Campground Expenses

[Christine]

I got this off of the WA state parks web site...

People and bicylists on a paved trail that runs between trees. Off-Season Senior Citizen Pass - $75.00
Free nightly camping or moorage from Oct. 1 to March 31, and Sunday through Thursday in April. There is a $10 per-night fee for utility sites. Passes are available for $75. Offered to Washington state residents 62 years and older.

Washington State Resident is defined as: resident of Washington state for at least the past 3 consecutive months. Dual-state residency will not be considered.

Off-season senior citizen pass application.pdf

[Acadianmom]

I think Louisiana State parks will honer the National Park Pass for non-residents if your state honors it for Louisiana residents. I don't know of a state that applies to.

Martha

[mnladyus]

Thank you for posting about the pass. It's something I will have to check into.

I love this site, everyone is so willing to share! I've only been here a short time but I have found lots of interesting info.

Thank you ladies!!

[mtngal]

Ellen, if you are heading south, check out the New Mexico
state Park annual camping pass; don't remember details,
but know it is very reasonable.

[Acadianmom]

There is a lady that writes a blog Me and MY Dog...And My RV. She has been staying at the state parks in New Mexico and posts pictures of the places she stays. I would think it would be hot in the summer but I guess if you are high enough it's cooler. She has solar panels so it looks like she stays without electric hookups all the time.

Martha

[Bethers]

The NM state parks are awesome. In the north of the state, Martha, you are in mountains - the parks are closed in the winter. In the south, that's another story - depending again on location. NM has some great year round weather.

And, in my opinion, has the best prices, hands down, of any state park system - with some of the absolutely best state parks I've stayed in. Some of them have everything from widely dispersed no hook-up sites to other sites with water and electric, to still others with water, electric and sewer. Most of their state parks have the first two types. One I stayed at I elected the no hook-up sites because they were away from everyone and really widely spaced out. Their state park pass is really a big bargain to their residents, but is also a bargain to non-residents if you'll use it enough during your year. I would absolutely love to spend an entire year bouncing around New Mexico and using lots of their state parks - plus lots of other locations I love there (including boondocking).

TX state parks also has a pass for non-residents which is a deal if you'll be staying in their parks much. It doesn't give you a break on camping, but pays their added entrance fee. (I hate the states that tack on that fee - should just raise the camping fee and give a discount with the pass - IMHO).

As to the other places mentioned ... yes, I'm a member of Passport America - don't use it nearly as much as when I started, but even a few uses a year pays the membership dues. And I do use it when traveling and I want a cg with laundry facilities, etc but don't want the high rates. I haven't joined Harvest Hosts only because they have a one night rule and I've found if I simply stop at many wineries, they let me stay without paying that fee. One day I might join it. I am a member of that other one - can't think of the name. I was a charter member. I haven't used it because they really like people who also have a site to provide - so us full-timers can't do that. And when I contacted one about possibly staying, I felt like I was being interrogated. I can kind of understand it as they are opening their home lot to a stranger, but as a single woman, it made me a little uncomfortable. Since I'm a member, I probably will use it one of these days, though and do think it's a good idea. But if I can find a nice forest service cg, COE park, state or federal park, and best yet, a good boondocking spot near water, etc - then that's what I prefer. And I'm getting better and better at finding these places. Some purely by luck - others by searching. And those free camping websites are good places to look.

[JoanE]

I've been in NM since mid-May. I am workamping about 2 hours south of ALB where it has been hot. Heat is relative. We had a few weeks of triple digit temps but the rest is about as hot as a lot of other areas.

I do not tow, so depending on where I go here on my days off, I may use commercial campgrounds close to a town. The SP pass for non-residents did not make economic sense for me. I traveled throughout the Gila but also wanted to visit Silver City, a cool little town and Ruidoso. In both places I stayed right in town for public transportation or walkability.

So much more to see here and looking forward to cooler climes in northern NM but it has also been having monsoon rains with flash flooding, hail and lightening strikes. Not anxious to experience that.

[JudyJB]

It would be really nice if we had a thread on which to post bargain, but great campgrounds. For example, I found a COE campground in Illinois that cost $8 for electric and $12 for brand-new paved full-hookup sites on the water with lots of grass. (Senior rate)

This would not necessarily be a place to post the usual boondocking sites, but other places where you can get some of the amenities at a low price.

I will have to check out that NM pass.

[Sandersmr]

The Texas State Parks pass does waive the daily use fee (which everyone has to pay whether they camp or not) AND gives you 4 coupons of get one night half price when you pay one night full price. So it does pay for itself if you use that much.