Where Do We Sleep/Camp On our Trip?

There is not a simple answer. 

Really great values are National Park campgrounds. They are reasonably priced with million-dollar views and locations. With a “Senior Pass” (age 62 and older), you get free admission to the parks as well as camping at half the regular rate!

 Shenandoah National Park, VA, a short distance from our campsite

At the other end of the spectrum, there are the upscale privately owned “Resort” Campgrounds. These are the most expensive, have the least charm, and you are crammed in like sardines in a parking lot between mansion sized motor homes. These RV Parks generally offer in addition to basic water and electric, Cable TV, Sewer Connections, Rec Rooms, Camp Store on Site, Pools with Water Slides (seasonal) and sometimes even, “Silver Sneaker Exercise” programs Tues and Thurs morning in the “Barn”.  

Tallahassee, FL

In between these two extremes are State Park Campgrounds, COE (Corps of Engineers) campgrounds, more modest private campgrounds with fewer “amenities”, and best value of all – free Boondocking!  

“Boondocking” is defined as “a term used by RVers to describe RVing without being connected to water, electric, or sewer.”   

Many places allow free overnight parking for RVs. As I mentioned in a previous post, some Walmarts. Also some Costcos, Bass Pro Shops, Cracker Barrels, Truck Stops, Highway Rest Stops, and Casinos. Also, for us, because our RV is so small, we can fly under the radar and do overnight street parking in towns.  No water or electricity hookups are provided, but who cares? (Actually, those who care, stay in the Resort Campgrounds.)

Walmart boondocking is such a “thing” that it merits a special name: WallyDocking.  MoochDocking is parking in a friend’s driveway. There is also something we use called Harvest Hosts, available for an annual fee.

There are multiple apps that help you locate campgrounds and places to boondock. We mostly use Campendium and RvParky.  

Some campgrounds from this trip: 

Larry and Ina’s house, Silver Spring, MD. Not technically Moochdocking because we slept inside.

 Misty Mountain Camp Resort, Greenwood, VA

Walmart, Staunton, VA

Golden Grove Farm and Brewery, Greenville, SC. Harvest Hosts

Stone Mountain State Park Campground, Atlanta, GA

Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta, GA

Florence Marina State Park, GA 

                 

White Oak Creek Campground, AL, COE

    

 Indian Pass Campground, Port St Joe, FL, privately owned   

Sopchoppy City Park, Sopchoppy, FL

Osceola National Forest, Ocean Pond Campground, FL, view from Our V window

Ginny Springs Campground, High Springs, FL, privately owned 

Tumble Farm, Worthington Springs, FL , Harvest Host