Corps of Engineer Parks and other Federal Campgrounds - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

Corps of Engineer Parks and other Federal Campgrounds

Dan and Gail · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use "Camping with the Corps of Engineers" book by S. L. Hinkle. COE campgrounds are listed by state and by lake in that state. He includes directions to the campground and details of the campground, but not individual sites. He includes the maximum recommended RV length also. If a length isn't included, then most RV's will fit in some of their sites. Since we have a 40' motorhome, we call the park directly for information regarding interior roads and the availability of sites. We use this book in conjunction with these websites. www.recreation.gov and http://www.rv-camping.org/COECampgrounds.html We do not make reservations on recreaton.gov, but this website lists all federal campgrounds and many state parks. It lists details of the campground and has an interactive map of the campground, which includes details of each site.

We like to arrive on Sunday afternoon or during midweek, so don't usually have a problem finding a campsite. Our COE book is the 2007 edition and retailed for $15.95. It's available at most bookstores, and at www.cottagepub.com and I've seen it on Amazon. I haven't bought a newer edition because I have so many notes in mine that I would have to transfer to the new one.

We really enjoy COE parks. They are nearly always on a lake or waterway and sites are usually not too close to each other.

Websites for National Forest Campgrounds http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/finder.shtml and this site by Fred and Suzi Dow is excellent http://forestcamping.com/

And remember to get your America the Beautiful Senior Pass (formerly the Golden Age Passport) if you are 62 or older. A one-time fee of $10. We each have one. Federal campground fees and entrance fees are reduced by 50% with the pass.

Hope this helps.

Gail

-- Edited by Dan and Gail on Tuesday 5th of April 2011 09:13:06 AM

-- Edited by Dan and Gail on Tuesday 5th of April 2011 09:16:21 AM

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Agree with everything Gail mentioned and would like to add that COE parks are the best value and atmosphere out there.

What a treasure!

Fred

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you I will get the book.

BruceandTrisha · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gail - what a helpful resource you are! This forum is amazing - everyone is so willing to help and advise and encourage those who have questions and even fears about the RV lifestyle. This is absolutely the best place to hang out and learn from the masters!

Thanks everyone!

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I also agree that Camping with the Corps of Engineers is a good reference source. If you happen to be going by a regional Corp office, then stop in and see if they have the US map that shows where all the parks are. Both are pretty big unfolded so I wouldn't be driving down the road trying to look at it.

Here is a website that I like to use with the book. http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
Does anyone have a permanent disability pass.....and what do I need to do to procure it.........is my SS/D and state handicap ID enough or is it like most government paper work nitemares .
Thanks in advance ......Mike

With respect to the question about your specific documentation, I would say Yes. I had less than that to validate the issue of my Access card.

Go to this link for more details: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 30th of September 2012 05:07:18 PM

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you'd rather use the internet, go to this link and click on the state you are looking in. You may have to click a few times to get to the lake website but it is a great resource, use it all the time.

http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 27th of September 2012 08:02:46 PM

Hafnutz · RV-Dreams Community Member

Don't forget they're also 50% off for camping fees with you National Park Svc. Sr. Pass. We paid $3.00 a night for one in KS. last Winter on our way to TX. The water had been shut off but the 50 amp electric was included. It was 58 degrees and we were the only ones there.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does anyone have a permanent disability pass.....and what do I need to do to procure it.........is my SS/D and state handicap ID enough or is it like most government paper work nitemares .
Thanks in advance ......Mike

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch - the app 'CampWhere' is fabulous. It lists only public campgrounds, and has them all on a map. Makes it super easy to spot what might be along your upcoming route.

- Cherie

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use the book. In fact, we are at a COE now. Ives Run on Hammond Lake in Tioga, Pa. This is the best we've been to and we've been to many others. Our second time here. Full hook ups and even a laundry. HUGE sites and lots of open space in each loop. Problem is, very hard to get into on weekends as they book up months and months in advance. We got lucky and got in for this weekend but when we arrived we wanted to extend it two days leaving on Friday. Could not accomodate us even though it was not weekend days.

And as others have said, with the Federal pass can't beat the price. As fulltimers we sure do appreciate the savings.

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:
If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch - the app 'CampWhere' is fabulous. It lists only public campgrounds, and has them all on a map. Makes it super easy to spot what might be along your upcoming route.

- Cherie

We love this app too. between this one and Allstays, we are pretty much all set (well, we do have the Passport America app too)

melvonnar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
Does anyone have a permanent disability pass.....and what do I need to do to procure it.........is my SS/D and state handicap ID enough or is it like most government paper work nitemares
.
Thanks in advance ......Mike
Not to worry; Ive had one for years; I think you have everything you need; and the acess card is "FREE" only the golden age will cost you, and with the acess card you don't need the golden age card; this card has saved me thousands over the years.

-- Edited by melvonnar on Wednesday 21st of November 2012 03:33:49 PM

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

smile Thanks Mel..........it actually went pretty quick I just walked in with everything I had......10 minutes later ....done deal!!!!!!!!!.........................thanks everybody!!

jt · RV-Dreams Family Member

GO TO (allstays.com ) AND CLICK ON CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS. LOOK FOR THE STATE YOU WANT TO GO TO AND CLICK ON MAP NEXT TO THE STATE .AFTER YOU DO THAT, ON THE RIGHT SIDE YOU WILL SEE MAP FILTERS. CLICK ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. THIS SITE IS ONE OF THE BEST SITE OUT THERE FOR RVING. IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFORMATION ON RVING I HAVE OVER 250 SITES THAT I FOUND ON RVING.

JT

-- Edited by jt on Friday 23rd of November 2012 01:46:40 PM

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 23rd of November 2012 01:51:17 PM

melvonnar · RV-Dreams Family Member

I could be mistaken but the last time I was through Alabama and Missippi the state parks would give a %50 discount on the camping fees if you had a access or a golden age card; that was 10 years ago so it may have changed; could be worth checking into.

-- Edited by melvonnar on Thursday 20th of December 2012 10:49:07 AM