Woodall's Campground Directory

[Brian G.]

We just completed a very nice trip visiting friends and relatives. We had to move around a lot -- 11 nights, 7 different campgrounds -- and were very glad we had our copy of Woodall's Campground Directory which we picked up at our local AAA office. It's easy to use. The book is arranged by State, and campgrounds are listed (and rated) below each city within that state. Now that reservations are more important than ever, this is a very handy resource. I don't always enjoy searching for campgrounds on the internet.

[Wayne Collins]

The Good Sam Campground Guide book is very good too.
Includes tips and coupons for saving $$$

[Glenn Baglo]

The problem with a hard copy of any guide is that it is out of date before Amazon can deliver it to you. On-line guides are updated as often as required and instantly.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Brian G.

We just completed a very nice trip visiting friends and relatives. We had to move around a lot -- 11 nights, 7 different campgrounds -- and were very glad we had our copy of Woodall's Campground Directory which we picked up at our local AAA office. It's easy to use. The book is arranged by State, and campgrounds are listed (and rated) below each city within that state. Now that reservations are more important than ever, this is a very handy resource. I don't always enjoy searching for campgrounds on the internet.

11 night in 7 campgrounds sounds like a lot of one night stops. I've rarely paid for single night of sleeping. I think in the last 10 years I've only paid for a single night once and that was when I drove after dark in driving snow storm. By the time i found motel 6 I was ready to crawl in bed.



I used buy the Woodall's camping directory then I discovered Ultimate Campground US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS - FORMAL AND DISPERSED PUBLIC CAMPING LOCATIONS - Website Map and truck stops, and walmart parking lots. No more campgrounds for nights sleep.

[Wayne Collins]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

The problem with a hard copy of any guide is that it is out of date before Amazon can deliver it to you. On-line guides are updated as often as required and instantly.

Yes, for all you techies with smart phones, that's fine, but some of us travel out there where there is no signal… so the paper copy works just fine and doesn't need batteries.

[Glenn Baglo]

Iowa

• Population: 3,107,126
• Number of McDonald’s: 173
  • 5.6 per 100,000
  • Rank: #15
  
  
  

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Wayne Collins

Yes, for all you techies with smart phones, that's fine, but some of us travel out there where there is no signal… so the paper copy works just fine and doesn't need batteries.

No Smart phone here.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Wayne Collins

Yes, for all you techies with smart phones, that's fine, but some of us travel out there where there is no signal… so the paper copy works just fine and doesn't need batteries.

We use the Good Sam book and find it a little better than the Woodall book that we got a long time ago. We get a new book at least every other year and have only found one or two places that have closed. I don't have a smart phone and don't have internet service most of the time traveling either. Just call ahead to make sure the campground is there. We do have a little flip phone type for emergencies and reaching out to people. If it is hot we do go to campgrounds so we can have electric so it sounds like you travel a lot like we do. Most people just assume everyone has a smart phone and I get tired of that.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

Most people just assume everyone has a smart phone and I get tired of that.

It's probably, because most people do have a smart phone.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Iowa

• Population: 3,107,126
• Number of McDonald’s: 173
  • 5.6 per 100,000
  • Rank: #15
  
  
  

Iowa Daves. ...........1

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

11 night in 7 days sounds like a lot of one night stops...

11 nights in 7 days sounds like a celestial miracle to me!

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

11 nights in 7 days sounds like a celestial miracle to me!

OP said 11 nights, 7 campgrounds.
Byron misquoted to 11 nights, 7 days.
So the world turns.

[Jon in AZ]

Yes, I saw that. Just struck my funny bone, that’s all. Carry on!

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

We use the Good Sam book and find it a little better than the Woodall book that we got a long time ago. We get a new book at least every other year and have only found one or two places that have closed. I don't have a smart phone and don't have internet service most of the time traveling either. Just call ahead to make sure the campground is there. We do have a little flip phone type for emergencies and reaching out to people. If it is hot we do go to campgrounds so we can have electric so it sounds like you travel a lot like we do. Most people just assume everyone has a smart phone and I get tired of that.

Both of these books are supported by ads, and leave out many, many campgrounds. While the campground finder apps do require a "smart" phone, AllStays & the Ultimate Public Campground List will give you a much wider spectrum of campgrounds.

There are some printed options such as Camping With the Corps that are useful, but as Glenn noted, they end up outdated quickly.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

While the campground finder apps do require a "smart" phone, AlStays & the Ultimate Public Campground List will give you a much wider spectrum of campgrounds.

Are you telling me I can't use Ultimate Campgrounds without having a smart phone? All this time of using Ultimate Campgrounds (somewhere between 3 and 5 years) without a smart phone. I wonder what I've been doing?

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Are you telling me I can't use Ultimate Campgrounds without having a smart phone? All this time of using Ultimate Campgrounds (somewhere between 3 and 5 years) without a smart phone. I wonder what I've been doing?

..

Now I do recall one app I had on my smartphone actually downloaded the entire list so it could be searched when you had no cell / data service. It even had a map search so you could find places in a specific area. I don't recall the name of it and I dont have it anymore so maybe someone else can chime in. Its basically a searchable electric version of a good campground book.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Are you telling me I can't use Ultimate Campgrounds without having a smart phone? All this time of using Ultimate Campgrounds (somewhere between 3 and 5 years) without a smart phone. I wonder what I've been doing?

No, I'm not. You can't use the app without a smart phone (maybe I should have put the word APP in all caps), but the web site is available (although you need something that provides a browser). You can also purchase the database as a POI list for a GPS.

Lots of options, but again, you need a smart phone for the app.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

No, I'm not. You can't use the app without a smart phone (maybe I should have put the word APP in all caps), but the web site is available (although you need something that provides a browser). You can also purchase the database as a POI list for a GPS.

Lots of options, but again, you need a smart phone for the app.

Since you insist I'll tell you how it's done, or at least how I manage it. I down load all the information to my Garmin Drive GPS. I do a bit of research while I'm still at home on MY PC. I don't stay in campground for 1 night, I find someplace else to get a night's sleep. (rest areas, Walmart Parking lots, Truck stops, gas stations, etc.)

I've been traveling this since I retired in 2009 and I don't worry about a place to sleep for the night. Generally a campground is at least a week or close to it. The idea is to travel and get outside. Figure out how to manage that is part of the fun as was during my backpacking days.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Here's a couple links to help the usage long.
POIs US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS - FORMAL AND DISPERSED PUBLIC CAMPING LOCATIONS - Purchase POI List


Map US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS - FORMAL AND DISPERSED PUBLIC CAMPING LOCATIONS - Website Map

[johnlochbuie]

Woodall is now part of Goodsams