Camping guide suggestions?

[ShinyPartsUp]

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.

 

[phil]

What's the fun in having reservations? My son and I are also embarking next week, for a month, culminating at NAFO. We have a trip iterary, but no reservations. We are carrying tent and sleeping bags, and will just flop anywhere we can. Will be coming thru your fair State during the loop from Oklahoma hills. Honk and holler if you see us.

 

[DailyCommuter]

You could pop in to the local library for free internet access and look it up that way...that is if they allow "bikers!"

 

[James]

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.

As I usually don't know where I'm going to spend the night when camping on the road, I just look around as I get closer to when I want to stop . If I'm planning to get to the xxxx area on the first night I'll do a search before I leave to get ideas. K.O.A.s tend to have signs on the highways around, most other campgrounds do as well (but not all). Looking at my map I'll know if a National Park is on the route, ect & would expect to find camping there. Once in a while I'll have to ride an extra hour or two, but I've done it enough to be able to set up my tent in the dark, if I need it, & know where I have everything packed on the bike so w/or w/out a flashlight (I always carry a couple) I can manage. So basically my advice is to just pay attention . It'll work out. If you know you'll be in a particular area, ask & someone here may know of a great place. Or ask at a gas stop when you get "close" . As I'm no longer a teenager the slashers tend to leave me alone. Unless they're asking for tips, that is (some say I have that look) . Good luck!

 

[7xray]

Lots of towns have visitor's centers on the way into town and they often have camping information.

Have fun.

7X

 

[uctofeej]

Shiny,

7xray's onto something. I've seen state camp site brochures at state welcome centers, too.

Have a great trip!

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

All great ideas and encouraging. Some I had thought of but good to know they are practical too. My biggest concerns was July 4th holiday and riding forever to find a spot.....but that's the adventure part! Hope to see some on the road........

Thanks again.

 

[twowheelnut]

Commando camping?

 

[Dudewado]

What's the fun in having reservations? My son and I are also embarking next week, for a month, culminating at NAFO. We have a trip iterary, but no reservations. We are carrying tent and sleeping bags, and will just flop anywhere we can. Will be coming thru your fair State during the loop from Oklahoma hills. Honk and holler if you see us.

In Oregon, try to ride Highway 138 from I-5/Roseburg to Crater Lake.

It's about 100 miles,and there are 8 campgrounds along the way. My favorite is Susan Creek. It has showers; the others are more primitive.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

What's the fun in having reservations? My son and I are also embarking next week, for a month, culminating at NAFO. We have a trip iterary, but no reservations. We are carrying tent and sleeping bags, and will just flop anywhere we can. Will be coming thru your fair State during the loop from Oklahoma hills. Honk and holler if you see us.

In Oregon, try to ride Highway 138 from I-5/Roseburg to Crater Lake.

It's about 100 miles,and there are 8 campgrounds along the way. My favorite is Susan Creek. It has showers; the others are more primitive.

+1. Susan Creek Falls is an easy hike with a preserved Indian vision quest site as well.

Whisler's Bend Park closer to Roseburg is nice as well, but more common (first come first served). I prefer riding that road East to West for some reason. Another option if coming West to East is 138 from Crater Lake, then take the North Bank Rd. (Also locally known as the Wilbur cutoff) just past Glide for 20+ twisty, forest-rat but river hugging miles that is tons of fun; at the end you can head north towards Sutherlin, Eugene and beyond, or Roseburg and Medford to the south. IMHO, the stretch of Diamond Lake Blvd. from Roseburg to Glide is boring and North Bank Road is more fun -- especially on the Feej.

Commando camping?

You don't want to see me naked!

 

[flying junior]

In the west, we're always traveling through national forests, which have lots of camp grounds. Each forest covers a lot of territory, but they are divided into ranger districts, and each ranger district office has people who can deal you all sorts of info on their facilities and also neighboring forests and non-forest service.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

+1 ^^^^ 'flying junior's' post.

The free campgrounds are the best. National Forests have free (rough) camping almost anywhere (way off the road). They (N.F.s) also have campgrounds. States are all a little different, ime, -- some state parks are just fine and reasonable; some aren't. Some states have an abundance of free camping. Some city parks have free camping with showers, etc. The Army Corps of Engineers has reasonable camping spots. KOAs can, sometimes, be "a bit much" -- sometimes okay. Nothing beats camping at the track during a race weekend.

Enjoy...you're in for an adventure.

 

[ShawnKing]

Advice appreciated to a long-distance camping newbie.

THis may not be possible/applicable but what kind of cell phone do you have? I have an iPhone that allows me to surf the web on its large screen. Having things like Google handy can be a big help.

Also, my Zumo 550 GPS has numerous listings for hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc. Will you be using a GPS?

 

[twistedcricket]

THis may not be possible/applicable but what kind of cell phone do you have? I have an iPhone that allows me to surf the web on its large screen. Having things like Google handy can be a big help.
Also, my Zumo 550 GPS has numerous listings for hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc. Will you be using a GPS?

If you're traveling slab, the rest stops have maps and you'll always find lodging signs that may include "CAMPING"; while it might not always be near to the highway, they are generally a decent distance and you shouldn't be too far from your path.

You can also text message Google - send a txt to 46645 with "Camping near <name of town, STATE>" and you should get some results. If you need a hotel or a retail store for something, it's particularly helpful You can also use this method to get weather (txt 46645 "Weather <name of town,ST or ZIP>" it will show you the hi/low temps, precip %. NO warnings or advisories typicaly. If you are paying P

 

[twistedcricket]

THis may not be possible/applicable but what kind of cell phone do you have? I have an iPhone that allows me to surf the web on its large screen. Having things like Google handy can be a big help.
Also, my Zumo 550 GPS has numerous listings for hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc. Will you be using a GPS?

If you're traveling slab, the rest stops have maps and you'll always find lodging signs that may include "CAMPING"; while it might not always be near to the highway, they are generally a decent distance and you shouldn't be too far from your path.

You can also text message Google - send a txt to 46645 with "Camping near <name of town, STATE>" and you should get some results. If you need a hotel or a retail store for something, it's particularly helpful You can also use this method to get weather (txt 46645 "Weather <name of town,ST or ZIP>" it will show you the hi/low temps, precip %. NO warnings or advisories typicaly. If you are paying PER message, the Google option might not make you happy; they typically send 2 message replies depending on what you search for. (standard message rates apply, YMMV, blah blah blah)

If you happen to know the ZIP codes it's a little easier to type into the text.

Otherwise, if you have a data plan with your mobile phone service you can use the web browser and look stuff up with greater detail.

ALSO; take/get a copy of the FJR Assistance list if you haven't already thought of that. I would be happy, if you're travelling near me, to help you with locations/numbers of lodging. I'm sure that anyone on the list would be as willing to help in a pinch.

Ride Safe, stay hydrated, take lots of pics and post up a ride report

 

[CRMH Eagle]

Last year I embarked on a mult-state tour of the West from Alabama. 7000 miles, 3 weeks, and memories galore: MS, TN, AK, MO, KS, CO, WY, MT, WA, UT, OR...

Things I did before I left that helped tremendously:

* I contacted each potential state I was travelling thru and had them mail me a free state highway map.

* I listed addresses/numbers and mapquest-prints of local libraries in key cities I was travelling thru.

* I listed numbers & www addresses of parks depts of each state.

* I obtained the national listing books for Motel 6, Red Roof, Comfort Inn.

* I also listed hostels since their room rates can be very cheap.

Having the maps before I left was awesome. I didn't have to change my route to accomodate a state's visitor center and arrive within operating hours just to get a map. Calling the parks dept in each state helped too...they gave valuable info like when coming into CO the state parks office told me the two parks I planned to stay still had snow and near single-digits at night.

Usually the Nat'l parks will have their campgrounds fill-up before those at a state campground. Most campgrounds are first come first served, so if you don't get to a busy campground before 3pm you may not have a spot. This time of year is peak travel season so you need to make alternative arrangements in case you can't find a campground slot.

Having the Motel 6 book was a life saver. Remember the tornado that wiped-out Greensburg, KS last year? I was travelling thru KS at the time. My dad called me near Kansas City and said a horrible storm was sweeping thru Kansas and said he would give me the $40 to stay at the Motel 6 in Topeka so my mom could sleep that night... he figured by paying for my motel he was paying insurance so he could sleep. haha! I picked up my Motel 6 book and called to secure a room. Of course I paid for my own motel.... I told dad to spend that money on my Christmas gift. Anyway, within 20 mins of getting inside the room the tornado system came thru Topeka

The next day as I left Topeka I saw the KOA I was scheduled to stay.... it was 5 feet under water!

Into my journey I wound up staying at Motel 6 than campgrounds. The $20 more for motel over a campground gave me a bed, decent bathroom, and tv so I could look at weather before leaving the next day. Each morning I filled-up my ice chest with free ice (travelling by car).

I've travelled a lot in my life. And I've learned that when I want to retreat I'll go to a campground or a quiet forest-service road. Otherwise it's gonna be a motel. I wake up more refreshed and save much more time using motel 6 than a campground if I have to be somewhere the next day.

So get the info BEFORE you go. It'll take several hours to sit at your computer and grab the data. ALWAYS have an alternative wherever you go.

One of the gps makers has a unit that gives real-time doppler radar on the screen. That would be nice to have...

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Advice appreciated to a long-distance camping newbie.

THis may not be possible/applicable but what kind of cell phone do you have? I have an iPhone that allows me to surf the web on its large screen. Having things like Google handy can be a big help.

Also, my Zumo 550 GPS has numerous listings for hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc. Will you be using a GPS?

My GPS doesn't have much, and the cell phone is a throw-away for emergencies........ I bought new suspension and other things had to suffer

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

THis may not be possible/applicable but what kind of cell phone do you have? I have an iPhone that allows me to surf the web on its large screen. Having things like Google handy can be a big help.
Also, my Zumo 550 GPS has numerous listings for hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc. Will you be using a GPS?

If you're traveling slab, the rest stops have maps and you'll always find lodging signs that may include "CAMPING"; while it might not always be near to the highway, they are generally a decent distance and you shouldn't be too far from your path.

You can also text message Google - send a txt to 46645 with "Camping near <name of town, STATE>" and you should get some results. If you need a hotel or a retail store for something, it's particularly helpful You can also use this method to get weather (txt 46645 "Weather <name of town,ST or ZIP>" it will show you the hi/low temps, precip %. NO warnings or advisories typicaly. If you are paying PER message, the Google option might not make you happy; they typically send 2 message replies depending on what you search for. (standard message rates apply, YMMV, blah blah blah)

If you happen to know the ZIP codes it's a little easier to type into the text.

Otherwise, if you have a data plan with your mobile phone service you can use the web browser and look stuff up with greater detail.

ALSO; take/get a copy of the FJR Assistance list if you haven't already thought of that. I would be happy, if you're travelling near me, to help you with locations/numbers of lodging. I'm sure that anyone on the list would be as willing to help in a pinch.

Ride Safe, stay hydrated, take lots of pics and post up a ride report

Many thanks man! Didn't know about the txt messaging trick. And a copy of the list is already printde. Thanks for taking the time (to all) to put this much effort into posting.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Last year I embarked on a mult-state tour of the West from Alabama. 7000 miles, 3 weeks, and memories galore: MS, TN, AK, MO, KS, CO, WY, MT, WA, UT, OR...
Things I did before I left that helped tremendously:

* I contacted each potential state I was travelling thru and had them mail me a free state highway map.

* I listed addresses/numbers and mapquest-prints of local libraries in key cities I was travelling thru.

* I listed numbers & www addresses of parks depts of each state.

* I obtained the national listing books for Motel 6, Red Roof, Comfort Inn.

* I also listed hostels since their room rates can be very cheap.

Having the maps before I left was awesome. I didn't have to change my route to accomodate a state's visitor center and arrive within operating hours just to get a map. Calling the parks dept in each state helped too...they gave valuable info like when coming into CO the state parks office told me the two parks I planned to stay still had snow and near single-digits at night.

Usually the Nat'l parks will have their campgrounds fill-up before those at a state campground. Most campgrounds are first come first served, so if you don't get to a busy campground before 3pm you may not have a spot. This time of year is peak travel season so you need to make alternative arrangements in case you can't find a campground slot.

Having the Motel 6 book was a life saver. Remember the tornado that wiped-out Greensburg, KS last year? I was travelling thru KS at the time. My dad called me near Kansas City and said a horrible storm was sweeping thru Kansas and said he would give me the $40 to stay at the Motel 6 in Topeka so my mom could sleep that night... he figured by paying for my motel he was paying insurance so he could sleep. haha! I picked up my Motel 6 book and called to secure a room. Of course I paid for my own motel.... I told dad to spend that money on my Christmas gift. Anyway, within 20 mins of getting inside the room the tornado system came thru Topeka

The next day as I left Topeka I saw the KOA I was scheduled to stay.... it was 5 feet under water!

Into my journey I wound up staying at Motel 6 than campgrounds. The $20 more for motel over a campground gave me a bed, decent bathroom, and tv so I could look at weather before leaving the next day. Each morning I filled-up my ice chest with free ice (travelling by car).

I've travelled a lot in my life. And I've learned that when I want to retreat I'll go to a campground or a quiet forest-service road. Otherwise it's gonna be a motel. I wake up more refreshed and save much more time using motel 6 than a campground if I have to be somewhere the next day.

So get the info BEFORE you go. It'll take several hours to sit at your computer and grab the data. ALWAYS have an alternative wherever you go.

One of the gps makers has a unit that gives real-time doppler radar on the screen. That would be nice to have...

I got the maps and travel books from all 50 states many months ago. Then I realized my real problem was not knowing exactly what states I'll be in, 'cuz they all look interesting. The fantasy is kinda "easy rider-ish" and I don't want to have an itinerary. This makes it difficult, as I can take only so many maps ( I'll take some likely ones like Colorado ;-)). But there is always Wally World that sells maps. I have an AMA 800 number that will help book through multiple motel chains -- even the same day; so moteling isn't really an issue. And unless it is a city I really really want to go to, I'm avoiding them. But the local library is a good idea. Wish I had enough money and space to carry along a laptop. But thanks for the great ideas.