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Old 05-25-2017, 11:39 PM   #1
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How do you manage camping fees?

Here in west coast camping is running between $40 to $50 a night. It kind of take a toll on my social security budget. How do you do it, so you can be out there all the times? I'm learning to do more with less and here is the best place to ask.
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Old 05-26-2017, 12:24 AM   #2
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Passport America is helpful and well worth the membership cost.
Are you trying state and county parks? They're less than $40 a night.
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:02 AM   #3
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Look up the Escapees , lots of solid info on free camping.

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Old 05-26-2017, 06:23 AM   #4
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If you haven’t already done so, get the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. You can buy it online from the National Park Service or in person at most National Parks. It will get you into National Parks for free and get you 50% off camping fees in most NP campgrounds, Corp of Engineer campgrounds, etc.
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:27 AM   #5
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As Oakman suggested, get the senior pass. Only $10, but soon going to $80!

I have found the Corp of engineer parks to be a great deal here in Texas, and many are top notch parks. Often only $10 or $12, including utilities! Go to recreation.gov.
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:33 AM   #6
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Here in west coast camping is running between $40 to $50 a night. It kind of take a toll on my social security budget. How do you do it, so you can be out there all the times? I'm learning to do more with less and here is the best place to ask.
Like others have posted,you have to "Spend $$" to "Save $$" your desires are to be Out all the Time,the PPA /GS/TA/Escapees Membership are the way to Go! Like Oak Man said "America the Beatuiful Pass" for 10.00$ gives you a Lifetime Membership! Youroo!!
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:33 AM   #7
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If you haven’t already done so, get the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. You can buy it online from the National Park Service or in person at most National Parks. It will get you into National Parks for free and get you 50% off camping fees in most NP campgrounds, Corp of Engineer campgrounds, etc.
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As Oakman suggested, get the senior pass. Only $10, but soon going to $80!

I have found the Corp of engineer parks to be a great deal here in Texas, and many are top notch parks. Often only $10 or $12, including utilities! Go to recreation.gov.
Amen to that! I'm presently at Seven Points CG, it's a Corp of Engineers CG and I get 50% off. My site is $16/night! My senior pass paid for itself the first night back in 2015 and it's been saving me ever since. Now I can go twice as many times!
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:37 AM   #8
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I camp a lot at Ontario Provincial Parks. Having a disabled permit allows me half price fees. $22 per night.
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:41 AM   #9
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The only time in my life that I wished I was older. Think you have to be 62 yrs old which I'll be in Nov. It'll probably be $80.00 by then.
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:47 AM   #10
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The only time in my life that I wished I was older. Think you have to be 62 yrs old which I'll be in Nov. It'll probably be $80.00 by then.
If your other half is 62 or older they can buy the SP! The SP allows for up to 4 people to receive the Benefits per car/truck! Youroo!!
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Old 05-26-2017, 06:54 AM   #11
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If your other half is 62 or older they can buy the SP! The SP allows for up to 4 people to receive the Benefits per car/truck! Youroo!!
Darn it! she still a pup @ 60. Thanks anyway.
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:00 AM   #12
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Check to see if the campground has a weekly or monthly rate and take advantage of it whenever possible. Also, a GOLDEN EAGLE pass will allow you to camp in all Gov't campgrounds at half price!
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:03 AM   #13
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The only time in my life that I wished I was older. Think you have to be 62 yrs old which I'll be in Nov. It'll probably be $80.00 by then.


X2. If it were a few hundred it would be a steal. I still got 9 more years.
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:11 AM   #14
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X2. If it were a few hundred it would be a steal. I still got 9 more years.
Very true on Saving $$ the Saving is HUGE IF you visit lots of places! Youroo!!
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:16 AM   #15
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Have you looked at camping in dispersed areas on forest and BLM lands?
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Old 05-26-2017, 09:27 AM   #16
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If you camp a lot or full time, Thousand Trails is worth a look. We have a membership bought on the secondary market at a steep discount and then $550 a year gets us "free" RV camping at any of the TT Campgrounds. "free", meaning no cost when you camp, not really free because we paid for the membership and the $550 a year. But you can see if you camp about 20 days, at an average cost of ~$30 a night, the $550 has easily been made up for. For us, at an average cost of $30 a night, our total membership and yearly $550 was paid for in less than a year.
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Old 05-26-2017, 09:55 AM   #17
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Some of the nicest and least expensive, and often, not known and therefore under-utilized campgrounds are in city and county parks. We found one in Winterset, Iowa, once, almost by accident, that had 22 FHU sites, of which 2 were used in the 2 nights we were there. Cost was, IIRC, $10 per night. Mitchell, SD, also has a city park with FHU sites less than a mile from the famed Corn Palace.

Go to a city's (or county's) web site, click on the link for "Parks Department" or "Parks and Recreation" and often you'll find that one or more of their parks will have RV facilities.

And you don't have to be 62 to take advantage of these savings. (Although for me, that ship has sailed...)

Enjoy!
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Old 05-26-2017, 12:28 PM   #18
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I camp a lot at Ontario Provincial Parks. Having a disabled permit allows me half price fees. $22 per night.
X2- for State and Federal Parks, it helps alot. If not, get the Golden age seniors discount pass.
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Old 05-26-2017, 12:35 PM   #19
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Golden Passport is great for all US National Parks. Originally cost me $10 and gives a tremendous discount at all National Parks. Cost is more today, but well worth it. Also, for CA residents, the Golden Poppy Pass and others provide great coverage to State Parks.
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Old 05-26-2017, 01:10 PM   #20
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We camp in State Parks and Corp of Engineer Parks. We have found these to run about half of RV parks. Plus we prefer the more spacious and private campsites that the State Parks offer. I will have to check out the National Parks.
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