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Thanks otter for the thread. I'm doing a road trip starting tomorrow in Texas to see eclipse and then go west to mountains etc. I'm tent camping a night or two then cheap hotel to live in luxury haha then rinse and repeat. So not really your exact definintion but Picked up some good tips here. Sorry there are negatron posters that really should just move on to other threads and leave the interested people to post.
I don't know where you find a hotel for $100 a night these days. Closer to $200 or more just to sleep. Either way, we like to pocket that money when traveling, but not willing to risk a safe nights rest so we look for KOA campgrounds along the route we're going. Yeah it still costs some, but way less than a clean motel. I think we averaged about 35-40 a night. One was even $18. (yes, a lot to camp, but way better than a hotel room)
Last trip like this was from Ca. to Fl. We had to stop a little early a couple times due to locations of KOA's, but that was alright. Gave us a little extra time out of the car along the way to walk & sight see
I don't know where you find a hotel for $100 a night these days. Closer to $200 or more just to sleep. Either way, we like to pocket that money when traveling, but not willing to risk a safe nights rest so we look for KOA campgrounds along the route we're going.
And do you car camp there; no tent set-up required?
I've slept in the back of an SUV at campsites. I see people at campgrounds sleeping in their vehicles every time we go. Typically it's an SUV or a pickup. Never seen anyone hassled or kicked out.
Is this really a common prohibition?
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Edit:
Here's from the KOA website:
Quote:
Many campgrounds, including some KOAs, will welcome guests who choose to sleep in their car at a campsite. It’s always a good idea to call ahead so that you ensure you’re reserving the right type of site for you car camping adventure. It’s also important to call ahead because some campgrounds may not allow car camping or have limits on length of stay. A quick chat with the campground staff will ensure you reservation is made correctly.
I've slept in the back of an SUV at campsites. I see people at campgrounds sleeping in their vehicles every time we go. Typically it's an SUV or a pickup. Never seen anyone hassled or kicked out.
Is this really a common prohibition?
Yes, it is, according to what I've read (and I've looked up a few campsites myself). Tent sites require a tent. Hence setting up a "dummy" and hoping no one notices.
Yes, it is, according to what I've read (and I've looked up a few campsites myself). Tent sites require a tent. Hence setting up a "dummy" and hoping no one notices.
Okay. Are these private campgrounds? I've never seen such a restriction, but we typically stay at government properties... national/state/county parks/monuments.
I've considered getting a pickup for camping. We'd still bring a tent, but it would be nice to have the option of sleeping in the pickup when it rains or when we're in a rush and don't want to bother setting up a tent.
Okay. Are these private campgrounds? I've never seen such a restriction, but we typically stay at government properties... national/state/county parks/monuments.
I've considered getting a pickup for camping. We'd still bring a tent, but it would be nice to have the option of sleeping in the pickup when it rains or when we're in a rush and don't want to bother setting up a tent.
In Montana and WV where I’ve lived and done most of my truck camping it’s not a problem on USFS/BLM land. However in NP’s it can be a problem. I’ve actually been told by one NP camp host that I couldn’t sleep in my truck camper because it was a tent site.
I ignored that person.
My daughter has a Tacoma and the previous owner built a platform with sliding drawers and cubby nooks- the whole 9 yds. She goes to trail heads / campsites and sleeps in her truck, again NFS land.
As I say, I've read about it many times online. I also emailed a state park campground where I wanted to stay to ask, and they said no; that I must have and use a tent on a tent site. It wasn't specified on the website. Asking first was my mistake; easier to apologize afterwards!
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