Campsite suggestions

[Trip]

I am planning a solo coast to coast trip and would like to camp as much as I can when I am not visiting friends or family. The route will take me from So. Cal to Key West and then up to Maine. From there I am planning on riding through Canada to B.C. before taking it back home. I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest a way to find a campsite on the fly, either a good website (preferably), magazine or book. Most of the websites that I have found are for RVs. Thanks for your help.

 

[Auburn]

POI factory is your friend

there are 128 lists to choose from POI Factory campsites load the ones you want into your GPS and you can search wherever you are at.

Many other good things on POI Factory site also, like a list of all red light cameras and speed cameras.

Enjoy the trip!

EDIT: Also AAA has some great books, maps, etc. And there is always KOA's - they have showers and the cabins if you travel lighter. They also have laundry facilities on site too.

 

[SacramentoMike]

If you're really camping, I'd avoid anyplace that caters to RVs unless you really need a shower. Any state park is usually good, and also usually have showers. But you're on a motorcycle. Throw your tent down in any national forest (it's legal). Wake up in the morning and get going. Get at least an hour's riding in, then find a place for coffee and some chow. If it's still before 10:30 (I think), I like Mickey D's (honest).

 

[Big-D]

I have always used Woodalls.com to find campsites, both RV parks, KOA's and all other types from privately owned to State campgrounds. Check them out. You can access them via their website while on the road, buy their book (its the size of a Los Angeles Telephone Book) or order their CD-Rom to carry with you. I received my free, probably because I usually buy their book each year ($19.95) to carry in my travel trailer. If you anticipate wifi, accessing them online is the best on a bike.

They require you to sign up, but it's free and worth it if you camp even a little.

Woodalls

 

[user 213]

If you're really camping, I'd avoid anyplace that caters to RVs unless you really need a shower. Any state park is usually good, and also usually have showers. But you're on a motorcycle. Throw your tent down in any national forest (it's legal). Wake up in the morning and get going. Get at least an hour's riding in, then find a place for coffee and some chow. If it's still before 10:30 (I think), I like Mickey D's (honest).

I see SacMike takes a lot of solo camping trips. :ermm: If I haven't found a scenic camping spot or site by the time I'm ready to park it for the day, the RV parks nearly always have tent space, often a nice spot of grass away from the RV spots. Plus showers and laundry. Usually $5-20, but varies widely.

Scored a great spot by a stream one night, w/shower use, for $3 one time. Occasional perk, RV parks will take reservations in some places like Prince Rupert, B.C. Got off the ferry late, just before end of twilight, and the RV park 100' up the road had my spot on a platform that I reserved days before. No stress in finding a spot after getting off the ferry.

 

[canyonman]

If you have an I phone allstays has a cool app that shows your location and available camp sites around you. Includes NF camps Corp of Engineers camps, as well as national and state parks also private campgrounds. I have found it does not have all the camps in it's data base but it has a bunch. Program available for PC as well. App for the phone was $3

Might also check out motocampers.com lots of info there as well

 

[SacramentoMike]

I see SacMike takes a lot of solo camping trips. :ermm:

It's true. That technique might not work out if you're accommodating a pillion too. OTOH, if your pillion will go m/c camping with you, you're far ahead of the game anyway, wherever you stay. Hard to pack enough for two to camp on a bike, though, so I wasn't thinking about keeping the partner happy.

I just don't like crowded and/or noisy campgrounds much.

 

[slowpoke]

https://www.motocampers.com/forums/index.php

 

[JR'SFJR]

I just did a loop out west and used mostly KOA's. I like their facilities, but camping areas can vary. I find the State and Nat. parks can fill early, which can mean quitting early. I got a tent site in Yosemite(only $10) at 10 in the morning and then rode the park. By late afternoon, they were full. Got a tent site at Zion Nat. Park($8) by 3 and not much left. Full soon after. The only KOA that filled this summer after I arrived was in the redwoods at Crescent City Ca.

 

[Trip]

Great suggestions. Allstays and Woodalls are exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

 

[johnny80s]

If you're really camping, I'd avoid anyplace that caters to RVs unless you really need a shower. Any state park is usually good, and also usually have showers. But you're on a motorcycle. Throw your tent down in any national forest (it's legal). Wake up in the morning and get going. Get at least an hour's riding in, then find a place for coffee and some chow. If it's still before 10:30 (I think), I like Mickey D's (honest).

We stayed at a lot of RV parks during our last trip and they were just fine. They ranged from 16 bucks on up which was comparable with state campsites. Some of the RV parks don't take tent campers though.

 

[Burnspot]

If you're really camping, I'd avoid anyplace that caters to RVs unless you really need a shower. Any state park is usually good, and also usually have showers. But you're on a motorcycle. Throw your tent down in any national forest (it's legal). Wake up in the morning and get going. Get at least an hour's riding in, then find a place for coffee and some chow. If it's still before 10:30 (I think), I like Mickey D's (honest).

We stayed at a lot of RV parks during our last trip and they were just fine. They ranged from 16 bucks on up which was comparable with state campsites. Some of the RV parks don't take tent campers though.

The only big drawback to RV parks is the noise...if you cant setup far enough away from the generator noise, you'll be sleeping with ear plugs. Yes, I can speak to this experience, lol.

 

[johnny80s]

If you're really camping, I'd avoid anyplace that caters to RVs unless you really need a shower. Any state park is usually good, and also usually have showers. But you're on a motorcycle. Throw your tent down in any national forest (it's legal). Wake up in the morning and get going. Get at least an hour's riding in, then find a place for coffee and some chow. If it's still before 10:30 (I think), I like Mickey D's (honest).

We stayed at a lot of RV parks during our last trip and they were just fine. They ranged from 16 bucks on up which was comparable with state campsites. Some of the RV parks don't take tent campers though.

The only big drawback to RV parks is the noise...if you cant setup far enough away from the generator noise, you'll be sleeping with ear plugs. Yes, I can speak to this experience, lol.

Ah I see. We did not have that issue on our trip but then we did usually arrive late and get up early.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

You could also try this site... seems pretty complete.

https://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/

I have to give a nod to the KOAs... sorta the McDonalds of campgrounds, not necessarily the best or most scenic, but there's a consistent quality and you know what you can expect when you go there. The cabins are great for 2-up travel on a bike, keeps the luggage requirements down to a minimum. I've used them all across the US, and a few in Canada.

www.koa.com

Griff

 

[FJReady]

Also check out the FJR forum assistance list thats managed by Steve Barnes. Lot of members, myself included will gladly offer up tent space if not more to fellow members. Not sure if it's posted here somewhere but I'll look and if I find it, I'll edit my post

If you're going through eastern Massachusetts, look me up.

 

[Big-D]

You could also try this site... seems pretty complete.
<a href="https://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/" target="_blank">https://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/ </a>

I have to give a nod to the KOAs... sorta the McDonalds of campgrounds, not necessarily the best or most scenic, but there's a consistent quality and you know what you can expect when you go there. The cabins are great for 2-up travel on a bike, keeps the luggage requirements down to a minimum. I've used them all across the US, and a few in Canada.

www.koa.com

Griff

I have always liked KOA's, except they tend to have all the little kids running around all over the place. You walk to the camp store and upon your return, the kids are digging through your stuff or in your tent. The cabins are getting to cost as much as a nice hotel room at $70+ per night.

Most campgrounds will have at least a few tent sites that are away from the RV's. I stayed recently at Flying Flags RV Park last month in Buellton California. It cost me $22 for one night, but their tent sites are secluded away from the RV's, has a super clean restroom and great showers. I was near the camp store, but hidden away at the same time. They had a huge pool that was nice after a 500 mile ride and they sold beer! What more could one want?

 

[Geezer]

I enjoy moto-camping. When traveling distances, like you'll be doing, it is difficult to know how many miles you'll feel like doing on any given day so you really can't pick a site in advance. If you stop at the welcome stations as you enter each state you can usually get a free map which has campsites indicated on it. You will also see road signs for some places and Garmin has a pretty good listing in their GPS maps.

In my experience, KOAs have the cleanest and best facilities, usually with a pool, store for groceries, and laundry. They also have the crappiest tent sites, very close to each other on a lawn near a bright light. And usually the highest prices. State and National parks have the coolest sites, but rarely have showers and sometimes not even flush toilets.

I'm on the assistance list, give me a call if you come through the Catskills in NY and I can point you to the good roads and help you find a place to stay.

 

[Patriot]

I am planning a solo coast to coast trip and would like to camp as much as I can when I am not visiting friends or family. The route will take me from So. Cal to Key West and then up to Maine. From there I am planning on riding through Canada to B.C. before taking it back home. I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest a way to find a campsite on the fly, either a good website (preferably), magazine or book. Most of the websites that I have found are for RVs. Thanks for your help.

if you decide to pass through or stay awhile in New Orleans...you are welcome to stay here at my home...

there is an open invitation to Feej peeps here on the forum

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Checkswrecks]

I like the National Parks, but you can also Google the phrase:

motorcycle stealth camping

Just use some common sense and be respectful of people who need to protect farms or other property. Once outside of towns, it's pretty easy to disappear not far off the road.