Reserve America

Many thousands of people each month are looking for this website, and there aren't many searches comparitively, so I thought this deserved a mention.  The website is: http://www.reserveamerica.com/

I can see why many people are looking for this website in particular.  It has a lot of good information about where to go when camping.  There isn't just RV camping, there is also: tent camping, trailer, group sites, day sites, boat sites, horse sites.  You can choose any state of the continental USA plus Alaska.  You can also choose a park name or zip code/city near which you want to stay.   You can even choose the dates you want to stay to find out if that place is available when you want it.  OH MY!  It even gives you the option to choose what size site you want, with certain hookups, whether you need a pet-friendly place, if you want to be near a water, near hiking/biking/fishing/hunting, winter activities, equipment rental places, golf, horse-back riding.  Unfortunately, I didn't see an option for Wi-Fi camping spots.  Overall, however, this part of the site is the most extensive of all I've researched.   

WOW!  The map is also more extensive than the other websites I've researched as well.  There are little green dots where on the map the campsites of which they have information are located.  That's quite a nice feature - then if you know roughly where in each state on the map you are staying, you can see how many campsites are nearby.

The next blue tab at the top of the screen has spotlights, and it looks like most states are included.  There is a little blurb and picture of all of the campsites recommended.  I thought I'd just see a few sites included, but, no, there are many campsites all around the nation included.  I can tell that many hours went into research (or maybe these places are where the website staff have stayed and enjoyed).

The next tab is where you can find outdoor gear, and also some jobs through Monster.  That's nice and handy if you forgot some important gear.

In the next tab, it takes you to links for Hunting and Fishing Licences in each state.  That's very useful and informational.  It's sortof like they thought of everything needed to have a good camping trip and included it into their site.

The last tab is where you can include an account and reserve campspots.  Again, the URL is: http://www.reserveamerica.com/

I highly urge you to go to this site the next time you want to look for any type of camp spot.  
 

Texas RV Parks

As I'm sure you've noticed in the other posts, for the most part, I stick to websites that are more directories for all of the parks in the state.  I think this post will be a little different.  I will mention some directories, and some individual RV Campgrounds.

A Few Directories
http://www.texascampgrounds.com/  You can search for an RV Park, check out local attractions, Blog, Sales and Services and more links as well.

http://www.rv-clubs.us/texas_rv_campgrounds.html You can search an RV Park in different regions, as well as books, magazines, videos.  Another cool think about this site is you can become a part of a Texas RV Club, to meet others who go RVing as well. 


http://www.texasrvdirectory.com/ This also has RV Products and Services, Trip Planning, and you can also search RV Parks anywhere in the USA.

Individual Websites 
http://www.chimneyparkresort.com/ There are many options and many spots in this RV resort.  This is right along the coast in South Texas.  WOW!  There are many amenities.  It's very near Mexico. 

http://www.txrvpark.com/ This is cartoony, but I think it is a fun website.  It's a Pet-Friendly RV Park that includes breakfast in West Texas.  There is also an indoor pool and spa.  It looks like a fun place if you are in the area. 

http://www.lazylonghornrv.com/  They have free wi-fi and Good Sam rates this RV Park very highly.  Nearby is golfing, fishing, dining and entertainment is nearby.  The site is very aesthetically pleasing.  This is also in South Texas.

http://www.fredericksburgtexasrvpark.com/ There is free wi-fi.  Nearby is swimming, fishing, wineries, German restaraunts, shopping and other attractions.


http://www.sunsetrvparktexas.com/  This is an RV Park in North Texas.  You can buy and sell an RV here as well.  Some of the amenities include: Free showers, free laundry, free wi-fi, and you can also stay weekly/daily/monthly.  


http://www.easttexasrvpark.com/  This is a simple, yet adequate, website.  Large Class A RVs are welcome.  It also has free cable TV and free wi-fi.  Location and rates are also mentioned.

Free RV Campgrounds ... Who likes free?

We have discussed RV Parks many times, but, thinking back to it, we have not discussed FREE RV Campgrounds.  I know that many are wanting to RV, but staying at a campground can take up much of the money desired for other stuff (like sightseeing and food).  I have an ad for other Free Campgrounds for RVs - if this isn't enough.


http://www.freecampgrounds.com/ It is VERY simple, but complex enough.  It has a map of the states, and you can click on which state to which you are traveling to find a ($10 or less) FREE campground there.  You can also add another free campsite you know of if not included.


http://freecampsites.net/ This is a very similar site, except you click on the states on links to the right side of the map.  It also has a way you can add sites.  This is probably more free than just less than $10.  In addition to the site above, however, this also includes Canada and a Forum as well as a Blog.

http://www.wififreespot.com/rv.html OK, so this isn't exactly a FREE campground, but if you are looking for FREE Wi-Fi campgrounds, here's the site to check out.


http://www.gypsyjournal.net/free_campgrounds.htm There are a few states where you can find free or almost free campsites.  You can purchase the rest of the states.  It appears the Gypsy Journal is related to Veterans.  Also, if you're a veteran, you can purchase a book about free camping spots for VFW.  There are also tips, reviews, and other helpful links on the left side of the site.


http://www.vandelaydemos.com/rvtravelinfo/ There are two links on the red bar below the picture - "find a park" and "outdoor gear."  This site is simple, but useful.

Florida RV Parks

Since Florida is a year-round tourist attraction, I figured it would be appropriate to post on this topic.

You can also check out some of the other states' RV parks (not inclusive lists): UT, CO, NV

If wanting to also check out some national parks, the link will lead you to my blog post about them.

I will list websites below, but in case you want to read a book about the subject, here's the one from Amazon that I think is the most appropriate: The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in Florida & the Southeast, First Edition

This site is a guide for all states.  You can rent an RV, Park Model Home (view my post on Park Model Homes or my Glossary of Terms to learn more) or other interesting lodging accommodations.  You can also review an RV site, or look for an RV site. http://www.gocampingamerica.com/florida 

This site is very aesthetically pleasing and has much interaction/photos available.  You can look for RV campgrounds, become a member of the camper club and also order an official guide.  http://campflorida.com/

This site mentions Florida's attractions, Florida State Parks, places to stay, how to get where you want to go.  It's mostly geared toward the traditional tourist, not the RV tourist, but you can still find some information that will be useful on the links on the left sidebar.  http://www.floridaparks.com/

For Florida RV Resorts with plenty of wonderful amenities, look no further.  You can rent by the day, week, or month.  There are four locations.   Feel free to check out the website or request a brochure.  http://www.eliteresorts.com/

For a free (I think it's free - you have to enter your name and e-mail address) e-book on RV camping locations, check this out: http://www.ultimatervcamping.com/

http://www.floridaparks.com/
Want cheap RV camping in Florida?  Check out the locations on this site!  It's a club similar to Good Sam Club.  http://www.camphalfprice.com/

RV resorts and parks, great deals, place to enter when you're departing and arriving, Top 5 of what you must visit while going to Orlando, beautiful photos and you can join their e-mail club.  http://www.rvonthego.com/

Happy Hunting!

RV Parks are like dating

I don't mean the fruit, though some of the people we've dated (or married:P) have been fruity.

I'm sure you have your own categories, and I'd LOVE to hear yours, but these are my categories of how RV Parks relate to dating/dates (Names have been changed): Chris, Joe, Steve, Robert, James, Charlie and Matt.

Chris is the type that tries to impress but doesn't. Everything they do is because that's what they think you want to hear. The website/brochure is just what you're looking for as a place to stay. It sounds like it will work out very well on your trip and you are looking forward to staying there. However, something just feels like the host of the RV campsite just doesn't get many visitors. They are constantly asking what they can do to serve you better and if there's anything they can do to help when all you want is to be left alone to do your own thing. It's almost too much help and probably owned by a lonely individual/couple.

With Joe, you feel a spark but fizzles. The website is wonderful. When you get there, it's just as wonderful as the brochure made it sound. Everything works well and it's beautifully landscaped. Then, something happens or maybe nothing happens at all to cause the transformation. It's not horrible the next day (or week), but it's like you're ignored all of a sudden. You have problems and complain, but nothing gets done. No one is outright rude to you, they just aren't attentive to your needs or problems.

As with the others, the website/brochure looks wonderful. With Steve, it works OK but something is not right. Maybe you feel someone looking over your shoulder, so to speak. Maybe the host/hostess is just downright rude. Maybe your intuition just tells you someone is hiding something from you. The amenities promised aren't all there, or they are but it looks like someone is cutting corners.

Robert just feels like family (which can be a good or bad thing depending on your family). There is a common area where you can meet other RVers and you just connect with them. The host/hostess are kind without being overbearing. This is a place you want to visit over and over again. It's wonderful to feel at home, especially in the sometimes lonely lifestyle of full-time RVing.

Sometimes RV Parks are like James, not perfect but suits your needs. Yes, there maybe some lapses in wireless internet service or chips in the paint in the laundromat, but it works alright. Your sewer, water, and electricity all connect easily and run well. You don't feel any connections with the other RVers or host/hostess, but no one is annoying. The RV park is just there - a 5 on a scale of 1-10 (not fantastic or horrible).

How many RV parks are like Charlie, blind date? The whole experience is just awkward. You can't figure out where the RV park is to begin with and once you're there, you can't figure out how everything works. Yes, you've been to many different RV parks, but there's something a little weird about this one that you can't figure out. Then there's the host/hostess. The only way to describe them is eccentric. The whole experience makes you feel like you've never done this before, and, maybe never want to again.

When you encounter a Matt, your life as an RVer will never be the same. OOOOHHH LA LA! Every other RV park is measured up to this one. Everything works fantastically, everyone is kind to you, the RV site is just GORGEOUS. You just never want to leave. It's a slice of heaven in your RV for these days.

Tell me about your experiences in different RV parks, so we can all benefit from them and know where to go, or where not to go.

On another subject, for a book on dating, check here: Search Amazon.com for dating