Camping guide suggestions?

[weekend rider]

You can always try this method for information. When you are nearing the end of a day and are going through a town check if they a chanber of commernece.

Since you hace a KOA membership go on line print the info from there.

As you pass through town their public library usually have computers there for the public to use.....

 

[ShawnKing]

The fantasy is kinda "easy rider-ish" and I don't want to have an itinerary.

Good for you - sounds like you'll have an adventuresome trip!

 

[rhody]

So I'm heading out in a week for a month. I intend to camp a lot (we'll see). I joined KOA, and will utilize National parks and Forests when I can. But don't really know where I'm going other than NAFO. I won't have access to a computer. I found two camping site guides at bookstores and Wally World, but they are bigger than many phone books!
How have others found campsites on short notice?

Advice appreciated to a long-distance camping newbie.

I just got a 16 GB iTouch for birthday, and it has come in handle more than once, lately, first it has WiFi so if you are near a wireless router not password protected, you can check anything with it in a matter of seconds. I was on a bicycle ride last weekend, stopped to find a phone number I needed, and using google in a matter of seconds had it. On top of that for 19.95 extra you can download maps (uses google), weather, mail, using (google,yahoo, or private e-mail server if you have incoming/outgoing e-mail server info). A very handy piece of technology. I would be willing to bet that if you are near any residential area, finding an unprotected "hotspot" would be a piece of cake. Thank God there aren't more geeks in the world, or the Wifi feature would not be as easy to connect with. E-mail is very handy too, in case your cell phone goes dead as well.

Just my two cents...

 

[Checkswrecks]

This is going to sound naive as can be but it works. Ride till you see a place you like and just ask whoever is the owner or caretaker. I've done this with farmers and on the shores of lakes. As a single bike, I've found that people really just have three reasons to hesitate allowing it. One is that you're not going to clean up after yourself, the second is that you're going to have a fire and burn their place down or leave a black spot, and third is that you're going to be a drunk or nutcase. Address each of these up front and I've almost never gotten a refusal. Actually, it usually goes the other way, in people offering you a place indoors or to talk.

BTW - I'm a pilot and have never yet been turned down at getting a site at a small grass airport, typically on a far corner and away from the planes.

Bob

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

So I'm heading out in a week for a month. I intend to camp a lot (we'll see).... How have others found campsites on short notice?

Advice appreciated to a long-distance camping newbie.

Don't shy away from camping at small out-of-the-way campgrounds where there are already a few modest campers (tents, pop-up trailers, etc) with couples or families. And don't eat too much, beforehand, either. More often than not, you'll hear: "Hey, you eaten yet?"

The last time I camped I got invited over for coffee and rolls in the morning -- hard to beat that....

 

[BernieB]

I've wondered about this myself, now that I am considering motorcycle camping. Woodall's is a decent camping directory. They are huge, but usually campground directories are organized by State. I think pages could be removed for States you are visiting and put in a small ring binder. That's my plan, anyway. There's everything from large commercial campgrounds to city parks and county fair grounds in the directories. Worth putzing around with a razor knife and a three hole punch imho.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I've wondered about this myself, now that I am considering motorcycle camping. Woodall's is a decent camping directory. They are huge, but usually campground directories are organized by State. I think pages could be removed for States you are visiting and put in a small ring binder. That's my plan, anyway. There's everything from large commercial campgrounds to city parks and county fair grounds in the directories. Worth putzing around with a razor knife and a three hole punch imho.

good idea :clapping:

 

[Geezer]

+1 on the camping guides and free maps at state welcome centers. I find that most campgrounds reserve a few sites for drop-ins so even during the busy season you can get a site without reservations. Just use the maps and watch for signs along the road. It is best to stop before dark so you can set up your tent and meet your neighbors.

I've had people offer me meals, firewood, cold adult beverages, anything they think I can't carry on the bike.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I've wondered about this myself, now that I am considering motorcycle camping. Woodall's is a decent camping directory. They are huge, but usually campground directories are organized by State. I think pages could be removed for States you are visiting and put in a small ring binder. That's my plan, anyway. There's everything from large commercial campgrounds to city parks and county fair grounds in the directories. Worth putzing around with a razor knife and a three hole punch imho.

Thought of that, and bringing some maps of specific roads adn such. But I don't really know what states I'm going to be in for sure. So hard to plan....... on anothermuch smaller trip I've done that successfully. Even had the three or four pages laminated for a few pennies at Staples.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Assistance List. Great idea. And an ideal use for it too. I hope it isn't used only for breakdowns or problems. I bet everybody who's signed on to the list would be real happy to hear from some FJR guy from out of the area and tell him about local roads, restaurants, camping, whatever (in addition to all the other more "emergency" uses of it). And anybody who hasn't heard about this list, think about signing up. And kudos to Gypsy for putting it together.

The other thing is about all this planning. The free state maps are perfect, and I just bought a small road atlas at Barnes and Noble for about $6 for the overall view that I'll be carrying next month to Glacier N.P. and then Golden and who knows where else? If you don't have one, get one of those l.e.d. headlamps for camping, bike repairs in the dark, reading in bed, millions of other purposes. But planning? Forget it. You have a plan, you see a great looking side road, what do you do? Stick to the plan? "Gotta make that destination by 7 p.m." Or have the adventure? Hell, I've slept in rest areas, construction sites, middle of the woods. Just one more word: Thermarest. Have fun.