What are the odds?

[HDRider]

15 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Stopped at the KOA in Moab spring 2023. It was a couple months before we sold the Bigfoot, to downsize to our Oliver. They would not give me a price until I gave them EVERY DETAIL of our rig, family members and pets. Just a Class C, two adults and a medium-sized dog. They wanted $130 plus taxes for a cramped site! I just laughed at the clerk, turned my back and walked out the door. We stayed across the street, with better views, more spacious sites, at a family owned place for $55.

KOA is high dollar.  We have never stayed at one.  We may someday if it is the only real option.

[HDRider]

12 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

AR

Let me know if you pass my way and you are welcome to stay as long as you want...  We have all kinds of room, power and water, and there is a dump station about 5 miles away.

 

 

 

[HDRider]

9 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

I DO NOT make reservations over a couple of hours in advance and only then if it’s 105F outside and we need A/C for the night. We have traveled many thousands of miles without any reservations and not one single time have we ever not been able to find a free place to camp. The are fairgrounds, rest stops, city parks, empty lots, city campgrounds, Walmart, Cracker Barrel. We’ve even been invited to spend nights on people’s property. Drive into any small town and find the police department. Ask if there’s a place to park overnight. We have never been turned down. Many times they will accompany you to the place to park. Don’t overthink it, it’s easy to find free places at the last minute. We took a 15K mile, three month trip to Alaska and only paid for three nights camping and that was by choice. 

That is one of the most inspiring posts yet.  Thanks

[MAX Burner]

...and don't forget about "Harvest Hosts".  We've met some awesome folks over the years while staying at HH venues!

[Steph and Dud B]

12 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

if it’s 105F outside

105 degrees actually sounds pretty good right now... 🥶

[Geronimo John]

On 1/20/2025 at 5:56 AM, KeysConchs said:

How big of a chance would it be that I am left with no where to stay if I went from NE Arkansas to Seattle Washington with no reservations?  I would be leaving home June 1st and returning 60 to 90 days later.

When flying solo with Ollie, it is more of a challenge to find a stop for the night without prior planning.  I for sure know where all the Interstate Rest Stops and free federal lands are along the way.  That helps especially out west. 

However with my spouse on board, it is a LOT easier.  I drive she finds the options based on how long we want to travel that day.

In the mountains where snowmobiles run there are lots of huge parking lots near trail heads, with near zero people there during non-snow months.  Another option for sure.

GJ

[John Dorrer]

On 1/21/2025 at 8:31 AM, HDRider said:

KOA is high dollar.  We have never stayed at one.  We may someday if it is the only real option.

You are correct on $$. We like to throw them in on trips so we can do laundry. Much rather drop stuff at the laundry and head to the pool. No desire to sit in a Laundromat 🙃. If we want to spend time in a city, many KOA's are closer.

 

We don't really like regular RV Parks. In 15 years we have stayed at maybe 3.  Angle Fire RV Resort (Angle Fire, NM) was a treat, but expensive. It is nice being pampered and we will be back. We will definitely go back.

Edited January 22 by John Dorrer
Typo

[SeaDawg]

On 1/21/2025 at 11:13 AM, Steph and Dud B said:

105 degrees actually sounds pretty good right now... 🥶

Sure does. 😀

[HDRider]

This is the extent of me rolling the dice.

 

June 1 – Home to Siloam Springs, AR

 

June 2 – To Hardesty, OK

 

June 3 – To Taos/Santa Fe, NM – Stay 3 Nights - Pilar Campground and Río Bravo Campground (FCFS) Highway 570  Carson, New Mexico 87517  575 758-4060  Lat / Long: 36.291658, -105.782192

 

June 6 – Denver, CO

 

June 7 – Booked WY/ – Stay 3 Nights – Buffalo Bill State Park  4192 Northfork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414 - 1-307-587-9227

 

June 10 – Wing it

June 11 – Booked KOA Whitefish Kalispell, MT – Stay 3 Nights

June 14 – Wing it

June 15 – Booked Manchester State Park, Port Orchard, WA – Stay 7 Nights

June 22 – Booked Cape Lookout State Park, Tillamook, OR – Stay 4 Nights

June 26– Booked Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, OR – Stay 1 Nights

June 28 – FCFS Goose Creek Recreation Area, Lakeview, OR – Stay 3 Nights

July 1 – Booked Washoe State Park Carson City, NV – Stay 3 Nights

July 4 – Roadside Stay

July 5 – Springdale, UT – Stay 3 Nights

July 8 – Booked Homolovi State Park Winslow, AZ – Stay 5 Nights

July 13 – Booked Cochita COE Campground Peña Blanca, NM – Stay 3 Nights

July 15 – Wing it home -  2 Nights

[Galway Girl]

1 hour ago, HDRider said:

June 11 – Booked KOA Whitefish Kalispell, MT – Stay 3 Nights

June 14 – Wing it

June 15 – Booked Manchester State Park, Port Orchard, WA – Stay 7 Nights

Wow that's a long driver from Kalispell to Port Orchard (almost 600 miles)  so ideas below for breaking up the drive.

You could stop at Beauty Creek Campground - which is bookable on Rec.Gov and about 220 miles / 4 HRs from Kalispell.

7500 Beauty Creek Rd

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

 

Another longer drive day option is about 6.5 Hrs (400 mi) from Kalispell to where I-90 crosses the Columbia River.
Right at the Columbia River there are a couple state parks including Wanapum State Park and Ginko Petrified forest and other areas for camping.
You can reserve at Wa State Parks.

(See Map Below) 

 

Good luck on your travels.

Craig

 

 

[HDRider]

13 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

Wow that's a long driver from Kalispell to Port Orchard (almost 600 miles)  so ideas below for breaking up the drive.

I will look at that as my "wing it" stop. 

 

We leave Kalispell on the 14th, and drive until we stop that night, somewhere (maybe Beauty Creek Campground).  Then resume our drive on the 15th to Port Orchard, WA.   I was planning on breaking that up with an unscheduled/unreserved stop.  I plan to break the 600 mile trip into two parts not knowing how fast those roads are. 

 

Thanks so much for proofing my plan.  This is a big first for us. 

[Zodd]

Beauty Creek Campground is right in my neck of the woods. A great little spot not far off the freeway but far enough. The spots are all great. They are isolated so you feel pretty alone. Mineral Ridge is a hike close by that is great. You could do a driveway surf, but it is further off the road and not as nice as the Beauty Creek Campground. We are happy to help with any needs.