Less People Camping. Options

[jamarynn1]

Well, we left yesterday morning for our 4-month odyssey and managed to get a whole three hours on the road before we blew a tire on the fiver. So I had two hours to observe how many RV passed by us on I-10.........lots and lots and lots. People are either heading out or going home, but there were one heck of a lot of RVs out on the highway. Obviously, gas prices can't dowse the spirits of the dedicated RVers!

[Wink]

Well, we left yesterday morning for our 4-month odyssey and managed to get a whole three hours on the road before we blew a tire on the fiver. So I had two hours to observe how many RV passed by us on I-10.........lots and lots and lots. People are either heading out or going home, but there were one heck of a lot of RVs out on the highway. Obviously, gas prices can't dowse the spirits of the dedicated RVers!

That is no way to start a 4 month trip.I live right off I-95 and a lot of them are snow birds going home.By there tag`s on the RV`s

[jim crowl]

I've spent the last couple months at a number of RV parks, and State Parks in New Mexico. In most cases RV travel has increased over last year at those parks. In some cases parks that typically have lots of open spaces have even been at or near capacity. The exception has been in areas getting unusually cold weather this year, where RV use has been way down. I spent last week at Hyde State Park, above Santa Fe. It snowed for several days, and the park was almost deserted. Last year at this time weather was much warmer, and the RV area was full. This week I am at Oasis State Park near Clovis NM. The weather has been in the 80's, and I took the last available RV spot when I arrived. Last year at this time there were a number of open spots. So in N.M. weather seems to have a lot more influence on travelers than gas price. I paid $3.78/gallon today however, so we'll see what happens if/when gas reaches $4!

[Wink]

I've spent the last couple months at a number of RV parks, and State Parks in New Mexico. In most cases RV travel has increased over last year at those parks. In some cases parks that typically have lots of open spaces have even been at or near capacity. The exception has been in areas getting unusually cold weather this year, where RV use has been way down. I spent last week at Hyde State Park, above Santa Fe. It snowed for several days, and the park was almost deserted. Last year at this time weather was much warmer, and the RV area was full. This week I am at Oasis State Park near Clovis NM. The weather has been in the 80's, and I took the last available RV spot when I arrived. Last year at this time there were a number of open spots. So in N.M. weather seems to have a lot more influence on travelers than gas price. I paid $3.78/gallon today however, so we'll see what happens if/when gas reaches $4!

Jim it has all ready got to 4.00 dollars a gallon here or very close 3.98.9.I think a lot of it is in peoples head.If the difference of 20 cent a gallon is going to brake you.You did`t need to go in the first place.I do know when it hit high enough that it took over a hundred dalliers to fill my tow van it sort of shocked me but it was like 93. something to fill up before that.So not that much difference it is just in your head.Like putting a price of 9.98 on something.

[coacbcps]

This trip was exciting, dodging the tornados. Tornados chased and leapfrogged over us at every campground. They must have recognized the RV. Always afraid tornados will mistake us for a modular home, which they seemingly devour with relish..

[KentuckyCampin]

We "Had" reservations for a corps of engineers campground and due to the rain and high lake levels, our Memorial weekend campsite got canceled. That was at around 1pm today, I spent around 1.5 hours trying to find a state/federal/private campground within 100 miles for the weekend. No luck, booked solid. That is here in Kentucky. I dont think the gas prices are going to matter too much to people, as I know it is going to suck ($100 a pop to fill up my Silverado), but I dont care, I LOVE CAMPING So you know what, we will probably just suck it up and drive on!!!

But it beats sitting at home, looking at my camper in the drive and wishing I was camping!!! Like Im probably gonna be doing this Memorial weekend!!

[jamarynn1]

That is no way to start a 4 month trip.I live right off I-95 and a lot of them are snow birds going home.By there tag`s on the RV`s

Well, two more blowouts in the next three days. Only 6,000 miles on the tires (fiver is only 1 1/2 years old)...who knows what's wrong but as Desi said to Lucy "...you got some 'splaining to do" when we get home and take it in for service. Bought five new tires (not an expense we had planned on) and the trip seems to be running on rails now. The parks seem to be as much filled as they were last year, so people do seem to be traveling. The 4-month has turned into a 6-month now. Snow today in New Mexico. Oh, well, we wanted to get away from the Florida heat....

[pianotuna]

Hi,

How fast do you tow?

Well, two more blowouts in the next three days. Only 6,000 miles on the tires (fiver is only 1 1/2 years old)...who knows what's wrong but as Desi said to Lucy "...you got some 'splaining to do" when we get home and take it in for service. Bought five new tires (not an expense we had planned on) and the trip seems to be running on rails now. The parks seem to be as much filled as they were last year, so people do seem to be traveling. The 4-month has turned into a 6-month now. Snow today in New Mexico. Oh, well, we wanted to get away from the Florida heat....

[araucanaman]

We NEVER stay at COE or State Campgrounds. Feel that our children should not be working and contributing to our travel expense. The Govn. can't balance their own checkbook so can't really say all of these places should be open, glad to see they are not full. We are finding that the same is true for the poor souls trying to contribute to the economy who own the little mom and pop campgrounds. Not a single one was full from FL to WI. Felt bad for them trying to make a living but glad we at least contributed one night to their hard work and efforts of making our overnight stays wonderful. Some wonderful campgrounds out there that are not going to continue to be in business if we do not support them.

[araucanaman]

Why not try a nice privately owned campground, cleaner and more security. Am sure several would still have availabiltiy.

[jamarynn1]

Hi,

How fast do you tow?

55 tops. We just stick in the right lane and let the world pass us by. The campground will still be there even if we get there an hour later.

[boogie]

We are definitely noticing a decrease in campers outside of our region.

[JDRobar]

High gas prices are the pits.

If you have mifi and can look on-line while traveling, these sites will help in keep the pump from sucking your wallet dry. They allow you to look on-line for the cheapest price on fuel

http://gasbuddy.com/ It really helps to have the zip code on this one - you will see all station's prices in the immediate area on a map.

http://gasprices.mapquest.com/?area=national You can select any type of fuel on this one...including propane.

These sites rely on the public to update their info, and by registering & doing so I understand you can win prizes in the way of free fuel. If nothing else, it's a fun way to feel like you are getting back at those price gougers

[Galli]

I am finding that with the price of gas going up it is getting easier to book a open spot in the state and federal camp grounds.Is any one else finding this to be true or is it just where I camp most of the time in Georgia & Florida.

You don't know how right your are but I don't think it is the gas price alone to shy away campers.
I am spending my Winter in Florida too , Crystal River and not only you had a lot of spots to chose from but, even during Christmas, the shopping centers were half empty.
The USA is going through a very difficult period and on top of that the Florida's economy is graded on tourism and ......
I am not trying to be pessimistic but , I believe that it will take few years for the economy there to pick up.

[mdcamping]

I am finding that with the price of gas going up it is getting easier to book a open spot in the state and federal camp grounds.Is any one else finding this to be true or is it just where I camp most of the time in Georgia & Florida.

Well with camping season finished up I got a better observation to this question... all our trips that we had booked into the weekend we found the campgrounds at least 95% full. There was only one campground which we had booked during the weekday that was located in a prime destination area that only 50% full at best which we found very surprising.

So overall seemed most of the campgrounds that we visited were mostly packed with the same booking hassles

Mike