging in to find a space after dark either. Holiday weekends - all bets are off.

But normally we just ride some and about noon look ahead on the map and find a campground 4 to 6 hours away and head for it. In 20 years traveling and camping I don't recall ever making a reservation. AAA campground books are helpful.

[RandallIsland]

Depends on the park.
Depends on the day of the week.
Depends on the time of day.


https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-995577_1

Too true.
Funny, but I don't remember paying a cent.
Must-a-been the irresponsibility of the time.
I do remember the light-show and music acoustics, though.

[kbasa]

I'm planning a ride from Pittsburgh to Albuquerque in July. So far I have looked at a state park in Kentucky and one in Missouri for overnight camping. (this is on the internet) The Ky park Natural Bridges State Park wants a two night minimum reservation at a cost of 18 a night if I want electricity. In missouri they want an 8.50 fee just to make a reservation on the internet. I'm getting discouraged about camping. A few bucks more and I can get a cheap motel room. I was hoping to just take off and wonder my way to NM as I have five days to get there. Anyone have any experience just showing up at camp grounds a getting a tent space. Last time I went cross country was many years ago and I just slept at rest stops. Don't really want to do that now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


8.50 is expensive? What are you doing on a BMW? :ha

Truthfully, though, camping isn't the pocket change adventure it used to be anymore.

But there's hope, via the internet, for free camping spots: http://www.boondocking.org/poi/index.shtml

There's more out there, too.

[rgvilla]

i'm a bottom feeder BMW rider KBASA, :doh and yeah, I think $8.50 just to make a reservation, in addition to the $20 camping fee is expensive! Guess I'm just a cheapskate. I think I'll try Pauls idea. I can always get a hotel room if I can't find a place to camp. It's not that I can't afford the money and it's probably not a bad deal, I was just a little surprised. last time I went anywhere of a serious distance on a bike was Laguna Seca in 94. Camped most of the time and didn't pay anything that I remember, except the fees at Yosemite if there were any back then.

Thanks for the responses.

[jpelliciotta]

What about the BMWMOA Annonomous book? I put us down for campsite, coffee & conversation available and would love to have riders stop by on their travels. Sorry I'm not on the way.

[BradfordBenn]

I agree that a 40% service charge to book online is a bit onerous. But I do think that the idea of posting where you are going and see if people have suggestions is also a good option.

[rgvilla]

I will post online about my tentative itinerary as time gets closer to the trip. I love meeting other BMW riders on the road. I wouldn't call anyone and impose myself except in the event of an emergency, which is pretty much what the anon book says to do. As it says in the book it is not a means of cheaper travel. I would love to receive invitations to camp at someones place. I offer that in my anon listing and anyone is welcome to stay the night at my place, shower have dinner or breakfast on us and enjoy the western PA riding. We do have some nice road here.

After some more research I decided that it would be fine to just travel w/o reservations and hope for the first come first serve option to be available when I'm ready to camp for the night. Part of the excitement for me on this trip will be no deadlines. Just ride and enjoy the area I'm in. I've got three weeks off work and after Albuquerque my brother in law is meeting me and we are proceeding north to Oregon and then I will be riding home. I hope to camp 90% of the time on the road. Thanks everyone!

[jmcxit]

If you come through Dalhart Tx which should be on your way. Give me a call I am in the anonymous book.
jmcxit

[Slablog]

National Forests are another option. It's supposed to be legal to camp free on any national forest land...However there are caveats as always. Most of them have signage for no parking and no camping at designated areas. Then campsites with tables and grills are set apart on a first come first serve basis with a fairly low self serve pay system.

I look out for those national forest campsites when I travel. If I don't run across one of these I'll just pull into a State Park and see what's available.

On my way to Spokane I casually pulled into a campsite in Yellowstone and without a reservation whatsoever, I got a site. Granted it was in the middle of the week.

I have also camped on private property, with permission from the owner. This was at a church in south Georgia when I was stranded in the middle of nowhere.

In Montana there were fish camps every few miles and they almost all have campsites. No showers, but a really scenic location to pitch a tent and have fresh water to drink.

Bike traveling and camping is really fun! And half the fun is the spontaneity of stopping when you want to, not stopping because you have a reservation.:blah

[RandallIsland]

Bike traveling and camping is really fun! And half the fun is the spontaneity of stopping when you want to, not stopping because you have a reservation.

Amen to that!

Some of the best times are when you drive by a spot, think hey, THAT'S where I want to camp, and make it happen. Rangers and locals, all the way!