Hi there,

Just wondered what you all thought about the pros & cons of camping versus the use of motels en route while travelling across the US.

Is there a directory for camp sites across the States? What's the average cost of a site compared to a cheapish motel?

Reason I ask is coz we always try an travel 'light' while touring – in all of Europe we've always just headed out, stopped where we felt like and booked into a hotel... saving on all the clutter associated with camping.

What do you think?

Depends on the style of trip you want to take, but if you enjoy camping at all I would very highly recommend it. The US is so large and there are many places to camp that are good and in some cases great, especially if you are willing to explore a little. It is very different from Europe where the camping is expensive and crowded. You can find plenty of hotels if you want to mix it up, but IMHO that the camping experience can add a lot to the trip.

Camping is by far the cheapest. $10-15 per night. Each state will have a directory of their state parks on-line. The national park service also has a nice web site. Availability depends on where you are and when. It is not uncommon for state and federal parks to fill up. Some parks accept reservations. Private camp grounds usually have washrooms and laundry facilities and many have Internet access for e-mail and researching your next stop/weather. Many private campgrounds are converting a lot of their tent space to motor home spaces. More profitable. Don’t assume a “campground” has tent space. I usually camp for around 5-6 nights then get a motel room for 1 night to clean up equipment and myself. Some private campgrounds have small, minimally furnished cabins for around $30-40. I've used these instead of motels in expensive areas. You can check hotel rates on-line. In my area, it's getting very difficult to find a room under $40. Some small, family run motels are a bit cheaper. Again it depends on when and where. You can carry minimal cooking gear/food, as inexpensive food is widely available. When doing my own cooking, I carry no more than 1-2 days in my bag. It’s usually as cheap to eat at local restaurants.

I don't know where you are currently located. One thing different here than in many parts of Europe and South America, is the general reluctance of property owners to allow camping on their property, no manner how remote. Again, it depends when and where. It never hurts to ask.

Please feel free to ask more questions or PM me. I’ve traveled a bit and know the frustrations of getting answers to the more mundane issues. The community sections located on this web site have some good contacts. If you have a particular route, post it and we’ll help. One last thing. Do an internet search for motorcycle friendly camp grounds. More and more are opening. They know the needs of motorcycle travelers. Here in North Carolina, we have many excellent locations such as the one Grant hosts the June HU meeting.

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Oops, I see you're in SE England. We do have more weather choices, depending on routes.

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lol

cheers.

Yup... I'm planning a month's tour... squeezing in as many National Parks as I possibly can. Starting out around August. I'll be solo this time so I guess I have more space on the back for camping gubbins so its well worth considering. Breaking it up into camps & motels is a good idea.

I may PM you myself, my wife and I are due to do 3 months in the states(NY->Chicargo->R66->LA->NY, the 1st five weeks are with another couple so we will be using motels to start with, but once they leave us at SF we will start camping as we wander back to NY via the parks.

We will be buying camping gear in LA, so any clues to cheap camping shops welcome, REI looks expensive to me

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Woodall's North American Campground Directory as well as a number of other directories list the campgrounds in the U.S. In addition, they list the price and ammenities. Also check out Camping With the Army Corps. of Engineer's. Some other's are; Rand McNally RV Park and Campground Directory, U.S. National Park Campground Guide aand Frommer's Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A.

All U.S. states offer some sort of visitor's information center near the state lines. Most of these places have info on campgrounds and lodging, as well as historical sites and various attractions.

All of the said books can be found at either www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. You can also get a lot of information by visiting the Visitor's Bureau of whichever states you will be going to.

Thanks, will go and have a book hunt

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I read somewhere that there is a website that you belong too, which eneables you to find ..basically a couch in someones house! There are thousands of houses signed up now.

I wish i could remember the site....:confused1:

good luck

I always pack and plan to camp. On a motorcycle, you already chosen to travel in a manner that puts you in greater contact with the evironment. So camping is just adding to that experience. However, sometimes contact with nature can become too much of a good thing. Try 5 solid days of constant downpour. That's when it stops being fun and the motel is an appreciated option.
A word about camping. If you choose campgrounds anywhere near populated areas on weekends, you'll need to wear your earplugs at night. The "party harty" gangs that we travel on bike to get away from, make many campgrounds less than enjoyable.

Have fun, be safe

narly

Sort of late to the game but I feel obligated to mention Hostels. For some reason they're not as popular in North America as they are in Europe and Africa but there is a decent distribution of them, they have showers, fewer bugs and showers. For you they may have one big detractor -mostly used by Europeans (It may feel like you never left home).

Some links:
Hostel Reviews of All Hostels Worldwide - Hostelz.com
Hostels.com - Every Hostel Everywhere - Youth Hostels & Independent Hostels



Love 'em,

Brad

I'm planning a 3-4 month c2c trip of the US next summer 2010 and I plan to stealth camp as much as I can. I intend to stay in hostels or motels very occassionally and this will be when I hit the more Urban areas/cities. Even then I may still stealth camp but just well outside of the more populated areas.

Hoping too that I can hit up a few offers from the HU community and the good will and hospitality of the locals. I also hear that it is free to camp in US National Forests but that this fact is very rarely advertised.

Steve
xXx

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Most of the relevant info has already been highlighted by others...but I might add a couple of additional notes...

If you are coming from England, your experience of North America will be immensely enhanced if you have the options to camp at places like Arches Nat Park, Utah, the Alvord Desert, Oregon, Wallowa Lake, Washington, Port Townsend, Washington, Long Beach, Nat Park, Vancouver Island, Waterton Lakes Nat Park, Alberta, Grasslands Nat Park, Saskatchewan, Silver City Oregon, Atlantic City, Wyoming, and the tons of other places 'off the main routes'.

In my mind, if you are travelling in the Western US and Canada, camping is a must. You can then stay in the National Parks, State Parks, Provincial Parks and even in municipal campsites. And, especially if you want to go to slightly more out of the way places, camping will give you lots more of the authentic 'western' experience. Camping in the eastern part of the US may be slightly more difficult due to simple population and urban density...Out west here though....there still a few wide open spaces....

My usual approach is to camp 3 or 5 days then motel it for the shower, etc. However, in many state parks in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, etc. and most National Parks have shower amenities which can serve to extend 'non motel' days. And many state and national parks have the 'rent a yurt' (or other basic cabin option) which can serve as a variation on the camping theme. Costs during summer at the parks range from 15$ to $30 per night. Cheapest motel in the off season was at Riggins Idaho $45. In lots of out of the way places camping can be less or free (BLM Land).

Also, you do need to consider when you are planning to visit - many parks -especially as you go north offer very limited services after mid - late Sept. and are shut tight over winter....

KOA has seemed most expensive and least flexible. Most small communities have town run campgrounds that offer good value. I've also found in many 'Mom amd Pop' type campgrounds that still keep plugging along - often because they art in locations where alternative business isn't readily available. And of course, you can use the HUBB Communities all across North America to seek out ideas for camping or other accomm...

To add to Alex's terrific shot of camping near/at/in Monument Valley, here's another example of why camping just has to be done...Alvord Desert near Fields Oregon

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Lots of free camping out west on government land--no facilities though.

CAmp

Camp

camp

You have national parks, state parks and at a push Koa (Camping and Campgrounds - KOA Kampgrounds of America, Inc.)

Get an Eagle card for the National parks, free access to all parks.

State Parks charge an access, but with camping still cheap.

I *loved* it.

We also did motels going East -> West (with friends). Preferred camping.

:-)

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