Discounted campgrounds

[JCasper]

I am sitting here trying to make some reservations for our trip to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.



When the national parks are full I start looking at private campgrounds. At $30+ a night it starts to get kinda spendy.



Are there any secrets to getting discounted rates? Or am I looking in the wrong places.

 

[ScottLewis]

Do you have a Good Sam Directory? That's a good place to check on campground locations and rates. Unfortunately, $30 a nite isn't that uncommon anymore, particularly near major sites like the Canyon.





Dan

 

[Blu-meanie]

The camping in the park has lots of cancellations. We got in after spending one night outside the park for way too much money. Inside it is really reasonable, they might have a list you can get on. Otherwise you have to watch it very closely for openings.

 

[surfbeetle]

Try this, Free Campgrounds for RVs I have never used it, I read about it in a Reader's Digest book. I have a membership to Coast to Coast, which you can only get along with a campground membership like CRA or Thousand Trails. It gets me $10 per night when camping in non member parks.

 

[RGrizzle]

I am sitting here trying to make some reservations for our trip to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.



When the national parks are full I start looking at private campgrounds. At $30+ a night it starts to get kinda spendy.



Are there any secrets to getting discounted rates? Or am I looking in the wrong places.

if you are a good sam member , you get 10 % off at good sam parks and a lot of camp grounds that are not good sam parks will honor the discount . when making reservations , i always ask and sometimes it pays off .

 

[JCasper]

I have been thinking about the Thousand Trails Membership. I know someone with one for sale, but I haven't been able to justify the $$$$ yet.



I will check into the good sam thing.



How about AAA, do many do discounts for that?

 

[jjordan1]

Any TDR members that would like a pass for THREE FREE nites @ any Western Horizons Resorts let me know & I will be glad to send you one. You will need to listen to a presentation that takes about 45 minutes. NO PRESSURE TO BUY IN!!!!

 

[ScottLewis]

I've belonged to TTN (Thousand Trails) for quite some time and my parents before that back to 1985. There are real advantages to membership but one major downside is that preserves are often remote. Some are great like Las Vegas, Orlando, Yosemite Lakes, etc. but most are destination resorts. That's fine with me but not for everyone. Most of the parks are quite nice and fellow members and staff are great.



Dan

 

[Dutch & Di]

What we did was stay in the town of Williams about a 45 minute drive from the Canyon Entrance. They had several campgrounds. When we were there,their rates were cheaper because they were not right there at the entrance. I don't know if they are still cheaper or not. I do know, it was just an awesome experience!!! Diana

 

[JRBurton]

You can try a KOA , 10% off w/membership wich cost about 20. 00. Here on the east coast 30. 00 a night for a campground is cheap. Also depending on what kind of RV you have try WAL MART, I know a lot who doe it.

 

[steved]

Hmmm, when I was there in September, the campground right at the North Rim turnoff was almost $45/night. I think the cheapest we stayed was in national parks... but we were there in off-peak times...

I don't think we paid under $30 at any of the actual campgrounds we stayed at... I do remember my AAA card did provide some relief a couple times...

steved

 

[Jim Smith]

Avoid Wal Mart rv overnights

Try not to use Wal Marts and truck stops for overnights. Using these places only drives the prices up at the campgrounds. These folks have serviced the rv community for years so lets not forget them. Its usually more peaceful and quiet and getting a good rest makes driving a lot better and safer. Most campgrounds give some type of discount ,AAA, AARP, KOA ,Good Sam, etc...

 

[LRutigliano]

JCasper,



You need to join Good Sam Club for $12/yr. You get 10% off many campgrounds in the US, so it pays for itself after one 3 night stay.

You also get the Trailer Life Directory which a 2. 5" thick book with every campground in the US listed by state. They have phone numbers, websites, ratings, amenities, distance to major parks, etc.



Its the best. Last year when we wanted to go to the Redwoods, we planned our trip and made reservations at 3 campgrounds in like 10 minutes using the directory.



Regards,

Louis

 

[JCasper]

JCasper,



You need to join Good Sam Club for $12/yr. You get 10% off many campgrounds in the US, so it pays for itself after one 3 night stay.

You also get the Trailer Life Directory which a 2. 5" thick book with every campground in the US listed by state. They have phone numbers, websites, ratings, amenities, distance to major parks, etc.



Its the best. Last year when we wanted to go to the Redwoods, we planned our trip and made reservations at 3 campgrounds in like 10 minutes using the directory.



Regards,

Louis

I almost bought one last year. I will look into it. It would be nice to have that directory handy all the time.

 

[ScottLewis]

FWIW, we use the Good Sam Directory on every trip. We buy a new one every other year to keep up to date, and save a couple of bucks. Not a lot of changes year to year. It's more than worth the cost.



Dan