New england

[kelpie]

Ladies, I'm trying to plan a trip to several New England states and need some of your knowledge. It seems that many of the state parks do not have any hook ups at their campgrounds. I don't need full but I will need electrical since it will be in September and it will be getting dark about 7 or 7:30 by then and may even get cool enough at night to need the little heater. (yes, I do have a furnace) Anyway, it looks like I'm goin to use more private cgs on this trip and want to know if any of you have any recommendations. Here's the tentative route - I will be VERY flexible once I leave New York state as to location. Several states are only included so I can say I've been there... Lake George NY to Quechee Gorge area in Vermont, to Portsmouth NH area, to Bar Harbor Maine, to Sturbridge MA area ( or anywhere between Bar Harbor and Rhode Island), Ashaway or Exeter RI, to Higganum CT to somewhere in New Jersey - was going for Swartswood but no hook ups, to Wellsboro PA (have one picked out in Wellsboro). If you know of any fun, interesting sights to see in any of those areas, let me know. I have a 29' MH with NO tow vehicle. Appreciate any input. Have and am using rvparkreview.com but it's always good when someone I "know" has been there.

[Liz]

I'll be in New England too at that time...do every year, but "camp" at brother's in NH & sister's in MA & friends along the way. I have stayed at Quechee State Park. No hookups, but a nice park. Dana's Restaurant at the Gorge has great breakfast & lunch with local flavor (Vt. cheeses, apples maple syrup, etc.) I grew up only a few miles from there.

If you're looking for great fall foliage, drive the Kancamagus Highway (Rte 112) across NH on your way to Bar Harbor.

I don't know what your setup is like, but if you have a propane furnace and a generator, you should be able to manage without hookups. At least that's what I would do. The campgrounds at Acadia National Park are nice too. I stayed in both of them on my visit there a few years ago.

When I get up there, I'll check to see where you are and if it's possible to gtg.

[kelpie]

Liz, that would be fun. If we can manage it. If not, I'm planning to spend several months in Orlando next winter so maybe then also.

[Liz]

Liz, that would be fun. If we can manage it. If not, I'm planning to spend several months in Orlando next winter so maybe then also.

Then, definitely in FL.

[Sprinter]

Hi Kellie,

I would recommend the PA Grand Canyon when you get to Wellsboro. Especially when the leaves are changing

Have an awesome trip!

Love,
Sharon

[kelpie]

Sharon, It's definitely on my list. The state park there doesn't allow dogs Does anyone from New England know WHY their state parks don't have hook ups? I have never encountered that before in any other region.

[Bethers]

Kellie, it won't be more expensive to run your furnace the little bit necessary - if you don't have electric - than paying for electric sites to use the electric heater. That's the time of year I try to do my most boondocking - as I do need hookups to use my air conditioner!

I stayed in some cg's up there - but mainly hit state parks, etc when I could - and boondocked - when I did use cg's I looked for passport america parks to get the discounts. CG's in NE are expensive without it.

[kelpie]

I know I can run the furnace but what about lights? It will probably be dark by 7:30 or so. As you can tell, I'm not a boondocker. My generator needs repair and it has been a low budget priority but if they don't have hook ups I wonder if they even allow them.

[Liz]

I know I can run the furnace but what about lights? It will probably be dark by 7:30 or so. As you can tell, I'm not a boondocker. My generator needs repair and it has been a low budget priority but if they don't have hook ups I wonder if they even allow them.

I run lights, sparingly...one at a time....no problem. I also can run my fantastic fan all night....although you probably won't need to that time of year.

[Bethers]

If you're going to be driving every day- then you can use your lights and run your furnace - although I would be stingy on the furnace - I turned my heat way down overnight - and back up in the morning - so that it doesn't pull too much from the batteries. I only have one battery though - if you have 2, you probably won't have any trouble. Your lights are no biggie - unless you leave them on all night - and all of them - they have very little drain. They are 12 volt lights specifically so you can use them from the battery.

When you drive, the battery will be charged. You won't be able to use tv or microwave.

[PeggyinCT]

Kelpie,

I don't know why New England doesn't have hookups in the State parks, but most don't. However, the parks are beautiful and spacious unlike the private campgrounds. I attended a rally in VT, Jamaica something, that had hook ups. PM me and I'll look it up for you. Also, after September 17th, I'll be at home, so let's plan a GTG with Liz and maybe some other solo Trekkers in the area. Wells State Park is near Sturbridge, no hookups, maybe we could all meet there.

[kelpie]

I have stayed at state parks in more than 20 states and never found ANY that didn't have hook ups before. The large sites and reasonable prices are why I like them so much. I think I have decided to cut out a few states though to save a few $$ since they are so much more expensive there. RI, CT and NJ I was just going to so I could say "been there", nothing I really want or newed to see so will save them for another trip. Still will add 5 new states to my map, not too bad, I think. Didn't know that about the lights so may try it at least once. I am planning a night in Sturbridge, either the state park or Yogi Bear Jellystone which is a Passport America Park. Would love to meet any and all forum sisters. Should be in MA about the 21st. on my way to wellsboro PA from Maine.

[Pooker]

As a former New Englander, perhaps I can shed a bit of light on the camping there. Remember that their state parks are quite old and none of us needed electricity back in the day. Even when we finally graduated to a tent camper and then a travel trailer, we still didn't have all the "stuff" we have today in our rigs. So, most of the state parks and even many private ones didn't offer the hefty electricity we're used to now.

Our rigs today are mostly self-contained. That means we can stay for a few days without all the amenities. You can use your batteries or generator - there will probably be generator hours when it's acceptable. And your propane furnace, if kept at a reasonable temperature overnight, won't use that much battery power.

Remember, the season for camping in NE is very short. Many campgrounds open Memorial Day and close Labor Day. That means a campground owner has to earn their whole income in only 3 months! Unlike the sunbelt where an owner can stay open all year and make a lot more money. Also, the numbers are limited. AND be prepared for smaller sites in a lot of areas, too. The old campgrounds were designed for tents and small trailers and quite a few have not updated over the years.

By all means - Sturbridge is an area to visit. Spend a day at Old Sturbridge Village if you can. And I have had a lifelong love affair with Bar Harbor and Acadia Nat'l Park. The Vermont state parks are gorgeous! In fact, if you like scenery, it's hard to beat New England.

Have a great trip!

Pooker

[Liz]

My guess is that the parks are unable/don't want to deal with frozen/burst water pipes that would happen too.

[kelpie]

Okay, New England is not colder than Michigan or Wisconsin and their state parks have electricity, for pete's sake. I don't expect full hook ups but at least some sites with electricity is reasonable. There is a park in NY, near my sister with over 400 sites and not one has electricity. several "loops" have been added in the last 10 years and certainly campers have expected or wanted electricity then. The private cgs have elec - I am talking about the state parks not even having one single site with it. Don't they have to have facilities for handicapped visitors? Wouldn't they need electricity, at least? It just makes no sense to me, but I guess if they can get people to camp there without it, why put it in? I would wonder how much revenue they are losing by this failure though. I imagine most "big rigs" would be staying elsewhere. I am visiting Acadia and plan to spend at least 3 or 4 nights in that area. My sister told me about Old Sturbridge Village when I first started planning this trip but I had forgotten it. Would there be anywhere in the village to park my rig? I do not tow a vehicle at this time.