The Complete Book of Boondock RVing

by Bill Moeller

  Emma Wood State Beach. Description: fee, 90 sites. Directions: SR-101 2 miles west of Ventura. Contact: 805-968-1033; www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=604.

  McGrath State Beach. Description: 174 sites, water, dump station. Directions: SR-101 via Harbor Boulevard 5 miles south of Ventura. Contact: 805-968-1033; www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=607.

  Colorado

  Colorado is high on the list of states popular with RVers, with several national parks that attract many tourists and offer good primitive camping.

  One of our favorites is Rocky Mountain National Park. Early in our marriage, all of our vacations were spent there. It has 4 RV campgrounds; all charge a fee: Aspenglen: 54 sites, no facilities; Glacier Basin: 150 sites, flush toilets, dump station; Moraine Park: 245 sites, water when available, flush toilets, dump station; Timber Creek: 98 sites, water when available, flush toilets, dump station. Contact: 1-888-448-1474; www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/camping.htm.

  Difficult Campground, White River National Forest. Description: fee, 47 sites, water, vault toilets, dump station. Directions: SR-82 5 miles southeast of Aspen. Contact: 970-925-3445; www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/recreation/campgrounds/aspencg/difficultcg.

  Connecticut

  Rocky Neck State Park. Description: fee, 160 sites, showers, dump station. Directions: I-95 (Exit 72), turnpike connector south to SR-156, turn left and take SR-156 east for 0.25 mile. Contact: 860-739-5471; www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325258&depNav_GID=1621.

  Delaware

  Cape Henlopen State Park is a great place to be on a hot day. Description: fee, 139 sites with water, 17 with no facilities, showers, dump station. Directions: 1 mile east of Lewes. Contact: 302-645-2103; www.destateparks.com/chsp/fishcamp.asp.

  Florida

  Because of Florida’s popularity as a winter vacation spot, there are probably more RV parks and campgrounds per square mile there than in any other state. Florida is not great boon-docking territory, though, but we found a few places around the Everglades National Park with primitive campsites:

  Flamingo Campground. Description: fee, 234 sites (55 with a water view), showers, dump station. Directions: SR-9336 southwest from Florida City to the end of the main park road. Contact: 1-800-365-CAMP; www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/flamcamp.htm.

  Long Pine Key Campground. Description: fee, 108 sites, water, dump station. Directions: SR-9336 southwest from Florida City to Long Pine Key entrance. Contact: 305-242-7873; www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/longpinecamp.htm.

  Big Cypress National Preserve. Description: 4 small campgrounds along theTamiami Trail (US-41) don’t charge a fee. Contact: 239-695-1201; www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.

  Casinos. There are three Indian casinos in the Miami area that allow overnight parking, but you must check with security before parking. Seminole Coconut Creek Casino (www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com); Directions: I-95 (Exit 39), 4.5 miles west on Sample Road to NW 54th Street, then right 0.5 mile. Seminole Hollywood Casino (www.seminolehollywoodcasino.com); Directions: I-95 (Exit 22) to Stirling Road, then west to SR-7 (US-441). Miccosukee Indian Gaming Casino, Miami (www.miccosukee.com); Directions: Florida Turnpike Homestead Extension (Exit 25), then US-41 5.7 miles west. In Immokalee, north and west of Miami, there is the Seminole Casino (www.theseminolecasino.com); Directions: I-75 to SR-29 north, then 35 miles east on SR-846.

  Georgia

  Georgia has many state parks (www.gastateparks.org), but they all have full hookups and no primitive camping. There are a few primitive campgrounds near the Blue Ridge Area, but they are on steep and winding roads and may not be accessible for big rigs.

  Idaho

  Idaho is a state with many boondocking possibilities.

  City of Rocks National Reserve is a famous California Trail site and one of our favorite camps. The granite rock towers are beautiful. Description:fee, 64 sites, water (from the pump well along Emery Canyon Road), vault toilets. Directions: SR-77 50 miles south of Burley to Almo, then 2 miles west of Almo. Contact: 208-824-5519; www.nps.gov/ciro/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm.

  Lava Flow Campground, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, is a fascinating area of former volcanic activity. Description: fee, 51 sites, flush toilets, grills, tables. Directions: From junction of US-26 and US-20, go southwest 18 miles on US-20 to entrance. Contact: 208-527-3257; www.nps.gov/crmo/planyourvisit/campground.htm.

  Holman Creek Campground, Sawtooth National Forest, is another of our favorite camps. Description:fee, 10 sites, pit toilets. Directions: SR-75 7 miles east of Clayton. Contact: 208-774-3000; www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?search=YES&back=Search%20Results&id=2557.

  Illinois

  Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area. Description: 24 sites, water, pit toilets, dump station. Directions: I-55 (Wilmington exit), 10 miles south on North River Road. Contact: 815-423-5326; http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/i&m/EAST/DESPLAIN/PARK.htm.

  Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park. Description: 89 sites, flush toilets, dump station. Directions: SR-78 5 miles north of Kewanee. Contact: 309-853-5589; http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R1/JOHNSON.htm.

  Iowa

  Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino. Directions: I-29 (9th Avenue exit), turn right, park in the north lot, and check with security. Contact: 712-329-6000; www.harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-council-bluffs/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml.

  Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs. Directions: I-29 (Exit 52), follow the truck parking signs to the south lot. Contact: www.ameristar.com/council.

  Iowa has lots of state parks with campgrounds. Most of the parks have electric hookups, but almost every park has some sites that are primitive. For more information, go to www.iowadnr.com/parks/camping/general_info.html.

  Kansas

  Almost all of Kansas’s state parks offer utility and primitive camping. For more information, go to www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_parks/about_state_parks.

  Louisiana

  Fontainebleau State Park. Description: fee, 37 primitive sites (plus more sites with hookups). Directions: I-12 to US-190 toward Mandeville, then follow signs. Contact: 985-624-4443; www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iFontaine.aspx. Note: This park was affected by Hurricane Katrina; check the website for the latest updates.

  Maine

  Maine has 11 state parks (www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs) with primitive camping. We particularly recommend the following two state parks.

  Aroostook State Park. Description: fee, 30 sites, showers, dump station. Directions: west off US-1, south of Presque Isle. Contact: 207-768-8341.

  Lamoine State Park. Description: 61 sites, flush toilets, showers. Directions: SR-184 off US-1A 8 miles. Contact: 207-667-4778.

  Blackwoods Campground, Acadia National Park. Description: fee, 306 sites (some accessible), restrooms, water, dump station. Directions: SR-3 5 miles south of Bar Harbor. Contact: 207-288-3388; www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/blackwoodscampground.htm.

  Seawall Campground, Acadia National Park. Description: fee, 214 sites (some accessible), restrooms, water, dump station. Directions: SR-102A 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor. Contact: 207-288-3388; www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/seawallcampground.htm.

  Maryland

  Greenbelt Park Campground, National Capital Parks East. Description: 174 sites, showers, restrooms, dump stations. Directions: I-95 (Exit 23), left on SR-193 (Greenbelt Road), 0.25 mile to park. Contact: 1-800-365-2267; www.nps.gov/gree/planyourvisit/campground.htm.

  Massachusetts

  Nickerson State Park. Description: 420 sites, showers, dump station. Directions: US-6A from Orleans west toward Brewster 2 miles. Contact: 508-896-3491; www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/nick.htm.

  Wells State Park. Description: 60 sites, showers, dump station. Directions: I-90 (Exit 9) to US-20, east for 2 miles to SR-49 North, then third left. Contact: 508-347-9257; www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/well.htm.

  Michigan

  Michigan has a few parks with primitive sites. For more information, go to www.michigan
dnr.com/parksandtrails.

  Minnesota

  Gooseberry Falls State Park. Description: 70 sites (large, some pull-throughs), dump station. Directions: SR-61 13 miles northeast of Two Harbors. Contact: 218-834-3855; www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls.

  Mississippi

  The Natchez Trace Parkway area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Two campgrounds there we like are:

  Jeff Busby Campground. Description: 18 sites, no facilities. Directions: milepost 193.1 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Contact: 1-800-305-7417; www.nps.gov/natr/camping.htm.

  Rocky Springs Campground. Description: 22 sites, no facilities. Directions: milepost 54.8 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Contact: 1-800-305-7417; www.nps.gov/natr/camping.htm.

  Missouri

  Arrow Rock State Historic Site preserves the history of this river town that was a stop at the beginning of the Sante Fe Trail. Description: 12 basic sites, showers, water, dump station. Directions: I-70 (Exit 98) to SR-41, then 13 miles north. Contact: 660-837-3330; www.mostateparks.com/arrowrock/camp.htm.

  Table Rock State Park. Description: 43 basic sites, restrooms, showers, water, dump station. Directions: off SR-165 7 miles southwest of Branson. Reservations required. Contact: 417-334-4704; www.mostateparks.com/tablerock/camp.htm.

  Montana

  Montana’s state parks all offer primitive camping. Plus, many city and county parks offer boondock camping. See also page 22 in Chapter 2 for two areas we enjoy boondocking in.

  Medicine Rocks State Park is a favorite of ours. The rock formations are fascinating, and it has beautiful sunsets. Description: 22 sites, no facilities. Directions: SR-7 25 miles south of Baker. Contact: 406-234-0900; http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_283951.aspx.

  Glacier National Park is probably the most beautiful park in the country. Description: fee, 7 campgrounds accommodate RVs, restrooms, water. Directions: US-2 from the east or west; US-89 or US-17 from the north. Contact: 406-888-7800; www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/camping.htm. Note: The Going-to-the-Sun Road has some vehicle size restrictions, but shuttles are available.

  Nebraska

  Nebraska, our birth state, is one that some people call a "flyover" state but there is a lot of history here—the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express, the transcontinental railroad, Crazy Horse, and Buffalo Bill. Plus, it has plenty of places to boondock.

  Most of Nebraska’s state parks have a small number of primitive sites where you can boondock if you wish. For more information, go to www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks.

  One of our favorite parks is Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area. Description: fee, 10 primitive sites, restrooms, showers, dump station. Directions: PWF road 4.5 miles east from Fairbury 573 Avenue 1 mile south, 710 Road 1.25 miles east. Contact: 402-729-5777; www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=150.

  Nevada

  Nevada is a good dry camping state, with many places to stay.

  Thomas Canyon Campground, Lamoille Canyon, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. As we described in Chapter 2 (see page 21), this is one of our all-time favorite places. Description: 39 sites, drinking water, pit toilets. Directions: SR-227 south from Elko to Lamoille Canyon Road. Contact: 775-752-3357; www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/recreation/camp_picnic/rubymts_camp/thomas_canyon_campground.shtml.

  Valley of Fire State Park has beautiful red rock formations. This was the first place we tried boondocking back in 1982. Description: fee, 51 sites, showers, water, dump station. Directions: I-15 to SR-169. Contact: 702-397-2088; http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm.

  New Mexico

  El Morro National Monument. Description: fee, 9 sites, water, pit toilets. Directions: I-40 from Albuquerque to Grants, then SR-53 42 miles south. Contact: 505-783-4226; www.nps.gov/elmo/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.

  El Malpais National Monument is an interesting volcanic area. Note that some roads have sharp curves that can be a problem for large RVs. Description: some primitive camping available—check at the Information Center. Directions: SR-53 23 miles south of Grants. Contact: 505-783-4774; www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/index.htm.

  New York

  New York State has over 100 state parks; most have electric hookups, but there are some primitive parks.

  Beaver Pond Campgrounds, Harriman State Park. Description: 146 sites, rest-rooms, showers, dump station. Directions: Palisades Parkway to Lake Welch Parkway. Contact: 845-947-2792; http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=57.

  North Carolina

  Cape Hatteras National Seashore has four campgrounds. Contact: 252-473-2111; www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm:

  Cape Point Campground. Description: fee, 202 sites, water, showers, toilets, dump station. Directions: NC-12 near Cape Hatteras Light, 2 miles south of Buxton.

  Frisco Campground. Description: fee, 127 sites, water, showers, toilets. Directions: NC-12, east of Frisco and southwest of Buxton.

  Ocracoke Campground. Description: fee, 136 sites, water, showers, toilets, dump station. Directions: NC-12, east of Ocracoke.

  Oregon Inlet Campground. Description: fee, 120 sites, water, showers, toilets, dump stations. Directions: NC-12,9 miles south of Whalebone Junction.

  North Dakota

  Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two campgrounds that accommodate RVs:

  Cottonwood Campground, South Unit. Description: fee, 76 sites, flush toilets, water. Directions: I-94 (exits 23 and 27), 5 miles from park entrance near Medora. Contact: 701-623-4466; www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/cottonwood-campground.htm.

  Juniper Campground, North Unit. Description: fee, 50 sites, flush toilets, water, dump station. Directions: US-85 16 miles south of Watford City. Contact: 701-842-2233; www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/juniper-campground.htm.

  Ohio

  Almost all of Ohio’s state parks have some primitive sites. For more information, go to www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks.

  Oklahoma

  This state is gambler’s heaven with 26 casinos all over the state. They all seem to allow overnight camping if you gamble and patronize the facilities. Please check with security before parking, and remember the rules of camping on others’ property: no awnings, no chairs, and no slideouts until evening.

  Oregon

  Oregon has more than 50 state parks with year-round and seasonal campgrounds; we list some of our favorites below. The Willamette National Forest has lots of boondocking possibilities; for more information, go to www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/camping. Oregon also has several casinos in the western part of the state.

  Cape Lookout State Park. Description: fee, 38 full-hookup sites, 1 site with electrical hookup, 173 tent sites, restrooms, water, showers, dump station. Directions:US-101 12 miles southwest of Tillamook. Contact: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_186.php.

  Farewell Bend State Recreation Area. Description: fee, 101 sites with electrical hookups, 30 tent sites, showers, dump station. Directions: I-84 (Exit 353), then 1 mile north. Contact: 541-869-2365; www.oregonstateparks.org/park_7.php.

  South Beach State Park. Description:fee, 228 sites with electrical hookups, restrooms, water, showers, dump station. Directions: US-101 2 miles south of Newport. Contact: 541-867-4715; www.oregonstateparks.org/park_209.php.

  Pennsylvania

  Go to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks for more information on Pennsylvania’s state parks.

  Rhode Island

  Burlingame State Campground, Burlingame State Park. Description:fee, 755 sites, rest-rooms, showers, water, dump stations. Directions: US-1 south to Charlestown. Contact: 401-322-7337; www.riparks.com/burlgmcamp.htm.

  South Dakota

  South Dakota has many boondocking campsites, particularly in the Black Hills.

  Custer State Park. Description: fee, 11 camping areas (23 to 71 sites each, all primitive sites), showers, restrooms, water. Directions: near Mount Rushmore at junction of US-16 and SR-385. Contact: 605-255-4515; www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/index.htm.

  The Slim Buttes area in Custer National Forest is an old favor
ite of ours. The U.S. Cavalry fought the Sioux here and won—its first significant victory after Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn. The buttes are beautiful.

  Reva Gap Campground, Sioux Ranger District, Custer National Forest. Description: 4 sites. Directions: SR-20 20 miles east of Buffalo, just west of Reva. Contact: 605-797-443 2; www.fs.fed.us/r1/custer/recreation/campgrounds.shtml.

  Badlands National Park has two campgrounds. Contact: 605-433-5361; www.nps.gov/badl:

  Cedar Pass Campground. Description: fee, 96 sites, toilets, dump station. Directions: I-90 (Exit 131), then 8 miles south to SR-240.

  Sage Creek Campground. Description: fee, 15 sites, pit toilets. Directions: 30 miles northwest of visitor center on SD-240 and Sage Creek Rim Road. A high-clearance vehicle is required to travel on Sage Creek Rim Road.

  Texas

  The state of Texas has so many good places to boondock, you could spend years camping in different locations. Two places we like a lot are the hill country around Fredericksburg and the area around Fort Davis. There are also many places to camp along the Guadalupe River. In addition, we recommend camping in two national parks: