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Old 12-10-2014, 11:47 AM   #41
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This is why I look for a community center, or sportsplex, or something like that, if it is closed for the night, and use their parking lot. Never had an issue. We also will pull off onto rural roads, and find an approach to a field to use. Lots of places to go that are out of the way, and quiet.

Our favourite one was actually on the way to an Escape rally a few years back. We pulled not 10 minutes off the Trans Canada Highway, and found a pull-out spot on road in a forested area...... with a stream running beside it. Not a single vehicle went by until 6AM, and we were getting ready to pull the pin anyway.

I have stayed at lots in spots found along the way, but have yet to stay in a Wallmarts, or a truck stop.
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Old 12-10-2014, 12:15 PM   #42
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With the gas prices steadily decreasing over past while, it is going to be much more favorable for traveling to those great camping spots. From a personal perspective, would be great if the prices stay low for a number of months, however, that is not a good thing around here (Alberta) relative to the economy. Here is a snapshot of gas prices in Edmonton, Canada avg, and USA avg over past year:



http://www.edmontongasprices.com/Ret...ice_Chart.aspx
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Old 12-10-2014, 01:04 PM   #43
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It is definitely worth checking out any city parks along your route. Usually inexpensive, often near stores and other attractions, and, in a few cases, provide water & electric for a night or two free. One example - I stayed at was the O'Neill City Park in Nebraska: 2014 Trip, Day 295.

If you dry camp, want to be warm for the winter, and are looking for a long term stay, check out some of the LTVA sites in Arizona & California. Most have dump stations, dumpsters for trash, and fresh water available. $40.00 for 2 weeks, or $180.00 for 7 months. My favorite is the Imperial Dam BLM area (3500 acres) in California (just across the border from Arizona & 30 miles from Yuma).
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Old 12-10-2014, 01:28 PM   #44
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This is really a "to each their own" situation. Personally I'd rather be in place where the noise is random, sort of normal life going on rather than in a crowded campground being kept awake by ignorant noise makers.

Our only criteria on whether to say somewhere or not is more security based. If after eyeballing the situation we're not comfortable we move on.

Never had a problem with Walmart, Lowes, Camping World etc. Some truck stops the reefer noise is a bit annoying but it's sort of white noise too.

Best bet by far are the casinos. Never spent a dime of my own money gambling but I have several cards Not to mention those buffets.

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Old 12-10-2014, 01:48 PM   #45
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It is definitely worth checking out any city parks along your route. Usually inexpensive, often near stores and other attractions, and, in a few cases, provide water & electric for a night or two free. One example - I stayed at was the O'Neill City Park in Nebraska: 2014 Trip, Day 295.
We actually drove through that campground, it was early in the day so we didn't need to stop. We were swinging through every county park we passed just to see what they looked like. O'Neil was one of the bigger towns. Stayed at Keller State Rec Area, a real hidden gem.
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Old 12-10-2014, 05:12 PM   #46
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Municipal campgrounds (not day-use parks) can be a great deal. They are typically subsidized by the use of city property and perhaps provision of city services (including maintenance) and can be treated as tourism promotions rather than needing to cover their costs like a business. Sometimes they're free; I've camped right on the bank of the Peace River at no charge this way... they even had a free firewood pile.
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Old 12-10-2014, 06:06 PM   #47
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On the few occasions that we find ourselves needing something but no decent public campground available we have stayed in church parking lots. Having served as a trustee, I know most of them would not have an issue, especially for an overnight. Most recently we stayed at the new Catholic Church in Oro Valley(Tucson has very few campgrounds), then oddly at the Methodist Church later that week when we had to bail out of a rural campground due to partyers.
Stayed at a Methodist in Pendleton, Or(kinda sketchy looking neighborhood).
If someone is inside we always ask first. If not we call and leave a message with our cell #.

On another note, at a Nat'l Forest Service office in Quincy, CA we were told that if there is no camp host in residence you don't have to pay. So we didn't at Snake Lake, which is much quieter anyway than the much more popular one just north of town but next to the main RR track.
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Old 12-10-2014, 06:22 PM   #48
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On the few occasions that we find ourselves needing something but no decent public campground available we have stayed in church parking lots.
Another great idea.
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Old 12-10-2014, 06:24 PM   #49
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Old 12-10-2014, 06:30 PM   #50
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On another note, at a Nat'l Forest Service office in Quincy, CA we were told that if there is no camp host in residence you don't have to pay.
We found a similar situation at a BC Provincial Park roadside campground, where the campground was closed for the season (so no services, but we didn't need any) and no way to pay.
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Old 12-12-2014, 03:49 PM   #51
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Harvest Hosts

I just want to put in a plug for Harvest Hosts. We have only stayed at one, but had a very nice experience. We learned about it from a lady who lives in her class A motor home, spending much of her time doing disaster work for the Red Cross. The expectation is that you will buy something from the host. We had breakfast at the espresso shop, and bought a bit of fruit, but it wasn't anything we wouldn't have purchased anyhow. I am looking forward to stopping at some wineries on 2015 trips.
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Old 12-12-2014, 04:19 PM   #52
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Seems they like molded fiberglass too.
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