Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Howdy, Jack and Donna.

We are Escapee RV Club members and try to use the various parks in that
system. I also try to use the Escapees Travel Guide where all parks
listed give some form of discount, even 50%. We just renewed our
Passport America membership, 50 % discounts available there. We have the
Golden Access card which give a break on camping rates and we especially
like the campgrounds that are run by the Army Corps of Engineers. I try
and stay in a campground for at least a week. Better rate there.
Monthly rates will save you money too. I have a friend who maintains her
RVing friendships faithfully and frequently can stay on someone's
property and/or someone's RV lot.
Perhaps a move to a less expensive state might be in your future.
Hope this info is helpful. We live on a fixed income and carefully watch
our expenses.

Regards,
Jack and Liz Pearce
Fulltiming in a 1993 Wanderlodge WB40
D'Hanis, TX
Buena Vista, CO





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jackcj7" wrote:
>
> We are wondering how one can travel a lot without the R V Park fees
eating them alive. Several years ago, we traveled for 6 months and
22,600 miles in our SOB. We stayed at all kinds of parks, but it
seemed most were about $30 a night. Yes, we did a couple of weekly
rates, and Wally Worlds, but on the whole it was around the $30 a night,
which works out to some $900 for a month.
> Out here on the LeftCoast, the Governator has doubled the State Park
fees, with the nearest Doheny Beach state Park, to $60 a nite, and that
is for Dry Camping.. (Staying in a Super 8 Motel might be about the
same, only there you get Breakfast).
>
> So how do you FullTimers and Semi-FullTimers handle it??
> Jack & Donna Smith
> 1973FC31 (for Sale)
> Imperal Kingdom of Arnold..
>

There are several items, in addition to what has been mentioned above, which has
greatly reduced our overnighting cost. The basic issue is understanding the
free camping culture. Free camping means such things as staying at a Walmart,
Lowe's or Kmart parking lots for overnight stays when traveling. Some people
would never stay in a Walmart parking lot. We don't have any problem with that,
especially when we arrive late and leave early. There are many resources for
"free overnight camping". It is a culture thing that you can explore on the
internet. There is no one set of methods and resources that work. The only
common element is the internet to understand all the options.

Another resource is casinos. 95% of them actively seek RVer's and welcome them
to stay overnight in facilities that vary from bare bones to full hookups for
little or no money.

We enjoy staying at Elks Lodges. We joined the Elks specifically to take
advantage of the many, many lodges that have RV hook ups, for very low cost.
Usually these facilities are in great locations.

Our favorite low cost camping spots are COE (Corp of Engineers) campgrounds.
All the facilities that we have been to have been wonderful. If you can score a
"Golden Age" US parks passport, you can stay at COE campgrounds for 1/2 price.
Usually $10 to $15 per. Some states offer 1/2 price camping for "Golden Age"
passport holders. Look at the resources at http://www.recreation.gov

Once you get into low cost camping you will find a lot of resources. The
problem about describing those resources is that one mans junk is another mans
treasures. You will develop your own style of low cost camping. Come on in,
the water's fine.

Happy trails,

Eric Perplies
96' 42' WBWL