Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

[numer01stunr]

Hello all!!


My name is Danielle and my family and I are planning a cross country move/camping adventure this summer and I would greatly appreciate any and all tips/advice.


We are pulling a moving trailer (small uhaul one) and have 2 vehicles and 3 kids. I am new to camping and actually at 32 just went for the first time a few weeks ago (terrible I know lol).


Him and I plan on sleeping in a tent at the site and have the kids sleep in our suv (the seats lay flat and this is how him and I camped a few weeks ago its not bad insert scared mom kids sleeping on the ground haha)


I guess my main concern is the reservation/crowding issue. The route highlighted on all the GPS we map is I90/94 almost the entire way (Virginia Beach, VA to Seattle, WA). KOA has this awesome planner that shows all the campgrounds near the route, however, I'm worried to make super early reservations because of the kids and the driving.


Are we going to be able to reserve and camp the same day? Has anyone else made this trip and has campsites they recommend? Kid friendly while not camping in a parking lot if that makes sense haha.


I ranted..sorry!! Thanks for reading and all the advice/help I really appreciate it!!


~Danielle

[NYCgrrl]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

Hello all!!








I guess my main concern is the reservation/crowding issue. The route highlighted on all the GPS we map is I90/94 almost the entire way (Virginia Beach, VA to Seattle, WA). KOA has this awesome planner that shows all the campgrounds near the route, however, I'm worried to make super early reservations because of the kids and the driving.


Are we going to be able to reserve and camp the same day? Has anyone else made this trip and has campsites they recommend? Kid friendly while not camping in a parking lot if that makes sense haha.

~Danielle

Hello and welcome Danielle,

Let me start by saying you are never too old or young to start camping and I'm sure this is an adventure the family will remember.
Currently I take 3 kiddos camping for several weeks every summer so yeah it's doable.

Haven't gone the KOA route yet so nothing concrete to say about their reservation system but can say that the Fed, state, and county organized campgrounds tend to be booked full on summer weekends and holidays. I'd think KOA and other private campsites follow the same pattern. So in general, Sundays thru Wednesdays should be fine to travel without reservations. You also and particularly with the private companies want to ensure they don't have minimum stay periods that might make life problematic. I need to start dinner so will come back later.

Again welcome

[bluestar99]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

First, welcome to the site. You don't say if you are traveling west with a deadline to arrive. If you are just meandering with no issues when you arrive you have greater flexibility. If you are trying to hit Yellowstone on the way out, they have some restrictions in some of the camp grounds prohibiting tents, because of wildlife. That Park also gets very busy so reservations there would be a must. Stay 200 miles away in each direction from Sturgis SD during the beginning of August during the 2 weeks the bikers are there. You will have a hard time finding places to camp and it is VERY crowded.

With that said, you will be at an advantage camping in a tent. There are usually more of those available, especially along the Highways. Most stop over for the night people are looking for some kind of hook ups for a trailer or motor home.

If you mention some hi lites you want to see along the way and a time table, you might get some more helpful comments.

[James.]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

I don't have anything to offer as I don't stay at campgrounds. I will say that if you feel up to it you can check out primative camping along your route. There are no amenities as you are basically just pulling off onto a forest road and finding a spot. BUT there are also no reservations so you just find a spot you like and settle in. Just make sure you check out the rules for the forest you are in. Fire restrictions and such.

Also, welcome to the forum.

[toedtoes]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

For RVers (folks who travel in RVs - versus traditional style camping), many make reservations while on the road. That allows them more flexibility for detours, etc. In the morning, they decide how far/long they want to drive, identify their general stopping point, then they use an app to locate RV Parks near that point. Of course, with the RV, they are also able to park at a Walmart, truck stop, etc. for a night if they can't find a place.

As you will be actually CAMPING, I would do more research in advance. With your basic route laid out, identify the potential campgrounds along that route - identify them all as it's easier to do this at home with wifi than on the road with a smart phone. Make a list of the campgrounds in order of occurrence (first campground you will reach is first on the list, next is 2nd, and so on). Make sure to indicate location and contact info for reservations. Then you can make reservations on the road as you go. For example, make your first night's reservation before you leave home. Then next morning, determine how far you want to go, check your list for the closest campground and make the reservation - then hop in the car and start driving, knowing you have a place to stay that night.

Another good idea is to call the campgrounds before you start your trip and ask them about their vacancy rates. As mentioned above, most National Parks will fill up months in advance, as will some specific areas. If you want to hit those places, you'll need to make those reservations early on - then use the above system for inbetween - knowing you have to get from point A (first pre-reserved site) to point B (2nd pre-reserved site) within X amount of time.

For me, I don't like "winging it". I would simply determine a set travel time per day based on what is comfortable and realistic and make reservations based on that. Comfortable = time to stop for sights along the way, 1 hour minimum for meal breaks, time to relax at the campground before having to set up camp just so I can sleep, time to have a nice breakfast before having to take down camp to get on my way. Realistic = if you have 15 days to get to your destination and it's 1500 miles, you are going to have to do a minimum of 100 miles per day.

Another thing I tend to do is to spend at least 2 nights per stop - this allows me one full day to just relax, sightsee, etc. and not be confined in a vehicle. To me, this is especially important when you have to set up and take down camp and you have kids. Letting the kids run around outside for an entire day will make it easier for them to sit in a car for 6+ hours the next day. Not having to set up your tent EACH AND EVERY NIGHT and take it down EACH AND EVERY MORNING will be bliss.

[Irate Mormon]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

Don't overlook freecampsites.net - A lot of these campsites have amenities that the kidlets would find...amenable. I always start there when planning any trip that will involve camping or long distance driving. After that I look at state and municipal parks, national forests, etc... Private parks - sometimes they will charge little or nothing for tent campers. Sometimes they charge a lot.

[wecamp04]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

As Irate Mormon said freecampsites.net Is a good site I also use rv parky it will search an area for everything from a spot tent spot to full hookups good luck.
Wikicamps is another app I use

[actad]

Re: Cross Country Move/Camping Adventure

I have only researched one KOA that is near my daughter's house, and found that particular KOA's tent site prices are pretty reasonable. The one in Ashland, KY off I64 is $23 with electric hookup. It appears you park at the tent site and it is near the bath house.

Which brings up two things to consider -

1. Some places have the tent sites away from the vehicle, so you may have to rent a regular RV site to park the SUV & trailer, and tent next to each other. Those are higher in cost than a tent only site. (That same KOA in Kentucky has second option of $20 non-electric tent sites, but you carry in the tent from a common parking area and it is away from the bath house. The regular RV sites at that KOA start at $38, btw.)

2. And, some allow either a tent or a trailer and not both. Even though your little U-Haul is not for camping use, you might not be allowed to have that many items (vehicle, tent, trailer) on one lot. You may, however, be able to drop the trailer in an overflow lot. If you can keep an eye on it, that might work for you.

And, with research you can find even better deals than a KOA, The reason we did not stay there yet is that with a little bit of searching, I found a private campground at a comparable RV site cost that was at the next exit and included a lake and brand new facilities. So, for RV use it was a better deal. But, it is $38 for tents, too. And, they only allow a a trailer or a tent, not both.