Places to Stay on East Coast June 02, 2014, 07:55:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146702My wife and I will be taking 2-4 months to tour the east coast. We will leave from our home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Want to spend the bulk of our time, camping and hiking, in national, state or local parks. Can I get suggestions for places to stay or resources to help us plan our trip. Have used Google maps and Allstays apps to look forward as we move into new areas.Thanks,Lance
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #1 – June 02, 2014, 07:58:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146703Forgot to mention that we will leave for our trip on the first of August. We want to return home before Christmas. Thanks! Lance
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #2 – June 02, 2014, 10:59:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146714Lance:If you want to see New York State, and all of New England, you need to hustle along and figure you're out of camping options (of all kinds, other than a Walmart parking lot) generally by October 15 and most assuredly by October 31. You would want to be south of Carlisle PA by then (there's a very serviceable campground there which we use coming and going which is open, I believe, all year).You can also boondock at Cabela's (a chain of outdoor sportsmen's gear from guns to grills) and there is one in Scarborough ME and one near Allentown PA...their website will tell you where the rest of them are. They do have dump stations, but likely turn off the water around October 31.We live in Maine and usually leave here early to mid-October for the winter. Because The Captain does not wish to go through NYC or Baltimore-DC on I-95, we head west through Hartford CT to Plattekill NY (good KOA there) and then down (either) I-84 or I-81 until we get west of DC and come across I-66 to I-95 in Dumfries, VA, then head south from there.Check out RVparkreviews.com to see what those reviewed CGs say about their closing times.TinaP 2006 MB
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #3 – June 03, 2014, 05:57:35 am Yahoo Message Number: 146715We traveled from our home in Minnesota to the East Coast last Fall (after Labor Day). Our trip was fantastic! The only disadvantage to leaving after labor day was as Tina P points out one must hustle (rush) to get south by mid-October. Nonetheless, we avoided the crowds and needed no reservations anywhere we traveled. Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor Maine is a must-the Blackwoods campground is heavily wooded and convenient to town (no hookups). Maine is a big state, we recommend allowing plenty of extra time if you plan to explore the state. One of the highlights of our trip was the ferry crossing from New London CT to Greenport Long Island - a must. There is the Eastern Long Island Campground (expensive) right off the ferry landing. We then traveled to Bethpage Long Island and stayed at the Battlerow Campground (Nassua county) which had power and water at the site and a dump station (very reasonable but crowded before Labor Day). Be sure to visit Jones Beach State Park on LI. From Bethpage as a base, you can take the Long island Railroad into NYC. Use the Long Island Expressway as your main artery and you will not have to worry about height restrictions. The Jersey shore (a comfortable drive from LI) was our next stop. I recommend Whipperwill Campground near Ocean City - a great base for touring all the wonderful beaches and towns. Be sure to spend time in Avalon and Stone Harbor as well as Cape May. Since you are leaving in August, you may want to reserve some of the more popular campgrounds ahead of time. We used WM which was fine inbetween campgrounds. Even in popular destinations like Bar Harbor, we found that WM was RV friendly. Outside of Boston, we spent 2 nights in WM in Framingham Mass and took the green line into Boston. No problems. I am originally from the East Coast and will return for a longer trip next year as 2 months wasn't enough time to visit all the places I wanted to see. I also recommend the Foxwoods CAsino and REsort in CT as another free place to camp and a good area to explore - great museum. Foxwoods has no RV hookups but many of the RVs had generators running (we don't use ours much). Have a great trip.Todd '99 RB and '02 HOnda CRV
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #4 – June 03, 2014, 07:28:33 am Yahoo Message Number: 146716If you end your trip in the midAtlantic and follow the beach trend you could drive down to Assateague Island (http://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm) which should be less crowded after school starts. Great birding, nice wild beaches, the horses, deer and fishing. There are no hookups in either the State or Federal campgrounds both have dump stations and a place to fill up. You'll see the MD State campground (http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/assateague.aspx) first. It has nicer restrooms (hot showers) but close 26 Oct 14. Federal campground remain open and are more dog friendly. Further south is Newport News City Park. It had full hookups and is a short drive from Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg historical sites. The park sits on a little known Civil War Battle field and Newport News has the Mariners Museum. Going west there is camping near Washington DC. The best place to camp if you want to tour the city is Cherry Hill Park (http://www.cherryhillpark.com/index.cfm) because of the availability of public transportation down town. If you are towing a car you could camp at Prince William Forest. It is a national park. There are two campgrounds; the concession campground (http://www.princewilliamforestrvcampground.com) an RV camp and and Oak Ridge Campground (http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/oakridge.htm) which is nice but has no hookups water filling or dump stations. Continuing West there is Shenandoah National Park (http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm) I like camping at Big Meadows Campground. Casually glancing at the link I did not see when the park closes camping for the winter. But you should be good through Oct, and maybe into early to mid Nov. I am not sure. This is a popular park but campsites are fairly available during the week once school is in session, but once the leaves start turning you'll want to make reservations. There are no hookups, but there is a place to take on water and a dump station. There are miles of hiking, great views and nice campsites.All the campgrounds I mentioned require that you use local wood for campfires due to beetles and other pests. I double that you would be bring wood from home but you can't bring wood from one forest to another.John 1 Likes
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #5 – June 03, 2014, 09:07:12 am Yahoo Message Number: 146717Another spot that is a good stop-over point on the way to/from New England in the off-season is Mahlon-Dickerson Reservation near Lake Hopatcong , NJ , not too far off I-287 in northern NJ . It's a county park open through November, and re-opens in March . Has a fantastic showerhouse .WxToad
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #6 – June 03, 2014, 10:30:59 am Yahoo Message Number: 146719"You can also boondock at Cabela's (a chain of outdoor sportsmen's gear from guns to grills) and there is one in Scarborough ME and one near Allentown PA."When I asked at Cabela's in PA if boondocking was aloud, I was told "no." They said it was due to a city ordinance. However, the lady suggested that one park the RV down the lot where the truck drivers parked and try to get between them. She said the police probably wouldn't bother then. During the day there is plenty of places to park the RV at Cabela's and they have kennels for your dogs to stay while you shop. Cabela's is a great place to stop for a break.Monica NE10
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #7 – June 03, 2014, 10:49:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 146720"Want to spend the bulk of our time, camping and hiking, in national, state or local parks."Lance,In NJ there is a beautiful state park campgground off of I-78 called Spruce Run. However, NJ state parks don't allow pets. There is also a county park campground, Turkey Swamp Campground, in Freehold, NJ. It is not far from the Garden State Parkway and about a 20 minute drive from the NJ shore.Monica NE 10
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #8 – June 03, 2014, 03:44:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146726Lance: We've made two trips to the East Coast, starting in LA each time. We didn't focus particularly on hiking, etc., but rather made them into sightseeing excursions of national monuments, presidential libraries, historical sites, museums, offbeat attractions, etc. That said, we did include things like kayaking (inflatable) with the gators in the Okefenokee and staying in various state and national parks, COE campgrounds, along with commercial facilities. Our first trip was through the southeast, launching from Oklahoma City. The second went more northerly, through the midwest and down through the mid-Atlantic states. I pretty much did a daily blog (with photos) of each trip, mostly in real time for the first one, and in retrospect for much of the second. I included commentary and pics on places we stayed, ate, and visited. If that's of any interest, here are the links: First Trip: http://www.hounsjournal.blogspot.com/2010/05/were-off.html (this is day one; continues for two months of entries).Second Trip: http://www.hounsjournal.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-break-1-pit-stop-at-factory.html This is part one, from LA to Indianapolis. Then there's a break where we took a bus trip to Canada as a present to my mother. The RV trip continues at:http://www.hounsjournal.blogspot.com/2013/02/so-where-was-i.html for another two months worth of entries (denoted Feb and Mar). Our interests certainly are not for everyone, but may be useful to you, at least in parts. Have a great trip, and avoid the interstates as much as possible! -- Jon ('06TK "Albatross")(and the scoot)
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #9 – June 03, 2014, 04:34:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146727Because you want to hike some you might be interested in Red Creek campground at Dolly Sods WVA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Sods_Wilderness). This camp borders a large (for the east) wilderness area. You'll need to load up on water and there is no dump station. However it is not to far, 40 miles and an hour and a half drive, from Black Water Falls State Park WV (Blackwater Falls State Park). Dress warm. In the early fall you can have temps in the 80 during the day and snow at night. I have been to both parks but not recently (read more than 20 years). I hope to visit Red Creek this summer and may drive over to Black Water Falls for a night while there.
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #10 – June 03, 2014, 11:28:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146730Yes this is true all the commercial campgrounds in the area pressured the locals (probably easy to do) into the ordnance not allowing overnighting. Signs are up but not sure how much it is enforced. Same thing at the Wallmart at highway 10 and US 30. Just west of Philly about 40 miles.
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #11 – June 04, 2014, 07:53:15 am Yahoo Message Number: 146735Let us know if you are heading to Vermont. There are some lovely state parks, and a couple of really nice quiet private places with lots of space and a relaxing atmosphere if you are interested Sandy Vermont
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #12 – June 04, 2014, 12:34:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146737We travel between Pa and Me often. The last few trips we have been breaking the long trip with a stay in Vt. Alway interested in new places to try and would like to hear your recommendation. If you like we could take this conversation off-line or continue it here. My email is broderic at epic dot net.Peter and Jan 2001 MB
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #13 – June 05, 2014, 12:11:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146770Thanks everyone for your suggestions. They really help as we prepare for our trip! I appreciate the time you have spent preparing responses for us. Lance
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #14 – June 07, 2014, 09:29:51 am Yahoo Message Number: 146792"Let us know if you are heading to Vermont."I'm hoping to be in Vermont for leaf peeping season.Howard
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #15 – June 08, 2014, 02:18:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146820Foliage season rolls in Vermont. In central Vt it peaks about the last week in September and in the early weeks for the North Country and early October for the southern part of the state. Of course, how the summer goes will dictate a lot of this. central Vt where we live has ben and jerry's factory, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters now known as Kuerig Green Mountain etc., we have the Von Trapp Lodge. I am forwarding this to my husband, Art, as he can give you more information. Sandy
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #16 – June 11, 2014, 01:21:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 146891Attached is our log for our 2012 trip along the east coast, using east coast broadly, as we were off the coast going up.If it does not open, the couple in San Francisco who was looking for ideas for the east coast, please email me directly at , and I will send it to you directly. Please note that Bob is a retired Air Force type and some of the places we stayed are military campgrounds; however, in those areas you can find pleantly of either state, national, or commercial campgrounds. You would of course be making the journey from north to south, so keep that idea in your planning. Also, note that we did do some family visits along the way.Bob
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #17 – October 08, 2014, 04:38:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148886I received the following e-mail from Sandra Farnum. She asked me to post on the forum.
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #18 – October 08, 2014, 04:55:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148887You can do a whole lot better than the RV resort you're takling about. Right here. Among the finest camping areas in FL. Fort De Soto Park.Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Fort De Soto ParkPinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources ... Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715 - gmap Park diagram, amenities, restroom info - Road Closures - Nature Tours View on www.pinellascounty.orgrightEnjoyEdNeed any other info. about camping in FL, let me know. Lived there most of my life. etdcaw at gmail dot com.
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #19 – October 08, 2014, 06:26:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148888The Tampa south rv resort has a policy of rejecting older campers unless approved by management in advance.--- I know this stuff does happen in quite a few places, but I didn't see any statement of this "policy" in any category tab on the park's website; did I miss it? Might it be that the "policy" is arbitrarily applied on a rig by rig basis and if a person's RV doesn't fit the desired image, the "it's our policy" claim is used as a convenient out for the management?In my experience, an RV park which includes the word "Resort" in its name is very often in the same category of jumped-up pretension as a store which calls itself a "shoppe"; not places I choose to drop any cash.Ed Daniels' suggestions sounded to me like much better options, but, as ever, YMMV.Joan
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #20 – October 08, 2014, 07:07:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148891Thanks. We are visiting friends in St petersburg and were trying to get as close to them as possible. Currently we have broken down at Estero 1/2 mile from the state park with a check engine light and an intermittently dead engine. Most fortunately this happened 1/2 mile after we got off 75! Sadly they have no WiFi in the ford dealership parking lot! But it is pet friendly. We ended up with a relatively inexpensive spot in a koa site at petersburg/Madeira beach for the 2 nights we plan to be there.
Re: Places to Stay on East Coast Reply #21 – October 08, 2014, 07:09:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148892We almost got a spot using that Web site but they would not accept pets at the only sites they had available for the time we were going to be there. (A weekend of course! )
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