Beware of Reservation Fees
Beware of Reservation Fees
There are times when paying a modest fee ($5-$10) for a reservation will save money in the long run. It's December, and you're trying to nail down a spot for the next Independence Day weekend in a highly popular RV park on public lands near a major attraction. Getting that space for a fraction of the price charged at private, less convenient campgrounds represents good value.
But it pays to find out if reservations are really necessary.
This has to do with time of year and location.
To simply pay these fees as a matter of routine can cut into your budget, especially on a long trip. Why pay a $10 reservation fee on a $18/night campsite if it's not difficult to find spaces at this location at the time of your trip?
Don't Pay for Unimportant Amenities
When comparing two or more campgrounds for a potential stay, it's important to look at the amenities offered by each. Chances are good that more amenities will result in higher costs.
For example, why pay for the availability of services you can do without for a night or two? Is there another park down the road a few miles without such amenities that comes in at a lower price? Are there discounts for booking campsites that don't have water or electrical hook-ups?
Map out essential amenities along the way and then look for campgrounds that offer only what you need.
Plan Ahead for Free Camping
Isn't this a lovely spot? Although neither water nor electric hook-ups are offered here, it would certainly be nice to wake up to this view in the morning and avoid paying a campground fee.
Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Many such places have signs posted that warn overnight stays are prohibited. You will be urged to move along and perhaps even pay a fine on top of the inconvenience.
But there are other public places (city parks, public right of way) where an overnight stay could be permissible with some prior arrangements.
Do some research and determine if a small town along your itinerary allows overnight parking in its city park(s). Is such parking safe?
There are also department store chains that will allow overnight parking if prior arrangements are made. This often involves nothing more than a quick phone call to the store manager.
When you make such arrangements for free camping, remember that running generators or making a general nuisance of yourself is not only bad manners, it's also likely to bring an abrupt end to your overnight stay.
Look First for Public Campgrounds
A rule of thumb: public campgrounds are generally cheaper than those on private property.
As with all such principles, there are sometimes exceptions. But planning a trip itinerary around hitting the best public campgrounds can often save significant money.
This isn't always practical. In a big city such as Las Vegas, the most practical campground might be in an urban setting and on private property.
But a private RV park close to major attractions charges accordingly. That's the reason why public campgrounds in such areas fill up so quickly during the busy months.
Stay in One Place as Long as Possible
When looking at tours of regions packed with tourist attractions, hub travel can be a big money-saver. You stay in one hotel, branching out to explore the area using day trips. Extended stay hotel rates are often cheaper than paying for a one-night stay.
The same principle applies to campgrounds. Longer stays often lower the nightly rate.
Find out what the price breaks are for staying in a campground or RV park.
Sometimes, an extra night or two can make quite a difference.
Just as air travelers enjoy frequent-flier memberships and hotel visitors benefit from loyalty programs, it is possible to join camping clubs that entitle members to automatic discounts at participating campgrounds.
Some club memberships are quite expensive, requiring high annual fees and a commitment to a home RV park at which you'll have to invest in operating costs. If you're not going to recoup these fees with a large number of discounted nights, you'll waste money.
If you can find a camping club with relatively low annual fees and a primary focus on discounts, it could pay benefits.
This beautiful view was just a few steps from a campsite at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. In this traveler's opinion, the view alone justified the cost of the campsite.
But there was more value for that nightly fee than just the view and access to some of the best hiking trails in the American West.
Park Rangers host the popular Bryce Canyon astronomy program during certain months of the year.
Park Rangers give an introductory lecture as the sun is setting. Then, weather-permitting, they break out powerful telescopes and allow visitors to observe nebulae, planets and individual stars. It's a wonderful perk that comes at no extra charge.
Other parks provide guided nature walks or history lectures. Consider the value of these perks and factor them into your choice of public campgrounds.
More about RV Travel
There are times when paying a modest fee ($5-$10) for a reservation will save money in the long run. It's December, and you're trying to nail down a spot for the next Independence Day weekend in a highly popular RV park on public lands near a major attraction. Getting that space for a fraction of the price charged at private, less convenient campgrounds represents good value.
But it pays to find out if reservations are really necessary.
This has to do with time of year and location.
To simply pay these fees as a matter of routine can cut into your budget, especially on a long trip. Why pay a $10 reservation fee on a $18/night campsite if it's not difficult to find spaces at this location at the time of your trip?
Don't Pay for Unimportant Amenities
When comparing two or more campgrounds for a potential stay, it's important to look at the amenities offered by each. Chances are good that more amenities will result in higher costs.
For example, why pay for the availability of services you can do without for a night or two? Is there another park down the road a few miles without such amenities that comes in at a lower price? Are there discounts for booking campsites that don't have water or electrical hook-ups?
Map out essential amenities along the way and then look for campgrounds that offer only what you need.
Plan Ahead for Free Camping
Isn't this a lovely spot? Although neither water nor electric hook-ups are offered here, it would certainly be nice to wake up to this view in the morning and avoid paying a campground fee.
Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Many such places have signs posted that warn overnight stays are prohibited. You will be urged to move along and perhaps even pay a fine on top of the inconvenience.
But there are other public places (city parks, public right of way) where an overnight stay could be permissible with some prior arrangements.
Do some research and determine if a small town along your itinerary allows overnight parking in its city park(s). Is such parking safe?
There are also department store chains that will allow overnight parking if prior arrangements are made. This often involves nothing more than a quick phone call to the store manager.
When you make such arrangements for free camping, remember that running generators or making a general nuisance of yourself is not only bad manners, it's also likely to bring an abrupt end to your overnight stay.
Look First for Public Campgrounds
A rule of thumb: public campgrounds are generally cheaper than those on private property.
As with all such principles, there are sometimes exceptions. But planning a trip itinerary around hitting the best public campgrounds can often save significant money.
This isn't always practical. In a big city such as Las Vegas, the most practical campground might be in an urban setting and on private property.
But a private RV park close to major attractions charges accordingly. That's the reason why public campgrounds in such areas fill up so quickly during the busy months.
Stay in One Place as Long as Possible
When looking at tours of regions packed with tourist attractions, hub travel can be a big money-saver. You stay in one hotel, branching out to explore the area using day trips. Extended stay hotel rates are often cheaper than paying for a one-night stay.
The same principle applies to campgrounds. Longer stays often lower the nightly rate.
Find out what the price breaks are for staying in a campground or RV park.
Sometimes, an extra night or two can make quite a difference.
Just as air travelers enjoy frequent-flier memberships and hotel visitors benefit from loyalty programs, it is possible to join camping clubs that entitle members to automatic discounts at participating campgrounds.
Some club memberships are quite expensive, requiring high annual fees and a commitment to a home RV park at which you'll have to invest in operating costs. If you're not going to recoup these fees with a large number of discounted nights, you'll waste money.
If you can find a camping club with relatively low annual fees and a primary focus on discounts, it could pay benefits.
This beautiful view was just a few steps from a campsite at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. In this traveler's opinion, the view alone justified the cost of the campsite.
But there was more value for that nightly fee than just the view and access to some of the best hiking trails in the American West.
Park Rangers host the popular Bryce Canyon astronomy program during certain months of the year.
Park Rangers give an introductory lecture as the sun is setting. Then, weather-permitting, they break out powerful telescopes and allow visitors to observe nebulae, planets and individual stars. It's a wonderful perk that comes at no extra charge.
Other parks provide guided nature walks or history lectures. Consider the value of these perks and factor them into your choice of public campgrounds.
More about RV Travel
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