Where do you prefer to stay with your RV, in a scenic, primitive (no-hookups) public campground, like those offered on BLM lands or by the U.S. Forest Service, or a nondescript but clean RV park with full hookups?
Do you like to get away from the crowds in a beautiful out-of-the-way campground, maybe by a lake or along a river, even if you have to drive a few miles on a dirt road to get there? Or is your cup of tea a full-hookup RV park with all the amenities — maybe even swimming pool, or a hot tub or golf course in a fancy place?
Or do you prefer to get away from crowds entirely by squatting for a few days or longer on public lands — like in the sparsely populated deserts of the Southwest?
Or heck, maybe you’re on a tight budget and holing up overnight in a quiet corner of a Walmart parking lot will do just fine.
Please let us know. And, as always, your civil, respectful comments are invited.
Prefer state parks with water and electricity… Or Army COE campgrounds. Don’t mind having to use dump station. Sites are generally more spread out and often with greenery in-between for privacy. Commercial parks seem too crowded.
Our favorite places to camp are Boondockers Welcome host sites.
I prefer scenic parks as long as there is electricity available to run our CPAP machines otherwise we are only good for two nights without running the Propane fueled generator to recharge the battery bank. Other hookups are not required. The National and State Parks seem to fit this request the most.
Most of our RVing is done when we are on a sight seeing trip. The campground is not the destination, the area is. Sometimes we are just stopping overnight on our way from one place to another. When we went to Alaska four years ago, some of the campgrounds there were just gravel parking lots with electricity, water and a dump station. We actually prefer those. After all, it’s just a place to eat and sleep. The bonus? No annoying campfires!
Choice of camp site is weather dependent. I like scenic, but if it is so hot that sleeping becomes difficult, give me hookups.
We prefer state parks or White Mountain National Forest parks. (NH)
We prefer full hookup sites, and if possible we would rather stay on a military base. We like Air Force bases best followed by Navy then Marine Corps, and finally Army campgrounds are the worst. By the way I am a retired Marine and my wife was in the Coast Guard, so we did not rate these according to the service we served in. LOL
If you’re properly set up for true boondocking with solar, generator, large water capacities, the ability to easily transport waste water long distances, & able to bring fresh water back to your rv, then there is nothing to compare with staying out in nature away from all the noise & pollution, where you can relax & observe the interactions of all of God’s creatures. Whether it’s watching industrious ants, a coyote stalking a meal, 2 bear cubs playing in the grass, or an eagle or hawk soaring on the wind currents, it’s all very peaceful & satisfying. We set up our fifth wheel for true boondocking 10 years ago, & our many days of remote camping have been our most memorable experiences in our 10 years of fulltiming.
Your survey gives us 4 choices. My vote would be “any one of the above, depending on how long I’m staying and how soon I need to be somewhere else.” For stays of 2 or 3 or 4 nights, then a spot without hookups is fine, either in a designated campsite or dispersed camping. (We’re not set up for extended boondocking for much longer than that.) For longer stays, then hookups, please. For one-night stays, just to sleep and hit the road the next morning, then a Walmart parking lot or one of the other free options that you list in every Sunday’s RV Travel Newsletter will be fine with us. We’ve stayed in some wonderful places we found there, from a great steak house, to a rural rest area with mature trees, picnic shelters, and a 300-acre lake, to the parking lot of a casino where the slot machines gave us enough winnings to fill the fuel tank on the RV.
I can see both pretty easily. Its nice to get away from the crowds and go boon docking, but then its also nice to come back in with hookups and a real shower.
We call it living, not camping.
We prefer state parks or a place that has electric and either on or near the water so we can kayak.
We’ve always preferred boondocking over developed camping, but spent time in the developed campgrounds of our New Mexico state parks often, locally (within 30 miles) to fish, and in other areas to see interesting sights. However, given the fact that our Governor threw us all out of our state park campgrounds (despite reservations made, and paid for, long before) in mid-March with 2 hours notice to vacate, sending armed rangers to do the notification, forcing us to find another place to put our RV, 340 miles from home, for the last three days of our vacation (and leaving likely hundreds, if not thousands of others statewide in the lurch too), we learned a valuable lesson: Boondocking is really the way to go for us. The wide open spaces and freedom to essentially do as we please with little to no interference, governmental or otherwise, is really why we camp and RV. Fortunately we were set up for boondocking and had brought our solar and generator, and water jugs (just in case the state park campground was lousy, as we hadn’t been to that one before…turned out the campground was nice, but the government was lousy), as we did find a place on public lands just a few miles away, with the nearest RV a mile away on one side, and miles away on the other (that’s real social distancing).
And here we now sit at home, months later, with a paid-for, non-refundable yearly pass that’s useless, as our governor STILL hasn’t opened us state parks for camping (a few have opened up for “day use”, but none near us), and has no idea when she will. Lesson learned! We will likely not purchase a yearly state park pass again, and more boondocking is in our future!
I answered full hooks up because there wasn’t an option for electric and water only. Also state parks in Michigan are often electric only but they make up for it with spacious sites and water views.
We use our motor home to see the USA, I like State or Regional campgrounds the best and some offer all three hookups however they are few and far between. Boondocking intrigues me however we drive a big rig and I’m concerned with getting into an area where I can stuck. With the new world we are currently living in I am more than happy to have our own bathroom and shower, so now I look for a place with all three hookups. Hopefully this pandemic will slow down or an effective vaccine will be developed that will change things but I think it will be around for long while
We look for State Parks with full hookups. Found several in Utah & Colorado and also a few Army Corp CG. You have to have long range plans and be very proactive to score these limited sites.
My favorite campgrounds are small, independently owned places that are not in any directories. We sometimes find them by following the “camping” signs on side roads. I’ve found some of the best by looking at old printed maps for the camping symbol. One of my favorites is actually a trailer park on a creek with a small lake. We were in need of a place to stay for the night and stopped and asked a resident outside if they knew of a camping place. He directed us to a house where the park owner directed us to a small hidden campground. We stayed the whole week and have often gone back. The fishing in the lake was great. And the owner used the creek to breed trout for the state. Not too many amenities, but everything we needed was in the nearby town.
I do prefer a campground with full hookups, but not the “RV Park” type. By this I mean, we prefer an old style campground with wooded, shaded sites with a little space between sites, and yes, a little dirt! Although we have used them when we traveled for 6 years fulltime, we are not fans of RV Parking lots. Rows and rows of neatly , tightly spaced RV’s with lots of pavement and concrete. It’s not the “camping”, I grew up on, but I’m betting many of the younger RVers have never known anything else. Of course, even when we can find a campground of our liking, it is still not the camping I grew up as a child doing. Then, it was strictly tents and sleeping bags with a Coleman gas stove and cooler full of ice. We at least now have the comfort of a bed, with closets to hang our clothes, indoor cooking and a refrigerator. But we are nestled comfortably under a canopy of trees, with a picnic table, a fire ring , a bit more privacy, and a little dirt to remind us of camping of yore.
We put other because we travel with furry friends & when we have to leave them inside we want A/C for them ( we have monitors to let us know inside conditions). We like the TX state parks, but many of them only have electric & water at site. Which is fine for us. Full hook ups are great, most KOA’s are great but expensive. We would boon dock, but only in cooler weather.
I prefer Glamping where there are a lot of Prevost, Newells and other high end busses are parked with nice amenities and free alcohol. Don’t forget extremely high prices.
It depends.
If it’s just an overnight stop on the way to a destination, then full hookups (dumpstation ok) Whenever possible, we avoid campgrounds with tightly packed sites. If a State Park is less than half an hour off our route, that’s our preference.
If it’s a destination stop, then a scenic campground with or without hookups.
My husband is a traveling nurse and I am a freelance writer. We live full-time in our RV. When we move to a new city for work, we prefer a clean, safe and affordable RV park, with full hook up. Preferably with a few amenities: laundry, wifi and dog park
When we are traveling and on vacation, we love state parks, COE and private campgrounds that are located near lakes, hiking trails or other outdoor activities. Full hook ups not required. Boondocking is on our list, just haven’t had the opportunity to do much.
Enjoy both. While on the road, I prefer full hook ups at least every other day. We really enjoy spacious state and national parks for a few days. Then we are ready for full hook up convenience for a few.
Each has its purpose depending on the timing, trip purpose and destination.
All the above, except Walmart. Depends how I’m feelin and what highway I’m on.
Love the out of crowd spots especially if there is fishing, hiking. Have to come in to rv camp ground ever so often to dump, get water. Wish there were more places where I live to just stay out away from everyone.
I have changed significantly over the last 3 years in my view of what RVing and travel means to me. No longer am I interested in dragging a trailer to a campground. The destination is no longer the interest. It’s the travel, the sites and sounds you experience getting there!
I now find myself with two 4WD vans and a couple of vintage 1985 Toyota 4Runner’s for EXPLORATION. My 6.0 metre Argosy Minuette just sits while the new focus is a complete off-road capable rebuild frame and all of a vintage fiberglass trailer completely different than anything I have seen. For lack of a better term Overland type of travel now interests me much more than the RV lifestyle. See the world as you have never seen it by traveling in da “Boondocks” leaving the comforts and safety of home and the “Trailer Park” behind.
Amazing how your perspective on what’s important in your life continues the change!
We enjoy them all, a clean powered RV park and quiet scenic boon docking areas primitive sites and when necessary a Walmart will work.
It depends on what we want and need at the time. We have stayed at all the above listed and some more not listed. For us it really depends on the circumstances at the time. Travelling give me safe, quiet full hook up site and we are happy.
We have our favorite spots around the country ranging from private parks with full hook ups to national parks with only a toilet and a place for potable water. We do travel on a budget so $50 and up sites are only for an over nite stop when nothing else is convenient. Our trailer is 6.5′ x 10″ with 6’2″ headroom inside. We have 200 amp hour batteries, solar panels, a small fridge and a fan which meets our needs. We moved up to this trailer when we felt tent camping at our age was getting difficult. We spend more time outside than in and keep things simple, we have traveled over 60 thousand miles in the last 4 years and have visited 30 states, 18 more to go (don’t plan on driving to Hawaii or Alaska).
I’m kinda split…
“Normally” I’d say what you’re calling a primitive campground — a reasonably level site with no hookups because I’m self-contained and the sites are much bigger/better/prettier locations. The ONLY time I want hookups is when I’m in a campsite populated by generator nazis who can’t stand anyone else being happy or healthy. When absolutely forced by weather over 70* at night, I’m medically forced to have A/C and will accept “dry” campgrounds with power hookups…
I’d love to boondock more, but that’s hard in the Northeast…
Because I like to travel to new places on a budget, I’m totally happy when a Walmart invites me to stay the night while in transit, and reward them with my business. That is NOT CAMPING, though… I don’t “deploy” in their parking lot — it’s sleeping to continue in the morning.
The one type of place I REALLY HATE are the campgrounds that provide all the “luxury amenities” and are populated by people who hate obedient dogs, hate respectful kids, hate RVs under $50K, never leave their mega-busses, but complain incessantly about those who do walk around the grounds. There oughta be a sign at the gate, perhaps:
“CAUTION: FERAL DINGBATS MAY ESCAPE ENCLOSURES”
They are all on my list of places to stay. As we rambled cross country recently we stayed overnight in nondescript cgs with services a couple of times, A winery parking lot one night and a closed racetrack’s parking lot another. We spent 2 nights in a lovely full service campground for a break in the travel. For wandering we will spend a week or more way off the beaten track and after cleaning up go back for more. Although beautiful full service RV parks are nice we do not tend to spend a lot of time in them unless it is our home park, Jojoba Hills SKP Resort, where in addition to the amenities we have a wonderful vibrant community.
We travel full time in our motorhome, and if we had to stay in typical RV parks we would quit RV’ing. Our rig is set up for boondocking, and being in the middle of nowhere with nobody else around is where we are happiest. Provided there is a cell signal… lol.
I actually enjoy most all types of camping. WalMart is not something I regularly choose, but have done them a few times.
Depending on circumstances I prefer to do National Forest, state parks, COE locations but private campgrounds can be pleasant when in tourist locations.
We prefer the Army COE and federal campgrounds. Water and electricity only but plenty of space between sites. On the lake is our preference so we can kayak and fish. I don’t like RV parks with everyone crammed in together. I’d love to boondock but we aren’t set up for that…..yet. As I’m typing this, we are actually staying at a federal park in one of our favorite spots as I watch the boaters go by. I can see a few neighbors but I have plenty of space. We are planning to upgrade once the last child graduates and travel for a bit full time before settling in near the kids and grandkids. I am counting the days to husband’s retirement!
It depends on where we are and what we need. If we’ve been boondocking for a few days we might need full hookups to catch up on laundry and cleaning. If we’re going from point a to point b a Walmart parking lot might be a good option. It all depends.
We prefer BOTH, it depends on why we’re there.
all of the above, one at a time … depending upon the need and want and flexibility
I DO like both but the wife is a little timid about the boonies. So, we camp along a scenic river in a park with full hookups.- Best of both worlds. I marked “rv park with full hookups.”
Campground? We will chose a Corp. of Engineers or Forest campground for a first choice. They are heavily wooded, on water with large and private lots, security and usually have some services and nearly always electric. Rangers are friendly and helpful. Hosts also are usually helpful. CG’s in Mn have added fishing docks and are an excellent way for kids (of all ages) to get close to nature and appreciate it for it’s beauty and learn to respect it. Rates are very reasonable as well!
State parks near the ocean beaches of Oregon with or without hookups works for us.
Boondocking is preferable-we love the dark skies and quiet. Forest service when in an area with good hiking, and lake for paddling. Walmart’s are convenient when traveling and pushing through-very convenient for stocking up on supplies too. And, RV parks when we just want a few days of pampering-we generally use our crock pot to make meals ahead for the freezer, relax by the pool, enjoy the clubhouse and activities, walk the park to view the vast variety of RV’s on the market, catch up on socializing and get our dog/cat fix-although with COVID-19 we adjust and adapt. It’s a lifestyle of options!
We have to have electricity so we need at least electrical hookup. However I would much rather stay in a state or national park than a commercial park.
We prefer the scenic, primitive campgrounds, but often have to choose a park with electricity – we travel with a couple of dogs and need to be sure that those times we must leave them in the RV they will be safe & comfortable. Of course, we like to stay cool, too. In chilly weather it’s a non-issue because we can run the furnace & all *needed* amenities for a few days without hookkups. Water is always from our own well at home, until it runs out.
I’ve done all of the choices and each have its pleasures and draw backs. I just love variety.
I prefer the scenic parks, my wife prefers the resorts with full amenities so that’s where we stay.
The option for all. Sometimes hook ups are nice or needed. When traveling, a quick night at Walmart is appreciated. Other times much more scenic views are enjoyed.
I’m an “Other” voter. We are both in our 80s, we like our electrical “conveniences” and the great outdoors. So, on average, state park campgrounds with electrical hook ups work out well for us. We have enough tankage to last us close to a week, then we can move on.
Lots of variables to this poll depending on the circumstances. If I am on the road traveling I have no trouble with a Walmart parking lot. Traveling through Canada to Alaska I really enjoyed the pull offs next to a lake or with scenic mountains in view but if I am going to be anywhere for over 2 days I want full hookups. I choose full hookups as my answer since I normally stay over 2 days.
I like our state parks. They have electric hookups only but have water and dump available. They offer a 50% discount during the week to seniors. This gives me a quiet, scenic campground with a some activity around me. But on the bad side, not many windows to look into! 😎
We like both, just depends on our mood at the time. We’re social but sometimes like the peace and quiet of seclusion with nature.
We like state & federal parks that have 50 amp & water (sewer is a bonus!) best, with space between spots. On the road, we prefer full hookups in a quiet rv park with space between pads.
*Other – State Parks with FHU are our favorite but we will take one with W/E if we are are staying a week or less.
scenic campground with at least partial hook ups.
We almost always use Wisconsin State parks. There is electrical but no sewer or water hookups. The sites are pretty roomy and fairly level and mostly shaded with trees. There is fresh water available nearby and it’s pretty peaceful at night. They typically have lots of trails for both hiking and bicycling. We’ve been camping around Wisconsin for 30-40 years. In the last years, it has been harder to get prime sites, but worth the trouble.
You’ve asked a hard question to answer. We most often stay in a RV Park, with hook-ups, but if we want to be in an area in a National Forest far from hook-ups, we like staying in primitive campgrounds or even boon-docking off by ourselves. (Of course, our stay is then limited to 3-4 days by battery life and water tank capacity.)
Other. We use our RV to travel – just go where the wind blows us. We seldom stay more than one night in one place. We just like to see the old roads and small towns.
Go where the wind takes me. I would like to do more boondocking and will as soon as I get my RV solar outfitted. I don’t have any desire to stay at any of the big RV resorts…2000 RVs in one park,,,no thank you. Except for a membership park in NV I’ve never spent more than 5 days in one place.
I prefer hookups and scenic! Like a Corp of engineers campground.
With small black and gray tanks I look for dumps as the most important thing. (only 5&8 gal. Respectively). after that places like quartzite do just fine. Don’t need people around me.
Scenic spot with at least partial hookups. Actually, our favorite spot is a military campground in a scenic location with dry sites for overflow and a rotation system to get into full hookups so everyone gets some time in each.
“Other” here. I don’t need full hook ups, but at least electric or electric and water are fine. Doesn’t have to be super scenic, but that’s a bonus when traveling. When I plan to stay somewhere a few days then “scenic” means more. So does the weather. WalMart is not preferred as I want the electric.
Fairgrounds are my favorite! I never use any RV park accomodations except maybe the dog park so am happy with usually full hook ups and the place to myself!
My “RV” is a Chevy Astro van I’ve built into something like the classic 1960s VW van campers, of which I’ve owned several.
I love week+ high country solo backpacks, in the Sierras and Cascades. I’ve twice ridden my bicycle down the Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to Mexico, pup-tenting for 50-60 days. After those experiences anything with a mattress, a couple jugs of water and some 12 volt lights looks like the Ritz!
We all have our favorite ways to travel. Mine is to stay in deserted campgrounds, or out in the sticks, enjoying the quiet and the wonderfully dark skys. But I’m totally on-board with folks who enjoy plenty of people, all the luxuries, Christmas lights draped around their site.
To each their own!
I did a solo bicycle trip from Chicago to San Francisco back in 1979. It was one of the biggest adventures of my life. l ended up staying in the Bay Area for eight years. I met my wife, we got married, and moved to Nevada – quickly . . .
I chose other, because destination, length of vacation, and weather help determine which location would be approiate.
We prefer an assortment, love staying at army corps parks, state parks and national parks. When were close to a major city and want to do a lot of touring in that area then we look for a full hookup park. Have only done a small amount of boondocking but will probably do more with our travels in the West this year.
I most enjoy the Army Corps of Engineer (COE) campgrounds with elec/water on site and a community dumping station. The sites typically have a water view and direct access to the lake. Sites are large and many are private nestled in nature. Campgrounds and roads are well maintained and bath houses reasonably clean (a few exceptions), hosts are pleasant and accommodating, park rangers and hosts keep watch without being intrusive, and gates are locked for reasonable hours. Children can play, bikers can bike, and responsible pet owners can bring along Fido and Fluffy. Costs are very reasonable for all these parks have to offer.
If you haven’t yet, just a suggestion to try Truman State Park in Benton county, Missouri outside the little town of Warsaw. Beautiful, most northern part of the Ozarks & the Harry S. Truman Dam backs up the Osage River which runs into the Missouri River & then the great Mississippi! It is full of history from everything from the dinosaur bones found in the area to the Osage Indians to the little town that was flooded for the dam to the huge fish hatchery. The stay is longer than you would have expected & the fishing is fantastic! Oh yeah, & it is or was (can’t remember this part) considered the Spoonbill Capital of the World!
We prefer State parks with full hookup but electric only okay for a 6 day or less stay.
I have yet to go boon-docking, but I wouldn’t mind giving it a try at some point in time, I have the provisions to do it. That said, I do prefer/get full hookups when going to a campground. For me, it’s just easier to take care of everything right there at the campsite as compared to having to wait in line at a dump station and hope people don’t get testy if you don’t do your business fast enough.
We do our share of TV parks ,but we are just as happy with a state or national park with water and electric. So many of the RV parks have things we don’t want or need.
We have always stayed at campgrounds with water & electric. Our new trailer is off road ready so we are going to try boondocking.
With a CPAP machine I need electric hookups. Don’t need swimming pools, bocci ball, etc.
Other. A state park or Corp of engineer. They are usually more rustic, wooded or rural and less popular to the full hookup camps. We also don’t camp for or utilized the amenities. Electric as a minimum. We don’t have solar yet. We can conserve otherwise.
If you are considering solar, now is still the time (although it was better in 2019). You can still get a tax credit of 26% for 2020. As I recall, 2021 will be the last year for a rebate and it will drop further (22% I think).
We sure are enjoying the freedom it provides. It’s also nice to have a backup generator. Having both will set you free.
Many full hookup parks are in more urban areas, you don’t find a lot of full hookups in rural locations. Personally electric in a nice locations is all needed: with a dump station of course. C.O.E. sites are one of my favorite locals, the eastern states have many on flood control locations.
Anywhere I can plug in my Air Conditionr so I can sleep.
South Dakota State Parks
State and national parks. They show the best of how that state feels about visitors.
I’m not a people person. I’m always polite & respectful, but when/if there is the chance to “get away,” I want to really do that. For me, that is separate if I want full hook-up, or not. My only choice was picking the one about boondock because yes, I like to be away from others, but that doesn’t mean I always want to boondock, if this makes sense? I love finding a state park that isn’t very crowded & setting up the area the way I prefer & “nesting” for a bit within the trees; often looking towards water. It is possible to have both this setting & electricity.
We just enjoy camping. There are variations why we like each. It also depends on weather and time of year.
Scenic, primitive spaces are good at times (assuming we are talking about State or Federal Parks). It depends on the location. As long as there is space, a good campfire is relaxing. You can often meet new friends here. Hiking is fun. Sometimes they have amenities. Sometimes they don’t. But you have to plan carefully. The general stay is less than 14 days. During this time, your H2O tanks run out and your waste tanks fill up. You have to hope there is a dump nearby and then make a run to town to restock before your next destination. Most are reasonably priced.
There is something to be said for clean and safe RV Parks but you pay a price. Barking dogs, screaming kids, trashy trailers, tight spaces can be a definite deal breaker. We do like the resorts that provide extra space between RV’s, Clean Showers and Restrooms, pools, work out centers, game rooms, walking/bike paths, concrete or asphalt parking that is level, water pressure that is above 50 psi, sewer, electric and water connections that are properly placed and maybe a small lake and convenience store. Generally, these are great for short duration’s as they tend to be very expensive. We consider these our vacation spots rather than travel spots.
Scenic, primitive spaces are the best. They provide remoteness, isolation, relaxation and great scenery. It’s just a great location to get-a-way from it all and unwind. No barking dogs, screaming kids but no amenities. It’s hard to do laundry. It’s hard to take a good, long hot shower. To make a run to the store can take all day. You have to watch your tanks and conserve as much as you can on H20 and waste water. But the views are awesome! Best of all, they are free or practically free!
Walmart and the like serve a purpose. You can restock and get a grip on the next location by charting maps and making phone calls. Generally, Walmarts and the like are located near conveniences. Time to get a meal at a local restaurant. Time to fuel up the vehicle. Maybe catch a movie. It’s noisy with cars and trucks moving about. Walmarts are generally in noisy/busy areas. But for the price (or lack thereof), it’s great.
So how would one pick a “favorite”? They are all great! A bad day camping is better than any great day at WORK!
We stay in different places, based on a variety of variables. If we’re just passing through, a Walmart works fine. If we’re in an area that has lots of different attractions, we stay in a FHU park and take side trips in the toad (towed) to places of interest. If we just want to lay back and relax for a few days or a week, we look for a BLM area or other place to boondock away from people. We stay in RV parks most of the time and enjoy meeting and socializing with other travelers.
My preference is a clean safe commercial RV Park. Although we do boondock on public lands @ times, that’s when we recharge (ourselves). When traveling and conditions or stops have caused us to fall short of the distance we wanted to travel, we stay on Walmart, Caballo’s, or Cracker Barrel parking lots when available. We try to use everything that’s available. You never know when you may have to use an option that you are not head over heels about…
My wife is a teacher (I’m retired) and we spend each summer wandering the west. Last year (due to medical) we were out only 5 weeks or so, but the year prior it was 9+ weeks…. 9 weeks, of which 8 were dry camping either in National Forest campgrounds or on BLM land (aka, boondocking).
In the last 4 years we have camped out for about 11 months (35 weeks) and of those 35 weeks, we’ve had power for only 11.
To me, “primitive campground” and “boondocking” really seem to be nearly synonymous… the only difference being, a pit toilet and fire rings vs not.
Oh yeah, in those 35 weeks we’ve stayed at a walmart once, cracker barrel twice, and random hardware store maybe 7 or 8 times. When we’re desperate and in a town with no campgrounds, I’ve found that Lowes or Menards or (insert hardware store here) don’t have problems with visitors. I call first, ask permission, and find a quiet corner so as not to disturb customers…. I’ve never been told no when I call ahead.
For me, Walmart is for “emergencies only”. And for me, BLM or NFS or boondocking are all really pretty much the same. 🙂
I forgot to add that we enjoy the NP’s, and SP’s, mostly in early spring and mid fall. The crowds and the noise level especially in NP CG’s is a bit much for me during the summer months.
It depends if we are traveling or staying a while.