Finding the Right Place
We are preparing for our 6 week sojourn, and thankfully, all the important stops are reserved. I've always had difficulty finding campgrounds either along the way, or in particular places, even though I have several printed catalogs of campgrounds, and numerous online listings.
But today, I tried a web service that I hadn't seen previously. Before, I send you there, I want to preface with a bit of explanation about the evolution of today's internet, because recent changes in the way web sites are built have been instrumental in making this new campsite finder possible.
If you use any of the "web 2.0" sites like Google Maps, Facebook, Youtube, Flickr, Digg, or Skype (there are hundreds more), then you understand how these sites seem not only more fluid, but also very feature rich. Part of the reason for this is the ability these sites provide to software developers to combine the best parts of the sites with the best parts of other sites, and then with software they develop on their own. These so-called "Mashups" become something that the developers of the original applications likely never imagined.
Such is the case with RV Park Finder. This site uses Google Maps combined with a database of RV Parks, and some custom software that lets you select a state, that then displays the state map along with pointers to every listed park. Like many park lists, you can add your own, and comment on ones you know about. Unlike most others, there is no advertising on the site.
It works for the US and Canada (only), but in my limited experience so far, this is the most direct way to locate parks in North America. I was able to discover lots of parks I wasn't able to find in other lists, and booked 3 of them today.
But today, I tried a web service that I hadn't seen previously. Before, I send you there, I want to preface with a bit of explanation about the evolution of today's internet, because recent changes in the way web sites are built have been instrumental in making this new campsite finder possible.
If you use any of the "web 2.0" sites like Google Maps, Facebook, Youtube, Flickr, Digg, or Skype (there are hundreds more), then you understand how these sites seem not only more fluid, but also very feature rich. Part of the reason for this is the ability these sites provide to software developers to combine the best parts of the sites with the best parts of other sites, and then with software they develop on their own. These so-called "Mashups" become something that the developers of the original applications likely never imagined.
Such is the case with RV Park Finder. This site uses Google Maps combined with a database of RV Parks, and some custom software that lets you select a state, that then displays the state map along with pointers to every listed park. Like many park lists, you can add your own, and comment on ones you know about. Unlike most others, there is no advertising on the site.
It works for the US and Canada (only), but in my limited experience so far, this is the most direct way to locate parks in North America. I was able to discover lots of parks I wasn't able to find in other lists, and booked 3 of them today.
Labels: Google Maps, RV Parks, Web 2.0
posted by Scott at
12:18 PM
Scott Koegler is a technology writer with way too many gadgets, even in his
RV. He is journaling his travels this year in this Digital RVer blog at RVtravel.com, but you can also
follow him on Twitter (http://twitter.com/scottkoegler) and BrightKite
(http://brightkite.com/people/
5 Comments:
Interesting site however, I checked recently used campgrounds, Ft Caspar, Casper, WY and Rock Springs KOA, Rock Springs, WY and in both cases the red dot was not in the correct place. Once I had the sat picture open I was able to locate the campgrounds but several blocks away from the location of the red dot.
By
Jim W, at June 14, 2008 6:16 AM
Here's a site I use often. It's an older site so it's got a good following and a lot of reviews.
By
Denny P, at June 14, 2008 9:02 AM
I do apologize Here is the site address I forgot to include in my previous post. http://www.rvparkreviews.com/
By
Denny P, at June 14, 2008 9:11 AM
Hi
I'm glad you found the RV Park Finder site useful. My wife and I have been RVing for a couple of years and always had trouble finding RV parks along the route from paper books or even other sites. So I decided to write one myself.
The result is RV Park Finder which is and will remain ad free - I know a lot of RVers have limited bandwidth and why waste it on useless ads that add no value.
It's early days yet and as Jim pointed out, some of the data is inaccurate. However, the big difference with the site is that we allow members to edit the park information themselves. Drag the marker to the correct location, update the info on the park etc as well as add reviews. They can also upload their own photos to show their site and facilities (funny but most people haven't done this yet).
As far as I know it's the only ad free park review site on the Web and it will also remain as such. But it's up to the members to keep it up to date and correct the errors and it will become a better resource for everyone.
Regards
Steve
Webmaster
By
Jason Goodbright, at June 15, 2008 6:24 PM
There is another excellent source of POI files for the Rv'er called RV Directions. It's not free but includes a lot of detail about each location such as cost, value and quality ratings, site attributes, directions, big rig support, etc. It works with Garmin GPS units and with Microsoft Streets & Trips and with DeLorme Street Atlas Plus.
It includes over 45,000 locations including private and public campgrounds, truck stops, rest stops, RV friendly rest stops and stores such as Cracker Barrel and Walmart, and public golf courses. It also lets you look at specific campground affiliations such as Good Sam, KOA, Passport America, Coast to Coast, etc. 31 different affiliations are available.
Their web site address is http://www.rvdirections.com/. They are currently having an "End of Summer" sale and have reduced the price from $59 to $39.
By
DonB, at September 5, 2008 5:56 PM
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