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Military Fam Camps for RVers

Located on military bases, military campgrounds provide an option for many RVers who want to camp in beautiful areas, but prefer not to pay the prices asked for by private facilities. Military campgrounds are restricted to career and retired military, disabled veterans, Department of Defense workers, and various others connected to active service and their guests. Unfortunately, the average soldier who served a short enlistment is not allowed to use the facilities unless invited as a guest. Each campground has slightly different criteria so always check first before you go.

How do you find military campgrounds? U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks is one source. Another is Paths Across America, part of the Army MWR site. You can subscribe to RV Camping and Outdoor Recreation™ Around the World as well.

To read more about camping at military fam camps in your RV, read Alice Zyetz' article at RVLifestyleExperts on the topic. If you qualify, these are another resource for camping that are usually less expensive than regular commercial parks and often in prime locations. I have always wanted to camp on the beach at Camp Pendleton, just north of Oceanside, California. I've driven by there for years. I'll have to make a military friend, I guess! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For RVers- Are CA state beaches a bargain?

California State Beaches are prime real estate, but are they worth it for RVers? I am in San Diego and drove down a couple of days ago to the Silver Strand State Beach south of Coronado. There weren't too many RVers there. I'm not sure if it is not quite the right season (and not a weekend) or the price. The nightly camping fee- no hookups, but right on the beach- is $50 a night! The State Park system considers this a premium site and charges a hefty fee. Just a few years ago, it was only around $20/night. I checked rates at the Chula Vista RV Resort, located on the bay (no beach or bay swimming). Winter rates are from $47-$61, with hookups and resort amenities. 

California's rates are quite high for their state parks, but they get what the market will bear. There rates vary by location and type of site. You can check prices at particular parks and beaches here. On the other hand, plenty of RVs are parked along the highway at state beaches that do not charge a fee. You have to move your RV at night, but you can enjoy the beach.

Camping rates in Oregon, in contrast, have been quite low.  Up until August of this year, the most expensive site with electric has been $18. Oregon is raising their rates for hookup sites to $20 and $24, depending on location. Here are the old rates, by park. Click on the link on that page for prices for next season.

Many state park systems are a bargain. They are often in scenic places with excellent recreational opportunities at low prices, some with full hookups. In fact, we'll have a followup post in the next few days by David Davin, who recently updated his directory of state parks.

Is it worth $50 a night to park on ocean front property, smell the salt air, fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing, walk on the beach and collect shells? Or, perhaps see long pieces of giant kelp, big and strong enough to play crack the whip? That's a value judgment you'll have to make.

At the Silver Strand State Beach, there were less than a dozen RVs. Four of those were camphosts with hookups. Now that's the way to go! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Is this really camping?

Here's an interesting article about campgrounds adding services and amenities titled, "At Some Campgrounds, 'Roughing It' Means No Expresso." Some do food delivery - and yes- some do have expresso bars. At others you can have the use of a golf cart. Of course all of this comes with a price. For the campground owner, it can be an easy way to increase the bottom line. And, it does appeal to families, in particular.

“We’re campers in name only at this point,” says one guest at the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA. And, staying at a campground like this is still cheaper than going to a hotel with similar amenities.

Campgrounds like these are not in our future but they do provide a nice contrast and do appeal to some. These campground owners have found a profitable niche and, I say, more power to them. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

First "staycations" - now RVIA says take a "spendcation"

Last year the "staycation" was the watchword. On a staycation you vacation in your own area and have just as much fun and spend less. Articles told about how families were staying in their own house even but planning special excursions in their own cities. Or they would take their RV to a nearby park and enjoy the activities there.

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) said that people did not go for staycations. Their latest Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners found that 85% will travel at least as much this winter as they did last year, if not more.

Instead, they recommend a "spendcation." RVIA invites RVers to look at it this way: "Saving is the new spending. A recent study showed that RVing is 27-61 percent less expensive than other forms of travel. Some 30 million Americans already enjoy the value that RV vacations offer. More than 80% of RVers say they save when they travel by RV." They also remind us that RVs come with kitchens. " Emeril, Rachael Ray, Mario Batali and other famous chefs have prepared meals in RVs." So can we, plus it is healthier for you - and your wallet. (See the press release.)

Another thing we'd encourage is to see a smaller area more thoroughly rather than race hundreds of miles to see several things. You will save money on fuel, for one, but you'll also enjoy your time more. Savoring one or two places and getting to know it is more satisfying than saying you've been to several places but not really seeing them. At a more relaxed pace, your stress level has time to go down and, rather come home exhausted, you'll be rested and refreshed.

Don't spend money you don't have, but otherwise, a "spendcation" sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Riding on an RV roof- now that's dumb!

It was the wee hours of the morning. Two men were riding on the top of the roof of their RV. It was slimy and wet. Somehow one of them slipped over the front, over the hood, and was run over and killed. While names have not been released, this was apparently a six-man band and he was the drummer.

It is dangerous enough to walk on an RV roof when parked, especially if the roof is wet or it is windy. Most roofs are fiberglass and rather slick to begin with. Add a layer or puddles of water and it is very easy to lose your footing. One time boondocked east of Borrego with Boomer friends, a sudden wind came up. One awning was torn off and a man standing on his roof was nearly blown off.

The toxicology reports aren't back, but it is likely the band members had been drinking. What sounded like a lark after ending a gig - riding on top of the RV - ended in tragedy. Even when parked, use care and caution whenever you get up on the roof. And, for heaven's sake, ride inside when it is moving! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak