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OK, I just sat down with my notes and double checked my tallies. If I didn't include the last two nights where we splurged, I'd be down to almost exactly $6/day for camping. But here's how it tallies for 36 days/35 nights of my NM road trip:

I personally put 3012 miles on my rig.

35 nights = $221.67 for camping - equals $6.33/night

My largest expense was gas- and my actual expenditure there is: $640.55

I filled my lp once - $18.

I don't keep track anymore of most of the personal expenditures - like food and clothes, etc - but I don't eat out often, although Sparkle and I did eat out more often than either of us normally would. It still wasn't often. Oh, and I left $5 in the casinos. Drat them anyway lol

Now, just an aside. If I added the next 5 nights of my camping (maybe 6) - I'd have an additional $32 for camping and no additional gas costs.

If I was 62 I'd also get away much less expensively with the Senior's pass - and my camping would have been even less. Well, maybe not - as a couple nights because of how cheap the camping is with the pass, Sparkle took electric sites when I boondocked. Ha, just a way to make it more even. Actually traveling with her saved me as when we went into some of these places together in her truck, I got in free also. Can't wait till I can get that pass. Liz and Carol have that over on me for Alaska - they are going to stay at Denali (the 2 of them) for less than just me. If you don't have that pass - and you're eligible, get it.

Yep...we love the America the Beautiful...aka....Golden Age Passport...from the National Park Service....I have one cause of my status as a Disabled Vet......$10 at age 62 gets you lots of benefits....if you are disable and receiving any kind of Gov. check, you can get one at anytime.....Just passing along some info....

The Pass is the one reason to look forward to adding just a few more years....and then travel twice as much!

Here's a link to the National Park Service pass information:

http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

"America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass. - Cost $10.

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires. "

Michelle

So Beth, is Sparkle gone now? Where are you headed now? Seems like you two had such a blast and I'm soooo envious! You guys did good on the camping end. Sure wish I was going back to Alaska with you!

Wish you were, too, Sharon. Yep, Sparkle and I went different directions yesterday. She had about 8 hours of driving to get to the Grand Canyon - was probably going to take 2 days - so should be there today. I'm spending time in SW Colorodo, want to see friends in Durango who are on vacation till tomorrow.

And if you aren't old enough (like me) for the Golden Age pass - you can save money by being with someone who has it. Ya know, a couple years ago, you only had to be 55 to get one. I was so looking forward to it - then when I was 54, they raised the age to 62. Now I have 6 more years. Refuse to stop traveling, but geez! Would have purchased the $80 annual pass this year, but it doesn't give the camping discounts, so wasn't worth it to me.

Oh, and Zeee, I only get 9-10 mpg - so wouldn't have been that different for you. Those with RT's, etc - would do better.