Campground fees

[Bob Miller]

I can't say that the suggestion to OP in Bar parking lots would ring quite that well with the local constabulary or the owners. Just think of the problems with inebriated customers banging on your door at night etc. Add to that, most officers are smart enough to realize if you have been drinking more than you should or not. Trying a tall story to get a favor won't endear you to any of the Officers on the late night shift, they hear enough of that from real inebriants.
We used to routinely clear out the bar parking lots by 2:30 am, if an occupant was to inebriated to drive, we called him/her a cab.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by floyd

After Michigan spends millions to entice people from out of state to visit, they heap on additional charges...

The ads have gotten my attention this year. MI is presented as an enticing place to visit nature. Illynous as you say it, has an annoying series of ads with an Abe Lincoln doll spewing forth monosybillic grunts. Woah! Not for me.

The MI fees are OK if you are planning on spending a while and touring or for repeat visits. It does feel like a cash grab if you are spending a sole weekend. But hey, if it keeps the parks going then that's OK. I have to admit that there has not been a campground in MI that I didn't like.

[TomK]

Roy, how are the park and camping fees in Ontario these days? One of my favorite camping memories was taking a troop of Boy Scouts up to Cypress Lake Provincial Park near Tobermory on the Bruce Trail. We'd hook up with some Canadian Scouts every year up there. I'd love to go back in the Scamp.

[Night Sailor]

Lots of good info.

The ferry idea is clever. Not sure if it would work here in Bridgeport. At best you would get 6 hours of sleep .

Canada's provincial parks: I have not stayed in one but I biked through several to check them out. They are well worth the money, I am sure most would agree.

Interesting to hear about Michigan. I'd like to know more about it. I don't like the idea of their fees though. I don't expect I would stay in the state all that long.

Bar Parking Lots ? Not a chance I don't drink and don't like the vibe. I was working in Newport teaching sailing and sleeping on a boat near a nightclub. The night life drove me crazy and everyone moved outside and got louder when they closed at 2AM.

My style for boat cruising is like boondocking. I like to find quiet little harbors no one uses like Macarel Cove a few miles south of there. Typically they are far from the towns like Jamestown with facilities and restaurants. Most sailors like to pick up a mooring for $20-$30 a night so they can go ashore and drink and eat out. Moorings are like campgrounds. And anchoring is like boondocking. One is free and one is easy. Also many people are afraid to anchor and I suppose some may be afraid to boondock. I prefer to anchor out/boondock, make my own food and enjoy nature.

If I want to take my dogs to the beach--I can't do that in the summer-- unless I go find an empty island. Likewise I can choose places where I can let my dogs off leash while a campground would have strict rules about dogs.

Cost is another factor. A month on a mooring in a prime location could cost $1200. Anchoring nearby? Nothing. Very similar to campgrounds and boondocking.

I thought long and hard about boondock campers. I feel vans are the best choice with truck campers without slides second best. Trailers stand out too much and are too long to park easily. I've stayed in hotel and casino parking lots with my pickup in such a way no one knew I was there.

Unfortunately boondocking locations are tough to find in Connecticut. I've found some potential spots but the population density of busybodies is quite high. I have no interest in interacting with the police.




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[Bob Miller]

(Quote) "Unfortunately boondocking locations are tough to find in Connecticut. I've found some potential spots but the population density of busybodies is quite high. I have no interest in interacting with the police."

Gotta say, if a strange RV parked overnight in my neighborhood I too would become one of those "Busybodies" that would be on the phone to the Gendarmes.
At least in Riverside county, CA, it's illegal to overnight in an RV in a residential area without the permission of the property owner., and even that is limited to 3 nights in a 15 day period. And I am sure in the more affluent CT areas it's even more restrictive.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Night Sailor

Lots of good info.

I thought long and hard about boondock campers. I feel vans are the best choice with truck campers without slides second best. Trailers stand out too much and are too long to park easily. I've stayed in hotel and casino parking lots with my pickup in such a way no one knew I was there.

. Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

As to standing out or too long to park? My truck and Scamp are 28ft combined which easily fits into any two inline parking spots. It is less than 8ft height including A/C. I've "lost" it behind a one ton dually more than once in the WalMart parking lot!
Heck... I even parallel park when I see a restaurant or junk shop I like in some small downtown we're passing through!
I never tried a Motel or Casino lot, so being "covert" is not much of an issue, but we seldom feel conspicuous.

[Franswa]

I hear you loud and clear Nightsailor....what I was referring to is a class of liquor license in this jurisdiction called "neighbourhood pubs" (as opposed to nightclubs)....typically they are busy during the day and kind of slow at night (except for weekends). A lot of them are more restaurant than bar. During the week they close at midnight and are generally "dead" after ten o'clock. I should have been more specific.

too bad your ferries run so often! around here, on secondary routes, last ferry is usually around 7-730pm and first is 630 or 700

I came from sailing as well...and quite frankly I am unpleasantly surprised at how inconsiderate RV people can be. You would think that everyone would realize that being parked so close together you can't have your stereo on "10", run your generator or let your dogs bark incessantly while you're inside, door shut and AC on, watching your favorite reality TV show...that kind of behavior is driving me more and more to seek out "one spot" camping spots in the bush.

My sailing was trailersailing...so I could always find somewhere where I was completely by myself (I got spoiled I guess)....most of the time I would anchor back and tie up to shore....so any small bay, indent in the shore was an overnight spot (when you shower on deck you need your privacy!)

One thing about camping though (as opposed to sailing) ...you're never going to end up outside in a panic in the middle of the night with no clothes on fighting so your trailer doesn't crash on a bunch of rocks.....LOL....every sailor's "been there".....another major difference is that nice hot shower whenever you want one

For another "guerilla camping" idea...about RV dealerships?...talk about getting lost in the crowd, not sticking out like a sore thumb.....parked on a side road beside a dealership you might be mistaken for overflow...or just waiting for the dealership to open the next day...

Cheers, F

[MyronL]

Some gambling casinos have superb trailer camping facilities at a reasonable rate, if not free. Stayed at one in St Louis on the east side of the Mississippi. Even made fifteen bucks on the slots. Don't know about the ones in Atlantic City but I'd say it's worth a check-out next time.

[Night Sailor]

Originally Posted by Franswa

I hear you loud and clear Nightsailor....what I was referring to is a class of liquor license in this jurisdiction called "neighbourhood pubs" (as opposed to nightclubs)....typically they are busy during the day and kind of slow at night (except for weekends). A lot of them are more restaurant than bar. During the week they close at midnight and are generally "dead" after ten o'clock. I should have been more specific.

too bad your ferries run so often! around here, on secondary routes, last ferry is usually around 7-730pm and first is 630 or 700

I came from sailing as well...and quite frankly I am unpleasantly surprised at how inconsiderate RV people can be. You would think that everyone would realize that being parked so close together you can't have your stereo on "10", run your generator or let your dogs bark incessantly while you're inside, door shut and AC on, watching your favorite reality TV show...that kind of behavior is driving me more and more to seek out "one spot" camping spots in the bush.

My sailing was trailersailing...so I could always find somewhere where I was completely by myself (I got spoiled I guess)....most of the time I would anchor back and tie up to shore....so any small bay, indent in the shore was an overnight spot (when you shower on deck you need your privacy!)

One thing about camping though (as opposed to sailing) ...you're never going to end up outside in a panic in the middle of the night with no clothes on fighting so your trailer doesn't crash on a bunch of rocks.....LOL....every sailor's "been there".....another major difference is that nice hot shower whenever you want one

For another "guerilla camping" idea...about RV dealerships?...talk about getting lost in the crowd, not sticking out like a sore thumb.....parked on a side road beside a dealership you might be mistaken for overflow...or just waiting for the dealership to open the next day...

Cheers, F

I rarely worry about anchors dragging. I anchor more than anyone I know and have learned what works and what doesn't. My preference now is anchoring in deep water where there are fewer boats and more distance to the shore. I use all chain with a snubber and sometimes a sentinel.

As for gorilla camping. I like the idea of camping at an RV or boat dealer. That is camouflage for sure.


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